Our Story

Pregnant mom in labor and delivery finding out she will give birth prematurely.
Micro preemie hand to hand with her mom during a long NICU stay.

It all began December of 2019. I suddenly found myself in labor at 25 weeks pregnant. The young woman you see above would soon find out that labor was imminent. Two hours later, my daughter was born by natural, vaginal delivery, fighting for her life at 1 lb. 10 oz. No warning. No explanation. No birth plan. No nursery. No carseat. No preparation.

Ellie Grace - Our Miracle Girl

A young girl with curly dark hair in a braid, wearing a pastel pink dress with white lace accents, is outdoors in a field with tall grass and wildflowers, smiling and looking down.
25-week infant immediately after delivery, placed in a bag for warmth due to being intubated.

My agency as a mother was removed from the first moment when she was swiftly wheeled away to the NICU. The isolette would be her home for the next 78 days. Nurses would take over her care around the clock.

From tube feeding to bottles, pumping to attempting our first latch, there was nothing natural or innate about breastfeeding. At one point, a neonatologist forbade me to breastfeed. This soon led to low supply, chronic mastitis, thrush, and postpartum anxiety and depression. Separation. Measurement. Clocks. Anxiety. Grief. Powerlessness.

One year old gazing up at two onesie’s in the announcement of her twin brothers.
Pregnant momma with twins giving her one year old daughter a piggy back ride.
One year old sister with her newborn twin brothers.
A family of five posing together at a celebration. Two adults, one young child, and two babies are smiling at the camera. The background shows decorated tables with photos, a lemonade dispenser, and large windows letting in natural light.

About a year later, our identical twins were born by scheduled C-section due to twin A being breech. At 37 weeks they were small for gestational age with a birth weight of 4 lb. 10 oz. each.

Meeting my goal of breastfeeding exclusively was bittersweet, but it did bring healing. I armed myself with knowledge and self-advocated every step of the way. I defied expectations in the hospital and at every pediatrician checkup.

We went on to breastfeed into toddlerhood. I can now thank God for his good plan all along. Despite history. Despite hospital practices. Despite fear. Despite PCOS. One moment at a time.

Lactation consultant holding a breast model with a nipple measurement tool below.

Services

Explore my range of prenatal and postpartum services designed to help you meet your feeding goals. Whether you are breastfeeding, tube feeding, bottle feeding, combo feeding, or formula feeding, I am here to help! I can help with feeding issues from birth through weaning. Feel free to reach out if you have a unique situation that you need help with!

Education

B.A., English, U.C. Berkeley, 2008

Lactation Pathway 2, UCSD, 2022

Preceptorship, Kaiser L.A., Postpartum Breastfeeding, 2022

IBCLC since 2023.

M.A., Public Health, Columbia University, In Progress