About Zara

Certified Birth Doula (DONA International)

Master of Social Work, (MSW)

Community Based Mental Health Clinician

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Social Work Track, Minor in Psychology (Cardinal Stritch University)

Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW)

Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Capstone Certificate Program (UW Madison)

“I’m here to support you in this important journey. I’m passionate about providing nonjudgmental care to you throughout your pregnancy, during labor & delivery and those first few days together. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling opportunity than to partner with you during such a sacred time. We all have amazing strength within us, and I’ll be there to remind you of your strength, help guide you in the process and make space for you to listen to your body. I care deeply about providing services in a way that respects your unique decisions and experiences from a trauma-informed perspective.

I strive to create a safe space in my practice by holding values of cultural humility, anti-racist and LGBTQ+ affirming support. Birth is such a powerful experience and I would be honored to walk alongside you in the birth you desire.”

- Zara     

Testimonials:

“We were delighted to utilize Zara's doula services for our pregnancy and birth of our firstborn this fall. During our pregnancy visits, Zara helped us think through our birth plan options and taught us different comfort measures to use during labor. My desire was to have labor occur spontaneously and to try for an unmedicated delivery. Zara fully supported our desires and gave us tools to aid our plan while also encouraging us to think through backup plans in case we needed to adjust as time went on. 

Our pregnancy had a couple of unexpected diagnoses during our second and third trimester. Zara continued to support us throughout and helped us consider our options as we discussed them with our medical team. Unfortunately, we ended up having an early induction which we had really hoped to avoid. Zara was a calming and reassuring presence as we pivoted from our original plan and she helped walk us through different induction options and things to be aware of.

Although our delivery did not go as hoped, we had a very positive induction experience! We texted with Zara throughout the first stages of our induction and kept her updated on what our OB team recommended. She helped give us suggestions based on what they were recommending based on our current progress and with our end goals in mind. We were able to utilize the tools she discussed with us in our meetings which we found very helpful during labor. 

We're so grateful for Zara's help and support during our pregnancy! She was always so positive, knowledgeable, and supportive and we would fully recommend her to other families considering a doula.” 

- Jhan

“ We feel so lucky to have had Zara as our doula for our pregnancy, birthing and postpartum journey. With us being first time parents, her knowledge during every experience was very useful. Some of the knowledge includes the helpful information given to us during my pregnancy, her pain relief techniques for labor and then her help with breast feeding postpartum. Her calm nature and help during a long and stressful labor was invaluable (for both mom and dad). Both of us had not really thought about having a doula when we found out we were pregnant, but after having her help with our first, we know we would love to have her help again with future children. “

  - Allie and Dan

"Zara made our birth the most beautiful experience of both our lives. As first time parents, the sheer amount of choices are daunting in the extreme. We knew enough to know we didn't know anything! When we first met with Zara, we had an immediate sense that her calm presence would help us remember the most important thing: everything was going to be ok. We let her know upfront the things that were most important to us, and she worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone in the hospital room remembered what we wanted and needed. She made it clear she wasn't there as a "coach"; she was a member of our team. We were working together. She also provided assistance and suggestions to my partner, which gave him the reassurance he needed to be an active member of the birth experience and not just awkwardly sit at the sidelines. I had a very long birth journey (32 hour labor!) and Zara could not have been more of a trooper. I always knew she wanted to be there, with us, in the moment. I felt like while everyone else in the room was focusing on the medical aspects, Zara, my partner and I were tunnel-visioned on ensuring the happiness and safety of me and the baby. If you need a member of your team who will truly listen to you, advocate for you, and provide an ocean of peace in an environment that tends to be anything but peaceful, I cannot recommend Zara highly enough. She was, by far, the best investment we made in anything birth-related, before or after having the baby.”

  - Lauren and Chris

"I cannot recommend Zara highly enough! We are first time parents and I have SO many questions - Zara has supported us through the labor preparation, labor and delivery, as well as postpartum period fantastically. My labor had some complications and I felt comforted having her there to provide emotional support and guidance for my husband since I was not able to participate in all of the decision making myself. She has also provided breastfeeding resources to help me learn in these early weeks, and I think this will help my success in my goal of exclusively breastfeeding . Thank you Zara!!"

  - Maggie and Bryan

"I knew coming into my first pregnancy that I wanted a Doula, and my understanding was that they were a great support during labor and delivery. Zara was that and so much more! She sent resources based on questions I had throughout pregnancy to prepare my mind and body for labor. I had so many tools ready to go, and when my baby was almost a week late, Zara was even there to answer my “is this a real contraction?” questions along with tips on getting baby into position for when they were ready to arrive. She was always kind, supportive, and knowledgeable, and now that I’m on the other side holding our healthy baby, I know without Zara’s expertise I wouldn’t be able to look back on our labor and delivery in the same positive way.

I highly recommend using Zara for your pregnancy & birth- my husband was a little unsure if we needed a doula, but after meeting her seeing her knowledgeable & calm presence, he was sold that she was going to help him share the load as a support for me & our baby boy."