Paula Wright, DONA trained by Felicia Roche in 2005. B.A. in psychology, and currently pursuing an MA. in counseling. Yoga student for ten years, area of interest in hypno-birthing. Volunteer at the Womens Health and Birth Center, and provide a birth lending library from my home. A mother of two, I pursued becoming a doula because I feel passionately that every woman is entitled to a positive and empowering birth experience. Labor is always powerful, and at its best can be healing and transformative on many levels, I know this first hand! I birthed both of my daughters in my living room in an intimate and peaceful setting, and was immediately converted into a birth"junkie". I want other women to know the healing and wondrous qualities of giving birth. I believe that birth is a normal event. I think that equipping one's self with knowledge, and taking the time to prepare one's body, mind, and spirit, are the keys to a great birth. As your doula, I will work with you and your resources to see you through to the meeting of your new little one. Contact: (707)824-8004 or Paula@brightpassage.com

Alex Tickle, DONA trained since 2002, I am a mother to a beautiful little girl and a true advocate for moms and their children. I am dedicated to providing support and resources in as many ways that I can. After the birth of my daughter I was inspired to become a doula in an effort to help guide expectant parents through the numerous and often overwhelming choices you are faced with before your baby is born; everything from, "how will you birth the baby?" to, "which diapers are best?" I'm passionate about providing an alternative to the options commonly given so that you can decide what's best for you and your baby. I feel confident in either the hospital setting or at your home, whether you choose a natural birth or one that's medicated. It is your choice and I am here to support you, not to judge you or to make decisions on your behalf. I will hold your needs and wishes in highest regard in order that you may reach the desired outcome of your birth experience as you define it. With every contribution I make toward assisting safer and more gentle births, it is one more step I take in our community toward harmony, peace and non-violence. In addition to completing my Birth Doula training I am currently enrolled in a four year program for Classical Hahnemannian Homeopathy, I have skills in Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication, I completed the Whole Birth Prenatal Yoga program, and I have been trained in Acupressure and Aromatherapy for pregnancy and birth. Contact: (707) 829-1479 or Alex@brightpassage.com

Kari OKane, I became a doula in 2003 after the birth of my first son. He was born at Kaiser Santa Rosa, and despite all of the warnings I was given regarding the hospital treatment of birth, I came home with a birth story I am proud of. I knew that I could help other families have the birth experiences they wanted, no matter where they chose to, or where their insurance lead them to birth. In 2005 my second son was born at Kaiser Santa Rosa, via c-section, because I had complete *Placenta Previa. While a c-section was a difficult decision for me to make, I began to embrace it as a learning experience. I have since helped other women plan for and heal from cesarean surgery. In 2006, I co-founded the Ma Belle Lune Pregnancy Resource Directory, and have been very fortunate to meet many of the practicing pregnancy and childbirth professionals in Sonoma County. If you plan on having your baby here in the North Bay, you are in good company. The birth community here is working to make positive changes in an industry with a not so bright past. All of the Bright Passage doulas are committed to providing our clients with continuous and compassionate care. Not only through labor, but through the prenatal and postpartum periods as well. Every birth that I have attended has been unique and amazing, and always a learning experience. It is always an honor to be invited to be with and assist my clients through their incredible journey to baby. May your passage be beautiful and bright. *Placenta Previa is when the placenta attaches to the uterus over the cervix leaving no "exit" for babyContact:(707) 829-5958 or Kari@brightpassage.com

Stacy Williams, DONA trained in 2003,
Co-founder of the MaBelleLune Pregnancy Resource Directory. I made the decision to become a doula after the profound experience of a doula’s love at the birth of my first son. Since then, it has become my passion to help families at this pivotal time and to provide them with the support and encouragement they need. I have had the pleasure of volunteering at prenatal clinics and at births. I have helped families in the hospital, at birth centers and at home and have had wonderful experiences in each place. I believe that every woman holds an inner strength beyond what even she may be able to imagine. When a birthing woman is in an environment where she feels safe, surrrounded with love and continuing support, she is more able to call on this strength and tune into her body and birth her baby the way she desires. This accomplishment may be healing and empowering and help her to set a foundation for the strength she will need in motherhood. In this marvelous world, few things touch us and change us the way giving birth does. We remember our birth experiences with great detail for the rest of our lives and what we take from our births can leave an ever-lasting impact. My role as doula is to help you sift through the wide range of information so you can make the choices that are best for your family. I will honor the choices you make and help you to achieve your births goals - whatever they may be. No one can predict how your birth process will unfold, but I will be there to help navigate the way, whether it be help establishing a comfortable environment, help clarifying protocol and procedures, activating acupressure points and utilizing aromatherapy, or maybe just an encouraging word when you're feeling overwhelmed. I will rely on intuition, knowledge, resources and love to help make your birth experience the best it can be. Contact: (707)578 4403 or Stacy@brightpassage.com