Tranquil Touch Birth & Women's Wellness

05/06/2026

🥱It's been a long day...it's been a long year...my dad has worked incredibly hard to recover from his life-threatening medical emergency last year.
He beat the survival statistics last year and, despite a few setbacks, he had his final surgery today 🎉

I cannot express to my husband, kids, friends, and clients how grateful I am for supporting me through all the ups and downs, the unexpected schedule changes, and all the other things that happen to caregivers.

And, a HUGE thank you to all his nurses, doctors, and support staff who have cared for him expertly! Especially here at the VA hospital - you are all INCREDIBLE!



🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

03/21/2026

I ♥️ it when my friends send me articles like this!

While more Medicaid patients and even some on private plans have gained doula coverage in recent years, United is the first major insurer to begin rolling out the benefit nationwide.

03/16/2026

👶🏻 New baby alert - this little one kept us guessing until the last minute!

🔃 .We knew we needed to stay flexible with her goals and expectations. This mom already had solid self-advocacy skills due to pre-existing, somewhat rare health issues. Pregnancy introduced a few more that we needed to consider in shaping her birth plans. First we prepped for an end of the month arrival, then, we prepped for a beginning of the month arrival, then everything appeared to be back to wait and see - but it will probably be another week, then it became clear that this baby was going to come in the next 24 hrs.

During labor, there were many times when the pace was slow and steady. Then, things sped up really quick, then slowed down again. Finally, baby arrived!

🏞 Lesson learned from this birth:
Thorough birth prep, honest communication, and transparency lay a foundation for trust and confidence so moms and their birth partners feel empowered no matter what twists and turns their labor journey takes.

🥰 It was also key to balancing doula support with being my dad's caregiver as we prepared for his next surgery. Life keeps life-ing even when on call and giving bedside support!

🎊 Congratulations to this truly incredible mom and dad!

03/14/2026

"On the family front, equitable distribution of cognitive responsibilities, not just physical tasks, is essential. When both partners share ownership of calendars, appointments and long-range planning, the invisible labour becomes visible and negotiable."

Working mothers carry the thinking behind work and home — and the cost is rising

03/06/2026

Just saying "hi" to let y'all know I'm still here - just been busy meeting babies and spending time with amazing birthworkers whenever I can 🥰

I'm curious to know, how has 2026 been going for you?

02/23/2026

My recent birth was last week and truly memorable:

An induction was started late in the evening.

After months of prep and education, and with her super supportive partner at her side...
She labored. She processed. She pivoted. She made thoughtful decisions for herself and her baby.

And that is what can make a powerful and positive birth experience.

Although their journey was lengthy and looked different than they imagined, this family met each other surrounded by a team that cared for them with care and respect.

It was an honor to be with them during pregancy, provide tailored support at their pace, and witness her becoming a mother.

The lessons:
🔹️When mom and baby are fsoing fine, the pace of the journey should be set by the woman and her partner.
🔹️As it unfolds, their options should be presented unbiased and without pressure to choose one or another.
🔹️Medical and support people can contribute to positive birth experiences by giving the woman and her partner the space to HEAR their options/recommendations, ASK questions, DISCUSS and WEIGH out the risks & benefits of everything presented, and DECIDE what feels safest and best for them because their birth BELONGS to them!

Every birth story matters — including the ones that don’t go according to plan. 🩷

02/06/2026

A Little Life + Work Update to Start 2026

Last April, I hit publish on my newly relaunched website—and then, as life so often does, everything kept moving right along. I realized recently that I never really paused to share an update here about what’s been unfolding since then, both professionally and personally. So this feels like a good place to gently ease back into blogging and say: hi, I’m still here....

02/06/2026

“I always tease that my superpower is that I have three kids with no labor pains.” 😄

On the latest episode of Metro Detroit Birth Stories, Erica shares her planned cesarean birth, her long fertility journey, and how postpartum support helped her finally get clarity and care around PMDD.

Erica's story proves that each baby's story is special
🎧 Listen Now or on your favorite podcast app

https://www.tranquiltouchforwomen.com/freebies/pregnancy-birth-postpartum-resources/doula-podcast-blog-2/

12/30/2025

💚 New Episode Alert 💚
In this month's episode of Metro Detroit Birth Stories, my friend and former client shares her family’s unexpected NICU journey.
Hear Ashley and her husband, Kevin's, perspectives on their birth experience.
One morning, Ashley's normal pregnancy quickly shifted into unfamiliar territory, bringing fear, uncertainty, and moments no parent ever anticipates.

This episode is tender, real, and shared with so much love.

🎧 Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

⚠️ Trigger warning: unexpected NICU admission.

12/23/2025

🥰 Last week, my last 2025 doula baby arrived after a long, long journey. (My before & after selfies)

🤰This client and I bonded over several months as we prepared for her birth with the most unique set of circumstances.

She met every challenge with bravery, grace, and so much love for her baby - both throughout her pregnancy and also during her labor.

👭 Her primary support person/birth partner was not her life partner, but her best friend. We utilized technology to ensure her life partner was as involved as possible, too.

🏩 Through every twist and turn of her labor, she stayed true to her values. Sure, it unfolded differently than she imagined, but, the self-advocacy and communication skills we focused on developing at each of our appointments were key to her ability to stay at the center of each discussion with her medical team.

Lessons from this birth:
🔹️Primary Support/Birth Partners can be anyone you love and who loves you

🔹️Communication skills are essential for labor, birth, and your parenting journey

🔹️Sometimes, all a baby needs is a little more time - they are making their own journey

🥰What a happy way to close my 2025 birth schedule - let's get ready for the babies of 2026

(DM me or click my bio link to learn more)

12/06/2025

I love it when my clients and I create such a deep connection that we learn things about each other that are beautiful and prove our human essence to each other.

On a recent birth, the soon to be dad and I had some deep discussions about the merits of this great bean. It was a silly, light conversation that clearly left an impact.

Thank you, for being such a great couple and allowing me to be part of your beautiful baby's birth story!

I will treasure every sip of these delectable beans ☕️🥰