Hi, I’m Gloria, a certified birth and postpartum doula and the founder of Little Gems Doula Services. My journey to becoming a doula started with my own birth experiences, one which left me feeling broken and lost, and another which changed my life in the most empowering way.
My First Birth Experience
In 2019, I gave birth to my first little one. Like many first-time moms, I had expectations of a beautiful, empowering birth. However, what I experienced was far from that. I was overwhelmed, unprepared, and completely at the mercy of a system that didn’t always prioritize my voice. I felt like decisions were made for me rather than with me. I left that birth feeling not only physically exhausted, but also emotionally wounded. Instead of celebrating my new role as a mother, I was struggling to process what had happened.
For a long time, I didn’t talk about it. I convinced myself that what I had experienced was “normal” and that I should just be grateful for a healthy baby. But deep down, I knew that birth was supposed to be more than just survival; it was supposed to be empowering.
Finding My Doula and Healing Through Birth
When I found out I was expecting our second child in 2022, I was overjoyed but also terrified. The memories of my first birth haunted me, and I couldn’t shake the fear of going through the same experience again. That’s when I decided that this time, things had to be different. I began researching my options and came to the conclusion that I needed extra support from a doula. I had heard the term before, but never fully understood what a doula did. The more I learned, the more I realized that having a dedicated support person who could advocate for me, educate me, and guide me through the process was exactly what I needed.
My doula changed everything for me. She helped me process my first birth and understand that my feelings about it were valid. She reassured me that my second birth could be different — that I could feel empowered and informed. She worked with my partner and me to prepare, giving us the tools to navigate labor with confidence.
Thanks to her unwavering support, I went into my second birth feeling strong, safe, and deeply connected to my body. The experience was healing and redemptive in ways I never imagined. I left that birth not only with a beautiful baby in my arms, but also with a newfound sense of power. Birth had transformed me and healed me in ways I could have never anticipated.
Becoming a Doula
After experiencing the life-changing impact of doula support, I knew that I wanted to provide the same for others. I realized that no woman should have to navigate birth feeling unheard, unsupported, or afraid. Every mother deserves to feel empowered in her experience. With that passion in my heart, I pursued my certification as a birth and postpartum doula. Later that same year, I attended my first birth as a doula, and I knew without a doubt that this was my calling.
Why Every Mom Deserves a Doula
Having a doula by your side can completely transform your birth experience. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or hoping for a more positive experience after a previous birth, a doula offers invaluable support.
The Benefits of Having a Doula
- Emotional Support: Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum come with intense emotions. A doula provides continuous emotional reassurance, encouragement, and a calming presence throughout your journey.
- Physical Support: Doulas use techniques like massage, positioning, breathing guidance, and counterpressure to help manage pain and keep you as comfortable as possible.
- Education and Informed Choices: Knowledge is power! A doula provides evidence-based information so you can make informed decisions about your care and birth plan.
- Partner Support: Doulas don’t replace partners; they enhance their role by offering guidance, ensuring they feel confident in supporting you.
- Advocacy and Empowerment: Your doula helps ensure that your voice is heard and your birth preferences are respected.
- Postpartum Support: The transition into motherhood can be overwhelming. A postpartum doula helps with recovery, newborn care, and emotional well-being.
Let Me Support You – Little Gems Doula Services:
Whether you’re expecting or in the trenches of postpartum and want to feel supported and empowered, I would be honored to walk this journey with you.
At Little Gems Doula Services, I provide personalized, compassionate, and non-judgmental support to families, helping them experience birth with confidence and peace. Whether you need birth support, postpartum care, or just someone to guide you through the unknowns, I am here for you.
Have you given birth with the assistance of a doula? I’d love to learn about your experience!
