Margie Franzen Margie Franzen

I provide birth doula services in English, Spanish, French, German, and Dutch.

Les ofrezco mis servicios de doula en inglés, espańol, francés, alemán, y holandés.

J’apporte mes services de doula en anglais, espagnol, français, allemand, et néerlandais.

Meine Dienste als Doula stehen Ihnen auf Englisch, Spanisch, Franzözisch, Deutsch oder Hollandisch zur Verfügung.

Ik bied mijn diensten als doula in het Engels, Spaans, Fraans, Duits en Nederlands aan.

If you are a care provider and would like to refer women who speak these languages, please have them call me directly 608-467-0430, or, for volunteer doula services, they may leave a message, English preferred, with the Small Miracles Doula program 608-833-4459.

Labor in your native language

As birth doula, I understand both the practicalities and emotion of language in pregnancy and birth. I respect non-verbal ways of connecting with women during birth, while also especially skilled in assuring women comfort in their native language. Even women who speak English quite fluently as a second language may find themselves drawn to their native language during labor.

Some describe the doula role as “mothering the mother”. And, as “mother tongue” speaks of one’s native language, I understand the emotional and legal right for women to birth in the language that comes most easily and readily. A doula is there to seamlessly communicate with women, partners, family and staff; I accomplish this in the language you feel most natural in, allowing your energies to be focused with your body in birth. I accept clients in Dane, Rock and Green Counties. Besides being with many women from the Midwestern United States, my clients have come from the Cote d’Ivoire, the Czech Republic, Italy, the Philippines, Mexico, and Argentina.

Services / Skills

Aside from my prenatal sessions, birth attendance and postnatal follow-up, I offer:
  • bibliography of fiction where the experience of pregnancy and birth is highlighted
  • writing therapy and journaling
  • creative reading to prepare sibling-attended births
  • written translation of birth certificates and immigration documents into English.
  • written translation of literature and medical material into Spanish or English.
  • referrals & research into finding a doula that speaks your native language.

Education / Experience

Continuing education, poster presentations and seminars in both doula and interpreter professions on topics such as: informed consents, genetic counseling, grief. Graduate work in the history of medicine (emphasis in obstetrics, wetnursing/breastfeeding, diagnostic ultrasound) and in the metaphors shared by medical and popular literature.

  • DONA (CD) certification (anticipated in 2012)
  • Certified Medical Interpreter (anticipated 2012)
  • Dane County Medical Interpreter Assessment 2008
  • Master of Arts in Spanish Languages & Literatures 2003
  • Master of Arts in Economics 2000; Bachelor of Arts in Spanish & Econonics 1998.
  • Multiple independent scholarships abroad in Spain, Germany and France. I am currently pursuing international work and collaboration with an increasing birth doula presence in the Netherlands – a culture with a strong history in homebirth while also one with strong ties to technological advances in medicine.

Births attended

Self, one; as doula, 10; multiple vaginal and cesarean births as Spanish-English medical interpreter.

I can be reached at 608-467-0430 or birth@margiefranzen.org. For more on my education, projects and interests, please see my website www.margiefranzen.org.

-- July 9, 2011


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