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Meet Our Doulas
Everyday Miracles is proud to have 31 Doulas as of November 2009. Below are listed some attributes that detail the diverse and unique backgrounds that they possess:
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Languages Spoken:
- Arabic
- English
- Spanish
- Farsi
- German
- French
- Ebonics
- Somali
- Hmong
- Luganda
- Hebrew
- American Sign
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Ethnicity:
- 2 native to Mexico
- 1 native to Peru
- 1 native to El Salvador
- 1 native to Guatemala
- 1 native to Laos
- 4 native to Somalia
- 1 native to Uganda
- 1 African American
- 1 Doula lived in Ecuador
- Native to Israel
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Special Attributes of some of our Doulas:
- Midwife and psychotherapist in Mexico
- Masters in Education
- Masters in Counseling and Psychological Services
- Certified Hypnotherapist
- Certified Yoga Instructor
- Doula Trainer
- Certified CB Educators (2)
- Breastfeeding Educator
- Certified Massage Therapist
- Vegetarian Student of Women's Holistic Health
- Student of Midwifery
- Social Worker - Case Management
- Certified Postpartum Doula
- Spanish Medical Interpreter
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What Others Are Saying About Our Doulas:
I wanted to drop you a note and rave, gush, praise, etc your doulas!!! I had two births yesterday and both were enhanced beyond description by your doulas. Both myself and these women were blessed to have them.
Meg worked with a young sexual abuse survivor have an unmedicated and life changing birth. She helped this young woman realize her own strength and to find empowerment in the process. It is VERY rare for me to get emotional about a birth and this one markedly touched me. I am certain this young woman would not have attained this without Meg there reminding her of her strength and ability every step of the way. In a room that had much chaos, Meg kept this woman grounded, focused her energy, and gave her the attention she needed without making any other person there feel left out. She truly helped the woman and showed the other support people how to help her as well. She attended the family as well as the woman.
Olga was with a young Latina who knew nothing of her own strength and was very nervous about labor. Olga was amazing. She seemed to know exactly what this woman needed ad kept the mood in the room light. She abated this woman's fears with her making the process such a normal and regular part of life. I was awed by how easily she would go from her smiling and casual conversing with everyone to having her face inches away from this woman's ear and whispering encouragement and validating things. Seemed she was reminding this woman that both things - the ease of life and this woman's strength - were as normal as breathing.
Both of the patients had remarkable deliveries. Both babies entered the pelvis a bit misaligned (asynclitic) and many women would have had either a c-section or vacuum assisted deliveries. Neither did and I truly believe this is because of Meg and Olga.
Feel free to share this with them and take it as praise to both of you as well. Your team is a blessing to all women and surely touches more than you can begin to know.
Amy Langenfeld, CNM
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Lana Anderson-Kuchynski
Passion! That’s right - Passion. Trust! Trust
in the laboring woman. These are the two key things that
have motivated me to become the doula I am today. I absolutely
and positively love working with expectant and laboring
women.
I have two children, both boys. I have a Master’s
degree in Counseling and Psychological Services, which
has immensely helped me with my work as a doula. I also
am a certified hypnotherapist and offer hypnotherapy for
pain management during labor to my clients if they choose.
Yoga is another interest of mine and I received a certification
as a yoga instructor. And yes, of course, one more important
certification, I am a certified doula through Doulas of North
America (DONA). |
I love learning about other cultures and languages, so with
this love I know a little bit, and I do mean little bit, of Russian,
Spanish, French, German, Farsi, Swahili and American Sign Language.
I am currently on the Board of Directors for a new development
in Haiti that will serve the underdeveloped and medically-lacking
Haitian community. Specifically, I have developed a manual to
train other woman to become doulas to their fellow sisters and
also to the nurses and doctors, which there are few of.
Some of my hobbies are Martial Arts (Tae Kwon Do),
reading, swimming, bowling, playing miniature golf
and traveling.
I have been a doula since 2002 and attend approximately
2 births per month. My style is relaxed, reassuring and focused.
I may sound busy but not really, it’s just good time management
and I always have time for an expectant mom who goes into labor!
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Meghan Kiyar
My name is Meghan Kiyar and I am a happily married mother of one. My son was born November 2008 and I had a beautiful birth at St. Joseph's hospital in St. Paul.
I am very passionate about pregnancy, birth, and growing families. I completed my DONA birth doula training in January 2008 and continue to educate myself on topics surrounding pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. I enjoy attending all types of births because I believe wholeheartedly that birth is a miracle no matter what and that each woman must labor and birth in her own way. I support families in achieving their goals and taking control of and responsibility for their births. I also have a special interest in postpartum depression awareness and prevention and work closely with my clients to educate them about warning signs and risk factors in the postpartum period.
I have been privileged to provide my services to low income and at risk mothers to be in the Twin Cities as an independent contractor for Everyday Miracles. I feel so passionately about the work this organization does. This organization has made it possible for me to attend many different kinds of births with many different families in the Twin Cities which I believe has contributed greatly to my growth as a birth doula. |
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Lydia Neumann
My name is Lydia Neumann. I am currently attending college
at Anoka Ramsey Community College, with plans for a nursing
degree followed
by graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in nurse-midwifery.
Besides my schooling, I teach piano lessons, and enjoy
spending my spare time reading, writing letters, shopping,
or watching movies.
I am the oldest of seven, and I live at home with my wonderful
parents and siblings. Since I was very little, I've loved
babies and families, and I think that this led to my passion
for birth.
I know that being a doula is one of the things I was created
to do. I feel a connection to the mothers I meet through
Everyday
Miracles because many of them are young and close to my
own age. It is an honor to be with and support them as they
give their babies
the gift of life.
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Pati Kester
Pati Kester is a born and bred Minnesotan. She has been advocating
for children for over thirty years in a variety of capacities.
Pati began her working career as a Licensed Practical Nurse and
has also worked for Head Start and with Family Child Care. She
has actively lobbied the legislature on behalf of children's issues.
Pati was drawn to the work of a birth doula by her love of children
and her belief that supporting mothers as they bring their babies
into the world would be an effective way to promote healthy parent
/child attachment. It is her belief that our community depends
on the health and well-being of our children and that we need to
begin supporting them and their parents as soon as possible. Pati
has one daughter and a recently born grandson (01/04/06), her life's
joys.
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Maria Gonzalez
I have been a Certified Doula through Dona for the past two
years. I was born in Mexico and am fluent in both Spanish
and English.
I am also a WIC Peer Counselor for breastfeeding and lacation
and will soon start teaching for WIC in the Clinics.
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Marisa Harder-Chapman
I am the mother of a three year old daughter, and became very
interested in birth after she was born at home. I have been a doula
since the beginning of 2005. I am currently working on my Masters
in Holistic Health at the College of St Catherine, making lots
of playdoh and reading Little Bear, repeatedly. I am especially
interested in working with moms to appreciate and develop the meaning,
importance and sacredness of pregnancy and birth. I also have experience
with breastfeeding and postpartum support. I live just north of
North Branch. |
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Patricia Durkin
I am originally from Peru. I have two children. The oldest, Fiorella, is
16 years old and the youngest, Billy, is four. I have studied Political
Science in Peru. In the United States I have taken classes in prenatal
care, fetal development, Lamaze, lactation, child development and childcare.
When I had my youngest child, I had a doula that was with me through
every step of my pregnancy. During labor she gave me emotional and physical
support as well as information about childbirth and resources about the
community. After this wonderful experience, I decided that I would provide
the same support for other pregnant women. Now I have been a certified
doula through DONA for three years. I am bilingual in Spanish and English.
Currently I'm working Hispanic families through the Early Childhood Family
Education Program in the Twin Cities.
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Raelene Baker
I am a Certified Birth Doula with
Everyday Miracles. I am certified thorough DONA International.
I have been working as a birth doula since 2004. I started
out volunteering as a doula at Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury
to gain experience; I have enjoyed it so much that I still
continue to volunteer there once a month. I also work with
the Missing GRACE Foundation, which is an organization that
offers support services to bereaved families. I am a student
practitioner in Healing Touch therapy, which is a form of energy
work with the body. I have found that using Healing Touch with
laboring mothers has been very beneficial in reducing pain
and promoting relaxation. I believe that it is my passion in
life to support women on their journey into motherhood. Everyone’s
journey is different, their needs are different and it’s
important to make sure that they feel safe and fully supported
during their birthing experience. It is truly an honor to be
a part such an incredible time as a family welcomes its newest
member.
I am married to a wonderfully supportive husband and we have
two beautiful daughters ages 8 and 4. When I am not doula-ing
I enjoy traveling, watching movies, doing yoga, playing games
and having “Baker family fun nights” with my family.
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Evelyn Hernandez
I was born in Guatemala, Central America, I speak
Spanish fluently. I have been a Doula for about 6 years. I
have two beautiful children. My goal in life is to make a
difference in the life of a woman, one woman at a time. I believe
that
each one of us has the knowledge deep within ourselves on how
to birth a baby and I am there to support that knowledge as
well as to support the woman's partner by bringing them closer
together in that special time of their life. |
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Beatriz Patrick
I was born in Puebla, Mexico and moved to Minnesota
in 1996. I am the mother of three wonderful daughters. Becoming
a mom has opened my eyes to the wonder of the natural process
of giving birth. Becoming a Doula has given me the realization
that even the simplest of gestures can be the strongest support
for an expectant mother.
En Español: Nací en Puebla, México
y movido a Minnesota en 1996. Soy la madre de tres hijas
maravillosas. Llegando a ser una mamá ha abierto
mis ojos a la maravilla del proceso natural de dar a luz.
Llegando a ser un Doula me ha dado la realización
que aún el más sencillo de gestos puede ser
el apoyo más fuerte para una mujer encinta. |
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Jackline Mukiibi
How are you? Como estas? Oli otya?
I am native born Uganda, and have lived in the U.S.
for 19 years. I love to learn about different cultures, speak
Spanish proficiently and Luganda fluently. I went to the
University of San Diego where I studied Ethnic Studies, Spanish,
and Biology.
I decided to become a Doula after my experience of
having a very understanding, helpful, and supportive Doula
during my pregnancy and birth. I believe every woman deserves
to be fully supported and encouraged throughout her pregnancy
and birth because the process is such a sacred part of life.
I believe with the right resources and great support a mother
can be the mother they want to be, and be happy.
I live in Minneapolis with my beautiful daughter,
who I love to spend time with. The best thing about being
a mother for me is being able to experience what my mother
experienced with me, and knowing that one day my daughter
may feel the same.
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Sara Wilcox
I live in Richfield with my husband
and 4-year-old daughter. My background is in costume design
for theatre, but I am finding my life's
calling as a doula. My own terrific doula helped me tremendously
during my daughter's birth, and I so enjoy
being able to do the same for other women. I love being a
shoulder to lean on during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum
period. I have birth and postpartum training through DONA
International, and I am experienced with breastfeeding. I
also enjoy praying for and with my clients if they so choose.
Recently, I gained new insight into single motherhood while
my husband was deployed to Iraq. I believe we as women and
mothers have been gifted with deep wells of strength. As
Eleanor Roosevelt said, "A woman is like
a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she is
in hot water!"
I
would be honored to work with you as you welcome your new
baby into the world.
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Liz Abbene
CD(DONA),
LCCE
Since I can remember, I have been deeply passionate
about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. From countless
visits to the labor and delivery unit where my mother worked
as a nurse, to attending childbirth classes that she taught,
to years of babysitting, into my own experiences as a mother,
and now as a certified doula through DONA (Doulas of North
America) and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, I just
can't seem to get enough! I absolutely love sharing in the
experiences with those embarking on this incredible journey
into parenthood.
I believe that knowledge is the key to a positive
experience during pregnancy, birth, and parenting, which
is why I developed
Enlightened Mama. I serve as a resource for expectant and new
parents through my doula services, childbirth education classes,
a website, and personal consultation. "Nurture Your Mind,
Nurture Your Child"--that's the Enlightened Mama slogan.
With the endless choices to make, it is so important to gather
all the information that you can, and then make whatever decision
feels right for you and your family. Trusting your instinct
is essential in this entire process.
I am so excited to share my talents and love for birth with
such an incredible organization as Everyday Miracles. Every
woman deserves to have a wonderful, empowering birth experience
and needs good support to make that happen.
My husband, Chris, and I are the proud parents of
an incredible 4-year-old boy, a vivacious 2-year-old girl,
and a sweet baby
girl.
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Olga Salmeron
Bio coming soon. |
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Shamsa Idle
Bio coming soon. |
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Meg Novak
Hello! I live in South Minneapolis with my son,
Salaam who is 4. I was inspired to become a doula by the
presence of my own doula at my son's birth, which enabled
me to have an empowered birth experience despite medical
interventions I wasn't expecting. I have been working as
a doula for a little over two years and am currently a student
at MCTC working towards a nursing degree. After achieving
that goal, I plan to attend the Frontier Midwifery School,
to become a certified nurse midwife, and also be trained
in attending home births.
I have traveled extensively through out the world, most recently
carrying out a mural project in Chiapas, Mexico and human rights
work in Iraq and Palestine. My passions outside of doulaing
are learning languages, creating art, designing and painting
murals, dancing and cooking.
My philosophy as a doula is that a positive birth
experience not only helps babies into the world in a more
gentle way,
but also creates strong, capable moms, and solid families.
Each birth I attend is a gift to me, and helps me to become
a more skilled birth professional. I look forward to meeting
more incredible moms through Everyday Miracles. |
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Alia Salim
Hello! My name is Alia Salim, I am the mother of
six children ranging from 2-22 years old. I have been a practicing
doula for 8 years, and have been working for Everyday Miracles
for two years. I have attended almost 80 births, and am currently
studying to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. I am currently
enrolled at MCTC, working on my RN degree. I enjoy my work
as a doula, and I look forward to working with the mothers
I meet through Everyday Miracles! |
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Laila Ahmed
Bio coming soon! |
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Lisa Jost
I am so excited to be a Postpartum Doula with Everyday
Miracles! Over the next year, I will also be earning my DONA
International certification to become a Birth Doula as well.
My belief is that every new mother deserves to have an advocate
and be taken care of to ensure a positive birth and postpartum
experience.
I am a graduate from the University of North Dakota with a BA
Degree in Public Relations. Advertising and Mortgage were the
industries that I worked in for many years, but after the birth
of my 3rd child, I realized how much help I needed physically
and emotionally. I believe that being a doula is my calling,
I am passionate about helping others!
My husband and I live in Maple Grove, MN with our three children:
Lauren, Mikey and Tommy. In my spare time, I enjoy my family
and friends, playing ice hockey (crazy isn't it?) and cooking.
I am looking forward to making your postpartum days relaxing,
comforting and enjoyable! |
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Maren A. Hansen-Kramer
I have been inspired to become a doula
by the wonderful care I received from my own doulas at my daughter's
birth. It is my aspiration that all women who want it should
have access to emotional and physical support throughout their
birthing way, from pregnancy, through childbirth, to postpartum
care. I am very honored to have the opportunity to support women
through one of the most amazing journeys of their lives.
Women are born knowing how to give birth; it is a natural and
healthy rite of passage that women all over the world accomplish
with dignity and grace. The birthing woman, her partner, her
health care providers and her doula are a supportive framework
to bring babies safely into the world. The key to this team's
success is open communication, trust, and a focus on the needs
and desires of the birthing woman. I work within this framework
throughout pregnancy, labor and childbirth to support women in
their goals for their birth experience, whatever they maybe.
I have experience with hypnobirthing techniques, natural childbirth,
water birth, epidural birth, longer labor, and overcoming challenges
with breastfeeding. I am the mother of a remarkable 18-month
old girl. I hold a BA in Women's Studies from the University
of Minnesota-Duluth and I currently work as a Program Manager
of a national training project on ending violence against women.
I am an avid cross-country skier and self-professed sweet tooth. |
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Hope Lien
I currently live in Arden Hills with my husband, and decided to pursue becoming a certified Birth Doula last winter. In addition to being a Birth Doula, I am also a mother's helper for a family with 7 month old triplets. I have taken a 16 hour birth doula workshop through DONA International, along with a Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding Education course. I am currently working toward completing my certification. I also have a bachelor's degree in Women's Ministry from Northwestern College.
I feel strongly that when mother and child are healthy, the mother can birth apart from medical interventions. I also believe that there are many tools to cope with the discomfort of labor-- including both natural and medical. Different women have different desires for how they want to cope with labor and the kind of birth experience they want to achieve. I feel it is my role to support women by equipping and empowering them to get answers to their questions in all decisions they make, and to make known their desires to their care providers. I also feel it is my role to describe the stages of labor as they progress as well as explain any interventions that may be medically necessary to ease the fear associated with birth. I am available 24/7 to help the moms I work with.
In the extra time that I have, I enjoy gardening, painting and doing other art forms, cooking, traveling, and writing about birth.
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