About Martha
13 Years Working with Newborns
Martha has been passionate about helping new families welcome newborns since 2006. As a (now retired) maternity, birth, and newborn photographer, she celebrated new families with her work for 8 years.
After having her first child in 2012, Martha understood the strength new parents gain from having a robust support system. She volunteered with PEPS.org as a newborn group leader for the next 4 years. She helped more than 70 families learn to trust their own instincts and grow in confidence.
In 2018, she attended an intensive Post-Partum Doula training, led by DONA, through Bastyr University, and her business “Nearby Doula” was born. In 2019, Martha became a CERTIFIED post-partum doula through NAPS.
In 2019, Martha began working as a post-partum doula contractor for Seattle's Swedish Hospital as well.
From Catherine, a newborn photography client:
“Martha photographed both of my newborns - my son in 2011 and my daughter in 2013. She was so easy to work with - kind, patient, and intuitive with our babies. Martha was able to hold space for us as new parents, while capturing precious moments that we will now have forever. Martha makes a wonderful post-partum doula - I wish we had her as ours back then!”
Working with Martha
What Martha Offers New Parents:
- Certification through NAPS which includes, insurance, background check, and continuing education.
- calm, practical and experienced support
- researched-based information for parents
- a strong belief in parents’ decision-making
- sensitivity to families’ needs
- organization
- nurturing of the whole family
- a sense of humor (and a small dose of snarkiness)
- an open mind and inclusiveness
- infant cpr certification
- a healthy and safe work environment where she is up to date on vaccinations including whooping cough, MMR and, seasonally, a flu shot
Martha works with ALL families; diverse cultures, ages, backgrounds, any possible combination of who is there to welcome and love your child. She has worked with adoptive families, LGBTQ families, multiples, infants with a stay in the NICU, parents with Post-Partum Mood Disorders or birth trauma, and navigated the delicate new relationship with Grandparents.
Virginia says, “Martha was a huge source of support for me during the early weeks of parenthood. She offered wisdom and expertise with compassion, kindness, and just the right dose of humor.“
Post-Partum Support You Can Trust
Many clients are new to Seattle, far from family, friends and support networks, first time parents or overwhelmed parents adding another child. They may not even know where to begin to emerge from the newborn “fog”.
An experienced and certified Post-Partum Doula can help with up-to-date, evidence-based, judgment-free parenting guidance.
Martha will help guide YOU, the PARENTS.
Contact Martha for the support you can trust.