Eleison Doula Services

11/12/2025

Yesterday I shared the big news about the free Where to Give Birth in Birmingham guide — and today I want to tell you why I created it in the first place.

Again and again, I meet mothers who feel overwhelmed by this decission, and want to know which hospital or birth option is the “best.” But the truth is, there is not one single answer to that question It depends on the kind of birth you want, the details of this pregnancy, amd what kind of environment and support makes you feel safe.

Your birth location shapes everything: the routines, the atmosphere, the pace of care, the support you’ll receive, and the choices you’re given in real time. When you understand those differences, you can choose the place that truly fits you — not just the closest option or the one you’ve always heard about.

If you missed it yesterday, the guide is still free to download.
And if you’ve already grabbed it and have questions about how to narrow down your top choices, you’re always welcome to reach out. 💛

👉Download: https://subscribepage.io/birthsetting

👉 Want help figuring out which location best fits your preferences? Send me a message and I’ll walk you through it.

11/11/2025

📍New (and now free!): The Guide to Where to Give Birth in Birmingham

If you’re expecting and feeling unsure where to give birth, you’re not alone.
Between hospitals, birth centers, and home birth options, it can feel overwhelming to sort through what’s available and what’s right for you.

That’s why I created this guide — a clear, up-to-date overview of Birmingham-area birth settings with insights on:
✨ What makes each location unique
✨ Levels of NICU care and provider types
✨ Tips for aligning your birth preferences with the right setting

Whether you’re planning your first baby or moving to the area, this will help you start confident, informed conversations with your provider.

💛 Now available for free download: subscribepage.io/birthsetting

Because where you give birth matters — and you deserve to feel informed, supported, and at peace with your decision.



Get the guide at: subscribepage.io/birthsetting

11/05/2025

During birth, words often fall short.
And yet, so much can be spoken without a single word.

Mother Gavrilia, a missionary and physical therapist, once said she could speak to anyone using five languages—not of nations, but of the heart: smile, tears, touch, prayer, and love.

As doulas, these are the languages we use too.
A reassuring smile when you need courage.
Tears shared in sacred moments.
A steady hand reminding you you’re not alone.
Prayers whispered in stillness.
Love that fills the room and lingers long after birth.

Because presence itself is a language.
And your doula speaks it fluently. 🤍

📖 Inspired by The Ascetic of Love, the life of Mother Gavrilia.
✨ Learn more about doula care at eleisondoula.com.

11/03/2025

Strong emotions in pregnancy or postpartum don’t mean something is wrong with you.
Sometimes anger or irritation is your body’s way of saying, “I need to feel safe again.”

Postpartum rage and anger during pregnancy are far more common than most people realize — and they don’t make you a bad mother. They’re signals, asking for gentleness and support.

In this week’s blog, I share what these emotions might be telling you, how body memories can play a role, and small ways to find calm again. 💚

Read the full post here: https://eleisondoula.com/postpartum-rage

11/02/2025

I’m finishing out my 2025 reading list and would love your help! 📚

What’s the best book you’ve read recently — something that made you think differently, filled you with peace, or stayed with you long after you finished it?

Comment below — I’d love to add your favorites to my list for the new year! 💛

10/31/2025

10/30/2025

The first weeks after bringing your baby home are tender and full — and often, very short on sleep. 🌙

Overnight postpartum doula support can be a gentle, life-giving option for families who want more rest and reassurance. It’s not about “handing over” your baby or replacing your role as a parent — it’s about having a calm, experienced presence who helps you rest so you can meet the next day with confidence.

Here’s how it works:
💛 Rest: While you sleep, your doula tends to your baby — bringing them to you for feeds if you’re breastfeeding or handling bottles and diaper changes so you can recover.

🤱 Support for feeding: Overnight care can fully align with breastfeeding goals. Many families find that with better rest and guidance, feeding goes more smoothly — not less.

🌿 Confidence: Well-rested parents are more patient, present, and resilient. Sleep isn’t selfish — it’s part of sustainable care for your whole family.

Whether you need one or two nights a week or a short-term stretch to get through those early weeks, overnight doula care can make a world of difference.

Learn more about postpartum doula care in Birmingham:
👉 eleisondoula.com/postpartum-doula-birmingham

10/29/2025

Yesterday I shared some of my favorite Birmingham resources for pregnancy and postpartum wellness — now I’d love to hear yours! 💛

What local providers, classes, or communities have supported you through pregnancy, birth, or early parenthood?

Sharing your favorites helps other families discover the incredible care that exists right here in Birmingham. 🌿

Drop your recommendations below! 👇

10/28/2025

True wellness in pregnancy and postpartum means caring for your whole self — body, mind, and spirit. 🌿

One of the best things about our Birmingham community is the abundance of caring professionals and faith communities who support families through every stage of this journey.

Whether you’re preparing for conception, navigating pregnancy, or adjusting to life with a new baby, here are some trusted local resources I love to recommend:

✨ Fertility & cycle awareness:
🥗 Nutrition support:
🍼 Breastfeeding prep & help:
🌿 Chiropractic care: Dr. Hannah at Mobile Family Chiropractic
💪 Prenatal & postpartum physical therapy: Empowered Wellness or Thrive Pelvic Health
🧘 Mind-body connection: Shonda Faye Yoga
💛 Emotional wellness: Through These Lenses Counseling
🤍 Community support: Postpartum Support Group with Maya Bailey
⛪ And your place of worship — a source of spiritual grounding and prayer.
At St. Symeon’s Orthodox Church, we pray by name for every pregnant member at each service — a small but powerful reminder that you’re surrounded by care and intercession.

You don’t have to do this alone. Holistic support is all around you — here in Birmingham. 💛

10/27/2025

Today is a special day for our Eleison Doula Services family — the first time the Orthodox Church in America officially commemorates St. Olga of Alaska on her feast day.

St. Olga has long been the unofficial patron saint of Eleison Doula Services — a mother, midwife, and comforter to so many in her Alaskan village. Her compassion for mothers and families, her tireless service, and her quiet strength continue to inspire how we approach birth and postpartum care today.

And what better way to honor her feast than by preparing to attend a birth — walking with another mother as she welcomes new life into the world.

May St. Olga’s example remind us all that mercy, presence, and love in action are their own kind of miracle. 💚

📖 Learn about her life: oca.org/saints/lives/2025/10/27/100561-righteous-mother-olga-of-kwethluktanqilria-arrsamquqwonderworker

10/27/2025

When Pregnancy and Postpartum Rage and Anger Catch You by Surprise Most people expect new motherhood to be tender and joyful. Yet many women quietly find themselves face-to-face with postpartum rage, an intensity of anger that feels sudden, confusing, or even frightening. You might snap over something small and feel a wave of guilt afterward.You might feel your whole body tighten with frustration when you’re exhausted or touched out....

Learn why postpartum rage & anger during pregnancy happen, what’s normal, how body memories play a role, and gentle ways to find calm again.

10/27/2025

Every birth deserves support. 💛

Over the years, I’ve attended births with epidurals, inductions, cesareans, VBACs, and everything in between — and in every single one, having a calm, trusted presence makes a difference.

A doula’s role isn’t about a particular kind of birth — it’s about your birth, your story, and helping you feel heard, informed, and cared for through it all.

However your baby arrives, you deserve to feel supported, respected, and at peace. 🌿