Hi! I’m Candace.
I’m a mom, childbirth educator, and doula.
I offer evidence-based, nonjudgmental, and compassionate support—like many other skilled birth educators and doulas. But here’s what makes working with me different:
I’m all about preparing, gathering information, and embracing birth as a life-changing journey.
If your approach to birth is to “go with the flow”—without learning what to expect, exploring your options, preparing for postpartum, or reflecting on the experience ahead—then I’m probably not your ideal match.
But if you want to embrace your birth experience as the incredible transformation that it is, you’re in the right place.
So what led me to this work?
I’ve always been drawn to babies, teaching, caretaking, and community-building. But I knew very little about birth when I was pregnant with my first baby over 11 years ago. So I started reading and took a birth class. I was hooked. My birth experience was empowering and fulfilling, and it made me realize that birth is a profound rite of passage.
I also realized that when women are made to feel like they’re NOT the experts on their own bodies; when things aren’t explained to them, or they’re not treated with respect, it strips away confidence right as they should be coming into their own as mothers. That makes the transition to parenthood tougher. It can also do lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm.
Fast forward to three more children, moves to two different states, a lot of life lived, and so much learning about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and babies…I now have my dream job – I get to support families and witness their incredible courage as they bring their children into this world.
A Bit More About Me
I live in the Chicago area with my four kids, husband, and two dogs.
I grew up on the East Coast, went to the University of Maryland, and lived in Washington DC and Maryland for over 10 years before moving to the Midwest.
Aside from my family and birth work, my biggest passions are reading and nature. I hope to run another marathon and take up rock climbing again someday. In the meantime, I love hiking with my friends and our kids.
I enjoyed a career in digital media advertising before switching gears to stay home when my second child was born. Now, with Archways Birth Support, I get to combine my business background with my love of all things birth and parenting.
Why Work With Me?
- You want to go into this experience informed about birth and your options. I’m a certified Childbirth Educator – I can help! Prenatally and postpartum, I’ll make sure you have the resources that will be helpful to you, based on your preferences. During labor, I’ll help you get the information you need to make your own decisions. Most importantly, I will never judge your choices. This is YOUR body, YOUR baby, and YOUR birth experience.
- You know birth is important; even transformative. Society often focuses on the baby shower, the logistics, and the to-do lists. One of my favorite things about doula training with Birthing from Within is that my training addressed the deeper aspects of birth and birth preparation. Birth is a huge rite of passage. You already have all the strength and resilience you need to navigate it. I will help you tap into those inner resources.
- You’re looking for someone who’s been there. As a mother of 4, I am passionate about helping to make birth a positive experience. I can remember, quite clearly, the feeling of my first baby finally sliding out after hours and hours of labor, of pacing back and forth between contractions with my second baby, of pushing out my large third baby, of the quick entrance into the world of my fourth baby, and of those incomparable early moments with each of my newborns. Each birth is a unique journey. All parents deserve respect and support along the way.
- You want a doula who values connection and community. I’ve learned from experience the value of genuine connection and community. Community-building became a big part of my life after moving our family to the Chicago area without knowing a soul (while pregnant with my third child). I cherish the authentic connections I’ve made and the people I’ve brought together in various ways – including forming a parent/child playgroup and helping facilitate family nature groups. I know beyond doubt that we humans NEED each other in this life. As a doula, I would be honored to be a part of your village.