Find a Doula Near Me in St. Joseph, MO

Hi! A little about me. When I was 3yrs old I told my parents that I wanted to be a baby doctor. Fast forward to college, and I was pre-med for two years before changing my major to Psychology. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology but knew I still wanted to be in the birth world, somehow. I had two babies of my own and learned the term Doula. I had an amazing doula for both of my births, and both experiences were amazing for different reasons. I am one of the most driven, inspired, passionate, hardworking, family oriented person you will ever meet. Let me help empower you so you feel confident in having the best birth experience possible.

My passion as a doula is empowering pregnant women to take control of their prenatal preparation. I learned with my first pregnancy that birth is a huge physical feat, so I give you tools and simple movement exercises (that I wish I had back then!) which will train and balance your body specifically for the task at hand: pregnancy, birth, and recovery. I hired a doula for my first two births and I was SO grateful for that decision!! I gave birth at a free-standing birth center, with the support of her and my spouse. If it wasn't for my doula, I know I would not have made it through the marathon of labor! I came away feeling supported and strong. I was certified as a doula in 2016 and then in 2022 trained as a Body Ready Method Pro & Childbirth Educator. My wish is for everyone to be able to bring their baby into the world feeling supported, cared for, and prepared. I believe in the empowerment that comes from taking charge of your own labor which reveals a deeper strength you didn't know was there. You deserve a strong support system so that you can have a beautiful birth experience.

I am a Certified Doula, Registered Nurse and Experienced Mama serving the Kansas City area. I am a mom to four kids through a blend of my own births and adoption. When not spending time with new moms, you can find me homeschooling my kids, reading, working out, doing puzzles, and sipping coffee or a good glass of wine with friends. I am a Catholic Christian and am Pro-life. These beliefs guide my practice as I strive to serve you and your family in the most dignified way, no matter the outcome or location of your birth. I am also a bereaved mama to two babies miscarried in the first trimester and our first little one who was born premature and passed away shortly after birth. All of my own births, along with my 13 years of experience as an RN in the Emergency Room have led me to pursue my true passion of supporting pregnant and postpartum mamas as they enter into one of the most sacred times of their lives. I am a certified birth and bereavement doula through Stillbirthday and have additional hands on training with veteran local doulas. As a Registered Nurse and former Certified Emergency Nurse I am committed to maintaining and expanding my own experience and education as both a nurse and a doula.

I began my career as a birth professional in 2013 as a registered nurse, specializing in Labor & Delivery. I am also a certified doula and home birth midwife. I have worked as a travel nurse in different states, which has allowed me to learn a variety of useful methods and introduce them where beneficial to my birthing moms. It has been my pleasure to work with families of diverse backgrounds, helping them welcome their new baby into the world and fulfill their best possible pregnancy & birth experience. I enjoy working with women who labor with or without epidurals assisting them with massage, positioning, and breathing techniques to achieve a calming labor experience. I have attended over 2,000 births including water birth and cesarean deliveries. I completed my training and certification as a birth and bereavement doula through both the DONA International and Stillbirthday (bereavement) programs. I have also obtained certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to assist women in their breastfeeding goals. As a Chocolate Milk Cafe facilitator I hold monthly meetings to provide Black women and their families with breastfeeding support and resources. I have received training as an Evidence Based Birth Instructor through Evidence Based Birth. Additionally, I have completed training to become a fertility and pregnancy and infant loss (PAIL) advocate. As a registered nurse I hold certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), AWOHNN Fetal Monitoring (Intermediate & Advanced), and Safe Sleep. My goal is to help educate mothers and families to be as prepared as possible for the childbirth experience and help them to adjust thereafter. I offer hands-on support, as well as help mom understand each step of the labor/birth process so she may better voice her desires to her provider (MD/CNM). I am very open and willing to answer mom/family questions and address any expressed concerns. Sharing the birthing process and miracle of life is my passion. I know that the birthing process can be very overwhelming and my focus is to help diminish any sense of fear and replace it with knowledge and empowerment. I promise to hold your hand every step of the way so #Let’sHaveABaby! **I AM UNABLE TO SEE MESSAGES!** To connect Please schedule a consult via my website www.laboredwithlove.com 913-543-1077

Lizzy was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Before becoming a doula, she got a degree in Psychology at the University of Kansas in hopes of becoming a Clinical Psychologist, but all these ambitions changed when she was expecting her first child in 2022. She fell in love with pregnancy and birth and knew she was called to become a doula. Just as Lizzy felt educated, supported, and empowered in her own birth, she hopes to help mothers and their families feel the same. She received her birth doula training through the Global Education of the Midwife (GEM) and is currently pursuing education to become a postpartum doula through Lifespan Doula.

Hi! My name is Shadae and I am the founder and owner of New Light Family Birth Services llc. I serve as a certified Birth and postpartum doula as well as a young parent support specialist in the Kansas City metro area.