NDTR, CLC, CD(DONA)
Lindsey is a reiki master, certified nutritionist/dietetic technician, certified lactation counselor, award winning photographer, and certified birth doula in Arizona
Serving Tucson, Oro Valley, and Marana areas in Arizona
Benefits of Hiring a Birth Doula
A woman who has a doula with her through labor and birth is:
– 28% less likely to have a c-section birth
– 31% less likely to need pitocin to speed up labor
– 9% less likely to use pain medication
– 34% more likely to enjoy her birth
My holistic journey …
When I was a kid, I had the usual dreams of becoming a ballerina, or a singer, or a teacher. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine becoming a doula. To be honest, it simply wasn’t on my radar.
My journey began while I was going to school for my dietetic degree in my late 20s, as career change from nearly 10 years in journalism. I was already very holistically-minded and dedicated to learning about natural healing. That grew to include women’s reproductive health related to nutrition the further into my training I went. That was compounded after I took my first breastfeeding class, and I was hooked!
From there, I made the jump to doula and learning about birth. I couldn’t get enough, as I was astounded how little I knew about my own body as a woman, what my rights were, and what options I would have as a birthing person.
It soon became a personal mission for me to bring that knowledge to my sisters and other birthing persons embarking on their journey to parenthood.
Since then, I have found such a rewarding career as a birthworker.
Reiki was also something I fell into accidentally. During one of the most difficult times in my life, I was introduced to energy healing through a local reiki class. It helped so much with my own personal healing, that I felt inspired to follow through to become a reiki master. Now I passionately provide this gentle technique for others, whether it’s prenatally, in the birthing room, through the postpartum period – or any other time in a person’s life where health and wellness needs balancing.
With 10 years’ experience as a photojournalist, I also use my sharp eye for seeing the beauty in the moment. This helps me to document your birth experience, especially those moments that can happen so quickly that you can treasure forever.
I am excited to help you as you navigate the strange and often unexplored world of pregnancy, birth, and provide education and resources on how to make informed and healthy choices for you and your baby.
My philosophy
I am extremely passionate about women’s health, and providing my clients with the knowledge and tools they need to make confident changes and decisions about their health, lifestyle, and birth choices.
I believe birth is an experience a person truly learns their full power and potential. We are taught from a very young age to seek affirmation and direction from outside of ourselves, when we have the capacity to dig deep and see our true power to create, manifest, and heal intuitively.
This is why I include so many aspects of holistic healing into my approach to birth.
My clients get very well-rounded support including:
- reiki healing sessions to ease anxiety and tension before birth, and enable healing postpartum
- healthy lifestyle and nutritional recommendations to support the body and spirit throughout pregnancy
- one-on-one coaching to help identify fears, unrealistic expectations and uncertainties and reframing negative beliefs
- helping clients shape educated goals and empowered decisions that fit their needs, and advise on how to include those details in their birth plan
- provide resources, and education
All of this is included in my approach to doula support, so that my client feels comfortable and in charge of their birth experience; and so that their partner feels prepared with a toolbox of skills to help them both birth without fear.
As a doula, I’m not there to lead, but I’m proud to advocate for your rights and your informed consent. I’m there to support. I’m there to remind you that you can do it. You were designed to. You are powerful. I compassionately hold space for you as you discover your own strength and intuitive guidance.
BIRTHWORK SERVICES INCLUDE:
Reiki Touch Therapy Reiki is a perfect complement to any holistic approach for better health and birth outcomes. Using the human body’s natural positive response to touch, reiki can help relax muscles as well as emotions and allow them to safely detox physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
With a focus on perinatal (prenatal through first year after birth) healing, including cesarian birth, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mood disorders.
Lactation Classes / Support Both in-home and/or virtual postpartum breast/chest-feeding classes or support are available prenatal or postpartum
Birth Photography You will only meet your baby for the first time once. Those hours in labor and bonding with baby can be a blur. Having photos to look back on are a treasure you will have forever.
Wellness Coaching One-on-one, personalized coaching for optimum physical and emotional health so that you can concentrate on more important things. Getting support in making small lifestyle changes even before pregnancy can increase fertility, and lower health and birth risks for you and your growing family.
Certifications & Trainings
Holistic Nutrition/Life Coach Certification
(2012 – 2013)
Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts
Reiki III Master Certification Training
(2013)
Central Arizona College
Nutrition and Dietetics Technician (NDTR)
(2016)
Central Arizona College
Doula Training/Certification
(2016 – 2018)
Doulas of North America (DONA)
Infant Feeding Specialist
(2018)
ProDoula
Lactation Counselor (CLC) Certification
(2019)
Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP)
Spinning Babies Basic & Extended Training
(2018-19)
Parent Educator / Home Visitor Certification
(2019)
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care
(2021)
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Volunteer Work
Produce On Wheels WithOut Waste (POWWOW) Warmline volunteer for Postpartum Support International’s (PSI) Postpartum Depression Line
Lindsey Gemme 