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The keepers of this knowledge have always been here. They don't belong to one era. If you've spent any time in birth worker spaces lately, you may have noticed a quiet but growing shift in language. Some practitioners are introducing themselves differently. Some training programs are updating their materials. Some Black and Brown birth workers are reclaiming titles their communities used long before any certification body existed. And at the center of it all is one word: doul

People find out I started a nonprofit and they look at me like I just told them I climbed Everest. "How did you do that?" they ask. "That must have been so hard." Honestly? I didn't know it was supposed to be hard. So I just did it. That's not false modesty. I genuinely didn't walk into it with a mental list of obstacles. I needed something to exist, I figured out the steps to make it exist, and I took them. Nobody told me to be intimidated, so I wasn't. I think about this a

If you’re a doula, showing up in local Google searches can be one of the most consistent ways families find and contact you. A well-optimized Google Business Profile helps you appear in searches like: “birth doula near me” “postpartum doula in [your city]” “VBAC support [location]” “overnight postpartum help near me” This guide walks you through setting up your listing and optimizing it so the right clients can find you. Step 1: Create Your Google Business Profile Go to:...

If you’ve opened the CAQH application and immediately thought, “None of these options apply to me…” you are absolutely not alone. CAQH was designed for medical providers—physicians, nurses, therapists—not for doulas.And yet, many doulas now need a CAQH profile to work with Medicaid and insurance systems. This guide will walk you through what to select, what to skip, and how to get through this process without overthinking every field. 🌿 What is CAQH (and why do doulas need i

A Guide for Families — and the Doulas Who Support Them Nourishment in labor can support stamina, comfort, and energy — yet many hospital policies still restrict food intake. One of the most common questions that comes up in prenatal sessions and doula trainings is surprisingly simple: “Can I eat in labor?” Closely followed by: “Can I support my client eating in labor — especially if they have an epidural?” The answer lives at the intersection of physiology, research, hospital

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many new doulas as they step into real‑world birth work. One theme comes up again and again — especially for doulas supporting hospital‑based, induced, or higher‑risk births: They do everything right … and still miss the birth. Not because they didn’t show up.Not because they weren’t committed.But because the system moved faster, closed doors, or shifted in ways no one could predict. The reality many doulas are living I regu

Birth professionals hold a lot. We sit with intensity, uncertainty, trauma histories, complex systems, and deeply human moments — often all at once. Over time, that kind of work can live in the body in ways we don’t always notice until we’re exhausted, reactive, or disconnected from the parts of the work we love. That’s why I teach Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)  specifically for birth professionals. EFT is a gentle, body-based tool that supports emotional regulation and

There’s something about living on a 30-something-foot sailboat that strips life down to its essentials. Space gets tighter, choices get simpler, and the things that truly matter begin to glow with clarity. Last year, I traded land-life for a small sailboat and spent twelve months learning, unlearning, fixing engines I’d never touched, swapping out sinks I had no business removing, swimming with dolphins, facing fears, and finding family in unexpected places. And honestly? It

Preparing for birth shouldn’t require navigating bias, dismissal, or pressure — every birthing person deserves to be heard, respected, and supported. 🌿✨ Birth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It unfolds inside real systems — some supportive, some complicated, some downright hostile. Policies, politics, staffing shortages, implicit bias, coercive practices, and rushed decision-making can all layer pressure onto a moment that deserves calm and clarity. And yet, even in these challe

The placenta is so much more than an organ — it’s a life-giving connection, the bridge that nourishes and protects throughout pregnancy. For many families, honoring the placenta after birth becomes a beautiful part of the healing and recovery process. At Namaste Birth , we offer safe, evidence-informed placenta services that celebrate this connection while supporting postpartum wellness. Every placenta is prepared with care and respect, whether your choice is encapsulation, t

When people hear the word doula , they often picture someone who supports the birthing person through labor — offering comfort,...

When you’re building your doula practice, one of the first business questions that comes up is: Do I need an LLC, or can I just be a sole...

Postpartum doulas help families find their rhythm — easing the challenges of recovery and supporting parents as they bond with their new...

Every parent knows the sound of newborn cries — and the rising stress that comes when nothing seems to work. Babies fuss for all kinds of...

Babywearing offers parents comfort, connection, and hands-free support — skills postpartum doulas often teach in the early weeks....

Feeling overwhelmed after doula training? Mentorship helps untangle the confusion and turn uncertainty into confidence. Every doula has a...

Mentorship makes the difference: real conversations, real growth. A supportive mentor guiding a fellow doula through her next steps. You...

EFT, or tapping, is a proven mind-body tool that helps reduce fear and anxiety — including around birth. If you’ve ever felt fear or...

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences. Yet in today’s world, many families are navigating the postpartum...

Everything you need to know about the process, why it matters, and which taxonomy codes to use. How to apply for your NPI number Why...