Greetings,
I am Beth Rees, CD and I’m a birth & postpartum doula living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve been doing birth work since 2006 and have been working with women and families for over 15 years.
Originally rooted in Denver, CO, I found my way to California when my family moved to San Diego and landed in Northern California several years later. Santa Cruz was home to me during my university years – first as a student of Feminist Studies and Anthropology; then later as a program coordinator of the UC Santa Cruz Women’s Center.
While in Santa Cruz, I began doing advocacy work promoting healthful communities with an emphasis on sexual and women’s health. It was when a dear friend of mine became pregnant that I found the “doula path.” I took my first doula training and experienced my first birth as a doula. It rocked me - so I began to transition from higher education life to that of a sustainable doula. Baby steps….
It was at this time that I began exploring the healing arts community of Santa Cruz and found my other passion – herbal medicine. I studied with the American School of Herbalism in Western and Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. I had the pleasure of working with the fine herbalists of Five Flavors Herbs, helping craft herbal remedies and teaches perinatal herbal medicine classes with the Sylvan School of Botanical Medicine.
Currently, I’m in the process of becoming a Certified Lactation Educator and Counselor through the UC San Diego Extension Lactation Education. This is the next breastfeeding and doula adventure for me. I look forward to better serving and deepening the support I offer to my current and future clients while expanding breastfeeding support to the larger community!
I create home in San Francisco with my partner and 12 year old stepson. Beyond being a birth enthusiast, I enjoy cooking, crafting fiber arts, hiking, swimming, tea, coordinating life celebrations and parties, auto restoration, and spending time with my loved ones – in and out of the City.
Questions? Please feel free to contact me at beth.rhys@gmail.com.
Picture taken by Regan Brashear http://www.fixedthemovie.com
