Santa Monica Newborn Photographer - Birth Doula

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a doula?

It's been amazing to watch the birth community rapidly grow over the last 5-10 years. So many women are being called into this line of work; to set aside their own biases and fully support and encourage other women in their choices. And yet, there are still many people who have no idea what a doula is or does. Maybe you've heard the word used before. Or, maybe, you've had close friends or family who hired one for their birth. So, what's it like, you say? The breakdown of what I do as a doula is as simple as this:

I empower women by helping guide them through their options of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum so that they may have the knowledge to decide what's best for their baby and family, while fully supporting mama in her decisions.

Sure, there is more to it. Like helping mama manage pain & discomfort, offering suggestions for positioning throughout labor, emotional support, massage & counter pressure, encouraging words letting mama know she's got this, helping mama's partner stay calm and involved in the birth, and more. But, when broken down to its most simplest form, my role as a doula is to walk the path with you helping to empower you along the way.

Here are some images from a session with one of my doula mamas...

From meeting with this mama for doula prenatals, joining in her hypnobirthing class, to documenting her family in her home (fur-baby included)...it was such a wonderful journey to help support this mama.