About Caroline

Professional Profile

Caroline was trained by a DONA International (Doulas of North America) in June 2005. She has completed all of the certification requirements and her certification is pending with DONA (expected 3/2008).

Caroline has served as a Labor Doula for over 45 families. These births included a wide variety including unmedicated and medicated; vaginal and cesarean. Caroline accepts two to three labor clients per month. She has assisted labor clients at Grant, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, Riverside, Mt. Carmel East and OSU hospitals. Caroline has assisted clients who were patients of an OB/GYN, patients of a midwife and a patient of a family physician. She has worked with clients who have used Lamaze, Bradley, HypnoBirthing & similar techniques during their labor.

Prior to her work as a labor & postpartum doula, Caroline was a professional nanny for over 5 years specializing in newborns/infants and young toddlers. In 2004 she attended CAPPA's (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) postpartum doula certifying training seminar (17 ICEA hours). Caroline has completed all of the certification requirements. In addition to her experience and formal training, Caroline became certified in all State of Ohio childcare-licensing requirements (and many elective courses) in 2004.

Caroline has served many families as a postpartum doula – over 1,250 hours since 2005! She has worked with first time parents who need help adjusting to life with baby and parents with older children who need additional help. She has supported mothers and families with postpartum depression, breast or bottle feeding, baby care education, sibling preparation, child proofing and general care of mother and child.

In February 2006 Caroline expanded her career in family care with a Professional Childbirth Educator certification through Advanced Birthing Concepts (one of the most sought-after training entities in North America). Caroline uses the skills she acquired to enhance her private classes and teach group classes through area medical offices/ organizations. In April 2006 Caroline studied Dr. Harvey Karp’s “5 S’s” and became a certified “Happiest Baby on the Block” Educator. Dr. Karp’s simple program teaches parents how to initiate the calming reflex in fussy or colic-prone babies.

In addition to The Columbus Doula business, Caroline works part-time at Riverside Hospital on the Labor and Delivery Unit (Unit Coordinator and Patient Care Tech).

Read my Personal Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice as a Doula.

Continuing Education

Continuing her education in family care ensures Caroline provides quality services to our community. In 2007 Caroline was re-certified in Health Care Provider Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid, trained as a Centering Pregnancy facilitator and attended the Ohio Association of Certified Nurse Midwives conference. Caroline also became an American Red Cross Certified Educator as well as a Certified Babysitter Instructor in 2007.

Memberships and VOlunteer Work

Caroline is a member of DONA, CAPPA, and BirthWorkers of Central Ohio.

Caroline is the current President of the Elizabeth Blackwell Center Service Board at Riverside Hospital. Caroline is the former President (2004-2005) and Education Director (2003-2004) of PRO-MOM (Parent's Resource Organization - Mothers On Mothering).

Caroline volunteers with the Council on Healthy Mothers and Babies as well as the Franklin County SIDS Prevention Committee through Columbus Public Health.

Caroline has also volunteered with The Central Ohio March of Dimes, The Community Festival.

Getting Personal

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Caroline moved to Columbus to work in Ohio government in 1999. Caroline was married in 2002 and lived in Clintonville at the time. In 2003 she had her first child at Riverside Hospital. The birth of her son was long and complicated – and ended in a cesarean section. Caroline’s wonderful experience with her doula inspired her to choose this as a profession and service to the community. In 2005 Caroline and her family moved to the Arlington/Hilliard (Mill Run) area. In 2006 Caroline gave birth to her second child (again at Riverside Hospital). The birth of her daughter was a successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Caroline and her family enjoy gardening, music, community events and weekend getaways.