Rachel Van Thomme

My name is Rachel VanThomme. I am a born and raised resident of Suttons Bay Michigan, and a fifth generation farmer. My passions include holistic living, nutrition, sustainability, small scale homesteading/farming, supporting women (and birthing people), female reproductive health and spending time in nature. I have worked in agriculture and horticulture for almost 10 years, and have been working with families through the birth process for almost two years.

I am a certified birth doula through Lifespan Doulas, Ann Arbor, MI since 2022. I've professionally attended 3 (and counting) births as the only non-medical professional support person, as well as attended 5 births in training under an experienced doula. I am trained on the physiology of childbirth, basic breastfeeding skills and basic postpartum support, as well as techniques to support each stage of childbearing, from preconception, pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding and postpartum. My support during labor ranges from position recommendations and assistance, aromatherapy, use of tools such as rebozo, tens machine, birthing balls, birth slings and more. I am able to maintain calmness and strength in unpredictable situations, in home and hospital settings. I am continuing education in postpartum recovery support and attaining a placenta specialist certification as to further support families. What I love most about birthwork is not the babies, but empowering the Mothers (parent/s) and helping them to achieve their dream birth, as I believe birth can and should be a beautiful, sacred transition.