After years of working as a nurse, midwife and childbirth educator, Chris began Mama Circle in the early 90's. It evolved in response to a community need to have a weekly place for pregnant and new moms to talk about the physical and emotional changes of motherhood.
Sara Russell joined the group in 2000 at the end of her pregnancy with her first child. It was remarkably helpful to share thoughts and concerns about newborn care and our new roles as mothers with other women in similar circumstances. For Sara, it was a safe place to share her difficulties with breastfeeding and get emotional and practical support from the other moms in the group.
After Sara completed her doula training, Sara and Chris launched mama to mama in 2005.
Sara has now returned to her 9 - 5 EPA job, and we will miss her incredible creativity, energy and resourceful doula care dearly.
Thanks, Sara, for helping to birth mama to mama!
(650) 728-3950 home
(415) 309-4495 cell
chrisprn@pacbell.net
I have been working with childbearing families for over 27 years, including hospital nursing care in psychiatry, labor and delivery, alternative birth centers, newborn nursery, postpartum, and teenage mother programs.
I apprenticed with direct entry midwives and certified nurse midwives and helped in home births and doula care for 15 years.
I co-created Natural Resources, a childbirth resource center in San Francisco and co-created the first doula training program in San Francisco.
I completed a three year study of hands-on healing and Female Shamanism at the Motherpeace School in Oakland which I integrate into my life and work.
I birthed three children in three very different ways, and love circling with women for strengthening community and spirit.
I am currently working on my lactation consultant certification.