Meet Nicole

About Me
I’m a mama of three—two sweet boys (15 and 10) and our baby girl (6). I’ve been married for 21 years to my wonderful husband, and together we’ve built our life here in the Bay Area, where we’ve lived, worked, and grown our family for over two decades.

Before stepping into this calling, I worked in account management and human resources. It was fast-paced, challenging, and fulfilling - and nothing to do with birth!

However, in 2010 my first pregnancy, labor, and postpartum left me full of questions. I quickly realized that giving birth was about far more than a healthy baby—it was also about the experience of the mother. A few months later as I searched for answers, I attended a doula training. It unlocked something in me: a vision for what birth support could look like when women feel seen, cared for, and equipped. I was hooked! I completed my certification in 2011 and have been honored to support families in this way since.

My second and third pregnancies were very different. Preparation, compassionate care, and support from an incredible team of midwives was healing and empowering. Being surrounded by people who believed in me and held space for me made all the difference.

I know what it feels like to be sick, scared, and feeling out of control during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. I also know what it’s like to feel safe, supported, and deeply cared for. The difference isn’t necessarily how you birth—cesarean or vaginal, home or hospital, medicated or unmedicated. The difference is:

The team you choose to surround you
The care you receive
The preparation you invest in
The support you have during postpartum
The voices that speak into your heart

This is what shapes the birth experience.

My passion is helping families prepare intentionally—mind, heart, and body—so that no matter the circumstances of your birth, you come out feeling heard, empowered, and well cared for.

I’m deeply thankful for my own story, both the hard and the joyful. Those experiences give me perspective, compassion, and wisdom as I walk alongside families. In the same way, I believe your story is unique, powerful, and life-changing. It’s an honor to be part of it.

Services I Offer
I take a limited number of birth and postpartum clients each month so I can provide personal, focused care. In addition to doula support, I also offer:

Childbirth preparation classes
Breastfeeding and newborn care classes
Prenatal and postpartum planning
In-home labor practice sessions
In-person breastfeeding and newborn care support

Certifications and Education
Certified Birth Doula through Blossom Birth, Palo Alto 2011
Essential Oils for Birth 2013
Birth Stories and Birth Trauma with Birth Story Medicine 2014
Lamaze Childbirth Educator 2015-2021
Homeopathy for Birth and Immediate Postpartum, Julie Tilsner (LM, CPM) 2015
Optimal Fetal Positioning, Julie Tilsner (LM, CPM) 2015
Home Birth for Doulas, Julie Tilsner (LM, CPM) 2015
Midwifery 101 Class, Gloria Lemay 2016
Nursing Mother's Counsel Breastfeeding Educator 2016
DONA Postpartum Doula Training Completion 2017
Spinning Babies Training 2015, 2021
Preventing and Healing Traumatic Births with Dancy Perinatal 2022
Sex After Baby with Dancy Perinatal 2023
Recognizing and Referring Tongue Tie in Newborns, Dr Randy Ligh 2023
Nurturing New Beginnings: Supporting the Transition to Parenthood with Dancy Perinatal 2024

Memberships and Affiliations
Nursing Mother's Counsel - Professional Member
Blossom Birth - Practitioner, Instructor, Member
Evidence Based Birth - Professional Member

I continue my education through trainings, webinars, and workshops, and reading the latest research on evidence-based birth practices; herbs for pregnancy and birth; nutrition for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; breastfeeding and early bonding; supporting abuse survivors during their labor and birth; and more. I meet regularly meet with fellow doulas, midwives, and lactation consultants to share experiences, advice, and accountability.