A doula is a compassionate, constant figure

who provides emotional, physical, and informational support

throughout an embodied experience.

Often, doulas are associated with birth. The role formally emerged in the 1970's with the natural birth movement, and took the United States by storm in 2008 when the documentary The Business of Being Born came out. Since then, doulas have expanded their scope beyond the birth world.

"Full-spectrum doulas" support pregnant people regardless of outcome - live birth, miscarriage or still birth, abortion, as well as perinatal and postpartum support.

"Death doulas" support individuals through their last stages of  life, across the threshold into death.

"Illness doulas" accompany and empower patients navigating the healthcare system.

Doulas offer a unique - and often quite needed - perspective and support during a time of transition and uncertainty.

My Experience

I was drawn to this role in 2008 when I met a birth doula in a class called "The Philosophy of Medicine." Immediately, I resonated with the principles she described at the heart of doula work: providing compassionate, continuous care for women experiencing pregnancy, labor, birth, the perinatal period, and parenthood. As someone who was adopted, raised as a feminist, drawn to service work, and a scholar of gender and health studies, it was a clear fit.

I decided to be trained and certified as a doula through DONA, and then apprenticed with a midwife and childbirth educator in Ghana. In 2012, I learned about full-spectrum doulas, and eagerly joined the movement's founding body in New York City, The Doula Project. Serving individuals who often were grappling with the nuances of loss felt like a compelling and critical role I was well-suited to take on, as someone who has experienced extensive losses in life. I served as a core leader of the organization for four years, designed and led full-spectrum doula trainings, and have written numerous articles, essays, and chapters about doula work.

Types of support

I believe that everyone deserves and benefits from compassionate, consistent support throughout various experiences, including but not limited to:

  • family planning, conception

  • pregnancy, perinatal, and postpartum periods

  • pregnancy loss and grief

  • ovarian cyst and other reproductive health treatments

—

  • illness or surgery

  • grief

  • healthcare decisions

  • mental health challenges

  • end-of-life

 

I currently offer therapeutic perinatal support virtually, and postpartum doula support in Brooklyn.

To inquire about doula support, please email me or fill out the form below.