Meet the Doulas

The reason why I became a doula... I know the moment that made the biggest impact in my life was when my beautiful baby girl took her first breath and I heard her cry for the very first time.  I remember exactly how I felt, the warm tears streaming down my face, my heart beating with excitement knowing that I was able to bring a precious new life in to the world. Somehow at that moment I felt completed as a woman, now I am a mother. 
Experiencing childbirth, however it happens naturally or with some interventions is the most incredible gift life has to offer.  To be able to share that moment with another person is truly fulfilling. As a doula I strive to help make your birth experience the most beautiful memory of your life.

My name is Michelle Defoe. I am enrolled in Red Cliff, but have lived in Duluth for 12 years. I have a 4 year old daughter who I breastfed for the first 2 years of her life. I am a doula, but am also learning and teaching Ojibwe language.
I decided to become a doula for a few reasons. I had a doula at my birth of my daughter. She was very helpful and with her help and understanding of birth I was able to have the birth experience that I really wanted. I want to be able to give that back to other women. I also wanted to become a doula because I see birth as one of the most important things in life. In fact it is the beginning of life itself. I feel honored to be able to be part of the process of bringing new life into the world. The last reason for becoming a doula is I liked the idea of being able to support women and helping families with some of the stress and life changing events that birth can bring.
To me birth is one of the most beautiful gifts because women can carry and nurture life inside of her body. And she is able to birth that life into the world creating new life from her body. Birth is a ceremony of creation and inner strength. It is a celebration of new life and also a celebration of a woman becoming a mother.

My name is Dixie Dorman. My twin daughters Brooke and Lilly gave birth to their momma on March 31, 2009. I became a doula because I am very interested in empowering women during pregnancy and during the birthing process. My hope before, during and after the birth is to assist mothers and babies during labor in a kind, respectful and empowering manner.

Hi, my name is Rebekah. I am an enrolled member of the Fond Du Lac Reservation and grew up here from childhood.

I love giving back to my community and this is a perfect way for me to do it, as I had the great joy of having a doula myself when I had my son. I want nothing more than to give that back to the mothers I work with. I have done this rewarding job since 2009.

I love getting to know new families and supporting them on their journeys. Every birth I have attended has been a beautiful and perfect experience. Every mother has her own unique birth story.

As a doula, I am here to support you in your unique journey. Everyone experiences life differently and has their own way of doing things. I am here to support you in that. I want to see things go as perfectly as you envision them.

I will meet with you prior to your birth to make sure we are a good fit, to get to know you, your loved ones and to make sure that I can be the best support person to you and your family. I will be involved as much or little as you would like. I will support you through your birth and afterwards as needed.

I look forward to getting to know you and your new little one!

Chally Topping-Thompson

Boozhoo, My name is Chally, and I chose to become a Birth Doula because I want to help women and their family, in finding their own voice while on the journey of pregnancy and birth. My husband and I have been married for five years, and have a son who is nineteen months old. During my pregnancy, I met with a Doula before, during, and after labor, and I thought it was one of the best decisions that I made. She helped me in finding my own voice, without speaking for me, and helped educate me in what to expect during birth. In experiencing what I thought was a great and memorable birth experience, with the help of a Doula, I was inspired to help others have great and memorable experiences as well.

Before I became a doula, I didn’t really know what a doula was. I really wish I did. From my past experience of giving birth to my two sons, I really could have used one. I wish I would’ve known some of the things I could have done during my birth to help. I became a doula to give parents the support I wish I had. I really enjoy what a doula can do for a mother and her family to help in her birth. Mothers want to have the best experience possible and I am happy to help with it.

Hello! I’ve been a Public Health Nurse for the Fond du Lac community since 2001 and a doula since 2004. There is nothing more near and dear to my heart than my work with expectant parents and their babies-I LOVE IT. I began the doula program after witnessing the beauty and power of birth as a doula and experiencing the loving support of a doula at the births of my three children. Nothing can compare to the feeling a mother can have after the birth of her baby when supported by a doula, even in difficult and challenging births. In my current role I help support our doulas and nurture them in their role of helping families in their community before, during and after the birth of their baby. I offer education on every aspect of birth, breastfeeding and parenting. I am truly honored to be part of this amazing team of women and honored to serve the Fond du Lac community.

My name is Misty Saice. I am 23 years old, married, and am the mother of a little girl born in 2009. I had a doula at my birth and I loved it. Your birth is important because it’s a moment you’ll remember forever. I enjoy working with mothers and their children.