Woodbury has welcomed Blissful Beginnings, a business offering various services for soon-to-be-mothers and new moms. Owner Marnie Blackman began her training five years ago with interest in becoming a doula, wanting to empower women and make them aware of their choices, power and right to make those decisions throughout their pregnancy. She has specialized in postpartum doula services, attended massage and personal training school and is a certified lactation counselor, all services she offers at Blissful Beginnings. “I wanted everything to be under one roof,” Blackman says, “just a safe place for women to come and get support.”
Blackman does just that. As a doula, she supports families in their transition into parenthood. Her training in massage and personal training helps women stay in tune with their bodies and babies. Her child birthing classes teach couples everything from nutrition and exercise to the anatomy of what happens to your body, coping techniques, how Dad can help Mom and positions for birthing. “It’s way different than a typical hospital child birthing class,” Blackman says.
As a 45-year-old mother of six who has spent 78 months of her life breastfeeding, with a goal to “help women have the birth that they want to have,” Blackman is the go-to gal for all new mothers’ needs.