Some common questions About (and answers to!) all of this:

What is a postpartum doula?

Doulas traditionally provide non-medical, empowering support for people giving birth. A postpartum doula focuses on the first weeks and months of your baby’s life, with the intention of supporting you as a parent through this very meaningful, and often challenging, transition. Postpartum doulas offer guidance about infant care, lactation, perinatal mental health, and provide an extra set of hands around the home to help you focus on your physical health, mental health, and bond with your baby. Postpartum doulas also help normalize and validate the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur after pregnancy, while directing you to resources that offer holistic support outside our scope. We are here to help you make informed decisions regarding yourself and your new baby.

What is a Certified Lactation COunselor (CLC)?

“The Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) certification identifies a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.” As a CLC, I am qualified to identify, support and counsel chestfeeding problems which include: latch problems, milk supply issues, positioning, re-lactating, engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis, use of nipple shields, pumping, and hand expression. I will refer out for other medical conditions and infections. In order to become a CLC, I completed 52 hours of intensive training on lactation and passed a certification exam conducted by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP).

What is a full-spectrum doula?

Full-spectrum doulas understand that pregnancy is just one of many reproductive experiences that may also include contraception, miscarriage, abortion, surrogacy, adoption, trauma, stillbirth, conception, the use of medical technologies, the postpartum period, and parenthood.

In addition, they see these experiences as significant and interconnected. For example, if you’ve previously had an abortion, it might (or might not!) influence how you feel about your pregnancy and birth, your specific needs, and the type of doula support you desire.

Full spectrum doulas are pro-choice. They trust your ability to make decisions that are right for you and your body, and they will support you without judgment.

When I say that I am a full-spectrum doula, I also mean that I believe everyone — regardless of gender, sexuality, race, citizenship, relationship status, family makeup, religious ideology, desired level of intervention during labor, preference for how to feed their infant, or general approach to parenting — is deserving of compassionate and comprehensive support.