Get to know me!
I first considered becoming a doula while I was getting my undergrad in biopsychology at Oglethorpe University (Go Petrels!). What I thought was going to be an interesting class that would fill some credit hours turned out to be life-changing! I learned about pregnancy, birth, and doulas for the first time. I felt something stirring within me…I found myself excitedly doing homework, crying during birth videos in class, and listening to birth podcasts in my free time. Maybe this was a nudge from the Holy Spirit telling me this is what I should be doing! From that point on, the gradual process of my becoming a birth enthusiast began!
My work unofficially started when my MOL (who was a doula for 20 years…shout out to the OG!) connected me to Embrace Refugee Birth in Clarkston, GA, which offers advocacy, education, and doula support to refugee moms. As a volunteer doula, I began to see the need for advocacy, education, and support not just for the women I was helping, but for everyone. Doctor’s appointments can be draining and confusing. There are so many tests, procedures, and questions popping up over the 9 months. Things that should be discussions usually felt like marching orders. I’ve also realized that in being a doula, I get to offer incredible women and their families support during a time they need it most! I get to be a friend, cheerleader, and safe space.
Today, I am a DONA-trained birth doula and Birthworker-Academy-trained full-spectrum doula. I love attending births in any location (hospital, home, or birth center) for moms looking to achieve any goals, whether that’s going unmedicated, coping before the epidural, equipping dads to support, avoiding a cesarean, or literally anything else! Birth support is not just for moms wanting to go “natural,” whatever that means!
I’m a follower of Jesus, and that informs every aspect of my life. It is the motivation behind my passion for doula work… to see all women treated with dignity, compassion, and respect in the birth room and beyond. Outside of birth work, I love Chipotle, reading books, rewatching movies way too many times, going on walks with my husband, Keillor, and laughing (or crying!) with friends. I can’t wait to laugh and maybe cry with you too!
My Philosophy
I believe the main role of a doula is to make space…
for fears and expectations to be unpacked
questions to be asked
tensions to be released
friendships to be made
Fear should not be the loudest voice in the room as you prepare for birth and motherhood. I want to empower you, not fear, to be the authority of your birth; “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:7). I also believe that no one should go through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum alone, even if it’s just the feeling of being alone. As a doula, my main priority is to make space for your feelings to be noticed with curiosity, your decisions to be made with confidence, and to facilitate connection within yourself, God, your partner, and your baby.
Let’s turn those what-ifs into even-ifs because you’ve got this!