Meet Calina
She/Her/Hers
I began my path as a doula at age 18 and completed my labor doula training at Birthingway College of Midwifery in 1998. That same year I worked with a dear friend through her entire pregnancy, labor, and postpartum time. I later helped my friend prepare for and welcome two more children as her doula and nanny. These experiences were pivotal in shaping my identity and philosophy as a doula. Through these early experiences, I realized the value and benefits of continuity-of-care, serving families throughout the entire childbearing year.
While embarking on a career as a doula, my passion for the healing arts grew as I sought out many opportunities to add to my caregiver skill set. These include massage therapy, reiki, nutrition, and herbal medicine, among many other modalities.
I formally completed my postpartum doula training, while enrolled in the midwifery program and certified in 2011. I completed my midwifery studies in 2016. It was through this rigorous program and becoming a mother that I realized my deepest desire, to serve women and their families in the role of a postpartum doula. Albeit, more skilled, confident, and educated.
Since 2005 I have supported hundreds of new and growing families during the postpartum time.
I completed an Infant Massage Education course through the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), Certified as a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist through The International Placenta & Postpartum Association, and currently working towards certification as a Sleep Consultant. After surviving several challenging years of sleep issues with my own children I’m very passionate about helping exhausted and overwhelmed families find the tools needed to teach their babies how to sleep!
I can make myself at home in any kitchen! I have a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and enjoy creating nourishing meals for new parents to keep them energized and help increase milk supply, so mama can
focus on recovering and bonding with baby, successfully breastfeeding if planned.
When preparing to have my own children I was met with a myriad of unforeseen challenges. I experienced two unplanned cesareans, after working very hard to have un-medicated water births. I realized after both experiences that my babies had their own plans. The births had to unfold on their own accord, in order to provide a safe outcome for us all. This was a very tough new mama lesson that has humbled me and given me even greater compassion for “Homebirth Cesarean Mamas” and all cesarean mothers alike. Planned or unplanned surgical birth is an incredible rite of passage to motherhood and is often an arduous recovery that deserves special consideration and support.
As an experienced herbalist, nutritional counselor, community health worker, and trained midwife, I instinctually incorporate this collective wisdom into all of my work. My ability to problem-solve through tough situations and match families with comprehensive resources and services is informed by my education and experience. I have current CPR and Blood Borne Pathogen certifications which are renewed every two years. I complete continuing education and keep all of my other certifications valid.
When I’m not supporting you as your doula….
I enjoy spending quality time with my fun-loving and wild children, my sweet husband, and our two rambunctious kitties. My passions include wild-crafting herbs, plant medicine, cooking, gardening, organizing, aromatherapy, hula hooping, music, and being near water.
I feel honored to support your family during this transformative time!
I welcome clients of all backgrounds, diversities, ethnicities, sexualities, genders, and family structures. Offering non-judgemental support, evidence-based and current education to help you make informed parenting choices.
Calina is fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and very conscious about public health and taking all necessary steps to stay healthy in order to protect you and your family. If I have any signs and symptoms of illness prior to a scheduled appointment I will notify you as soon as I’m aware to reschedule. I ask that if you or anyone in your household has signs and symptoms of illness, within the last 72 hours that you notify me as well so that we may make a plan and reschedule if needed. Remote services are available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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I provide emotional and physical support to aid in your recovery after childbirth and help keep your whole household harmonious! Services include:
Baby care guidance and education on all the firsts-(learning baby’s hunger cues, bathing, diapering, feeding-etc.)
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding support/help with positioning, latch and pumping/storing milk Listening ears to help you process the birth
Entertaining older siblings and pets Light housekeeping-dishes, laundry-etc. Meal prep
Baby-wearing demonstration Infant & parent sleep solutions
Screening for postpartum mood disorders (Doula support has been shown to reduce these risks as well!)
Parenting guidance and referrals as needed Running errands
An extra set of hands to give you a break for self-care!
Other services outside of the postpartum doula role including nutritional counseling, placenta encapsulation, and sleep support are available.
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No. I am not a medical provider. I am a skilled support provider and can make referrals to medical professionals when needed.
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I do not currently work on-call or in the role of a labor support professional. But I am available to support you as soon as you are ready after the birth of y our child/children.
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I specialize in providing support to families during “the witching hours!” 3 pm-10 pm Monday-Saturday. I have a 4-hour minimum.
Based on years of experience supporting new and growing families I have found the hours just prior to dinner after school for older siblings and before-bedtime to be the most challenging during the newborn period. It has been very helpful for many families to have an extra set of hands during this timeframe to help start dinner, hold the baby while parents eat, clear away dishes, read books/entertain kids and then help with the bedtime routine and sleep support.
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It is generally a good idea to schedule in advance, while you are still pregnant-if possible. However, it is not uncommon for families to hire me after the baby is born and challenges and sleepless nights have already taken a toll. The first few weeks of a baby’s life are often the most helpful time to have extra support. Having postpartum doula support available to come to your home the first couple of days after birth can be especially helpful to allow you to settle in and prepare for caring for a baby. This support in the early days can make a big impact and make days 3-5 when breastmilk typically comes in and hormones dramatically shift more manageable.
Many families choose to have doula support for 2-4 days per week in the first 4-6 weeks and then gradually taper down to 1-2 days for a couple of weeks or until ready and then eventually weaning off care completely. By 3-4 months I will usually recommend other resources for support or childcare if you are still needing some help.
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Schedule a consultation to discuss support plan and desired dates of service, Q & A, pay $150 deposit to secure the date(s).