In physics, fusion is known as the process by which nuclei join in order to create energy. It is believed that this is what created the sun and stars. Like the birth of a star, sun, or distant corner of our universe, the birth of our children is no less a miracle. Indeed it is an extraordinarily graceful miracle, presenting us with new joys and forever altering our lives.
Nicole Heidbreder is the founder of GracefulFusion, professional labor and postpartum support, labor photography, childbirth education, and lactation support services. She is a DONA trained birth and postpartum doula. And a Lamaze and CEA trained Childbirth Educator. She is a member of the New Leadership Council for the International Women's Health Coalition, and has currently started her own research project with Christine Morton and Louise Roth, called The Maternity Support Survey. This research project has been created to address the gaps in our knowledge about characteristics, practices, and beliefs of those who support childbearing women.
From 2008 - 2011 Nicole was the Director of International Development for DONA International. In this position she created and ran the International Fellowship initiative to promote the global expansion of community health workers/doulas. As well, since 2007 Nicole worked as the Special Events Coordinator for Choices in Childbirth.
Before becoming a doula, Nicole completed a Masters of Arts in Administration and Management from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She was also a Ford Foundation Scholar. She has lived, studied, worked, volunteered, and traveled in over 30 countries around the world; what continues to inspire and amaze her is the resilience and intelligence of women she encounters, and how they gracefully face the highs and lows of life.
Nicole believes that the experience of becoming a mother is one of our
most important rites of passage in life, and her approach is to bring a
comforting and calming energy to her clients. She supports her clients
with physical comfort measures, provides information and explanations
throughout pregnancy and labor, and offers emotional and mental support
to the couple during labor. She has attended births all over the world,
and this exposure to different cultures and practices has given her a
wealth of information on pregnancy and the birthing process. In addition
to her regular doula practice, Nicole is also experienced in massage,
acupressure, and aromatherapy, and also offers services in labor
photography, combining her passion for photography with her sensitivity
to the precious moments around birth.