One of the most profound transitions of life is becoming a parent. It can be an exciting, amazing, sacred, vulnerable, and sometimes downright scary time. My work as a doula began in postpartum and I still have a place in my heart for working with families during this period of time. I always aim to “work myself out of a job” and help parents find their own way.

Services / Skills

Phone and email support; breastfeeding support and lactation referrals; bottle-feeding support; prenatal visits; lending library; sibling support; postpartum care; running errands; household organization; grocery shopping; light cleaning and meal preparation; listening to and assisting in processing of birth story; 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; 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; mother to three young sons. I have served 16 families as a postpartum doula.

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