Hi! I'm Misty. I'm a Birth, Bereavement, Postpartum Doula and Breastfeeding Counselor. I provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to expecting families. I have seen how a better birth experience leads to a better postpartum experience. A better postpartum experience means better outcomes overall for new parents. Evidence shows a tremendous benefit from doula support in all types of birth.
There is no doubt hospitals have people in place to support families but, there isn’t a single hospital program that can give a patient one on one continuous support by the same care provider for the entire length of the pregnancy to birth, AND after families leave the hospital. This type of support is unconventional because in the past mothers, other female family members, and village friends stepped in to offer support. Now, we have doulas who provide individualized support to the whole family.
Doula's vary by certifications, expertise, and specialties. I am certified as a birth doula, breastfeeding counselor (CLC), bereavement doula (Stillbirthday), and Pregnancy and Infancy Loss (PAIL). I have personal experience with extended breastfeeding, using cloth diapers, babywearing, and postpartum planning/newborn care. I had an unmedicated hospital birth with my first and 2 planned home births after that with local midwives, but I have no problem supporting you in the birth you want.
I've been interested in birth work since I became pregnant in 2013. I spent a lot of time researching the birth I wanted and became very passionate about educating and empowering others on my journey. While going through a miscarriage in 2015, I realized the need for a bereavement doula in our area. I signed up for the class, but got pregnant before completing it. So I worked on it as I could and completed the certification in August 2016. I worked as a bereavement doula only for a few years. Then, in 2020 I worked as a virtual doula. I took regular in-person clients in 2021. I am currently getting another certification in supporting women during menopause. I am working as a Student Birth Assistant, certified in NRP Advanced and CPR. I am an active member of Doulas of Northeast Tennessee. We are not an agency, but a collective.
My husband and I homeschool our 3 kids. When we aren't in East Tennessee, we are in Hilton Head, South Carolina. When I'm not doing birth stuff, I read, do crafts, hike, and drink lots of coffee. I'm always exploring and learning new things. I think one of the best things that makes me a good doula is my ability to wait...just wait for birth to happen.
There is no doubt hospitals have people in place to support families but, there isn’t a single hospital program that can give a patient one on one continuous support by the same care provider for the entire length of the pregnancy to birth, AND after families leave the hospital. This type of support is unconventional because in the past mothers, other female family members, and village friends stepped in to offer support. Now, we have doulas who provide individualized support to the whole family.
Doula's vary by certifications, expertise, and specialties. I am certified as a birth doula, breastfeeding counselor (CLC), bereavement doula (Stillbirthday), and Pregnancy and Infancy Loss (PAIL). I have personal experience with extended breastfeeding, using cloth diapers, babywearing, and postpartum planning/newborn care. I had an unmedicated hospital birth with my first and 2 planned home births after that with local midwives, but I have no problem supporting you in the birth you want.
I've been interested in birth work since I became pregnant in 2013. I spent a lot of time researching the birth I wanted and became very passionate about educating and empowering others on my journey. While going through a miscarriage in 2015, I realized the need for a bereavement doula in our area. I signed up for the class, but got pregnant before completing it. So I worked on it as I could and completed the certification in August 2016. I worked as a bereavement doula only for a few years. Then, in 2020 I worked as a virtual doula. I took regular in-person clients in 2021. I am currently getting another certification in supporting women during menopause. I am working as a Student Birth Assistant, certified in NRP Advanced and CPR. I am an active member of Doulas of Northeast Tennessee. We are not an agency, but a collective.
My husband and I homeschool our 3 kids. When we aren't in East Tennessee, we are in Hilton Head, South Carolina. When I'm not doing birth stuff, I read, do crafts, hike, and drink lots of coffee. I'm always exploring and learning new things. I think one of the best things that makes me a good doula is my ability to wait...just wait for birth to happen.