About Me
How did I get into birth work?
Hi, I’m Emily and I’m glad you’re here. I got into birth work in a roundabout way. In 2015, at the age of 25,
I became very interested in gut health - the gut brain connection, how to support your immune system, and how our microbiome is impacted by birth.
I learned some amazing facts. For example there is evidence that the bacterial makeup of your mother’s microbiome, and your grandmother‘s microbiome is present in your microbiome. Also, I learned that the microbiomes of babies born via cesarean section have a different bacterial makeup than babies born vaginally. And this sparked such an interest in me. Into birth. And then I started learning about how birth really exists on a spectrum of violent to peaceful, traumatic to healing. The potential to create and/or prevent these outcomes are largely unknown to women prior to birthing.
Eventually, my fascination and interest in birth transcended the microbiome and flowed into the differences between the medical model of care versus the physiological model of care typically practiced by home birth and birth center midwives. And I’d like to find a balance between the two models of care and help birthing people achieve their desired birth while also understanding the role of the environment they choose to birth in. The birthing person, armed with knowledge and support, chooses the place, chooses their team, chooses their interventions or lack thereof, and is prepared to climb the metaphorical mountain of labor, stand at the peak lookout and come down the other side with their baby in their arms.
To some, climbing a mountain may sound like an excessive analogy, but to me it was the best comparison I could make based on my own lived experiences while I prepared to bring my first child into this world at home in 2025.
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I recently re-read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. This is such an inspirational and nostalgic book, and although the content draws on Ina May's experience as a home birth midwife, the lessons learned are highly applicable to all birthing people no matter where they choose to birth their baby.
While reading this book I had so many creative ideas pop up and I decided to design a pregnancy & birth affirmation journal. It is listed for sale on Amazon, click this link to get your copy!
My background.
I am originally from Watkins Glen, NY. Locals affectionately refer to Watkins Glen as the heart of the Finger Lakes. A geographically large but very rural area boasting beautiful clean lakes, national forests, state parks, an international race track, and a spectacular fine wine & beer industry. I am one of the lucky ones who got to grow up in a small but supportive community and in a beautiful little pocket of the world.
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After high school I moved to Florida and attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, and from there moved across the US a time or two as I got to experience working in corporate America, eventually making my way back home to the Finger Lakes where I opened my own lodging establishment and settled in for a little while.
While operating my lodging establishment, I also took on a management role of two beautiful wineries and a restaurant. LIFE was full and busy. It was during that time that I started my exploration into birth work, but never pursued it as a full time job.
In 2024 I chose to move again, to Columbus, Ohio, and the pace of my life has slowed significantly so I am now in a place and space to focus on birth work and supporting families. Today, I am enjoying everything Columbus has to offer. The abundant resources of a big city, the beautiful green spaces and bike paths, farmer's markets, and diverse communities.
