Doula Bios
Susan Bradford
“Susan’s presence helped me to have the kind of experience I will always remember as one of the most powerful and meaningful moments of my life.”
Susan Bradford has been involved in the childbirth profession since 1974 when she received her LVN license. She subsequently worked at Boston Lying-In Hospital in the Postpartum Unit and in the Newborn Nursery. In 1977, Susan began midwifery training at the Holistic Childbirth Institute, while working as a Maternal and Infant Bonding Recovery Room Nurse at Kaiser in San Francisco. She then continued her midwifery studies with Elizabeth Davis and training as an apprentice with Maria Iorillo, LM, CPM and continuing on with Christina de Eno in Jamaica. She continues her studies as she feels there is always more to learn around birth. Susan has been a doula with Birth Doulas of Marin since 1994. She has been teaching The Birth Journey, a holistic childbirth class in Marin County since 1990.
Susan also works as a postpartum doula and facilitates Waxing Moon Mothers (pregnant women’s circles), Blessing Ways, Welcoming Ceremonies, as well as Belly Casting, Birth Art and private consultations. Additionally, she is a Certified Hypnotherapist specializing in the field of childbirth related issues.
Susan is blessed to be the mother of her wonderful adult daughter, Leah.
Mollee Franklin
"When my contractions were intense, Mollee was the gentle voice that helped me stay focused. I am almost brought to tears as I remember Mollee’s heartfelt encouragement, she is my red-headed angel."
Mollee has been fascinated with birth and babies from a very early age.
She had heard about the world of doulas but it wasn't until the amazing birth of her son in 2003 that she realized her true calling. Mollee trained to become a doula through DONA (Doulas of North America) in 2004 with Debbie Merritt at the Santa Rosa Birth Center.
She worked throughout the Bay Area as a private doula before joining Birth Doulas of Marin. Mollee has also worked as a postpartum doula and became a lactation educator through UC San Diego in 2007 to better help mothers and babies with the sometimes challenging but beautiful process of breast feeding. Mollee believes that having a positive pregnancy and labor is such an important start for families and feels that it is her duty to pass on her experience and knowledge.
When Mollee is not attending a birth she can be found hiking, swimming, crafting and homeschooling. She has lived in Marin for 13 years and is still awestruck by the beauty of this part of the country.
Mollee has a 6 six year old son and was blessed with a wonderful home birth with her daughter in 2009.
Julianne Schoepp
“I trusted Julianne immediately. I
knew she would not leave me, and her participation made the birth of our daughter more magical.”
Julianne Schoepp became certified as a doula in 2001 through Natural Resources in San Francisco. She worked as a private doula at several Bay Area hospitals, and her practice included pre-natal consultation and childbirth education, labor support and post-partum care. Julianne joined Birth Doulas of Marin (formerly Labor Support Services) in the fall of 2002.
Julianne earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
She has completed Heart & Hands Midwifery Intensives (National Midwifery Institute), which includes in depth hands-on training and well-woman care taught by Elizabeth Davis, Midwife.
Julianne is passionate about the importance of non-judgmental support for each family's birth experience. She believes the benefits of physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy and childbirth truly allow each family to trust themselves during childbirth and into the postpartum period.
In addition to her work with Birth Doulas of Marin, Julianne spends much of her time volunteering for various family-centered non-profit organizations.
Julianne is the mother of three beautiful sons.
Debra Suhrke
“Debbie knew just what I needed. I never had to ask for a thing! Debbie anticipated my every need.”
Debra Suhrke has worked in infant and child care since the early 1970’s, and has been a birth doula since 1983. She received her doula training in 1983 from APPLE Family Center, and completed additional training that same year with Informed Family Life, founded by Rahima Baldwin Dancy. Debbie began working with Birth Doulas of Marin (formerly Labor Support Services) in 1986.
She has been a Certified Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Provider since 1992, certified by The National Association of Postpartum Care Services (NAPCS). She stays current on her First Aid training, BLS, and also follows current studies on birth, parenting and newborn issues. She has been a charter member of Doulas of North America (DONA) since 1992. Additionally, Debra has been supporting families since 1995 as a personal assistant, or “mother’s helper,” by tending to the myriad household tasks and errands that often get overlooked when a new baby arrives.
Debra has lived in Marin since 1976, and has been married to her love and best buddy, Dennis since 1974. On Friday evenings you might find her at one of her husband’s gigs (he plays in several bands). And on a sunny day, you’ll find her riding on the back of their Harley!
Debra has two adult children, a son and daughter, and 2 teenaged grand-daughters.
Rene Verduin
"It is nearly impossible for me to find the words to express my gratitude to Rene for being with me as my doula for the birth of my baby; it is truly ineffable."
Rene Verduin is a certified birth and postpartum doula, as well as a certified massage therapist. She received her doula certification in 2003 through Natural Resources, and she completed midwifery studies through Heart and Hands Midwifery Intensives. Additionally, she trained with Doulas of North America (DONA), and is a trained lactation counselor. Rene received her massage therapy certification in 2006 from The Institute of Conscious Bodywork in Marin, and specializes in pre and post-natal massage. She is also trained in Cranial Sacral Bodywork. Rene joined Birth Doulas of Marin (formerly Labor Support Services) in the spring of 2007.
It is Rene’s deep desire to support families during this amazing time. She is fascinated by the simple yet complex relationship between the infant, mother and partner, and it is her calling to support this very special family bond throughout the prenatal and postpartum journey.
In addition to her work with Birth Doulas of Marin, Rene provides the following services: postpartum care, pre and post-natal massage, lactation support, and childbirth preparation through classes and process counseling. Her website is: www.marindoula.com
Rene is the mother of two beautiful boys and was blessed with incredible home births for both of her sons.
Kristina Wingeier
"Kristina has a genuine goodwill toward
others and wants the best for all who are involved. She brings a rich knowledge of holistic support
combined with an ease in working collaboratively with clients and other care providers."
Kristina Wingeier is a birth and postpartum doula who has been offering wholistic support to women and their families in the SF bay area since 2007. Inspired by her own positive experiences during her pregnancy and birth, she attended her first doula training in 1996 with Full Circle Birth & Labor Coach Training. She has attended many birth-related workshops over the years, including trainings with DONA (Doulas of North America), ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators) and Birthing From Within; and postpartum doula
trainings with Natural Resources and Cornerstone Doula Trainings. She completed studies with Elizabeth Davis' Heart & Hands Midwifery
Intensives in 2009 and has been enrolled in the National Midwifery Institute since that time. She was an apprentice homebirth midwife with Wombservice Midwifery from 2009-2011.
Viewing childbirth as a profound rite of passage - of body, mind and spirit - Kristina strives to assist her clients in giving birth in the way
which facilitates their empowerment, healing and transformation. In addition to her work with the Birth Doulas of Marin, she offers the
following services: placenta encapsulation, postpartum doula care and Reiki healing. Her website is www.devidoula.com
In her free time she loves practicing yoga, taking long walks and beach days. Kristina is mother to an amazing daughter born peacefully at
home in 1995.
