About Full Bloom and founder, Pat Nielsen

Full Bloom - Pregnancy and Early Parenting Center is the fulfillment of a dream for its founder. Both as a young mother and in her professional life, Pat has been keenly aware of the lack of a community of support surrounding pregnancy, birth, adoption and parenting. She believes that a family's experiences during this exciting and vulnerable time can set the stage for the rest of their lives - as parents and as human beings. Her passion and commitment to supporting "newborn" families comes from her own experiences as a mother to two wonderful (now adult) children and from working with expectant and new parents for over 28 years. High quality, evidence-based education, a holistic view of pregnancy, birth and parenting, and a warm, open and loving style characterize this endeavor.

Pat lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband. She is a registered nurse, birth and postpartum doula, lactation counselor, birth photographer and certified childbirth educator. She loves mommies and daddies and babies! When she is not at Full Bloom, she enjoys photography, gardening, quilting, knitting, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Lucia Massey joined Full Bloom as Pat's partner in August 2009.  Lucia is a DONA certified birth doula, lactation consultant, Hypnobirthing instructor and birth DVD maker.  She has worked all over the world as a neonatal registered respiratory therapist for 30 years.  She enjoys helping families as they navigate pregnancy and the early parenting years.  She and her husband are parents of a teenager and live in Ogelthorpe County.  She is a warm and loving addition to the Full Bloom family.  When she is not at Full Bloom, she enjoys skiing, traveling and spending time with her family.