My name is Erika Davis and I am a Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Yoga instructor serving the Seattle, Tacoma and South Puget Sound areas. I'm a transplant from Brooklyn, NY where I completed my training with Ancient Song Doula Services, an organization focused on training women of color as doulas and making doulas available to parents who may not have considered them. "Kavanah" is the the Hebrew word for the intention or direction of the heart Jewish people speak of as they prepare for prayer or ritual. I chose the name "Kavanah" for my doula practice because I believe that intention or direction of the heart is not just a necessity for Jewish rituals, but also for the ritual of childbirth. I believe the birth and the birthing process should be parent-centered and can be an uplifting experience. I often tell my clients that my job as their doula is not to teach them how to give birth, this is something all of us will instinctively know how to do, but to provide them with as much evidence-based information they need to feel confident in their decisions for the birth itself. My role as your doula is to be a guide and it is my honor to witness and hold space for the families I serve. I have experience working with single parents-to-be, parents over 40, and partnered couples. I also have experience working within the q***r community, within communities of color, for birthing people for whom English is their second language, and undocumented citizens. I am passionate about birth education for all, including those who may feel they are not adequately represented by traditional birthing services. I aim to establish and maintain safety throughout our work together, and I fully support people of color, LGBTQ families and individuals, single people, and couples during each stage of pregnancy. I also have knowledge and experience supporting culturally-specific birth practices of observant Jewish and Muslim families. I enjoy spending time exploring the Pacific Northwest, running, yoga and baking.
