Meet Tracy
With trust, faith, and support the woman can allow the birth experience to enlighten and empower her.
-Claudia Lowe
-Claudia Lowe
I initially became interested in Natural Childbirth while pregnant with my first child. I spent months reading about “Natural Childbirth," as well as discussing “natural” childbirth with my doctor. However, I began to realize that he and I had very different definitions of the term "natural," meaning that although I was able to deliver my baby without medication, I did have to endure some interventions. Nevertheless, that first birth was both a blessing and a victory, but I knew there had to be so much more to giving birth through the body's natural process and ability to labor and deliver a healthy baby. After that, I was honored to have four more beautiful and powerful home births. My husband and I have been married 40 wild and wonderful years, I am the passionate mother of five children, and the joyously proud Grandma of 14 grandchildren-- peacefully born into their mommies' and daddies' arms.
I was originally trained in the Bradley Method, as a Doula and a Midwife Assistant through Informed Birth and Parenting, as well as a Breastfeeding Counselor for the postpartum weeks. Since then, I have continued to research, read, attend trainings and births and will forever be amazed at the beauty and variety of birth. I began teaching Natural Childbirth Classes when my first daughter was nine months old and was mentored by a wonderful Santa Barbara icon, Fredda Spirka, to teach Prenatal and Postpartum Dance, Yoga and Relaxation Skills for labor classes. I am always awed by the powerful ways in which each individual family is touched by the births of their children. I have taught prenatal and postpartum programs in the Santa Barbara area for 36 years and have had the privilege of preparing over 3,500 couples for the births of their babies.
I believe there is tremendous value in the birth experience itself. I believe the mother's body has been perfectly created to give birth and nourish her baby. Although interventions are sometimes necessary for the safety of the mother and/or baby, most women can give birth with very little intervention. I have witnessed mothers benefit from the hormones of natural childbirth and the profound blessing of working through her personal birth story, making educated, intuitive and thoughtful decisions for the wellbeing of herself and her baby. I believe that birth matters-- to the mother, the baby, the dad, and the family. Birth is a natural process, designed to bless and build healthy families on the strong foundation of love and trust. It can be the most transformational and powerful experience of a woman’s life, an experience that she may draw strength from in the days, weeks and years after her children are born.
I was originally trained in the Bradley Method, as a Doula and a Midwife Assistant through Informed Birth and Parenting, as well as a Breastfeeding Counselor for the postpartum weeks. Since then, I have continued to research, read, attend trainings and births and will forever be amazed at the beauty and variety of birth. I began teaching Natural Childbirth Classes when my first daughter was nine months old and was mentored by a wonderful Santa Barbara icon, Fredda Spirka, to teach Prenatal and Postpartum Dance, Yoga and Relaxation Skills for labor classes. I am always awed by the powerful ways in which each individual family is touched by the births of their children. I have taught prenatal and postpartum programs in the Santa Barbara area for 36 years and have had the privilege of preparing over 3,500 couples for the births of their babies.
I believe there is tremendous value in the birth experience itself. I believe the mother's body has been perfectly created to give birth and nourish her baby. Although interventions are sometimes necessary for the safety of the mother and/or baby, most women can give birth with very little intervention. I have witnessed mothers benefit from the hormones of natural childbirth and the profound blessing of working through her personal birth story, making educated, intuitive and thoughtful decisions for the wellbeing of herself and her baby. I believe that birth matters-- to the mother, the baby, the dad, and the family. Birth is a natural process, designed to bless and build healthy families on the strong foundation of love and trust. It can be the most transformational and powerful experience of a woman’s life, an experience that she may draw strength from in the days, weeks and years after her children are born.
PRAISES FOR TRACY:
"I did have a great nurse, Jennifer; she knew Tracy and had nothing but praises to say about her. Knowing this, I felt like I was in great hands." - Nikki
"We had a beautiful water birth at home, 4.5 hour labor with 5 minutes of pushing! Being at home was the most magical and empowering experience of my life! Your class still helped me nearly 2+ years later~ thank you!" -Allie
"A hospital birth can truly still be your own and beautiful. Thanks so much Tracy for providing us with great knowledge going into our Cottage Hospital (first ever) birth!" -Joanna
"Derek was a great help and greatly appreciated that the class taught him what to do and when, and that he recognized the different stages as Tracy described which helped guide him and which all ultimately helped me." -Katie
"I was brand new to the area and heard wonderful things about Tracy. I serendipitously met her at the YMCA and was able to attend one of her birth courses. It was informative, encouraging, and eye-opening. She has been a wonderful source of help, support, and love since the birth of our little boy. I am so thankful for her in all aspects." - Tori
Tracy in the Media:
Santa Barbara Independent - Local Hero 2008
Dream Catcher Wellness Newsletter
"I did have a great nurse, Jennifer; she knew Tracy and had nothing but praises to say about her. Knowing this, I felt like I was in great hands." - Nikki
"We had a beautiful water birth at home, 4.5 hour labor with 5 minutes of pushing! Being at home was the most magical and empowering experience of my life! Your class still helped me nearly 2+ years later~ thank you!" -Allie
"A hospital birth can truly still be your own and beautiful. Thanks so much Tracy for providing us with great knowledge going into our Cottage Hospital (first ever) birth!" -Joanna
"Derek was a great help and greatly appreciated that the class taught him what to do and when, and that he recognized the different stages as Tracy described which helped guide him and which all ultimately helped me." -Katie
"I was brand new to the area and heard wonderful things about Tracy. I serendipitously met her at the YMCA and was able to attend one of her birth courses. It was informative, encouraging, and eye-opening. She has been a wonderful source of help, support, and love since the birth of our little boy. I am so thankful for her in all aspects." - Tori
Tracy in the Media:
Santa Barbara Independent - Local Hero 2008
Dream Catcher Wellness Newsletter