Have you ever considered hiring a doula for your birth or postpartum? What is a doula and what exactly do they do?
A doula is an expert at supportive care. They are there for whatever the family needs, whether that’s a quiet presence while laboring through contractions, a hand to hold during a cesarean, or even someone to care for you or little one in the exhaustive fourth trimester.
Doulas really can “do it all”! They’ve been to many births, held and cared for many babies, and had a wealth of experience that you can benefit from!
This website is a great resource to learn more on what doulas are and how they can help you!
So if you’re interested in hiring a doula, wether it’s for your birth or postpartum experience, who should you hire? It’s important to find one that has the experience, beliefs, and personality that’s the right fit for you. Here are a few in the Oklahoma City area you should consider:
(All photos have been provided by the doula)
Miller Birth Services, Jen Miller
“Jen is a passionate and knowledgeable birth doula and childbirth educator. She began her journey into birth work in 2012, after having two positive birth experiences and needed to share the possibilities with others. She enjoys life with her hubby, two kiddos, and two great pyrenees in Edmond and currently serves the OKC metro. Jen has completed multiple doula trainings, childbirth education training through the HypnoBirthing Institute, as well as trainings in rebozo, Spinning Babies, Dancing for Birth, Birth Art through Birthing from Within, and more! Jen is a firm believer that all birthing families benefit from education and support and loves working with families through their pregnancies and births for just that reason.” www.millerbirthservices.com
Sooner State Doula, Miranda Jones
“Sooner State Doula was founded by Miranda Jones in 2015. Miranda is from a large family and was blessed to be present at the birth of some of her siblings. This sparked an intense passion for pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Miranda decided to become a doula out of a desire to form close relationships with her clients and support them through all three of the major perinatal milestones; pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Miranda provides birth and postpartum doula services, childbirth education, and lactation support. She lives in Newcastle Oklahoma with her husband, two daughters, and several farm animals!” www.soonerstatedoula.com
Nested Oak Doula, Ashlee Byrd
“Ashlee Byrd is a certified birth doula and certified lactation counselor serving the OKC metro and surrounding areas through birth doula services, private childbirth prep, and lactation support. Since 2016, she has been passionate about helping families walk the childbearing year with agency, surrender, and joy. She believes that birth is a transformative journey and wants her clients to feel prepared, respected, and confident regardless of how their journey unfolds.” www.nestedoak.com
Amy Varughese
“My name is Amy Varughese and I am a
Postpartum doula. I was an Occupational
Therapist Assistant for 15 years before I became a doula.I went through severe postpartum depression and anxiety that took so much of my joy in motherhood. I am a testament that a mother can overcome this and I want to help moms no matter what walk of life they have come from! Becoming a Postpartum Doula was God’s way in my life of turning purpose from pain.
I am Indian and love my cultural food, I cook as a side hustle for my friends, family and clients! I love making care packages for moms in the different seasons of life they find themselves they are in. I want them to feel seen, loved, and valued! I have a saying and that is everyone wants to hold the baby but who holds the mama? And this where I as a postpartum doula comes in!I also like to volunteer and do random acts of kindness with my family especially for mothers.
Serving Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Edmond, Okc Metro” www.amyvarughese.com
Breathe Birth Bond, Susan Mossman
“I am so excited to serve the community here in Oklahoma. I am a military spouse of 14 years and have served as a doula and childbirth educator for over 10 years. My goal is to help families feel supported, informed and empowered about their upcoming birth. I don’t believe birth has to be a scary experience. It can be a space of peace and calm. I want parents to have a fulfilling, positive birth no matter what turn a birth take. I look forward to connecting with you.” www.facebook.com/breathe.birth.bond
Ave Birth Doula, Taylor Young
“My name is Taylor Young and I am a new doula still working towards certification(been through training with DONA). I have 4 children and work as a dental assistant. I enjoy sports and outdoors with my kids. Faith is important to me.
I wanted to get into this field because of my experiences delivering my own children. My first birth I was clueless and just in shock. I had attended a childbirth class but did not learn much of anything there. So it became my goal to inform all my friends and family how birth really is when anyone of them were expecting.
Then I discovered doulas. This is exactly what I wanted to do. Help women learn about birth and have a great experience. I just want to help others as much as possible.” www.avebirthdoula.com
I hope this blog has helped you whether you have never heard of doulas before, were on the fence on hiring one, or if you simply needed to narrow down your field of choices.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy baby!