"Birth has the potential to be one of the most transformative events of a woman’s life, and I strongly believe that it matters a great deal how we birth our children".

In January of 2009, Elizabeth Brownlee gave birth to her first child, at home, with a midwife and doula. Her daughter’s birth changed Elizabeth forever, impacting the way she viewed herself, both as a woman, and as a person. The process also inspired Elizabeth to redirect her energy toward becoming a doula, so that she can advocate for other women and their partners during labor and birth.

"My own birth was wonderful, powerful, and deeply challenging.  I don’t believe there is a ‘perfect’ birth. What is important is that we experience birth with positive intention and respect for the new life that we are bringing into the world.  As a doula, my purpose is to support self-discovery through pregnancy and birth, and to facilitate a smooth transition into parenthood."

Background

Elizabeth Brownlee has been practicing as a birth and postpartum doula since 2009 and has been very active in her local birth community since that time. She received a B.A. in 1999, with an emphasis in Russian Cultural Studies, at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Although cultural studies is still an area of great interest to her, Elizabeth's true passion lies in the area of maternal and child health – particularly childbirth. Elizabeth has been active in the Bay Area birth community, where she has lived for the past 10 years, before relocating back to the Bellingham area. She also completed a year of Nursing school in Oakland, CA. but left the program in good standing in order to redirect her energy toward motherhood and her work as a doula.

Elizabeth's overarching goal is to complete a program in midwifery studies, while continuing to explore holistic approaches to women's health.

"The journey of becoming a mother, a doula, and a nurse has been deeply inspiring and rewarding.  This process has solidified in me the goal of bringing thought and care to the process of birth and women's health as the focus of my life’s work."

Certifications

• Birth Doula (Cornerstone - In Progress)
• Postpartum Doula (Cornerstone)
• Breastfeeding Peer Counselor ~ Nursing Mother's Counsel
• Adult & Child CPR Certification at the Healthcare Provider level (American Red Cross)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Certification (American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association)
• Completed additional training in doula support for home birth