***Thanks for stopping by! Due to the commitments of midwifery school and busy clinical work, I am not currently taking doula clients. If you are interested in finding out more about home birth and midwifery care, you can check out Santa Cruz Midwives.***
I became interested in doula work following the birth of my son 16 years ago and began training and attending births. After the birth of my second child, I focused mostly on my young family while continuing to attend births periodically. In early 2017, I began the labor doula certification process through CAPPA and became a certified labor doula in December 2017.
I am a member of the birth community here in Santa Cruz, serving on the board of directors for Birth Network Santa Cruz. This volunteer position gives me the opportunity to help plan birth-related events in our community as well as interact with parents and other care providers.
I want all women to know and understand their choices in childbirth and to feel supported and empowered in the choices they make. I strive to provide physical and emotional support to mothers and their partners before, during and after childbirth.
In addition to my doula work, I began midwifery school at Midwives College of Utah in the Fall of 2018. I am excited to begin serving my community as a licensed midwife upon graduation. I am currently in the “assist” phase of my studies and attend home births with a licensed midwife in town.
When I am not at a birth, completing my coursework, or working with families, you can find me spending time with my family and friends, reading, or riding my bike around Santa Cruz, where I live with my husband and two children.
Stephanie Kerwin, Certified Labor Doula 