Your cart is currently empty!
Author: rachelbaileydoula
How to Stay Grounded When the Path Disappears
Earlier this month, Nicholas and I went hiking in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. Years ago, I lived near there, and those wild hills and sweeping ridge lines were one of my favorite places to walk and reflect. So naturally it meant a lot to share that part of my life with him. What I…
What to Expect from Me as an Orthodox Christian and Inclusive Birth Doula
Every family deserves a doula who recognizes that each pregnancy is unique and every birthing family deserves to be seen, heard, and supported with presence, compassion, and care. Indeed, as an inclusive birth doula, I meet you where you are. I recognize the importance of honoring each pregnancy as a deeply personal journey and each…
Discover the Best Childbirth Class in Birmingham:
If you’re pregnant and feeling stressed by all the advice and pressure to “do it right,” you’re not alone. Many expecting parents in Birmingham are searching for a childbirth class but aren’t sure which one is best for them. The Ready to Welcome childbirth and newborn class offers unbiased evidence-based, locally relevant information with a…
The Holy Spirit and Birth: Embracing Flow at Pentecost and Beyond
I’m writing this on the back porch just after a summer rainstorm. My laptop is open beside a mug of coffee and a few folded towels. Chickens are pecking through wet grass in the yard, and the garden is drinking in the water, too. Today, this is my workspace as a doula, professor, and writer.…
Life Transitions in Nature: A Doula’s Just-for-Fun Reflection
I’ve always loved macro nature photography—especially the kind with dark backgrounds and sharp, striking detail. There’s something so still and reverent about those images. You can almost hear the quiet. Lately, I’ve found myself drawn to photos that show life transitions in nature: a seed breaking open, a fern slowly unfurling, or the exact moment…
Ending the Silence on the Denial of Death and End-of-Life Doulas
How the Denial of Death and End-of-Life Doulas Reflect Our Fear of Mortality In modern Western society, the denial of death and end-of-life doulas rarely enter the same conversation. Death is often pushed to the margins—sterilized, hidden, and whispered about, if acknowledged at all. We live in a culture that reveres youth, productivity, and the illusion of…
When Baby and Elder Care Collide:
Doula Support for the Unsung Baby and Elder Caregiver “My mom needs me. My baby needs me. I don’t know who I am right now—except tired.” Caring for a newborn while also supporting an aging parent or family member. The reality of managing baby and elder care simultaneously is becoming increasingly common. What’s more, it…
Healing From Birth Disappointment
Allowing Grief, Honoring Strength, and Welcoming Grace When birth doesn’t go the way you hoped, it can leave you holding a swirl of emotions—relief, gratitude, sadness, confusion, and sometimes deep grief. You may find yourself replaying the moment things changed, wondering if you made the right call, or asking whether you could have done something…
Partner Support During Labor: 5 Tips for a Loving Birth
Back in the day, fathers were usually banned from the labor room until there was a clean and bundled baby ready to show. “A History of Dads in Delivery Rooms” offers a glimpse into this history. Birth was considered “women’s business,” and men had no place. Not so today—fathers and partners are invited, even expected,…
First-Time Home Birth: Ella’s Peaceful Journey into Motherhood
Client stories mini-series, Part 3 A rural, spiritually grounded first-time home birth story supported by doula and midwife care Considering a First-Time Home Birth I met Ella after church when she asked to discuss her interest in a first-time home birth. Living in a rural area, she preferred not to use the nearby hospital and…
