About Me

Who am I?

My name is Michelle Brenhaug. I am a mother of two girls and live in the Greater Los Angeles area. 

Something about myself?

I am a Japanese-American. I was educated as an engineer and worked in that industry for 9 years. Since I was a child, I feel like I have had a calling to accompany others. I have found myself the most alive when guiding and accompanying others whether it be children, friends, or aging persons. Also, since becoming a mother, I have discovered an even deeper ability in myself to intuit someone’s needs, sit with, guide and offer care as they need it. I find that the combination of my technical training and empathic, intuitive disposition makes me uniquely fit for birth work.

Why am I doing this?

In 2010, I was excited to become a mother for the first time. I read “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, I took the hospital tour and childbirth classes. I thought I was as prepared as possible. However when it was time to deliver my little one, although I ended up experiencing what turned out to be a fairly normal labor and birth, it turned out to be an extremely traumatic and isolating experience for me. I felt completely out of control and that no one was listening to me in one of the most vulnerable moments of my life.

I decided to hire a birth doula for my second birth to ensure that didn’t happen again and it changed everything. I found having a person there dedicated solely to my support and advocacy helped me to trust and let go in a way that I believe really helped my labor along. Since then, I witnessed the birth of my niece. While being able to be there alongside my sister as she birthed her beautiful baby, I further cemented that this is what I want to do.

When any pregnant friend of mine asks me if I have any advice for labor, my first answer is to hire a doula. Having a doula with me was incredibly valuable and I would love to offer my knowledge, support, and especially presence to you as you traverse this event in your life. I am also passionate about social justice and advocating for equity in birth experiences.