• Bachelor of Science Nursing (University of Colorado Anschutz)

• Registered Nurse (Maryland, USA)

• Certified Childbirth Educator (ICEA)

• Certified Lactation Counselor (CBI)

• Birth Doula (CBI)

• Postpartum Doula (pending, PSN)

How I got here

My interest in birth began during my maternity rotation in nursing school, watching what the female body is capable of. After nursing school I became a home visiting nurse in Baltimore with the Nurse Family Partnership, supporting low-income, first-time teenage mothers through pregnancy and the first two years of their children's lives.

When I left the US, I certified as a childbirth educator with ICEA and taught private and small group classes to expat families in Việt Nam, where I also trained as a lactation counselor and helped dozens of families meet their breastfeeding goals. When I moved to the Netherlands, I trained as a birth doula. I wanted to be back in the birthing space.

Why I do this

I've given birth twice. The first time in the US, where the memory of what my body did that day still inspires me. The second time in Việt Nam, during the COVID pandemic, navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system far from everyone I knew. Even with my professional background, I felt isolated and unsupported.

I don't want other expats to have that experience. That's the whole reason Empowered Birth Services exists.