Michigan Womb Wisdom

Hey mama, welcome, I’m really glad you’re here.

My name is Gretchen – I’m a birth doula and Lamaze childbirth educator. I’m also a wife and mom, you can get to know more about me here. Hopefully you found my page because you already know the amazing benefits of having a doula and taking birth classes, but if not, check that out here. Now, there’s something you should know about me and that’s that I love physiologic birth! Perhaps you're unsure of what that means, let me explain. Physiologic means how your body naturally functions, so in the birth world, this means how your body would give birth normally without intervention, letting your hormones and movement orchestrate the flow of labor. This is so important because the research shows that for low risk moms in labor – birth is safest when left to progress without routine intervention. Lamaze Healthy Birth Practice #4 – avoid interventions that are not medically necessary. There are 6 Healthy Birth Practices, come to class and I’ll tell you all about them. Learn more about my classes here.

About me

I grew up in a small Swedish community here in Michigan, where my neighbors were more like family than strangers. I've been married for ten years and have two amazing daughters. It is through my birthing experiences that my passion to empower women as they navigate their own journey through pregnancy and birth was set in motion. I am a huge advocate for midwifery care in and out of hospital. My first baby was born in hospital and when I became pregnant with our second, I was determined to have a more autonomous experience, so we carefully interviewed doulas and midwives. Since having my own home birth, I have supported more than 100 families in the out of hospital setting.

I started studying Lamaze in May of 2020. Later that year, I began attending births as a birth assistant to a certified professional midwife. Because of this role, I remain up to date on reoccurring neonatal resuscitation training. My first training was in March of 2021 and I took it again in 2023 along with a Birth Emergency Skills Training. I celebrated my Lamaze certification on Christmas of '21. I was first trained as a doula by a home birth midwife and am also currently pursing certification with DONA International, I took that training in July of '22. I attended a Spinning Babies workshop just a couple months after that. My rich training and education provide a valuable understanding of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. I have supported many first time moms, VBAC/HBAC, twins, and also cesarean births.

My Philosophy of birth

Pregnant woman and partner touching mother's belly lovingly

I believe birth is a normal and healthy process. Women have an innate ability to grow and birth their babies, our bodies and babies are perfectly designed for the journey. Pregnancy and birth are incredibly transforming experiences in the life of a woman and her family. The people and stories that you surround yourself with during this time have the potential to either enhance or diminish your belief in yourself. I am always incredibly humbled and honored to hold space for and support laboring mamas and their partners. I believe you and every family deserve to be held in a respectful and caring environment.