A Little Life + Work Update to Start 2026

Last April, I hit publish on my newly relaunched website—and then, as life so often does, everything kept moving right along. I realized recently that I never really paused to share an update here about what’s been unfolding since then, both professionally and personally. So this feels like a good place to gently ease back into blogging and say: hi, I’m still here. 勺

So… what’s been going on?

Growing and refining my work

Since the relaunch, my work has continued to deepen in ways that feel really aligned. I’ve been expanding my birth and postpartum support, offering more intentional, one-on-one education and emotional support for families who want to feel informed, grounded, and cared for.

I had so many work-related, joyful things happen in 2025 – so many that the best way to see what they were is to go back to my IG and FB posts and my YouTube page 

One of the biggest milestones for me was earning my Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH‑C) in December 2024. This felt like both a professional achievement and a very personal one that I have continued building on. Supporting my clients’ emotional wellness during pregnancy and postpartum has always been at the heart of my work, and this certification helped me strengthen the way I show up for clients during tender, vulnerable seasons. That led me to traveling to Arizona in October 2025 to attend PSI’s comprehensive training on Perinatal Loss: Clinical and Supportive Care. I now feel more confident than ever before to support people who have experienced loss at any time during pregnancy, at birth, or during the postpartum period.

Another huge milestone for me was completing my training NICU Doula Academy training. I was honored to be in Mary’s 1st cohort for this new, accredited certification program. Mary spent over a decade caring for NICU babies as a NICU nurse. She expanded that care to parents through her work as a doula. I’m so grateful to Mary for her generosity in sharing her knowledge and experience with those of us who want to fill the support gap that so many parents whose babies require any level of NICU care. My goal is to fulfill the remaining requirements to earn my certification this year.

I’ve also been spending more time teaching—both virtually and in person—on topics such as birth preparation, comfort skills, newborn care, and postpartum planning. Teaching reminds me again and again how powerful information can be when it’s shared with warmth, flexibility, and respect for individual needs.

Life in my new space

I’ve been loving my new office space. Having a place that is solely focused on my birthwork where my clients can feel comfortable and safe learning about birth, recovery, and getting support for their mental wellness has been really meaningful for me. I am 100% convinced that shifting my focus from office massage to full-time birthwork was the right choice at the right time—one that supports both my clients and my nervous system.

Staying connected and creating

Behind the scenes, I’ve also been working on ways to stay connected beyond my client visits. Including building out my YouTube channel, rebranding my podcast to Metro Detroit Birth Stories (please listen and sign up to share yours because every birth story matters), and continuing to refine my teaching materials, my clients can use to make truly informed decisions about their care and their baby’s care. This kind of work takes time, but it matters to me that what I share is thoughtful, accessible, and honest.

And on a personal note…

Life outside of work has been full—2025 placed me back into the role of caregiver as my dad had a life-threatening medical crisis. I suddenly needed to make some huge changes in my schedule and my mindset, as his situation has presented many unexpected and complicated issues, both due to his condition and our family dynamics. I’m still navigating the balance of caring for my family while doing work that fills my heart with joy, but I’m especially grateful for the flexibility I have and for all my clients, who have extended love, kindness, understanding, and support when my dad’s needs affected their appointments.

If there’s one theme that’s followed me through this past year, it’s this: gentle growth. Not rushing. Not forcing. Letting things evolve while staying rooted in what matters.

Looking ahead

This blog is part of that intention—to share more reflections and updates in a way that feels human and real. That said, I don’t have a regular posting schedule. I want to do it when I feel the time is right or when I have something I’m compelled to share, but I will not let so many months pass between my posts. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss anything. My hope is that whether you’re here as a client, a fellow birth worker, or someone quietly gathering information, you’ll find something that helps you feel a little more supported.

Thanks for being here, for reading, and for allowing me the space to grow—both personally and professionally.

Warmly,
Exie