I believe every woman has a right to a positive birth experience. I am here to help you find the birth path that is right for you, and be with you (and your partner) on the journey. To me, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding are normal life events. My goal is to help create a feeling of safe, supportive, and respectful surroundings throughout the experience. I have a special interest in working with mothers who have had disappointing or traumatic birth experiences and are preparing to birth again.

Services / Skills

Phone and email support; relaxation support, birth ball, heat/cold therapy, massage and counter pressure during labor; non-professional photographs of labor, birth, and immediate postpartum; prenatal and postpartum nutrition counseling; labor support in home and/or hospital; initial breastfeeding support; help creating a birth plan; sibling support; lactation referrals, postpartum support; prenatal visits; help establishing a support network

Education

DONA basic doula training April 2008, childbirth , several breastfeeding and infant care classes, early childhood/childcare certifications

Experience

Postpartum doula since spring 2006; active member of Doulas of South Central Wisconsin since June 2006; Birth Doula since spring 2008; Small Miracles volunteer doula; a wide variety of experiences with breastfeeding including tandem nursing, multiples, low milk supply and special needs infants; past childcare and special education experience; Birth Healing group facilitator; Pregnancy support group facilitator, Fertility Awareness teacher; La Leche League member; Friends of Wisconsin Midwives steering committee member; mother to three young sons.

Births attended

Self, three; as doula, 16; other, one.

Michelle can be reached at 608-577-8611 or m_ellinger@hotmail.com or view madisondoula.com.

-- May 7, 2010