Born To Serve

Wendy Bruns has attended a lot of births. So many that she’s become a hot commodity for friends and family giving birth who want a supportive person in the room.

“Birthwork is definitely a calling,” says Bruns, a Sonoma County native who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology at UC Santa Cruz. “I had a friend who got pregnant at 19 and the dad wasn’t in the picture, so I went to every prenatal appointment with her and was there when she gave birth to my godson. I hadn’t seen anything about birth except on TV, so I watched birth videos and learned everything I could. Then I attended my nephew’s birth and other friends’ and family’s births and people started saying, ‘You should do this as a career.’”

Bruns was skeptical about becoming a doctor, but when she learned about becoming a doula—a professional who provides support during pregnancy, birthing and postpartum—she saw a path.

After moving to East Sacramento eight years ago to be near her brother and sister-in-law, Bruns applied for a job at the California Birth Center in Rocklin. When center director and president Trisha Wimbs saw the application, she called Bruns and told her she was way overqualified. Bruns persisted, telling Wimbs, “I really want to be part of this world.”

Her wish was granted, but not in the way she expected. Given Bruns’

Nonprofit Provides Support For Births And Beyond

JLBy Jessica Laskey Meet Your Neighbor