Eleison Doula Services

Eleison Doula Services Birth, postpartum, and end-of-life care in Birmingham, AL. Pregnant or facing change? We support your unique journey & help you feel calm & prepared.

Follow us and visit our website to learn more! www.eleisondoula.com

It’s World Doula Week, and I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of what inspires my work 💛This little...
03/26/2026

It’s World Doula Week, and I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of what inspires my work 💛

This little corner of my office holds a lot of it — I keep it here so that when I’m working on my doula business, I’m always reminded of why I do this work:

✨ Icons of St. Olga of Alaska and St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, reminding me what it means to care for others with quiet strength and compassion
✨ Thank you notes from families I’ve had the privilege of supporting through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
✨ Artwork from my children that reminds me why this work matters so much

It shapes the way I care for families — whether we’re talking through what to expect during labor, supporting a birth, or walking through those early postpartum days together.

This work is deeply human, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.

If you’re preparing for birth in the Birmingham area and want support along the way, follow and send me a DM to learn more about working together 💛

Wishing you joy on this Feast of the Annunciation!As an Orthodox Christian birth doula, this feast holds special meaning...
03/25/2026

Wishing you joy on this Feast of the Annunciation!

As an Orthodox Christian birth doula, this feast holds special meaning and significance for me. We honor the Archangel Gabriel's visit to the virgin Mary, announcing the conception of the Christ-child. Because she was to bear this child who is also God, we have a special name for her, the Theotokos, literally meaning "God-bearer."

"Be it unto me according to thy word"." Her “yes” was a step into the unknown, given with trust.

I think about that as I walk with families through pregnancy and preparing for birth. It’s a time filled with anticipation, but also questions and sometimes fear and anxiety about giving birth.

One of the things I love about being a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama is walking with families through that space. We talk through what to expect during labor, and I support them so they can feel more peaceful and confident as birth approaches, holding that time with care, presence, and prayer.

One thing many new parents don’t expect after bringing baby home?The never-ending pile of laundry.Between newborn spit-u...
03/24/2026

One thing many new parents don’t expect after bringing baby home?

The never-ending pile of laundry.

Between newborn spit-up, burp cloths, swaddles, and outfit changes, it can feel like the washing machine never stops running during those early weeks. And it's not just baby clothes - your own hormonal changes plus baby spit-up means you're washing your own clothes more often as well. Sometimes a lot more often.

This is one small example of why postpartum doula support can be so helpful for families adjusting to life with a newborn.

As a postpartum doula in Birmingham Alabama, I help families during those early weeks with things like:

• newborn care and routines
• breastfeeding help for new moms
• emotional support during the postpartum transition
• light household tasks (yes, sometimes including laundry!)

The goal of compassionate postpartum care is to help parents rest, recover from birth, and enjoy their baby without feeling overwhelmed by everything else.

If you’ve had a baby before, what surprised you most about the postpartum weeks?

Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is incredibly meaningful work for me. Every family deserves...
03/23/2026

Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is incredibly meaningful work for me. Every family deserves to feel heard, supported, and confident as they prepare for birth and welcome a new baby. I’m grateful to serve parents here in Birmingham Alabama, offering birth doula support, postpartum doula support, and childbirth education to help families feel informed and cared for throughout the journey.

When I took my first doula training in 2020 with BirthWell Partners Community Doula Program, it was in the middle of the pandemic and I really wanted something hands-on that I could do to support people in my community. I was teaching public health at Samford University, and I thought being a doula would give me some hands-on experience alongside my academic career. It turns out I loved it so much that I kept taking more and more clients, and did additional trainings to become certified as not only a birth doula, but also a postpartum doula, VBAC specialist, childbirth educator, and infant feeding educator. Last year, I decided to devote myself full-time to this work so I left my position at Samford after 10 happy years. And I couldn't be happier! Every day is a chance to support families in a different way, whether helping parents prepare for birth with confidence, supporting them during labor with birth doula support, or offering postpartum doula support and breastfeeding help for new moms in those early newborn weeks.

One of the greatest privileges of my work as a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama is witnessing families welcome their ba...
03/22/2026

One of the greatest privileges of my work as a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama is witnessing families welcome their babies in ways that reflect their values.

Ella and Jacob welcomed their first baby during a peaceful first-time home birth supported by their midwife and birth doula support.

When I arrived, Ella was calmly breathing through contractions in her rocking chair. As labor deepened through the evening, we worked together with breathing, counterpressure, and encouragement while Jacob stayed close by supporting her.

Just before sunrise, their baby arrived in the quiet of their home.

A couple of days later I returned for a postpartum support visit to help Ella navigate some early breastfeeding questions—one of the many ways doula care continues after birth.

Moments like this remind me how powerful it can be when families feel informed, supported, and confident about what to expect during labor.

If you liked this birth story, you can read the full version on my blog at eleisondoula.com.

Follow for more stories and tips!

03/22/2026

A myth I sometimes hear about birth doulas is that we replace the partner during labor.

Actually, one of the most important parts of birth doula support is helping partners feel confident and involved.

Partners often want to help but may not know exactly what to do during labor. As a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama, I support both parents by:

• suggesting comfort techniques
• explaining what’s happening during labor
• helping partners support the birthing parent
• creating a calm and supportive environment

Birth works best when it’s a team effort.

If you’ve given birth before, what helped you feel most supported during labor?

One of the ways families find a birth doula in Birmingham is through reviews from other parents. If we’ve worked togethe...
03/20/2026

One of the ways families find a birth doula in Birmingham is through reviews from other parents. If we’ve worked together during birth or postpartum support I would be so grateful if you shared your experience. Your story can help another family feel confident seeking support.

One local resource I love recommending to families is the Hoover Public Library. If you're a new parent in the Birmingha...
03/19/2026

One local resource I love recommending to families is the Hoover Public Library.

If you're a new parent in the Birmingham Alabama area, getting out of the house with a newborn can feel intimidating — but having welcoming places to go can make a huge difference during the postpartum months.

The Hoover Public Library is a wonderful spot for pregnant parents and families with babies because it offers:

• A large parenting and family book section
• An extensive events calendar with programs for babies and young children
• A comfortable café and meeting space
• A fantastic children’s play area for older siblings

I recently suggested this to a postpartum doula client as a way to get out with her baby, meet other moms, and give her older child a place to play while she enjoys some adult conversation.

It’s also one of my favorite places to meet clients for prenatal doula appointments when they bring another child along who needs something engaging while we talk about birth preparation and what to expect during labor.

If you're a parent in Birmingham or Hoover, this is definitely a place worth exploring.

If you’ve visited the Hoover Public Library, what’s your favorite part

Many families are surprised to learn that VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean may be an option for them. If you previously...
03/18/2026

Many families are surprised to learn that VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean may be an option for them. If you previously had a cesarean birth and are exploring your options VBAC preparation and support can help you feel confident and informed. Learning about evidence based birth information and supportive care providers can help parents approach birth with less fear.

What does a birth doula actually do?Many families have heard the word doula but aren’t quite sure what that support look...
03/17/2026

What does a birth doula actually do?

Many families have heard the word doula but aren’t quite sure what that support looks like during labor.
Often the real questions sound more like this:
Will I know what to do when labor starts?
What if I feel overwhelmed while giving birth?
What if I’m not sure how to speak up about what I need?

Birth doula support means you don’t have to navigate those moments alone. I help families understand what to expect during labor, stay calm and confident as things unfold, and feel supported when decisions need to be made.
And during labor itself, I’m there offering hands-on comfort measures like position changes, counter-pressure, hip squeezes, breathing support, and other techniques that help many mothers cope with contractions and stay grounded.

My goal as a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama is simple: to help parents feel prepared, steady, and supported as they welcome their baby.

Throwback to the time I had a sleep study.Yes, those are wires on my head. Apparently even doulas sometimes need help fi...
03/16/2026

Throwback to the time I had a sleep study.

Yes, those are wires on my head. Apparently even doulas sometimes need help figuring out their sleep.

Seeing this photo always makes me think about one of the most common struggles I see with new families: sleep deprivation with a newborn.

The early weeks can be beautiful, but they can also be exhausting. This is one of the reasons many families look for postpartum doula support — an extra set of experienced hands during those long newborn nights.

Let’s do a quick check-in.
If you currently have a newborn at home, drop an emoji that matches last night:

😴 Slept well
🥱 Up every few hours
☕ Running on coffee
🫠 What even is sleep?

If you're looking for newborn support or a postpartum doula in Birmingham Alabama, you’re not alone.

What does a birth doula actually do?Many families have heard the word doula but aren’t quite sure what that support look...
03/16/2026

What does a birth doula actually do?

Many families have heard the word doula but aren’t quite sure what that support looks like during labor.

Often the real questions sound more like this:
Will I know what to do when labor starts?
What if I feel overwhelmed while giving birth?
What if I’m not sure how to speak up about what I need?

Birth doula support means you don’t have to navigate those moments alone. I help families understand what to expect during labor, stay calm and confident as things unfold, and feel supported when decisions need to be made.

And during labor itself, I’m there offering hands-on comfort measures like position changes, counter-pressure, hip squeezes, breathing support, and other techniques that help many mothers cope with contractions and stay grounded.

My goal as a birth doula in Birmingham Alabama is simple: to help parents feel prepared, steady, and supported as they welcome their baby.

Address

Hoover, AL
35226

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eleison Doula Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Eleison Doula Services:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram