Back in the 90s, all of my closest friends were transplants to California so when they started having babies there was no family or anyone they felt safe with to support them during their births. Many of us were very close and it meant that I was lucky enough to be there to support many people I love in bringing their babies into the world. Over time it became friends of friends and I took a training and started doing birth work professionally. I took the first part of my massage training and launched my practice in 2003. For a year, in 2006, I tried focusing on birthwork exclusively to make myself as available as possible. By the end of the year I was tired and frustrated and struggling to pay my bills while also trying to offer services at a rate that the average family could afford. What I found was offering pre and post natal specific bodywork in conjunction with my birth services offered me more work life balance. I could be more present to my clients because I didn't live on call all the time. I didn't miss all of my family events and holiday. What this means is I offer a discounted massage session rate to my doula clients and encourage them to receive weekly or biweekly sessions. This means we have a much closer relationship, they are comfortable with me touching them and I know their body so I can support them better when we are navigating labor. I also do at least one session with their partner during the second trimester where I teach the partner how to work on their belly and any tissue that might be uncomfortable to ensure that the three of us are a team and know each other. This helps ensure that the couple is more connected and present with daily changes that happen during pregnancy, this can also help prevent stretch marks! Postpartum I encourage my clients to see me for the first 3 months, it means we can help address pain and imbalances in the body as it starts to recover from the trauma of delivery. I can kinesio tape when support is needed and help mitigate the inevitable back and shoulder pain that comes with caring for a newborn. This builds in support for the new parents and allows me to help make sure they're fully resourced before we see each other less.