What is a doula & why should I hire one?

Doulas accompany & support individuals and families through life’s transitions.

Birth doulas or birth companions are non-medical professionals trained to support birthing people before, during, and in the first year following birth. This support takes many forms and is unique to each person, but often looks like:

• sharing information and research to aid in decision-making & self-care during pregnancy;

• crafting a birth preferences plan to share with your medical providers;

• continuous emotional & physical support during labor and birth, for clients and partners;

• advocating alongside you for your needs & preferences to be respected while in the hospital;

• holding space to debrief, process, and reflect upon your birth experience;

• making home visits postpartum to prepare a meal, perform light housekeeping duties, and give you a break from holding baby to tend to your needs—and so much more!

Hiring me as a birth doula means you will have someone in your corner devoted specifically to your needs throughout the transformational process of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My support is focused on you during a time when you are physically, emotionally & spiritually working very hard. You will have someone by your side with specialized knowledge and the advocacy skills necessary to ensure you are informed, cared for, and celebrated.

I also work with families in the postpartum period to bring some ease to that tender and exciting time. Abortion is also a common experience when many people seek additional support navigating the physical, emotional, and logistical aspects of ending a pregnancy. I am here to cross any and all of these thresholds with you.

What kind of clients do you serve?

I serve anyone seeking support in the perinatal period. My practice centers folks who often experience stigma, discrimination and/or under-informed care in hospital settings. This includes low-income folks, immigrant families, queer and transgender families, people with disabilities, fat folks, people who use/d drugs, and those who have experienced prior medical traumatization. I believe in centering the needs of these communities, I provide better care to all birthing people and their families.

Why should someone seek independent childbirth education?

Childbirth education is one of several tools that can inform and empower birthing people and their support teams to give birth on their terms, especially in a hospital setting. Hospitals often offer free or low cost education classes, which can be informative, while also protecting the interests and reputation of the institution. An independent childbirth education course through Birthing Solidarity will offer critical information alongside a commitment to transparency and a lack of agenda on how you ought to labor and give birth. In my courses, we practice advocacy skills and center your unique concerns and needs for your individual birthing experience.

What values & commitments do you bring to birthwork?

Abolition - I work to create abolitionist spaces in birthwork and all reproductive care. That means I am committed to naming, addressing & repairing harm if/as it occurs, together. I am striving to create shame-free spaces that honor justice, and I actively work to eradicate any oppressive modes of interpreting & controlling one another from the process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum life. I try to replace “shoulds” with curiosity, compassion and the understanding that I do not know your circumstances better than you do. 

Perfection is a lie. - There is no advice, method or set of guidelines that will work for everyone, nor guarantee your pregnancy & birth go ‘perfectly.’ Together, we can strive to approach experiences & decision-making with curiosity & compassion, refusing to hold pregnant people to impossible standards of behavior & caution.

Autonomy & consent are everything. - Violations of autonomy form the foundation of this nation & this is also true for gynecology as a branch of medicine.

In our work together, my only agenda is to support your wants, needs & vision for your journey. Your autonomy will be respected at every step, and I will learn how to advocate as your birthworker on *your* terms. All sharing, learning and touch is based in informed consent. Before offering insights or possible options, I will ask if you’d like to receive them. I communicate the same expectation for my classroom learners.

All questions are welcome. - It is brave to ask for more information or clarity, to seek deeper understanding. Your questions are welcome here, including when they are messy or emerging.