I came to this work of supporting families through the birth of my son in 2001. I took my first doula training in Ann Arbor Michigan. That same year and began attending births. I became a certified childbirth educator in 2005. In 2006 I attended a DONA Postpartum Doula training. I worked with the Center for the Childbearing year teaching childbirth education, newborn infant care and DONA Birth Doula Trainings 2005-2011. I worked with Doulas Care in Ann Arbor in 2011-2014. Over the years I have also worked as a home birth midwife assistant. Two friends and I published a zine about childbirth called The Birth Project 2005-2010. I am Rebozo certified. I am also a 2003 graduate of the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy and spent 15 years specializing in pregnancy and postpartum. I now teach DONA Birth Doula Trainings in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area. I have also taught DONA Birth Doula Trainings in Detroit for the CHASS Clinic, FOCUShope, at the American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) and with an HIV Peer Doula Program and am looking forward to working with more non-profit organizations in Detroit and surrounding areas. I also teach DONA Birth Doula trainings in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am a co-founder of the MIchiagn Prison Doula Initiative (MPDI) a nonprofit organization that offers non-medical pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support to individuals affected by imcarceration. Our Vision is “humanity in childbirth behind bars and beyond”. In 2017 became the Doula Program Director of MPDI. I now serve as a consultant and enthusiastic board memeber. Outside of Birth Work I am mother to Sam and Ella-Rose. My wife and I have a little urban homestead in Ypsilanti near Depot Town. We tap maple trees, have a good sized garden, tend to our bees. We love to preserve fruits and vegetables (my annual favorite is dandelion jelly) all summer and into the fall. Year round we tend to our 4 chickens, 2 bunnies, 2 dogs, 2 cats, our indoor fish and outdoor fish. We love working on projects for ourselves and friends and making things. I love to cook, kayak, hike and generally just be outdoors. I like to put my degree in Fine Arts to use making small sculptures and jewelry. I have a workshop in my house that I love to tuck away in when there is free time. I hope to meet you soon! Kate Stroud CD(DONA,BDT(DONA)