Pregnancy Arts birth classes are now offered by Ann Arbor Birth & Family!
Pregnancy Arts, founded by Deb Rhizal, has been a beacon of exceptional support and education for birthing parents in the Ann Arbor area for nearly a decade. Under Deb’s direction, Pregnancy Arts has provided birth doula services, birth and parenting education, and consultation and coaching for new and expectant parents.
In addition to tending to families with unwavering compassion and integrity, Deb has also been a generous and engaged member of the local birth community: inspiring and mentoring new doulas, encouraging and re-inspiring veteran birth professionals, and setting a high standard for the work we do to enhance the lives of the people we serve.
Pregnancy, birth, and the services available to birthing people in the Ann Arbor area are much better off for Deb’s contributions. And, in some ways, she’s just getting started! In June, 2018, Deb completed her studies through the University of Michigan School of Nursing to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. Deb has also accepted a position with the University of Michigan Nurse Midwifery Service, a world class, hospital-based midwifery practice serving clients in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. We are so excited for Deb, and for all of the people whose lives she will touch in this new role!
As the owners of Ann Arbor Birth & Family, Kristen Paquin and I have long held Deb and her work in high esteem, counting her as a trusted friend and colleague. Deb and I have exchanged backup support for doula clients over the years, and I have had the privilege of teaching the Condensed Childbirth Class and Welcome Baby Class through Pregnancy Arts periodically since 2016. Teaching the Pregnancy Arts curriculum has been a pleasure. I love witnessing the ways that parents respond to the comprehensive, accessible, and deeply relevant course material. I also frequently refer parents to the wealth of resources, articles and planning guides that Deb has developed, and that continue to be available through her public website, marasworld.com.
When Deb offered us the opportunity to purchase Pregnancy Arts as she transitions into the next phase in her career, we hardly had to think about it! It is our great honor and privilege to announce that Ann Arbor Birth & Family will continue to offer the Pregnancy Arts educational programs, carrying forward Deb’s dedication to exceptional education and support for birthing families in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. Ann Arbor Birth & Family also provides birth doula and postpartum doula services, grounded in the principles of integrity, compassion, and professionalism that Deb and Pregnancy Arts have so skillfully embodied.
We are deeply grateful to Deb for entrusting us with this joyful responsibility. We look forward to carrying forward this part of her legacy for years to come, while Deb continues on her path of service as a midwife. We can’t help but to expect great things!
About the Author: Sierra Hillebrand is a midwife, doula and psychotherapist who has been working with birthing families in the Ann Arbor area since 1997. She is passionate about high quality support for childbearing families, and sustainability for birth workers. Sierra is the co-owner of Ann Arbor Birth & Family.