Imagine this.

Imagine you just made it to the other side of childbirth! You’re feeding a new human, your pedicure may still look stellar, and you’re rocking those sassy mesh panties that secretly feel so good! Oh, all while feeling completely exhausted and exhilarated with a little more swelling of your feet than you even knew was possible. Also imagine having a respite provider with you when you need it most, to hold you and yours through the day or night.

With almost two decades of wisdom and expertise helping to catch babies in the Portland area, I’ve created Holding Souls, LLC, a company providing respite to those needing nourishing and revitalizing care while being able to stay inside the comforts of their own home.

Close your eyes and see yourself feeding your wee one in the quiet of night while I am with you to provide lactation wisdom, share a healing reiki treatment, or massage you while you bond with baby. Here comes the icing on this postpartum treat, imagine kissing your baby goodnight and then waking in the morning, hours and hours later, to see your baby milk drunk and dozing while laundry has been folded, and that heaping sink is now clear of the dishes that were there five hours ago.

I’ve been shown how to love a soul with my presence alone, how to soothe an ache with just my hands, and how to swaddle a baby so they sleep for hours. I’m ready to share these gifts outside of the hospital, not as a Nurse, but as a heart advocate for your soul, in the sacred spaces where your family resides.

I can honestly say thus far in my career, I've never been more inspired! I feel that what once started out as a thought, “How can I give more of what matters, to those who need it in our community, outside of the hospital?” is now an up and running company launched from my desire to love greater than I was currently doing.

This past year I’ve learned the importance of taking care of ourselves, even if it's for a few minutes a day. I personally feel fueled when I give to others, so I've been sending snail mail love letters to people weekly in my free time. I encourage you to take a few minutes today to ask yourself, "What does my soul need right now?", then take action and fuel up your heart!

I deeply believe that to care for others with great compassion and empathy, we ourselves, need to be compassionate and empathetic to our own beings. The postpartum period is hard, really, really hard. 85% of women will experience the blues, more will know depression after childbirth. As a childbirth educator, I know with all my heart, investing in Holding Souls care for yourself and for your family will be the best rest and restoration you could gift yourself with.