MEET OUR FAMILY

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 I am a mother of 3 and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I love all things birth, babies, bellies, and baking (mostly cakes). I  have been supporting families for over 2 decades.  Being a doula has blessed me to be able to be a blessing to others. My many years of experience and continuing education has helped me understand  how I can best empower, educate, and support diverse communities of new parents, expecting parents, and those trying to conceive. 

Prior to becoming a  full time doula  and lactation educator, I worked as a traveling surgical technologist in  hospitals  throughout California and the United States. I assisted surgeons in various departments, including  Labor and Delivery. I also served as a lab instructor for adult learners on their journey to becoming  surgical techs.  

While I do  occasionally still provide support to families as their doula or lactation educator,  over the past few years while running a largely successful  government funded doula program a new skillset was realized.  I stepped into the role of Program Coordinator and a new level of doula mentorship that proved to be the secret sauce for success.  As the first point of contact for participants in the program, I was able to engage with them, understand their strengths, thoroughly assess their needs and expertly connect them to the right doula to support them.  As a mentor to a team of 10 plus doulas, my experience as a birth worker, former educator, and healthcare worker gave me the tools to support and empower my team to maximize their potential and  show up as their best selves for their clients. It was an honor to serve in that capacity, while also learning from every birthing family and birth worker I encountered. 

As my time in the public health sector  continued, I began to reevaluate how I could best be of service to families and birth workers on my own terms, on a larger scale and in a way that fulfilled my purpose. During this time of self reflection my private practice, Legacy Birth Pros, that consisted of myself and my two daughters evolved into a consulting firm that allowed us to expand our family's capacity to support many more families as well as the caregivers called to support them.  

Being a Doula is my passion. Being allowed to attend and support a birth is a sacred honor. I’ve worked in Maternal Child Health for more than 30 years and officially became a Doula in 2012. Over this time, I have attended over 30 births. A Doula is a true servant who assists the woman and her support team to experience labor and delivery with as much support as possible.  I support the client’s partner, family and friends as they support the woman. For many thinking about labor and delivery evokes anxiety and fear. People feel compelled to share their worse labor experiences with pregnant women; these stories often imply that having a baby it tortures. As a Doula I’ve learned that labor can be hard work and very painful, but it doesn’t mean that the woman must suffer. I bring my training and experience to the table to assist the woman and her partner, family and friends cope during the labor process. Using massage, soothing music, breathing techniques, relaxation exercises and various positions to offer relief during labor. My primary role is to empower the woman to have the birth experience she desires and to be there for her if what she wants changes.  Again, I say attending a birth is a gift, honor and a privilege. In the end I want the woman’s experience to be enhanced by my presence and walk away from each birth knowing I’ve given my best.   

 Shelby... a daughter , sister and friend. Born and raised in Los Angeles. I was born into this world to my wonderful amazing mother Michelle. I am the oldest of three and worked closely with my mom helping her to raise my younger siblings. Ever since becoming an older sister I realized how important the support I gave my mother was to her mental health and physical health.  The more learning I did the more I became aware of the importance of support during the prenatal,  birth and my main focus postpartum periods. I pride myself on being a dependable postpartum doula and being able to support families.   

 A'mour Symmone- I love babies and babies love me. I am proud to have inherited  some of my mother's  greatest qualities including her love of children. I am grateful for the nurturing love and support my mother has always given me, and I give nothing less to my clients. Inspiring little ones to reach that next big milestone and supporting their individuality and creativity  in a safe space is my priority. I am  also CPR certified .