Why did you become a doula?

After experiencing the benefits of a doula first hand as a client, I knew that this career was one that would be perfect for me. My deep appreciation and respect for the people that bring life into the world and my unwavering love for babies meant that being a doula would be so personally fulfilling. I just had to find a way to make it my life.

Why did you become a doula?

I didn't know I wanted to be a doula. I saw it as a stepping stone to midwifery initially. But after taking my trainings, I fell in love with the unbiased, non-judgmental support I could provide to families of all backgrounds. Being someone who helps a new parent or family find their inner strength and confidence has been the most rewarding work of my life.

Why did you become a doula?

After having children of my own, I always knew I wanted to work with families and their babies. I didn't know what that looked like until I found out about doula work. I want to help support families during this special and vulnerable time in their lives and help them feel confident in the decisions they are making for their family.

Why did you become a doula?

I have been drawn to pregnancy, L&D, and postpartum families my entire life. When I first heard the word doula when I was 15, I knew what I would do with my life. After having my own children, experiencing two back-to-back miscarriages, and struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety, I saw firsthand the immense need for support for families experiencing the roller coaster of pregnancy and parenting and decided to take the dive into the doula world.

Why did you become a doula?

With my own birth experiences, aside from my partner, my doulas were my foundation. They were there through every change and bump in the road. I quickly realized how incredibly important this work truly is and found myself being drawn to it. I was confident that I could be a valuable asset and support system to new families during some of the most vulnerable, raw, and beautiful moments of their lives. Birth, and the early weeks thereafter, have become my passion.

What does your ideal Saturday look like?

I recently started to love waking up a little bit earlier than the rest of my house on Saturday’s just to get some quiet time to myself reading, drawing, or doodling. Then, the rest of the day would be consumed with spending time with my husband and our three kids. We’re either playing outside or working on some DIY projects.

What's your why? Doula work can be draining, physically and emotionally. Why do you do it?

I struggled for a long time with what I wanted to do with my life as far as careers. I found doula work and after leaving my first client, I had an overwhelming feeling of 'This is what I was meant to do.' I love what I do, so it's never work.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN CINCINNATI?

I like that you can have the best of both worlds living here. There is so much to see and explore downtown, but with a quick drive outside of the city you can be surrounded by woods and fields. I love the history of Cincinnati as a city and think it is pretty neat that my great-grandfather Stanley Mathis was a finishing carpenter who helped to build Union Terminal.

Why did you become a doula?

It was really an organic thing...Growing up, my mom regularly shared her three positive birth experiences with me. She maintained that, while it was hard work, it was normal and, dare-I-say, no big deal. I, of course, having no birth experience of my own, believed the same. My nonchalant outlook about the whole process seemed to attract friends and family who wanted confident [in them] support during their pregnancies and subsequent births. I started reading more about birth out of pure necessity and discovered the role of a doula. A couple years later, I took my first workshop and I've never looked back!