Most parents preparing for a hospital birth have no idea how many decisions can arise during labor. My focus is on helping families understand how the hospital works so they can approach birth feeling informed and confident.
In 1996, a brief TV segment about doulas changed my life. I had never heard the word before but, within 24 hours, I had signed up for doula training. I knew I’d found my calling. My first client turned out to be my own daughter who called to tell me that she was pregnant when I got home from my doula training, making my first birth as a doula an unforgettable, deeply personal experience. I started a new career and welcomed my first grandchild at the same time!
Before becoming a doula, I had lots of jobs. I was an Air Traffic Controller in the Navy, service dog trainer, peer counselor for Vietnam Veterans, house painter, bookkeeper, hot air balloon crew member, and I ran a word processing department, to name just a few! Each job taught me empathy, patience, and resilience; the same qualities that now define my work with expectant families.
I was adopted when I was 10 days old by a wonderful woman ... and her husband. My mother adored me and doted on me and we escaped from her husband when I was 2 or 3 and moved in with my Orthodox Jewish grandfather in New York City. I had a few ideal years with these two loving, caring people until my mother died when I was almost six years old.
My grandfather was in his 80s and my former father was not an appropriate care provider for a child, so my life changed again. I was adopted by my uncle and his wife before my sixth birthday and I went from being an only child to the youngest of four. I also went from being loved and doted on to being resented, ignored, and the target of my new mother's negative attention.
I ran away for the first time at the age of seven and continued to run away until they kicked me out when I was 15, which was the best thing that could have happened to me. Another aunt and uncle took me in and let me stay with them until I graduated from High School. A week after graduation, I was in Navy bootcamp and then off to Air Traffic Control School.
My early life wasn’t easy, but my different family experiences helps me connect with all kinds of families on a deeper level. I understand what different family relationships look like and I don't judge. We're all doing the best we can with the circumstances life provides.
When I was 36, I found my birth mother and, a year later, found my biological father who had never known that he had gotten my mother pregnant. My birth mother had four other children and my bio-dad had three, which added seven siblings to the three I had grown up with. Having been an only child and the youngest of four, I was now the oldest of 7, and one of 11.
I have two wonderful adult children. My son, Derek, has an award winning podcast Derek and Romaine 2.0 that started out on Sirius/XM in April 2003. The listeners of his show have become a family, not just to me but for each other. We take cruises together because Derek is also a cruise director and we meet up for lunches, dinners and parties. The show is wonderful, but it’s definitely NOT for everyone (you've been warned!) Derek also wrote a movie, Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate, and two books, Colonnade: A Life in Columns and When Nightlife Falls. Derek lives in New York.
My daughter, Tiffany, and her three mostly grown children all live with me. I love living with my family. We all get along well and are happy together. I can’t imagine my life without them. Tiffany is a high end Administrative Assistant and is attending college. Her magic power includes solving all computer related problems, often by walking into the room or entering a Zoom call at work.
After 30 years of birth work, I now focus on teaching, mentoring, and supporting clients through virtual guidance and collaborative doula care. My “Best of Both Worlds” model ensures that every family can benefit from both wisdom and youthful energy.
After attending more than 700 births, I’ve learned that no two experiences are the same and that preparation and information are your most necessary, critical tools. That knowledge inspired me to write 700 Babies: Expectant Parent’s Survival Guide to Hospital Births (2nd Edition) and 700 Births: A Doula’s Survival Guide to Hospital Births to help both expectant parents and doulas be as prepared as possible for hospital births.
Whether you’re looking for education, guidance, or reassurance, I’m here to walk this journey with you. Let’s start with a free consultation and find the perfect support for your birth experience.
Hear what our incredible customers have to say!
Thanks Goodness tracy was there. All I can say, I couldn’t have done it without her help, support and guidance. She was a guiding light for me, someone I trusted and could turn to when I found myself freaking out. She is very cool, calm and collected and puts you at ease, even in the throws of labor. She does her absolute best to make you feel comfortable and knows her way around a hospital setting. Worth every penny.
Tracy is super supportive and comforting. Having Tracy next to me during my daughter’s labor gave me the strength and confidence I needed during L&D. With the expansive knowledge Tracy has she was able to provide me with guidance to make my labor more relaxed and enjoyable! Beautiful Soul!!!
Tracy was the most caring and compassionate doula. She helped me tremendously throughout my pregnancy and helped me make the best decision for both me and my baby.
I had no idea she took so many pictures and detailed notes of everything such a wonderful surprise to look back!
First of all, I love that Tracy took “notes” along the way, so when all was said & done, we had a clear picture of what happened when. Otherwise, it would have been a blur! Tracy was so easy to “be” around. I never felt uncomfortable, even at my most vulnerable state. She was the “safe place” and made us confident in our decisions.
Tracy’s support prepared me exceptionally well for my birth. My husband and I felt her one-on-one teachings were invaluable. Her presence, support and excellent encouragement helped me feel powerful as a life-giving woman. The presence of a doula is indispensable for us for our 1st birth and future ones! Also, tracy helped us navigate the hospital process, which helped make our experience simply amazing.
As soon as tracy arrived next to me and gave that warm reassurance, I knew I was in good hands and that it was going to be okay. When the monitors lost my baby’s heartbeat for 4 minutes, tracy calmed me and talked me through it without her I would have lost it with worry. It kept me present and focused on the task at hand, and overall let me know everything was normal and ok, one step at a time.
Having tracy there at our baby’s birth gave me an ease of mind. I had a lot of anxiety due to my baby’s breech position. Tracy knows her way around the hospital and even knows the medical staff, which created a very positive atmosphere at our birthing room. She was calm and encouraging, which helped me tremendously during contractions.
She was essential. Sometimes she was more helpful than my husband, and I wanted to have her support more than his.
I simply could not have gone through my labor and delivery without Tracy by my side, hand on my back, guiding my husband with her wisdom and experience on how they could work together to best care for me. Her attitude was remarkable through the grueling labor and her endurance spectacular.
Tracy quickly became a friend. She listened to us and shaped the experience on our wishes and always made us feel confident and comfortable. Her warmth and kindness helped every step of the way. Her conversations with both my mom and our OBGYN were enormously helpful at a scary time.
Tracy was amazing and was able to calm Sheena down when she was very worried and afraid. I cannot imagine doing this without her.
The 3 meetings prior to delivery date were extremely helpful. Following the handouts and explanations for contractions (411) helped us achieve a natural birth with no epidural/drugs. Watching the birthing videos helped calm my fears and negate any “horror” stories told to me by family/friends.
Tracy is a very calming presence. Her experience in the birthing process is so reassuring.
Tracy gave us fantastic support before, during, and after our birth. I feel like Tracy educated us really well, so I don’t feel like there was anything I didn’t know.
Tracy is a valuable resource to the community of birthing women and all that are involved in the birth process. It is important to have a doula who is experienced and well-educated and who will act as an advocate for you and your pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care.
Great support before the birth with a lot of helpful information in the info sessions. Very prompt in showing up for triage.
Thank you so very, very much for the photos – they are priceless. Before the birth, I didn’t think I would want/need pictures of the birthday (besides a newborn pic) . But when I look at these now it’s overwhelming and I am so thankful that you captured these moments THANK YOU!!! I wish I had hired you for my first baby’s birth too!
Tracy’s knowledge about preparing for birth, the birth process, and preparing for life with a new baby was invaluable. Much of the process is shrouded with mystery and tracy helps remove the mystery and help you feel ready and at ease.
Tracy support before, during, and after our daughter’s birth helped us achieve a perfect outcome despite of having to make several tough decisions along the way. When we needed caring and knowledge, she exuded these qualities in abundance. We felt cared for, protected, and safe with Tracy.
With Tracy’s help I was able to accomplish my goal of an unmedicated natural childbirth. She helped me to trust my body’s ability to give birth. She gave me encouragement when I had doubt. She also provided me with all of the information and learning material to be mentally prepared. Without her help, I’m not sure the goal would have been reached.
Contact us today and let us support you with confidence, knowledge, and compassion every step of the way.
