Colleen Christophersen

Colleen’s birth work journey started twenty one years ago when she was pregnant with her first child after having experienced a miscarriage she dove into learning all she could about pregnancy, labor and delivery with the hope of having a positive birth outcome with the second pregnancy. She gave birth at 30 weeks gestation to a premature baby who spent two months in the NICU. This experience, along with all that would follow, was transformational on so many levels it is hard to put into words.

Determined to breastfeed despite the odds she pumped and sought support from lactation experts throughout the area. Finally, and thankfully, with the help and guidance of a village of moms and experts she was able to successfully latch her baby (who still only weighed 3 lbs).The liquid gold of human milk not only helped to support the unique needs of her premature baby, but also helped to heal the wounds of a traumatic birth experience and foster a deep bond between mother and baby despite the medically necessary interference of the first two months.

Colleen birthed her second baby via cesarean just seventeen months later and was not only able to breastfeed, but also tandem feed, both her newborn and her toddler. She was trained and volunteered as a Breastfeeding Peer Support Counselor at the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital with Le Leche League International. Her story and experience allowed her to connect and inspire other families who had babies in the NICU to continue to pursue their parenting goals and to advocate for the needs of their baby even when faced with obstacles. It was from this experience that her dream of being a birth worker was born.

Colleen returned to the classroom as a middle school and high school teacher in 2008 and taught for eighteen years as a public school teacher while still living her values of family, health, and community. When her oldest was a senior in high school Colleen found herself in reverie over the early years of motherhood, even with all the trials and tribulations it was so worth it. She never forgot the support and guidance of her motherly village or her dream to pay it forward to other moms. Following her heart she stepped out of the classroom and began her training as a doula, breastfeeding counselor and childbirth educator in 2023. She has since gained four other certifications as a birth worker and continues to passionately pursue evidence-based practices for healthy birth outcomes for mother and baby.

Colleen is dedicated to providing unwavering support to all families, embracing diversity in age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, and ability. Her mission is to create a safe and inclusive space where every family member feels valued and respected. She strives to empower families to overcome challenges and thrive together to meet their parenting goals while also accepting life on life’s terms.

She currently resides in Muskegon.