My Journey
As a wife and mother of three children, I love to spend time playing and learning with my family. My personal journey as a mother started with my daughter Dharma’s water birth in a hospital in Atlanta (2005), followed by the births of my son, Macey, (2012) and my daughter, Harper, (2014) at Charleston Birth Place.
My calling to serve started in 2002 when I started massage school, growing and transitioning deeper into fertility and birth work over the past decade. I have worked within the parameters of the childbearing year as a Certified Nurturing the Mother massage therapist since 2007 focusing my massage career in fertility, prenatal, birth prep, labor, and postpartum massage.
Continuing my transformation, I added yoga, pilates, and doula education to my resume between 2007 and 2013. My largest investment and training to date is incorporating the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® into every aspect of my services, as I transform from practitioner to teacher in 2018.
Since 2002
Finding the right provider for your family is hard, being told you need to search out another provider to cover the gaps in eduction is frustrating. When you decide to work with me towards your birth and wellness goals you are not only hiring me for your time, you are hiring over 16 years of experience and $25,000 in education to ensure you receive the most comprehensive services possible.
Why Choose Me
Doula Trainings and Certifications
The Matrona Advance Certification/ 2018
Carolina Birth Junkies Conference/2017
- Dr. David Hayes “Group B Strep” (1.5 CEU*)
- VBAC Panel Discussion with Dr. Hayes, Marcia Ensminger, MSN, CNM, Jennifer Lucas O’Briant, CPM, LM and parents Stephanie and Joshua Flowers
- Jennifer Moss Corbin “Breastfeeding Facts and Fiction” (1 CEU*)
- Case Studies facilitated by Christine Strothers, CPM (1.5 CEU*)
- Shelby Lewis and DeNae Means of Safe Passage “Domestic Violence and the Childbearing Family” lecture and walk through simulation- what a victim of domestic violence might experience with Safe Passage (2 CEU*)
- Lori Barklage “Trauma Healing for Clients and Birth Workers” (1.5 CEU*)
- Amy and John Medwin “Making Love Last” (couples welcome) (1.5 CEU*)
Spinning Babies/2017
Female Pelvic Floor Training for Birth and Wellness Practioners/2017
Microbirth: microbiome and epigenetics in pregnancy, birth, and infancy/ 2017
Breastfeeding Structure and Function: What, Why and the Long Term, IBCLC CERP/2016
Breastfeeding Structure and Function: The Balancing Act, Evaluating Infants for an Interruption of Balance IBCLC CERP/2016
Counseling LGTBQ Couples with Jaye Simpson /2016
Waterbirth Workshop with Waterbirth International/2014
Rebozo, the Gina Kirby Method/2014
Mother Friendly Childbirth Workshop with Ina May Gaskin and Henci Goer/2014
HypnoBirthing Prep Class/2013
Heartfelt Childbirth Prep Class/2013
Birthing From Within/2005 & 2012
Homeopathy for the Childbearing Continuum/2013
Nurturing The Mother/2007
The Matrona Certification/2013
Massage Trainings and Certifications
THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY®; Advanced Clinical Certification/2017
Female Pelvic Floor Training for Birth and Wellness Practitioners/2017
THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY®; Advanced Pregnancy/2016
THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY® Level Two/2016
THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY® Level One/2016
Baby’s First Massage/2014
Nurturing The Mother Fertility Specialist/2012
The Institute for Temporomanibular Studies/2011
Nurturing The Mother (Prenatal, Labor & Postnatal with a basic training in Fertility)/2007
The Upledger Institute, INC/2003
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage/2002
Atlanta School of Massage 4.0/2002
Exercise Trainings and Certifications
Yoga Certifications
Yoga of India 200RYT/ 2009
Expert Rating/ 2007
Pilates Training
Equivalent of two certifications via apprenticeship 550 hours/ 2010
Professional Accountability
West Ashley Birth Professionals (WABP) – President; member since 2018
Maya Arvigo International Association (MAIA) – SouthEastern Coordinator 2016, Member Since 2016
Professional Doulas of Charleston – Vice President 2014-2015; Social Media Marketing 2014-2018; Member 2013 -2018
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals – Member since 2004
American Massage Therapy Association – Member 2002-2004
Community Outreach
Arvigo® Institute South Eastern Coordinator and International Peer Review Facilitator 2017 – present
Our Whole Lives (OWL) – Certified Comprehensive Sex-Ed Facilitator for 7th-12th grade at the Unitarian Church in Charleston, 2014 to current
Florence Crittenton Programs – Volunteer, 2016 to present
Postpartum Support Charleston – Volunteer, 2017 to present
Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) – Administrator and Facilitator, 2015 to 2017
Red Tent Temple of Charleston – Creator and Lead Facilitator, 2013 – 2016
Testimonials
The decision to hire a doula was based on my desire to have a natural birth in a hospital setting. I decided on Danica after interviewing a number of doulas. I felt like Danica was the perfect choice for me because she exhibited all of the qualities I felt like a doula should have but most importantly above all I could tell she would not be judgmental of what I wanted or sway me into her beliefs. I appreciated this way about her and feel like this is a true Doula. I felt like she was worth every penny before I even went into birth. She educated me about so much and changed my lifestyle for the long run. Every question and concern I had she was able to get me an educated answer to. She is extremely educated about the birthing process, massage, holistic nutrition and holistic healing. I loved that she could talk intelligently about every subject. During the birthing process she allowed me to make decisions but she also was there to help me make a decision when I looked to her for guidance. Knowing she was there encouraged me to succeed in having a natural birth. She is passionate about being a doula and that shines through.
Danica gave me a prenatal massage with some induction pressure points, and I went into labor within 48 hours. The massage was relaxing and Danica was sweet and professional. Highly recommend!
I’ve worked with Danica as both a massage therapist and a doula. When I was in a car accident at 11 weeks pregnant, I saw her for massage and healed up extremely well. She is very honest and knowledgable as a doula, and her services were invaluable during birth. I felt like I had a close friend with me! She helped labor move along and provided emotional support during the toughest parts of labor. And she worked really well with my husband too! I couldn’t recommend her more, it was so worth it to hire her!
As a first time father, I had read all the books, listened to the podcasts, and been to a host of birthing classes. However, the moment my wife’s water broke, I became clueless and I immediately forgot everything I had learned.
I was so thankful for Danica’s help. I really wanted to be a help for my wife during the labor process. While Danica’s focus was on my wife, she enabled me to engage in the labor process in more meaningful ways than I otherwise could have.
Lastly, my number one hesitation about hiring a doula was the idea of having an extra helper in the suite that was somehow taking my role. Myth busted! Danica did an excellent job at being available for whatever we needed while at the same time maintaining a low profile within the birthing suite. She also aided us in communicating our birth plan to hospital staff when the labor experience made speaking words a challenging task. The intimate childbirth experience my wife and I wanted was only enabled by her presence.
Reach Me
Address
720 Magnolia Road, Suite 15, Charleston SC
Phone
843.826.0660
By Appointment Only
Wednesday – Sunday
10:00am – 6:00pm