Learn more about Michelle   

Michelle D. Hardy, M.S., LMT, NCTMB, CPMT, CNA, Cht, CD(DONA), ICCE, CEIM, CHBE

Michelle married her high school sweetheart in 1988 and together they have nine children.  Michelle started her family and then after having four children decided to go to college and work towards a career in education.  She achieved her Bachelors of Science in Education degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in December of 1999.  After graduating she decided she wanted to stay home and care for her children, but she still wanted to put her education to work for her so she started a licensed home daycare in May of 2000.  While running her daycare and caring for her own children she went back to school to receive her Masters of Science in Education through Walden University. She graduated with that degree in 2004, but while she was still in school she was introduced to the idea of doing birth work and started to pursue doula training.  After her doula training she started officially offering doula services and education with her primary clientele at the time was teenaged mothers that she volunteered to assist.  About one year after starting to work in the field Michelle opened up her practice and included mothers of all ages.

Since starting her business Michelle has also attended several different types of trainings and obtained various certifications over the years.  Michelle has obtained training and certification as a labor doula with DONA International (CD DONA) , and has trained and certified as a childbirth educator through International Childbirth Education Association (ICCE) and trained and certified as a Happiest Baby on the Block educator (CHBE). 

Michelle did also train and certify through CAPPA as a labor doula (CLD), postpartum doula (CPD), childbirth educator (CCCE) and earned an advanced certification in adoption support (CAAC), but has decided to not keep those certifications up at this time. 

Michelle also became interested in hypnotherapy after having the opportunity to assist a local ob/gyn who was working with pregnant women utilizing hypnosis for childbirth. Michelle found this work very fascinating so she decided to pursue certification in hypnosis through the New England Institute for Hypnotherapy.  Michelle is certified as a Hypnotherapist (Cht) and also holds an Advanced Hypnotherapy Certification, Weight Management Specialist Certification, Master Hypnotherapy Certification, and Clinical Certification. She is also a member of the American Alliance of Hypnotists.  Although she can currently work in various areas utilizing hypnosis her primary focus is for childbirth. 

In 2006 after working in the birth world for several years Michelle decided that it was once again time to add to her knowledge and felt that massage therapy was the next step, so she went back to school and attended Lakeside School of Massage in Milwaukee.  While in school she studied various forms of massage therapy including: Swedish Massage, Chair Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Hydrotherapy, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy and Myofascial Release.  She graduated in September of 2006, and pursued licensing.  She took her National Massage Therapy and Bodyworkers exam (NCTMB), and completed her state licensing requirements (LMT); license # 3819-046.  Michelle then furthered her studies by taking advanced training and certification in Prenatal/Pregnancy/Postpartum Massage (CPMT) and also became a certified educator of Infant Massage (CEIM).  

Then in 2008 Michelle decided that she wanted to learn more and advance herself further by taking a CNA training and certification program to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA).    She felt this was the next step in her progression and would help to enhance the services she was able to offer to the families she works with especially those who have experienced a surgical birth. 

In 2009 Michelle gave birth to her ninth child who was a preemie - through her experiences as a doula and also those in the NICU and pediatric unit where Michelle spent a good amount of time after her son was born she decided she wanted to return to school and further her knowledge base and become a nurse.  She decided that 2010 was the year to start that process and hopes to have her degree by 2014. 

Michelle currently teaches childbirth and new parent education privately and also for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (St. Francis Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and St Joseph's Wauwatosa) and she works as a birth doula both privately doula and within the Columbia Center located in Columbia St Mary's Hospital in Ozaukee.  As a doula she assists families through all stages of pregnancy, labor, birth and in the direct postpartum period.  She is also a postpartum doula where she provides care and assistance to new families as they transition into their new lifestyle, and occasionally works as a CNA helping families who have experienced surgical births.  Michelle also provides massage on an outcall basis (by referral only) where her primarily focus is working with the female clientele through all stages of life (offering relaxation, prenatal and postpartum massages).

Learn about Michelle's education, trainings she has taken and her certifications.

 Meet Michelle's family!!