Meet the Postpartum Doulas

The Doulas of Greater Kansas City does not endorse or recommend professionals, but lists those professionals who endorse The Doulas of Greater Kansas City mission statement; Our mission is to make a positive difference for pregnant women, new mothers and their families through education, nurturing and advocacy, while fostering respect, knowledge and integrity among doulas everywhere, and the DONA vision statement; A doula for every woman who wants one, and are paid Doulas of Greater Kansas City members. Doulas of Greater Kansas City does not guarantee the professionals’ information contained in this guide and Doulas of Greater Kansas City does not check the validity or accuracy of credentials including, but not limited to, certifications, licenses or training of any listed professional. There are variations in the philosophies and practices of professionals listed. It is the responsibility of each consumer to verify the credentials of professionals and Doulas of Greater Kansas City encourages consumers to interview professionals in order to find the care that is right for each individual and family.

	Elizabeth Allen, CCE - Childbirth Educator, Doula, Family Planning Instructor, Wellness Educator I am a DONA trained Doula and a Certified Childbirth Educator through the Academy of Certified Birth Educators (ACBE). I work as an Antepartum, Birth, Overnight, and Postpartum Doula. I teach an array of Childbirth Education classes to fit the needs of each individual, including traveling classes for moms on bed rest. I also teach Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Care, Family Planning, and Health and Wellness Classes. Choosing to labor and birth in such a way that safely meets as many of your needs as possible, is important to me. My desire is for every woman to have a positive and nurturing experience during her pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. "And peace...which surpasses all understanding...will guard your hearts and your minds..." - I am delighted to accompany you on your birth journey. phone: 913-754-6326 email: web: www.KCLaborSupport.com
	Jill Clingan, Birth and Postpartum Doula As a DONA trained labor and postpartum doula and a mother of two children, I believe that women deserve nurturing and support throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. After my own wonderful experience with a doula when my son was born, I decided I wanted to help nurture other women through their pregnancies and births. The foundation of my doula practice is my passionate belief that birth is a natural, sacred, beautiful event and that all women deserve the chance to experience birth as positive, empowering, joyful, and life-changing. I believe that women's bodies were perfectly created to conceive, grow, and bring new life into this world and that my role as a doula is to nurture women through this miraculous process. I also feel great compassion towards the monumental task that is before new mothers in their postpartum days, and I love to help compassionately nurture women who are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and even depressed. I believe that what new families need most is nurturing and gentle support and that by nurturing the mother, I can help her care for her baby more effectively. phone: 913-575-2970 email: web: http://www.jillclingan.com
	Elizabeth Dimmitt, Birth and Postpartum Doula If you are pregnant, you are embarking on one of the most exciting, magical, frightening, and spiritual journeys you will ever have the opportunity to take in your life. Finding the right doula can enhance this journey. My goal as a doula is to help empower you with information and support during pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, and transitioning your home for baby. This will allow you to make decisions that you and your partner feel are the best for your new family. Together we can work to develop healthy beginnings, build confidence and positive images of birth, and prepare for life with your baby. As a trained Doula through Academy of Certified Birth Educators, a mother, and a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have training and experience in communication, child development, comfort measures, fear exploration, family transitions, and coping with change. I would be honored to share in your momentous life experience. I will primarily serve Nodaway and Worth county residents but will work to accommodate the needs of mothers in surrounding areas. phone: 660-620-1121 email:
	Pat Flynn, PhD New mothers and families need nurturing and gentle support following the birth of a new baby. Give yourself, or a new family, the gift of education, empowerment, and support. I offer daytime or overnight care focused on the mother’s recovery, nurturing and mentoring the new family, developing infant soothing and coping skills, providing resources, and to develop a healthy beginning with confidence. phone: 816-830-9572 email:
	Barbara Kuklenski As a Postpartum Doula, I believe that a healthy relationship between the mother and the father is the best gift parents can give their baby. It is a blessing and an honor to help nurture that relationship in any way I can. I offer overnight newborn care - specializing in multiples *Nurturing - encouragement for the whole family *Mentoring - on bathing, diapering, swaddling, and breastfeeding *Emotional and Spiritual Support *Listening - sharing information and experiences *Time Management and Scheduling phone: 913-209-4413 email: web: http://www.wingsofcaring.com
	Teresa Marshall, CD, PCD(DONA) I am a birth and postpartum doula, including overnight care. The birth of my first son in 1981 was a profound life changing event for me. From the moment David was born I realized how incredible and capable a woman's body is. I want all women to have the birth experience they desire. We all have the right to feel respected, in control and empowered through our labor and birth at home or in a birth center or hospital. I went on to have three more beautiful, natural birth experiences. Now that my children are out of the nest I am devoted to what I now know is my life's calling. All the best to you for a safe, healthy and incredible birth! phone: 913-402-4434 or 913-271-4067 email: web: http://www.facebook.com/TLCdoula
	Diana Meisinger (DONA)certified Birth, Postpartum, and Night Doula She is the wife and mother of four home-birthed and breastfed children. Diana is a trained Waldorf early childhood educator- for the last eighteen years she has been teaching as well as helping families develop rhythm, and rituals in their home. She feels that creating a sacred birthing space before and after delivery is important. She is committed to helping each family achieve that goal and support them in their new roles as parents. phone: 913-592-3915 email: web: sacredspacesdoulasupport.com
	Elizebeth Miller, Birth and Postpartum Doula I believe that birth is the most amazing experience and women should be able to experience it to the fullest by being educated about the many choices and having continuous, loving support. phone: 660-647-2843 email:
	Cindy Obenhaus, PCD(DONA), CD(DONA), RN, CBE Mothers and babies have been Cindy Obenhaus’ life work, spanning over 30 years. As a professional nurse, Cindy has worked in neonatal intensive care, pediatric care, mother baby care and high-risk obstetrical outpatient care and management. Locally, Cindy has worked at Children’s Mercy, St. Luke’s Hospital and pediatric offices, nationally in areas of pediatric and adolescent urgent care and internationally in Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. While working in Haiti, Cindy was drawn to the birth experience and postpartum period of rural Haitian women. Caring and observing the natural and communal nature of birth and the care of mothers and babies after birth there sparked a passion to bring this experience back to women here in the U.S. Her unique background of maternal-newborn health in the hospital setting and her experience as a program director of a free standing birthing center in Haiti bring a balanced approach to birth and the postpartum period for mothers, babies and their families. Most important to Cindy are healthy mothers, healthy babies and healthy families. As a DONA trained postpartum doula, Cindy brings her passion, expertise and non-judgmental support to families with newborns, walking alongside parents as they transition into parenthood. phone: 816-719-3396 email:
	Sarah Ragusa, Birth, Postpartum and Overnight Doula, Pregnancy Loss & Stillbirth Doula My priority is to help you have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience whether you choose an un-medicated birth or are having a planned cesarean birth. I want to encourage you with the decisions you make, without judgment. I aim to provide emotional, physical and informational support and encouragement in a wide variety of ways before, during and after the birth of your child. I consider it the highest honor to support the beautiful birth you've dreamed of! And because I personally know life is not always beautiful, I am available to offer bereavement support for families coping with pregnancy loss and stillbirth. Contact me for more information. phone: 402-304-2499 email: web: www.chebelladoula.com
	Sherri White Tauheed, Birth & Postpartum Doula Sherri Tauheed is a Birth Doula serving the Kansas City Metropolitan area. She is the founder of Ausetwomb International; her motto is “Mothering the Mother” Her purpose is to holistically support Mothers and families with their pregnancy and birth choices. Sherri is a trained DONA labor Doula, ICTC trained postpartum Doula, WIC trained Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Practical Nurse Graduate and Midwifery Student. As a Doula she provides educational resources that are culturally competent on pregnancy, birth plans, comfort measures during labor, postpartum care, breastfeeding support and newborn care. Sherri is also the state representative for the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), their mission is to advocate for better maternal health care practices, promote breastfeeding, reduce infant mortality rates and increase the number of Midwives and Doulas in the African American community. “One does not force a pregnant woman to give birth. ~Baule Proverb” phone: 816-316-0208 email: web: www.ausetwomb.com (under contstruction)