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Hi there! I'm Elyse,

The Top Knot Doula.

PLEASE NOTE:

I am currently facilitating Childbirth Preparation classes at the East Bay Birth Collective, as well as Birth Preferences Consults for families, plus Birthworker Support, though am not offering birth or postpartum doula services, lactation support, or placenta encapsulation at this time.

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I’m an Oakland-based Doula, Perinatal Facilitator, Birthworker-Coach, and most importantly, mama-bear to my sweet (and wild!) toddler.

I used to be a farm gal and flying trapeze instructor (yes, you read that right), and am still an urban gardener, book hoarder, succulent collector, as well as a person obsessed with The Great British Bake Off.

I love caring for families and nurturing new beginnings, and transitioning to this work in 2016 has allowed me to wake up every day truly overjoyed about the work I’m so lucky to do. 

Outside of being a birthworker, I love to do lots of active and eating things with my family and puppers throughout the Bay Area!

 

Learn more about the ways I can help you build your Birthworker Business.

Find out more about my support offerings and how I can help you build your birth team.

 

In my practice, I have worked with families who have experienced the following:

  • preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy)​​ ​

  • having Group B Strep

  • anxiety and/or depression

  • gestational diabetes

  • anemia

  • thyroid conditions

  • SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)

  • breech babies

  • 2nd time pregnancy

  • A septate uterus

  • VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

  • single parenting

  • IVF

  • abortion

  • pregnancy after 40 years of age

  • loss or termination of previous pregnancies

  • birth by cesarean

  • epidurals

  • home births

  • birthing at a birth center

  • velamentous cord insertion

If you have any specific needs or questions about a condition that’s impacting your perinatal experience, I would be happy to speak with you about it further and make sure you are heard and supported in all ways.  

AND REMEMBER! By showing up here to learn more about navigating your birth and postpartum options, you're already making huge steps to support you, your baby and your family, and I hope you’re really proud of yourself for that.

Experience + Education

Certifications

Other Trainings/Workshops

  • Perinatal Facilitator Training (CDT*) AKA, “CHildbirth Educator”

  • Labor birthworker Training (CDT*)

  • Postpartum birthworker Training (CDT*)

  • Placenta Encapsulation Specialist (CDT*) 

  • CLEC (Certificated Lactation Educator and Counselor) Through UCSD Extension

  • AHA CPR CERTIFIED

  • BA In Theatre Performance

CDT* = Cornerstone Doula Trainings

​Click the button below to contact me about our Zoom "date" (i.e., a free consult to see if we jive), and I'll be sure to follow up quickly so we can get to know each other asap!