As a Doula professional, Patti provides emotional support, educational support, and physical comfort measures during pregnancy and childbirth.

 

Patti has over 25 years experience as a Massage Therapist for women and 22 years experience as a Birth Doula.  She specializes in working with pregnant women and  is highly recommended by previous clients for her doula services and postpartum massage.  Physicians recommend their patients to contact Patti for doula services, massage, and her excellent childbirth class.

 

 

Certifications:

Birth Doula (DONA)

Massage Doula (MDN)

Childbirth Educator (ICEA)

Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor and Hypno-Doula

Water Fitness Instructor (ISSA)

Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness Instructor

Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum, Infant and Medical Massage

Licensed Massage Therapist (MT9088)

 

Memberships and Other Affiliations:

DONA International

International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)

Massage Doula Network (MDN)

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

International Loving Touch Foundation (CIMI)

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)​

 

 

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Patti's Personal Story:

 

I would like to introduce you to the wonderful life I live – helping moms, dads and babies have a great birth experience and great start on their family life.

 

I originally started my journey as a massage therapist, working with Professional Athletes, until one day I met a pregnant woman in West U and gave her a massage on the bare floor of her soon-to-be new home.  She told her midwives how great my massage was and they began to send pregnant women to me.  During that time, there were very few massage therapists in Houston specializing in pregnancy massage or any massage therapists who would work on pregnant women.  I was sent pregnant women who had been in car accidents, fallen down stairs, and in other situations - you name it, I helped them.  Instinctively I knew how to massage pregnant women, but realized training was necessary.  I traveled all over to receive my certification as I wanted as much knowledge as possible, and my training has never stopped.  My first training was in Newborn Massage with Baby’s First Touch, Infant Massage, Preemie Massage with Tiffany Field at The Touch Research Institute at the Miami School of Medicine; then received Certification in Pediatric Cranial Sacral Release and Pediatric Myofascial Release in WA at Bastyr University; and did Medical Massage training in Costa Rica.  

 

I started attending births and doing labor massage for women delivering with midwives in the hospital.  I learned so much while observing the midwives at births.  As Physician patients began to ask me to attend their births for labor massage, I naturally began to assist them with breathing, position change, etc.  One day, a Physician was observing me and said, "Patti I thought you only did massage.  You’re a Doula!"  I replied that I was not a doula.  But the idea stayed on my mind and that evening I looked up "doula" online, and realized that I am a doula! 

 

My birth training journey began.  I traveled to New York and trained to become a Doula through ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators), which was excellent training and had a wonderful time with the host of the class.  Then I traveled to Dallas for training as a DONA Certified Birth Doula, followed by training as a Certified Massage Doula.  My next trip took me to Chicago for training with ICEA to become an International Certified Childbirth Educator.  

 

I have now attended over 2,000 births and have massaged thousands of pregnant and postpartum moms, along with massaging their babies.  I have mentored new massage therapists and doulas.  And along the many years of training, I have met so many wonderful women who are fellow advocates with the same purpose in their career.  The Houston area has grown over the past 15 years and it is exciting to see how many doulas and massage therapists are now supporting pregnant mothers.  I am proud to be a part of this special work and I can't imagine my life any other way.

 

I enjoy traveling and like to spend time at a health spa in order to stay on track with a healthy lifestyle.  Also, I enjoy taking my mother on cruises.  I exercise with a personal trainer several times a week to stay fit and feel good.  My travels have allowed me to go to wonderful sights domestically and internationally.  I am looking forward to new adventures in the coming years!  Can't wait to go cruising again!!