I now work with birthing women and their families in the Berkeley/Oakland area as well as surrounding communities. Most often I attend births at Alta Bates, Kaiser Walnut Creek and Kaiser Oakland or at home.

Training and Affiliations

• DONA Birth Doula Training and Certification
• Heart and Hands Midwifery Intensive
• DONA postpartum doula training
• "Birthing From Within" Childbirth Mentor (Educator) Training
• Acupressure for labor training
• BABA New Doula Mentor
• Birth trauma counseling training with Pam England, midwife and author of "Birthing from Within"
• Member of the Birth Choice Doula Collective
• Coordinator the Birthways/BPAC Volunteer Doula Program for low-income families with most deliveries at Alta Bates

Candace Palmerlee, CD(DONA), CMT

I came to doula work through my bodywork practice. Specializing in prenatal and orthopedic massage, I used these tools and the DONA doula training to assist a bodywork client in her labor in 2003. After this experience I was inspired to make doula work a consistent part of my life and practice. The births of my own two children strengthened my passion and deepened my awareness in supporting women and their families in birth. Through knowledgeable preparation, and continuous emotional support in labor, I strive to empower a woman to have a transformative birth, and thus strengthen the family for the complexity and work of raising children. In addition to my bodywork and doula education, I have trained as a homebirth midwife apprentice and a newborn massage instructor. I currently live in Oakland with my wife of 10 years and our two wild and beautiful children. For more information on my bodywork practice, please visit, www.cpalmerlee.com.

Training and Affiliations:

• DONA Birth Doula Training and Certification
• Heart and Hands Advanced Midwifery Intensive
• Homebirth Midwife Apprenticeship
• Certified Teacher of Hendrickson Method of Orthopedic Massage
• Certified in Prenatal and Post-Partum Massage
• Certified Newborn Massage Instructor
• Member of the Birth Choice Doula Collective

TESTIMONIALS

"Anna is incredible! My husband and I were expecting our first child and wanted to have a third person present during the labor and delivery that would support our vision of our birth process. With Anna, we got much more than that. Prior to the birth, Anna focuses on helping you clarify how you envision your labor and delivery and then gives you the tools to achieve it. Her style is flexible and I found that she often got right to the heart of what I was REALLY thinking about/worried about/hoping for when I didn't know how to verbalize it. During the labor and delivery she was there by my side for 26 hours. I don't know how she was physically capable of it but she was unfaltering in her support! She helped my husband and I have an intimate birthing experience but was always there to step forward or back when we needed it. After the birth, Anna has continued to be extremely supportive. I feel comfortable calling her anytime to ask for newborn advice, questions about my own recovery, or just to talk to someone. Choosing to have Anna as our doula was by far one of the most important decisions we made during my pregnancy."--Nayir

"Candace was my doula for two of my births. She was an invaluable part of my birthing experience each time, providing a sense of comfort, reassurance, and empowerment in the birthing process. Her skills as a massage therapist were critical, as I had back labor with one of the births and her expert touch really helped to alleviate much discomfort. She was able to help me focus and get through the lengthy, intense contractions of my first birth, and I felt that I was in loving, skilled hands with her. In the second birth, she provided a sense of comfort and reassurance and made me feel like I could get through anything. I have total trust in her and appreciate her calm, caring and highly skilled presence."--Rebecca

"Even though my labor was quick and straightforward, it was INTENSE. Candace's calm, wise presence really helped me stay relaxed and focused. She is intuitive and knew exactly what words I needed to hear and when. Her touch and experience as a bodyworker were invaluable, especially the day after my son's birth, when my back was in spasms, and several weeks later when she helped me clear up a breast infection that almost needed antibiotics. One of her unsung gifts is her talent as a photographer - she took beautiful photos of the labor and birth which I will treasure forever. I can't recommend Candace enough." -- Michelle

"I am so unbelievably grateful that my sister insisted I get a doula and that Dr. Lisa recommended you. This is how women were meant to experience childbirth - in the caring support of others. Danny and I can't thank you enough Anna for making our entry into parenthood such a pleasant one. We felt so safe with you! I still can't believe that I got him out on my own, but I guess that's because I didn't do it alone. I had such great support. You were better than any drug!" --Becky

"Although I had done lots of preparation before the birth so that I would be ready to provide support and advocacy as needed, being able to check in with Anna *really* helped me communicate clearly and calmly with Julia and the midwives when things got slightly complicated (and emotionally very intense). I felt that Anna was just as much a support to me as she was to Julia, and I always felt like she was there for both of us--i.e., I was not just "second fiddle" --before, during, and after Carina's birth. If/when we have another child, I'd absolutely want Anna to be there again!"--Mark

"My husband and I both so much appreciated Candace being at our birth to help us through a somewhat traumatic experience. Candace was so wonderful, supportive and encouraging. She helped me deliver naturally, even after having been induced. I will never forget her sweet face and words of encouragement. Her faith in me, my body, and the natural birthing process was amazing. Candace is an awesome coach, a natural at what she does!" --Anya

"Anna was comforting, supportive and empowering. I truly believe that my labor and delivery went as smoothly as it did because of Anna's soothing and supportive presence. And while my husband originally thought we could do it all on our own, he too was extremely grateful to have Anna there to help him, help me. Anna was there for us, however she never imposed herself--Anna really allowed my husband and me to truly share this amazing experience together. We loved Anna so much that we hope to have her with us for the labor and delivery of all of our children!"--Krista