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Author: rachelbaileydoula
Catherine’s Empowered VBAC Birth with Doula Support (Twice!)
Client stories mini-series, Part 2 Catherine’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible in an empowered VBAC birth with doula support. When she first reached out to me three years ago, she had a big question: “Can you help me have a different experience this time?” Her first birth—a Cesarean—had left her feeling overlooked…
Doula Support for Single Moms: A Birth Story of Strength, Surrender, and Support
Client stories mini-series, Part 1 When you’re about to welcome your third baby—with toddler twins at home—and you’re doing it solo? That’s not just birth. That’s Olympic-level motherhood. 🥇💪 And it’s exactly the kind of moment where doula support for single moms can make all the difference. A Tender Season of Life I met Annamarie…
A Gentle Birth Plan: Making Space for the Mystery and Sacred Birth
The Mystery of Birth Birth is, and has always been, a mystery. It is unpredictable, powerful, deeply human, and deeply sacred. No matter how much we learn about physiology or prepare with intention, there remains something about birth that defies explanation—something that humbles us, quiets us, and invites us to pay attention. A gentle birth…
How to Recommend a Birth Provider Without Just Dropping a Name
When someone asks, “Who do you recommend for a doctor or hospital to give birth at?” it’s so tempting to immediately type the name of the provider who caught your baby or the hospital where you had a great experience. But here’s the thing: your recommendation is way more helpful when it comes with context.…
How to Ask for OB-GYN Recommendations
How to Ask for OB-GYN Recommendations That Actually Help You Find the Right Fit You’ve seen it a hundred times: someone posts on Facebook asking for OBGYN recommendations, and the replies flood in with names—often with no context. But choosing a provider for birth isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right doctor or hospital for one person might…
Water for Pain Relief in Labor: Natural Comfort with Lasting Benefits
There’s something deeply instinctive about water. We need it to stay alive, and we turn to it for comfort, restoration, and calm. In fact ,Water holds deep spiritual meaning in the Christian tradition—from baptism to Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit as “living water” (John 4:10, John 7:39). During labor, water can become a powerful…
How to Prepare for Breastfeeding (It’s Not What You Expect)
If you’re expecting a baby and wondering how to prepare for breastfeeding, you’re not alone. It’s a common question—and the answer might surprise you. Your Body Already Has the Blueprint If you’re wondering how to prepare your body to make milk, take a deep breath. The good news? There’s nothing special you need to do…
Doula Reflections on Birth and Baptism
The Call to Return There is no greater affirmation of my work as a doula than when a family asks me to return. It is always a joy when I receive a message from a client I’ve worked with in the past. Often, they send an adorable baby picture and a little update on the…
Do I Have to Say Yes? How to Make Informed Choices About Birth
With so many different procedures available, it can be hard to know how to make informed choices about birth interventions. A lot of times, people wonder if they even have a choice, when their provider recommends a certain intervention. For example, these are some scenarios that have occurred in my interactions with clients and other…
Top 5 Unusual Things to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Birth
Knowing What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag Packing your hospital bag for birth is almost a rite of passage. How do you know what to pack? There are lots of lists out there of what to pack in your hospital bag for birth. If you’re planning a hospital birth, chances are your hospital has…
