COVID-19 UPDATE: We will be offering classes both virtually (live) and in-person.
We want to ensure the safety of our pregnant clients and their families. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
OUR APPROACH
Giving Moms What They Need
Karen's dream has always been to start her very own business for new and expecting families. A place where they can prepare for one of the most incredible experiences of their life, as well as a place where they can find support, acceptance and friendship after the birth of their babies.
Here at Stork Ready we don't only offer Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Newborn Essentials and Infant CPR Classes we have added many more classes as well as support groups for the new mother. We are always open to adding new classes and support groups as the need arises.
Check out reviews on Google, Yelp and Facebook to see what so many have to say about their experience.
OUR LOCATION
217 Main St, North Reading MA
Stork Ready is located 15 miles north of Boston, just minutes from Route 93. Conveniently located near routes 128 and 495. Our clients come from all of the city major hospitals as well as the community hospitals and birthing centers. We offer classes from pregnancy and beyond. Many of our clients make new connections and lasting friendships from joining one or more of our many support groups and baby classes.
All childbirth classes are small to ensure every person gets the attention they deserve!
ABOUT
Meet Our Team
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Karen Chipman
Owner
My name is Karen Chipman, owner of Stork Ready. I am the mother of three adult children. (Kurt, Alexander and Sarah)
I have been working in labor and delivery units for over thirty years. I became a certified ICEA childbirth educator for the hospital that I worked in. I learned how very important it is to educate and empower women and their partners for their labor and birth experience.
My passion is to help women and their families during their pregnancy and first year after birth. I have taught childbirth classes at two of the cities largest teaching hospitals as well as in the community.
Jackie Giasullo RN,BSN
Instructor
Hi, I'm Jackie, I have been a labor and delivery nurse for the past 6 years and am now a new mom to my beautiful baby girl, Jane. Being a mother is my number one passion and second to that is supporting other women through the process.
Before becoming a labor and delivery nurse, I helped care for new moms on the postpartum floor of the hospital and taught infant massage classes there as well. Helping women during this time is something I have always loved to do. Now more than ever, I know how important it is to feel empowered during this time. I am excited to be a part of Stork Ready and the many useful classes provided to new parents.
In addition to being a new mom and working with expecting parents, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active. My husband and I cook often and are always looking for good plant-based recipes!
Diana Singleton
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Diana Singleton is a women's pelvic floor physical therapist who is passionate about helping women who are pregnant, postpartum, and beyond get back to exercise, intimacy, and daily activities without pain, bladder leaks, or having to stop activities.
Diana earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University, her BS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and holds advanced certifications in orthopedics and strength and conditioning.
Danielle Donovan
RN, BSN, IBCLC
Hi I’m Danielle the face behind Latched at First Sight and a mother to two energetic girls age 5 & 3. I’ve been a registered nurse for 11 years. For the past 7 years I’ve been working on a mother baby floor as well as providing home care. Last year I became a certified IBCLC and have been able to provide support to numerous mothers in their postpartum journey. After becoming a mother I realized and still feel women need more support in this new chapter of life called motherhood.I am passionate about supporting women prenatally and postpartum by teaching the necessary skills to ensure optimal feeding, growth and bonding. I’m excited to continue helping mothers in having the best experience and love personalizing my teaching and support to both mom and baby’s needs.Aside from all this I drink way too much coffee, love chocolate, exercising and of course spending time with my family!
Jensine Casey
Sleep Consultant
Hi! I’m Jensine Casey, sleep consultant, lover of all things beach related, and mom to two handsome boys, with a girl on the way! I work with families of children 4 and under who are exhausted and struggling with getting their little ones to sleep for naps or at night. Through sleep consulting, your entire family's life will change. Not to sound dramatic but it’s true. But with so many methods of child rearing and sleep training it is difficult to know what works best for your particular family.
Becoming a sleep consultant became a dream and passion of mine after working with one myself to get my older son sleeping as I saw how life changing it was to sleep through the night and have daily naps I could rely on. I’m devoted to working with families around the world to get their lives back, just as I got mine back! Every day I work with families just like yours to provide a program and support through getting their child to be an amazing sleeper. I am proof that the support works and is trans-formative.
Safe sleep and sweet dreams!
Sarah Gregory
Certified Postpartum Doula
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Sarah is the mother of two wonderful girls and an enthusiastic lover-of-babies. As a Certified Lactation Counselor, she enthusiastically helps families reach their feeding goals: from breastfed to formula fed to somewhere in between. Her years of experience working with families as a postpartum doula guides her lactation support: she looks at the “whole picture” of the family and the baby. By referring to her extensive training on newborn sleep, infant development, and postpartum recovery, she helps families understand how these aspects are invariably intertwined with nursing and eating patterns. The postpartum period is challenging but fleeting; she loves working with parents to make adjustments so that feeding is an enjoyable and cherished time. In Sarah’s free time she loves reading, knitting, hula hooping, and being outside with her family. Sarah lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Kristen Roberts
Mommy Cafe & Childbirth Education
Kristen is a BACE-certified childbirth educator who has been teaching perinatal classes for over 15 years. She works to provide comprehensive and evidence-based information in a fun, engaging way. She has a passion for working with families during the pre- and post-natal period. Kristen lives in Pepperell, MA with her partner and 5 children.
Kathleen Stern
I'm Kathleen, the founder and owner of Boston Area Doulas. I'm a mom of two kiddos-- 5 and 8, a birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth, newborn care and infant feeding educator.
Prior to becoming a doula, I worked in public schools for 15 years-- dedicating myself to teaching students, coaching teachers, and helping others recognize their own strengths. After the birth of my second child, it became crystal clear that supporting and educating families as they birthed their babies and found their way as new parents was ultimately what I was put here to do.
My postpartum experience with my first child was filled with exhaustion, self-doubt, and conflicting advice from well-meaning family and friends. I knew there must be a better way. During my second pregnancy, I hired a postpartum doula to provide me with the nonjudgmental, hands-on support I knew I would need. The immeasurable value, and the juxtaposition between my first and second experiences, prompted me to become a doula.
Becky
Childbirth Instructor
My name is Becky and I’m the founder of
Capstone Doula Services.
I am also an Occupational therapist and hold the following certifications:
-Labor Doula
-Doula in postpartum & infant care
-Childbirth Educator
-Reiki certified
-Adult and infant CPR/First Aid
-VBAC Specialist
I’m mom of 2.5 year old Joseph,
and 7 month old Michael,
my most important role yet!
I am a big family person and met
my husband when I was in middle school.
I was a gymnast, I love photography, baking, writing, walks in the woods, the beach, volunteering in my community, traveling, and I love spending time on continuing education classes each year.
Katelynn Sudak
Licensed Massage Therapist
Katelynn is a licensed massage therapist, certified educator of infant massage, and EEC certified teacher. She spent 3 years working as a toddler teacher before becoming a licensed massage therapist in 2013. With a desire to expand her knowledge and merge her love for children and massage, she took an infant massage instructor training course through Infant Massage USA, where she met Karen. Katelynn has been with Karen since 2016 teaching infant massage as well as parent/child play classes. She also owns her own massage studio located in Salisbury, MA.
In her free time she likes to spend time with her daughter Audrey who she welcomed in 2018, fundraise for a local charity that supports veterans and service dogs, various crafts, being outdoors, and watching movies with her family.
Jessie
Childbirth Instructor
Jessie realized that her passion and skills intersected fluidly and in 2019 she officially left her preschool career to become a labor and postpartum doula and has been loving this work ever since. Jessie works with the fundamental belief that when given unbiased, evidence-based support, love, compassion and appropriate education, expectant parents and their families will have more meaningful and positive birth and postpartum experiences.
When Jessie is not talking about birth and babies, she is spending time in nature with her bloodhound or spending time with her family and friends. Jessie is an animal lover, has over 75 houseplants and is always up for a weekend camping trip, if she’s not on call that is.
Lauren Daniels
Postpartum Doula, CLC, CPST
AHA Heart Instructor
I have always been a baby person. When I was about 9 or 10 I drove my neighbor crazy knocking on the door to play with her 6 month old. I eventually started babysitting her, and later her 4 younger siblings. This began my lifelong career: From babysitter, to professional nanny, to postpartum doula. I remember the day my son was born at only 28 weeks - what a shock and surprise! Those first few months that he spent in the NICU and Special Care Nursery were completely overwhelming. Trying to stay calm every time an alarm went off, and helping him learn to remember to breathe while nursing, there was a lot going on. We persevered and we both survived; we even thrived! But, I wish there had been someone back then to turn to for advice and guidance, or maybe even just a shoulder to cry on.
Back then, I was a single mom by choice and of course we had our struggles. Luckily he had a great disposition and was generally an easy baby, although extremely active. I must admit I looked forward to nap and bed times, they provided me a much-needed break. I was so grateful for sleep training, if I had not helped him to be on a schedule from an early age, I don't know how I would have survived! I am passionate about all things related to babies, children and parenthood. I pride myself about always being up-to-date with evidence-based information for new parents. I never want to point a client in the wrong direction, so if I am unsure of the answer, I will check in with my colleagues to be sure the client gets the best and most accurate advice possible.
Katie Moulison PT, DPT, TPS (she/her)
Yoga Instructor
Hi there! I’m Katie (she/her) I empower pre and postnatal individuals to find freedom from pain through movement and mindfulness. I have seen (and experienced) the impact that persistent pain has and don’t want anyone to suffer longer than they need to.
I am the mother of one tiny human (born December 2022), and two not so tiny dogs!
I blend my background as a yoga instructor, therapeutic pain specialist, and physical therapist to help you find freedom and joy in your life - without pain.
Everyone deserves:
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To feel confident that if your baby needs a contact nap, you can enjoy snuggles without pain
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To be able to lay down in bed at night and feel a sigh of relief - comfortable and painfree and able to sleep
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To feel confident that when baby reaches their next milestone (rolling, crawling, walking, running) you can keep up with them
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To take care of yourself even when you are taking care of a baby all day too
At Stork Ready I teach prenatal, postnatal, and baby and me yoga classes.
Alessandra McKenna
Occupational Therapist , CLC
Alessandra is the owner and sole practitioner of Feeding Foundations OT. Alessandra is a registered and licensed occupational therapist and a certified lactation counselor. She has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 7 years now. In her current role, she supports infants and toddlers with feeding challenges including breastfeeding, bottle feeding, starting solids and picky eating. Her specialities include supporting her clients who have tethered oral tissues or TOTs. Alessandra understands the complexities of development and the potential impacts of development across the lifespan. She is passionate about empowering and teaching parents how to support all areas of development from the start.
Alessandra lives in Reading with her husband, their 2 year old daughter, Avianna and rescue dog Luka. In her free time, Alessandra enjoys doing yoga, being active, cooking, and enjoying meals with her family and friends.
Instagram: @FeedingFoundationsOT
Michelle Grasso
Music Together Around the Towns
I always tell my son to find what he loves and then he will find his place and his community. That’s what happened for me when I discovered the joy of music-making.
My love of music began while listening to opera at my Nana’s house and Sinatra in my Grandmother’s apartment. Then I started singing in the church choir when I was 5 years old and I haven’t stopped since. Over the years, I have played several instruments including the flute, piccolo, French horn, and viola. I’ve also sung in every type of choir you can imagine. I hold degrees in music from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Arizona. In 2005, I became a certified Music Together® teacher and I have been teaching the program ever since. In 2021, I became the Director of Music Together Around The Towns and I am thrilled to be able to offer quality music classes for families in the area.
Music is a positive, powerful force. It has been shown to be beneficial to our brains and development. Most importantly, I believe music lifts and nurtures our spirit, and is best when we experience it together.
When I am not working, I enjoy cooking, gardening, photography, volunteering at my son’s school, and traveling with my family. I live in Reading with my husband, our son, two dogs, two parakeets and a hive of honeybees.