Aubrey the Doula

04/29/2026

Not every birth is sunshine and rainbows.
And as a doula, I think it’s important we say that out loud.

Sometimes I leave a birth smiling ear to ear—heart full, replaying every beautiful moment on the drive home.
And sometimes… I leave fighting back tears. I pause in the parking lot and let emotions happen that I’ve held back during my time with them.

Because the truth is, not every birth goes the way we hoped.
Even the clients who prepare the most—who take the classes, hire the support, create the plan, do everything “right”—can still have an experience that feels heavy, unexpected, or hard to process.

And as doulas, we feel that too.

We hold space in the most vulnerable moments.
We witness the strength, the fear, the pivots, the outcomes no one planned for. And while it’s an honor… it can also be a weight.

Doula burnout is real. Most doulas don’t make it past 3 years. Not because we don’t love what we do—but because we care so deeply. Because we carry pieces of these stories with us long after we walk out the door. I’ve experienced 15 years of stories. Some amazing, some inspiring, and some really really hard. What you do with those experiences is what matters most.

So what do we do?

We process.
We debrief.
We reach out to other doulas who understand without needing an explanation.
We give ourselves permission to feel it all—the joy and the grief.
We rest when we can, and we remind ourselves that our presence mattered, even if the outcome wasn’t what anyone envisioned.

And for the families reading this—
If your birth didn’t go the way you wanted… you didn’t fail.

Two things can be true at once:
Your baby is here, and you’re grateful.
And your birth was hard, and you’re still carrying that.

Both deserve space. 🤍

To my fellow doulas—
It’s okay if some days you leave smiling…
and other days you leave holding back tears. Your presence mattered.

04/25/2026

And getting these as a Doula is even better! ♥️

There’s something really special about being the friend who gets the POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST FIRST!😭❤️

Not the announcement.
Not the perfectly planned photo.

The one on the bathroom counter.
Bad lighting.
Shaky hands.

Before the husbands.
Before the moms.
Before it even feels real.

That kind of trust just… hits different.

Because in that moment, it’s not just a test.
It’s hope.
Or fear.
Or somehow both at the same time.

And if she sends it to you first, it means you’re the one she feels safest with when her whole world might be about to change.🥹

04/21/2026

I’m usually educating expectant parents about Happiest Baby on the Block but last week, I had the privilege of teaching a group of counselors, therapists, and social workers who support families through some of their most important and emotional reunification moments.

We focused on the principles of the Happiest Baby on the Block and how understanding infant regulation can be especially meaningful in DCS cases, foster care placements, and reunification situations—where babies are often adjusting to new caregivers, environments, and routines.

When professionals are equipped with practical tools to help calm and regulate infants, it can make a real difference in reducing stress for both the child and the caregiver, supporting safer, more connected transitions during highly sensitive times.

Grateful for the important work these professionals do every day, the thoughtful discussion, and the shared commitment to helping families heal, reconnect, move forward, and thrive 🫶

Proud to be a Happiest Baby on the Block certified educator for the past 2 years! 👶🏼

04/19/2026

WHAT YOU SEE: a hospital visitor tag
WHAT I SEE: The ability to be a steady presence in one of the most vulnerable moments of someone’s life.

A doula in the OR isn’t a visitor. A doula in the OR is:

✨ A calm voice in a high-pressure environment
✨ A familiar face when everything feels clinical and fast
✨ Someone helping you understand what’s happening in real time
✨ Support for your partner so they don’t feel lost or overwhelmed
✨ An advocate for your preferences when possible
✨ The person reminding you—you’re safe, you’re not alone, and your experience matters

Even in the OR. Because birth is still birth. And a huge appreciation for the hospital systems and providers who recognize doulas as valuable members of the care team—helping create a more connected, supported experience for families, no matter how or where birth unfolds. That kind of collaboration truly makes a difference. ♥️

04/18/2026

Doula Brunch 😅

04/17/2026

I had the opportunity to spend the morning speaking to Nursing Students at Manchester University in Fort Wayne, thanks to an invitation from one of my amazing former clients who is a Nursing Instructor (She’s also a Labor & Delivery Nurse, Lactation Specialist & Badass Mama - just to name a few) 👩🏻‍⚕️🤰🏼

I spoke about what a doula is, the support I provide, and how my role adapts across different birth scenarios in a hospital setting. I truly appreciated the thoughtful questions and meaningful conversations I had with these students today!

Such a wonderful way to start my day! ♥️

04/10/2026

04/04/2026

After yesterday’s post, let’s clear something up, because it matters.

There’s this quiet idea floating around that doulas don’t belong in hospital births.

That somehow support is less needed there, or that doulas only serve home or birth center clients.

But the truth is some of the most powerful, needed, and impactful doula work happens inside hospital rooms.

Because that’s where so many women find themselves navigating:
-Decisions that come quickly
-Information that isn’t always fully explained
-Moments that feel overwhelming or out of their control
-A system that moves fast, sometimes faster than a mother can process

And in the middle of all of that
-she’s laboring.
-Feeling everything.
-Processing everything.
-Trying to stay grounded in her body while the world around her
feels anything but calm.

That’s where a doula quietly steps in.
-Not to replace providers.
-Not to interfere.
-But to hold steady.
-To remind her to breathe.
-To help her understand her options.
-To create space in moments that feel rushed.
-To be a familiar, consistent presence when everything else is shifting.

And here’s something that needs to be said clearly:
Doulas absolutely serve hospital births and many of us deeply love that work.

Because showing up in those spaces matters.
Because support shouldn’t depend on where a woman gives birth.
Because every mother deserves to feel seen, informed, and supported especially in environments where it can be hardest to find.

Hospital, home, birth center, it doesn’t change the heart of what we do.

We show up.
We stay.
We support.
Always.

03/25/2026

March 22–28 is World Doula Week, and this year there is so much to celebrate. 🤍

15 years. Almost 200 babies. And a calling that continues to grow.

This work was born out of something life-changing. In 2011, I survived multiple pulmonary embolisms caused by hormonal birth control and made the informed decision not to have more children. During my recovery, something shifted—and I felt called to help women and families become truly informed about their choices before, during, and after pregnancy.

My mission has always been simple: mother the mother—helping families feel knowledgeable, supported, and at peace with their birth experience, no matter what it looks like.

To the families who have trusted me—you are part of my story forever. I truly believe the families I’m called to serve are placed in my path for a reason. If I’ve ever been your doula, just know I’m always here for you. It is, and always will be the greatest honor to walk alongside you.

This work is beautiful—but it’s also hard. The on-call life, the unpredictable hours, the emotional weight of witnessing both joy and challenge… but even in the hardest moments, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Over the years, I’ve worked intentionally to build strong, respectful relationships with the nurses and providers I serve alongside because when we work together, families are more supported and outcomes are better for moms and babies.

I’m incredibly proud to share that I am now an approved doula at Dupont Hospital. While still attending births at other locations and continuing to run my own independent business, this milestone represents years of hard work—and being respected, valued, and recognized for the care I provide. I’m not employed or paid by the hospital, but I am welcomed as an equal part of the care team—and that’s something I don’t take lightly. 🤍

03/18/2026

Such a redemptive birth for this sweet repeat family! 💕

03/18/2026

💕🤰🏼Perfect for June/July/August due dates! 🤰🏼💕