Welcome! My name is Michaela and I am a birth doula, pediatric nurse, and nurse midwife assistant. I live in Chicago with my husband (who proposed in a forest of peonies!!) and our boxer puppy, Winston. I am passionate about supporting women and their partners through all things pregnancy, labor and postpartum! Birth is a profoundly personal right of passage. It is not only the birth of your baby but of you as a mother. It is my honor to be able to walk through these transitions with you and be an educational resource and provide support. My intention in providing this website as an educational/encouraging tool is to enable you and your partner to feel prepared and empowered for your birth.
I have supported women birthing at home, in a free-standing birthing center and in the hospital (vaginal & cesarean). I believe birth should take place in a setting where you feel the safest and most supported whether that is at home, in a birth center or at a hospital. My desire is for you to feel you have the resources and tools to make informed choices surrounding your birth. I have been a pediatric nurse for five years and I find it very rewarding to care for children and their families in times of vulnerability and I cherish the moments when I get to hear their stories. I have just started a new position at the Birth Center of Chicago working on call a couple times a month as a nurse midwife assistant for births! Although I am not currently working as a doula, I desire to continue to provide education on the benefits of doulas and all things pregnancy/birth/postpartum. I chose the name Beautiful Birth Story because I believe birth is sacred and each woman has a powerful story unfolding within and through her.
I had the honor of being a support person for three of my sister's births- she chose to birth in her home with a midwife, nurse & doula. I fell in love with birth work as I saw how comfortable my sister became with the presence and support of her doula. Her doula enhanced the birthing team by being a constant support to not only my sister but also her husband and our mother and me. She taught us ways to soothe and support. Mostly she was a calm, encouraging, & patient presence.
In my free time I enjoy taking my puppy to the dog park, exploring coffee shops, learning languages (German & Spanish), and hosting friends in our home for a meal/tea. Check out my Doula Instagram page! @beautifulbirthstory