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Thank you for your support!Better Beginnings provides free breastfeedingsupport and on-call birth doula support. Call 707-902-3031 for more information!
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Rosanne Gephart
President Rosanne is a certified nurse-midwife, (CNM), nurse practitioner (NP), and board certified lactation consultant, (IBCLC). She has 38 years experience working with mothers and babies in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. Rosanne is the founder of the Santa Rosa Birth Center, (formerly the Womens Health and Birth Center), in Santa Rosa, CA. Rosanne directed one of the first centers in the USA to be designated “Baby Friendly” by the World Health Organization. Rosanne has served in leadership and teaching positions in numerous state and national organizations that serve to promote the excellent care of midwives, birth centers and lactation professionals. She currently works as a midwife, lactation consultant and business consultant for numerous centers. |
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Amy Popplewell
Board Member Amy Popplewell is a doula in Sonoma County who is studying to become a midwife. Her background and current career is in marketing and public relations. Amy is the Director of our Marketing Committee, which is a resource for our doulas, consulting them on how to strategically position themselves in the local birth community. |
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Abigail Brown
Board Member Abigail Brown is a Special Education teacher who has been a volunteer with Better Beginnings since 2017. She became a lactation specialist to be able to assist mothers who come to the breastfeeding cafes in need of lactation support. Abigail herself started as a mother in need of support from the volunteers at the breastfeeding cafe and from that stemmed her interest in continuing to help support other moms who also faced similar challenges. She enjoys helping other mothers on their journey into motherhood and breastfeeding. |
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Alyssa Lopez
Board Member Alyssa Lopez has been a peer-mentor for local moms since 2017. She specializes in support with breastfeeding. Her background includes studying early childhood education and working as a preschool teacher. She is a mother of two and enjoys providing families with the support they deserve as they enter into parenthood. |
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Amy Yamauchi
Board Member I am a mother of 2 (both born at the Santa Rosa Birth Center) and a wife of 1 (ha!). I have a passion for knowledge, empowering others, supporting families in difficult times, and gardening.I am currently enrolled at the International Doula Institute, with 5 certifications (see below) in my plan to be completed before December 2022. After that, I plan to enroll in Cornell University online and complete the Medicinal Plants Certificate. |