How Watching My Mom Give Birth Changed My Life and Led Me to Become a Doula

For as long as I can remember, I was drawn to birth.

Not in a casual, “that’s interesting” kind of way.

But in a way that stayed with me.

While most teenagers were thinking about what to wear to their next event or what they wanted to do after school…

I was thinking about labor rooms.

About babies being born.

About what it must feel like to be part of that moment.

It always felt bigger than me.

The Moment That Changed Everything

When I was 14, my mom gave me an opportunity most people would probably hesitate to say yes to.

She invited me to be there when she gave birth to my younger sister.

And I didn’t think twice.

I was excited.

I wanted to see it.

I wanted to understand it.

I wanted to be part of it.

That birth was an induction, supported by a midwife.

And it was… powerful.

I watched my mom move through labor.

I watched her strength.

I watched the way her body worked.

And when my sister was born, I even got to cut the umbilical cord.

That moment stayed with me.

Not just because it was emotional.

But because it felt right.

What I Saw That Day

What stood out to me wasn’t just the birth itself.

It was the experience.

It felt supportive.

Inclusive.

Grounded.

My mom was part of the process.

She wasn’t just being told what to do.

And that shaped how I saw birth.

Not as something scary.

Not as something out of your control.

But as something powerful.

Something that deserved support.

Something that deserved care.

I Thought I’d Become an OB-GYN

For a long time, I thought the only way to be part of birth was to become a doctor.

So I told myself I would be an OB-GYN.

That was the plan.

But over time, I realized something.

What drew me to birth wasn’t just the clinical side.

It was the people.

The emotions.

The support.

The connection.

I didn’t just want to deliver babies.

I wanted to be there for families.

Finding My Path as a Doula

That’s when I found my way to becoming a doula.

And everything started to make sense.

Because doulas do something that is often missing in birth spaces.

We stay.

We support.

We explain.

We hold space.

We help families understand what’s happening.

We help them feel grounded in moments that can feel overwhelming.

We remind them that their voice matters.

What I’ve Learned Since Then

As I continued this work, one thing surprised me the most.

How many people go into birth without the information and support they deserve.

Even families who have given birth before.

Even families who thought they were prepared.

There are still so many questions.

So many moments where people feel unsure.

So many times where someone just needs another voice in the room saying:

“You’re allowed to ask questions.”

“You’re allowed to take your time.”

“You’re allowed to understand what’s happening.”

Why This Birth Doula Work Matters to Me

This work is deeply personal for me.

Especially when it comes to supporting Black and brown families.

Because the reality is, not everyone is treated the same in maternal healthcare.

Not everyone feels heard.

Not everyone feels safe.

Not everyone feels supported.

And that matters.

Every family deserves to feel:

Informed.

Respected.

Supported.

And confident in their voice.

Birth is not just a medical event.

It’s a life-changing experience.

And how you are treated during that time stays with you.

The Kind of Support I Believe In

As a doula, my role is not to take over.

It’s not to speak for you.

It’s to stand with you.

To help you understand your options.

To support your decisions.

To help you feel more prepared and less alone.

Whether that birth looks like:

An unmedicated birth.

An epidural.

An induction.

A planned or unplanned C-section.

You deserve support through all of it.

Full Circle

When I think back to that 14-year-old version of me…

standing in that room, watching my mom give birth…

I didn’t know exactly what my path would look like.

But I knew how it made me feel.

And now, being in this work, supporting families through their own birth experiences…

It feels like everything came full circle.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re preparing for birth, it’s okay to have questions.

It’s okay to feel unsure.

It’s okay to want support.

At Haven Place Doulas, we support families across Boston and Massachusetts through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with compassionate, education-first care.

You deserve to feel informed.

You deserve to feel supported.

You deserve to feel like you have a team on your side.

And when you’re ready, we’re here. 💜

Talk to a Birth Doula Now