Joy is a 30-something mother of two water-birthed children. She is married to Peter, an academic professional, and has one crazy and fun-loving dog, Nutmeg.
Joy is a DONA trained doula and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She was mentored and taught Birthing From Within childbirth education by and with Jean Sala Smith, MSN CNM, and Betty Fairman-Hoffman, MSN CNM. Joy also served as a midwife’s assistant at Inanna Birth and Women’s Care while living in Denton, TX.
Joy stays busy teaching childbirth classes at Park Ridge Health, The Baby Place in Hendersonville, NC on Sundays, and attending nursing school, full-time during the week.
The Joy of This 
i just noticed we’re both wordpress torture inflictors. yet another common thread in our little yarnball. i’m really awful about posting; usually when i have way too much to say and haven’t let myself cool off. it’s nice, though, if not narcissistic. but if i didn’t write sometimes i think i would have to run off without telling anyone but the dogs. love to you and yours. oh, and way to go with that vaccine article. hahaha.
I would love to be a doula…. I don’t know how I can make space and time for it with my littles at home. I been teaching prenatal yoga in the mean time and love it! How do you make it work with your little ones?
Joy,
I just discovered your blog, and I have been reading through your posts. I wanted to say how much I appreciate your faith, your voice, and your commitment to your kids. It’s unusual to see someone be honest on their blog, and I admire you for that. It’s also neat that you’re in Chicago. I felt like I was reading a letter from a neighbor. My husband and I are still a few years away from having kids, but it’s amazing to read about all these women and their different experiences as we start thinking over the choices associated with every aspect of having a baby.
Most of all, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you. This means a lot to me.
Hi Joy!
Your Park Ridge class was amazing! I appreciate your time, knowledge, and teaching abilities. I have one official week left until Amelia gets here! I did the NST twice this past week but not because of the fear they tried to instill. I’ve had house guests, of the mom and mother in-law variety, and it turns out to be a great opportunity for them to be amused by baby technology and funny nurses. I do get a kick out of asking everyone in the office I can about the new descriptive labels on my chart and if they are just for insurance billing purposes for two NSTs. They all admit they are!
OK! I hope you have time to enjoy some good weather!