HI, I'M CAROLYN
When I am not writing, creating, or developing new ideas, you will find me at the ocean's edge, walking the historic streets of France, strolling along the canals, or sitting at an outdoor cafe drinking my favorite beverage.
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I spent part of my life raising children, gardening, landscaping, and tinkering on home projects. Later in life, I took up sailing and lived aboard a boat named Home Berth full-time for nearly four years in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and eastern seaboard.
I happily retired in France with my husband, Keith, in 2023.
MIDWIFERY IS IN MY SOUL
I am a semi-retired midwife with a rich and fulfilling career spanning over 30 years, supporting women and families during one of the most important moments in their lives—pregnancy and childbirth. My experiences in this field not only fueled my passion for maternal and infant health but also inspired me to share my knowledge through writing and illustrating.
As I transitioned from my full-time role as a midwife to an author, I was able to focus more on developing content for expectant parents about the journey of pregnancy and the birthing process. Alongside my already published work, Your Birth Journey, ​I am the author of three additional childbirth and midwifery books, including Navigating Your Birth, Empowering Midwives, and Positions for Birth.
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With a midwifery background and a Master of Arts in History centered on women's history, medicine, and midwifery in early modern Europe and America, I bring a deep understanding of the historical context that shaped midwifery in modern times. This rich background and knowledge enriches my writing, allowing me to share valuable insights and narratives that resonate with both expectant parents and midwives.
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I am a passionate advocate for childbirth education, emphasizing the importance of healthy birth practices that support the well-being of both mothers and babies. I am dedicated to fostering dignity in childbirth, advocating for respectful treatment and informed choices for all individuals during this significant life event.
MY CREATIVE JOURNEY
I have always been captivated by the world of art, whether it involves pens, chalk, or paint. My favorite classes in high school and college were drawing and painting classes, but I put this creative endeavor aside for decades. It came back to life during the COVID lockdown while isolated on our boat, named Home Berth, in the Caribbean.
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Amid this craziness, life was good!
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The three and a half years we spent living full-time aboard Home Berth were filled with unforgettable experiences! After the lockdown was lifted, we set sail for the Caribbean islands, explored the breathtaking Bahamas, and finally made our way to the eastern seaboard. We sailed to the Bahamas two more times, enjoying the serene and secluded beaches—experiences I will cherish forever.
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Between keeping up with boat maintenance, navigating the waters, and anchoring in some stunning remote spots, I found pockets of time to immerse myself in my creative pursuits. I took the opportunity to learn graphic design, which turned out to be a lot of fun! I began illustrating line and flat drawings of pregnant women using a graphic design program, naturally.
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As I worked on these illustrations, I was inspired to develop content that would support my artistic expressions. This led me to delve deeper into the world of childbirth education. Gradually, my ideas formed into a cohesive narrative, and I found myself immersed in writing a book that intertwined educational information with my illustrations. I poured my heart into this project and made significant strides in completing my childbirth education book. I self-published Navigating Your Birth: A Complete Childbirth Education Guide in 2022, which contains over 200 pages and 240 illustrations. The entire process felt like a true labor of love.
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I also focused on completing my manual for midwives on sustainable midwifery care, a passion that began in 2010 and developed into a comprehensive prenatal program. The culmination of years of effort is reflected in two books: Your Birth Journey: A Holistic Guide for Pregnancy and Empowering Midwives: Group Prenatal Care for a Sustainable Future. Both of these works are connected through the group prenatal model I developed, known as Birth Social.