Heidi Duncan

Recently Hired
Birth Doula
Nashville, Tennessee
23 years of experience
5.0
About me

Hello! I'm a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator, and Certified Body Ready Method® Pro who has passionately supported families during pregnancy and birth since 2001. (438 births attended as of Dec 2024!) I want you to have a positive and peaceful birth, no matter how your labor unfolds. (Think of me as your local tour guide and translator on a visit to a foreign land!) I serve families in the Middle TN region with in-person support and provide virtual assistance nationwide. I'd love to connect and share how I can help you have a better birth.

Certification and training

Birth Doula Certification, DONA (2000)

Birth Doula Certification, Childbirth International (2017)

Parent Educator Certification, Spinning Babies® (2022)

Authorized Peanut Ball Trainer, Premier Birth Tools (2017)

Certified Pro, Body Ready Method® (2023)

Memberships and affiliations

VBACfacts Professional Member

ICAN Professional Member

Evidence Based Birth® Instructor 2015-2024

Credentials
CBD
Specialties
Acupressure During Labor Advanced Maternal Age Anxiety Birth Doula Birth Support Birth Trauma Building Healthy Communication Childbirth Education Evidence-Based Care High-Risk Pregnancy Home Birth Labor Doula Multiples Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Relaxation Techniques Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Telehealth Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Water birth
Languages

English

Service introduction

I offer prenatal and birth support options in person to expecting families in the Middle TN region* and virtual support across the USA. Each of my packages includes prenatal meetings, on-call availability during your birth month, and unlimited hours of labor support. See package descriptions below for highlights, and visit my website for full details on each option. *1-hour radius around Greater Nashville - including Clarksville, Gallatin, Franklin, Brentwood

Packages
In-Person Doula: All-Inclusive
Flexible pricing: $1750-$2500 (as of March 2024) • • • Phone and email support throughout pregnancy • 2 prenatal video conferences • 1 prenatal home visit for labor rehearsal • Spinning Babies® Daily Essentials with preparation exercises and Blooma yoga class video • Insight into local birth options • Assistance in creating a birth plan • 24/7 on-call availability during your birth month • Backup doula provided if needed • Unlimited hours of support (flat fee for support, no overtime costs) • Assistance by text, call, or video during pre-labor and early labor • Continuous hands-on guidance at home and/or hospital in active labor • Partner support & instruction • Maintaining a positive birthing environment • Non-pharmacological comfort measures • Explanation of risks/benefits of common interventions • Calming touch and massage • Reminders of birthing positions • Self-advocacy reinforcement (helping you speak up for yourself) • Emotional encouragement • Access to labor tools such as birth ball, peanut ball, CUB birth stool, and rebozo • Relaxation guidance • Holistic pain relief techniques such as acupressure • Availability of aromatherapy tools • TENS unit for pain management • 2-3 hours of support immediately after birth • Assistance with initial breastfeeding • Phone support during first days after birth • 1 home visit or video conference (client preference) • Review and process your birth experience • Birth notes / timeline when possible • Unlimited text, email, and phone support for 6 weeks after your birth
$2,500.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Average
5.0
# of Reviews
6
5.0

Heidi is amazing! Her classes truly prepared me for my natural labor. I went in feeling confident and had a magical labor and delivery. When we called Heidi and told her it was time to meet us, she came right away. Heidi knew exactly what I needed right when she arrived and my baby girl was in my arms within 30 minutes of Heidi's arrival. I cannot recommend her enough!

- Ali B.

5.0

We hired Heidi about 3 weeks before our son was born. Heidi was very professional, knowledgeable, and nonjudgmental in her care. Heidi made sure we were aware of our options and the evidence behind each option for both baby and Mom. She has many years of experience and it is evident. I felt very comfortable before, during, and after labor with Heidi and everything she offered. My husband was very thankful to have her assistance in labor and to offer help/guidance when needed. If we have a 4th baby, we will be hiring Heidi earlier to take better advantage of all of her resources available and birth planning. I highly recommend Heidi and will continue to sing her praise!!

- Megan H.

5.0

I want to start out saying that Heidi is an amazing doula and had such a positive impact on my birthing experience! Heidi was my doula for my second birth which was a VBAC. Being active duty military my options for birthing facility were limited and I gave birth at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. My first pregnancy I delivered by cesarean section due to my daughter being breech. I was in search for a doula who could be an advocate for me and help with my goal of having an unmedicated VBAC. Heidi exceeded this. During pregnancy she would answer/support all questions and concerns I would have. When I went into labor she arrived to our birthing facility early morning and was there the early hours of the next day. She was extremely supportive of me and had all kinds of coping tools to help me with my unmedicated birth goal. We had music, essential oils, a tens unit and other tools/techniques used throughout the day. She helped advocate for my desires and would explain things to my husband and I as the day progressed. I was able to have a successful VBAC and she was a large part of this success. I would highly recommend her and would hire her again if I have more kiddos! Thank you, Heidi!

- Rachel C.

5.0

Where do I start?! I am a pelvic floor PT and understand the importance of support during labor to improve outcomes and reduce the potential for complications. As a military spouse in a new town with no family nearby, I didn’t have much of a community. Heidi has been there for me during both of my pregnancies and deliveries. A lot of my fear around labor/delivery was eased knowing she was a part of my care team. My first delivery was an induction due to husband deploying, and I pushed for longer than I thought possible. Things got a little trepid as I became fearful of a possible c-section. Heidi was by my side the entire time and I never felt out of control of the situation, and was still able to deliver my son vaginally with no tearing! My 2nd birth was predominantly in a birth tub at St. Thomas, and Heidi was once again the trusted voice in my ear when I became worried I’d push for a long time again. Fortunately I didn’t, my second born arrived 1.5 hours after arriving to the hospital, and again no tearing! No matter what your goals, Heidi is a respectful, trusting voice that is well-informed, research-based, and easy to communicate with. I want to have another baby before we leave TN just so Heidi can be my doula! More than 5 stars, 1000% recommended and worth every penny and then some.

- Alex B.

5.0

Heidi was my Doula for my third birth, after having 2 inductions with epidurals. She is the best! I interviewed multiple Doulas, looking for virtual assistance, and she was the most competent & evidence-based, organized, and extremely supportive of my goals. She listened and coached me, and provided such great support to my husband and mom during labor & delivery. With her help, I was able to have a vaginal delivery without an epidural, even with a pitoicin induction at 39 weeks due to concerns with baby. She coached and helped our support team through 13 hours of labor. It was such a beautiful and wonderful birth. I would absolutely use her again. If you’re looking for a Doula, I cannot recommend Heidi enough!

- Audrey L.

5.0

Don’t know what we would have done without her! She was present every step of the way and brought both my husband and I so much reassurance and comfort. We will be using her for our next birth, for sure.

- Carli S.

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