Birth doula services
This is a Christian faith-based business offering education and support in women's health
for Dayton, Ohio and surrounding areas.
Calm. Gentle. Peaceful.
Teaching. Guiding. Listening.
This is how I come alongside and help you navigate your journey.
Hello and welcome
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Congratulations on your upcoming birth! I would love to support you in birth preparation and through labor & delivery.
Check out the page here for more information. If you feel like I'm a good fit for the kind of doula you're looking for, click on the contact tab below. Send me an email (I don't put my phone number on my website due to spam and scams). I'll email you with a pre-consultation questionnaire. Once that is submitted, we'll schedule a free consult in a public location (usually a cafe). We'll get together and chat about what doula support can look like for you and about your birth experience. We'll talk about what doula services include and don't include, your maternity care, and what your goals are. At the time of hire, I give my doula clients my cell # and they have 24/7 access to support during the entirety of doula services. |
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PAGE MENU
- What a doula is
- Why hire a doula
- What I do during a birth
- What I do not do
- My philosophy on maternity care
- Why I serve as a doula
- What services include
- How education and support is Christian-based
- Types of births I attend and families I serve
- Confidentiality
- Doula Leanna’s education and credentials
- Leanna’s professional experience and abilities
- What all I do
- Fees ($2200)
- Service areas of Ohio (Counties: Allen, Auglaize, Clark, Champaign, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Union, and Warren)
- Availability (2 births a month)
- Contact
What a doula is
A doula is a professional support person to partner with throughout maternity care.
Introductory definition: A birth doula is a professional support person for a birthing woman and her family. Doulas offer birth preparation and they provide physical and emotional support during labor and delivery plus the early postpartum period. During pregnancy, they will help you prepare for the birth and make plans to reach your goals. During birth, they offer support through physical support methods, emotional support, and can guide the partner in ways he can be involved or lead the support. During postpartum, they stay for a while after the birth and then follow up with at least one appointment after the birth. Many also provide lactation support. While all professional doulas should go through a training program, they may or may not be certified.
They do:
They don’t:
Multiple hats: Some doulas have a medical background while others do not. Some nurses become doulas or take a doula training to improve their skills. Some midwives start out as doulas. Many doulas are also childbirth educators or other types of birth professionals. A lot of doulas are also trained in lactation support. Keep in mind that your doula may have services that blend more than one role such as educator and doula or may have to keep roles separate such as doula support and nursing.
Variety of backgrounds: Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds, family types, and birthing experiences. While the vast majority of doulas are women, there are a few men out there who have joined this career field. Professional doulas may or may not be parents themselves. Historically and traditionally, it was a role filled by mothers and often seen as a peer support role. Just as lactation support has evolved from peer support to a professional role in women's health, doula work evolved to it being a career with more and more education/training available. It is now considered a profession in women’s health (not a peer support role). In some areas, birthing centers and even hospitals have doulas on staff. Just like OB/Gyns and midwives and L&D nurses, individual professionals may or may not have had a natural birth or ever had children. There is a wide variety of backgrounds and doulas have come into this career for numerous reasons. Quite a lot of doulas get into this career after having their own natural births and wanting to help other women do the same. Quite a lot go into doula work after experiencing bad maternity care and they want to improve the system. Others are called by God or drawn into this line of work one way or the other.
Variety of philosophies: Each doula brings their own flavor. As individuals, doulas have their own philosophies and perspectives on reproductive health, maternity care, and infant care. Interview several and find the match that is best for you.
Common mission: Our common goal is to support growing families and improve maternity care!
They do:
- Prepare you and your partner for birth
- Provide support physically to the mother, emotionally to the couple, and guide the husband/partner in supporting the laboring woman
- Inform of resources and know what's available in the community
- Offer education, though it is still recommended to take a childbirth class
- Help you improve your communication with your care team (if needed)
- Teach you how to advocate for yourself
- Most support all types of births in the hospital or a birthing center. Many also attend home births (though often the presence of a midwife is required).
They don’t:
- Replace or substitute for a midwife - a doula is a support person while a midwife is a medical care provider
- Provide medical care, take vitals, or monitor fetal heart tones
- Make health decisions for the client
- Encourage people to go against medical advice from their chosen provider or from the hospital staff
- Speak on behalf of the client
- Replace the dad or any family member (or good friend)
Multiple hats: Some doulas have a medical background while others do not. Some nurses become doulas or take a doula training to improve their skills. Some midwives start out as doulas. Many doulas are also childbirth educators or other types of birth professionals. A lot of doulas are also trained in lactation support. Keep in mind that your doula may have services that blend more than one role such as educator and doula or may have to keep roles separate such as doula support and nursing.
Variety of backgrounds: Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds, family types, and birthing experiences. While the vast majority of doulas are women, there are a few men out there who have joined this career field. Professional doulas may or may not be parents themselves. Historically and traditionally, it was a role filled by mothers and often seen as a peer support role. Just as lactation support has evolved from peer support to a professional role in women's health, doula work evolved to it being a career with more and more education/training available. It is now considered a profession in women’s health (not a peer support role). In some areas, birthing centers and even hospitals have doulas on staff. Just like OB/Gyns and midwives and L&D nurses, individual professionals may or may not have had a natural birth or ever had children. There is a wide variety of backgrounds and doulas have come into this career for numerous reasons. Quite a lot of doulas get into this career after having their own natural births and wanting to help other women do the same. Quite a lot go into doula work after experiencing bad maternity care and they want to improve the system. Others are called by God or drawn into this line of work one way or the other.
Variety of philosophies: Each doula brings their own flavor. As individuals, doulas have their own philosophies and perspectives on reproductive health, maternity care, and infant care. Interview several and find the match that is best for you.
Common mission: Our common goal is to support growing families and improve maternity care!
Why hire a doula
Your birth matters. Your experience matters. Support matters. Having a professional doula is choosing someone to come alongside you as a tour guide for birth and a teacher for the journey. It’s education you have access to around the clock. It’s someone who teaches you all your options and supports what you choose. It’s genuine support for your birth preferences. And it’s the same person supporting you throughout your pregnancy, your whole birth, and into your postpartum season.
You deserve to have someone support you – your birth plan, what you want, physical support, emotional support. It makes a huge difference in the birth experience.
Who needs a doula? Anybody who wants one. Whether single or with an involved partner, you can benefit from a doula. Whether planning an unmedicated, vaginal delivery or a planned c-section or anything in between, a doula can assist you. You may especially benefit from a doula if you are nervous about birth, don’t want to be left alone during labor, don’t have a supportive partner, live away from family, are a military wife with a deployed husband, struggle with depression or anxiety, or suffer from addiction and need support to have a birth without pain medication. If you would be more comfortable having someone stay by your side who is very familiar with birth that will support you however you need it and guide you through the process, hire a doula.
It is a luxury to have your own personal consultant and support professional for your birth. Pamper yourself. You deserve it. A doula is worth the moola. Of all the times you are worth treating special, giving birth is the time to take care of you. A birthing woman should be pampered even more than a bride. Your birth and your support throughout the birth journey is worth investing in.
Check out the slideshow for benefits on doula support. Refer to this blog for citation.
You deserve to have someone support you – your birth plan, what you want, physical support, emotional support. It makes a huge difference in the birth experience.
Who needs a doula? Anybody who wants one. Whether single or with an involved partner, you can benefit from a doula. Whether planning an unmedicated, vaginal delivery or a planned c-section or anything in between, a doula can assist you. You may especially benefit from a doula if you are nervous about birth, don’t want to be left alone during labor, don’t have a supportive partner, live away from family, are a military wife with a deployed husband, struggle with depression or anxiety, or suffer from addiction and need support to have a birth without pain medication. If you would be more comfortable having someone stay by your side who is very familiar with birth that will support you however you need it and guide you through the process, hire a doula.
It is a luxury to have your own personal consultant and support professional for your birth. Pamper yourself. You deserve it. A doula is worth the moola. Of all the times you are worth treating special, giving birth is the time to take care of you. A birthing woman should be pampered even more than a bride. Your birth and your support throughout the birth journey is worth investing in.
Check out the slideshow for benefits on doula support. Refer to this blog for citation.
What I do during a birth
- I provide physical support to the mother during labor and delivery. There are a variety of ways physical support can be provided. We go over the different methods in the prenatal class coping with contractions.
- I assist the dad in learning how to provide physical support to his partner. If the husband wants to be the primary support person (which is awesome), I am more than happy to focus on guiding him in taking care of his wife.
- I offer emotional support to the couple.
- If the birthing mother has family and friends she would like to be involved during labor, I’m glad to assist them in showing them ways they can provide support.
- During our prenatal appointments, we talk about how you want the environment and birth space to be and how you don’t want it to be. In mindfulness of those preferences, I strive to cultivate the birth space to be how she wants it to be.
- I answer questions along the way and help mommas understand the maternity care available.
- As a Christian, I am happy to pray over the family and read scriptures or devotionals if the client would like.
- For mothers that choose to breastfeed, I provide lactation support as a certified breastfeeding specialist.
- I provide a safe place to confidentially talk about whatever a client needs to talk about.
- Though I don’t have a DSLR camera, I am more than happy to take pictures with my iPhone.
I would love to put all the details on this page, but that would be a very long list. Here is a blog on what I actually do as a doula. It lists in detail what I do during pregnancy, labor, delivery, right after birth, postpartum, and for lactation support.
What I do not do
- I do not replace the dad. He is very much a priority in the birthing process. Bringing a child into the world is the birth of a family. While I will gladly work with single mothers and in circumstances where the father is not present, I will never “push a dad aside”. I’m there to support the birthing couple.
- I do not provide medical care. A doula is different than a midwife. I do not diagnose or treat health problems. I will not prescribe anything including supplements or herbal treatments. I will not be taking vitals or fetal heart tones.
- I do not attempt to intervene with medical care or encourage people to go against their doctor’s recommendations.
- I do not advocate for a client’s decisions or go up against the medical team. It is an individual’s responsibility to make their own medical decisions and speak on them. I do not argue with doctors or nurses. I work together with the staff to provide care for the birthing family.
- I do not judge the medical choices you make surrounding your birth. Your health decisions are rightfully yours to make and should be respected.
- I do not attend unassisted deliveries. While I respect a woman’s right to give birth in her chosen location with whomever she chooses present, it’s a liability issue should there be complications.
- I do not offer fertility support for families currently trying to conceive. I wish you all the best and baby dust. Contact me for birth services when your time comes.
- I do not attend terminations (abortions). There are doulas that offer that service. Usually doulas that call themselves full-spectrum doulas also attend and support that side of women's health.
- While I do post-birth checkups, I do not provide postpartum doula support including housekeeping, running errands, meal prep, or nannying.
My philosophy on maternity care
My philosophy on healthcare is that patients should lead their health care and wellness. I believe a partnership model is best, not a pilot model. Take care of people and teach them how to take care of what they can. Patients should lead their own healthcare and lifestyle of wellness. I firmly believe that patient rights and medical freedom are human rights.
Oftentimes, women’s health issues are seen as mom issues more than they are seen as health issues, just like infertility issues such as endometriosis and PCOS are seen primarily as being about a woman’s ability to have a baby rather than being seen as daily health issues. This needs to change. I believe women’s health is a specialty of healthcare that is equally valid to other specialties. It is not lesser than.
Women’s health matters.
Maternity care matters.
You matter.
My philosophy on maternity care is that
I do not advocate for natural birth or a certain birth experience for everyone. If someone wants to go unmedicated, they should be supported. If someone wants an epidural, they should be supported. Birth is highly unique. Each and every birth is different. My goal as a doula is to support families to have the closest experience they can to their ideal birth.
I also feel that part of professional support is keeping personal preferences personal. As a doula, I try not to tell someone things like “Here’s what I would do.” or say anything to try to persuade someone to make the same choices as me. I find it most professional to keep my own preferences to myself. My support is client-centered. Any input from me will be based in education, professional experience, or a nudge from the Holy Spirit. That is part of my philosophy on maternity care as a doula. We birth-workers as a whole should all be client-focused rather than talking about our own choices.
I intentionally strive to acknowledge the vastness of birth experiences: natural pain management and epidurals, vaginal and cesarean, healthy and unhealthy, low risk and high risk, different birth locations, different preferences, different perspectives.
There is beauty in all birth and all birth deserves support.
Oftentimes, women’s health issues are seen as mom issues more than they are seen as health issues, just like infertility issues such as endometriosis and PCOS are seen primarily as being about a woman’s ability to have a baby rather than being seen as daily health issues. This needs to change. I believe women’s health is a specialty of healthcare that is equally valid to other specialties. It is not lesser than.
Women’s health matters.
Maternity care matters.
You matter.
My philosophy on maternity care is that
- Women must maintain the right to consent and decline in all circumstances. Patient rights are essential and should not be compromised because of pregnancy or birth.
- Obstetric care and midwifery care should be centered on evidence-based practices.
- Healthy outcomes for mom and baby are the main goal. Birth experience and impact on mental health is part of the outcome.
- Birth is a normal process. In itself, it is not an emergency or a problem. Complications do happen and risk factors are legitimate. Some women do need a higher level of medical care while others may not need any at all.
- God’s design is not defective. In most cases, a healthy woman with a healthy pregnancy will have a healthy birth.
I do not advocate for natural birth or a certain birth experience for everyone. If someone wants to go unmedicated, they should be supported. If someone wants an epidural, they should be supported. Birth is highly unique. Each and every birth is different. My goal as a doula is to support families to have the closest experience they can to their ideal birth.
I also feel that part of professional support is keeping personal preferences personal. As a doula, I try not to tell someone things like “Here’s what I would do.” or say anything to try to persuade someone to make the same choices as me. I find it most professional to keep my own preferences to myself. My support is client-centered. Any input from me will be based in education, professional experience, or a nudge from the Holy Spirit. That is part of my philosophy on maternity care as a doula. We birth-workers as a whole should all be client-focused rather than talking about our own choices.
I intentionally strive to acknowledge the vastness of birth experiences: natural pain management and epidurals, vaginal and cesarean, healthy and unhealthy, low risk and high risk, different birth locations, different preferences, different perspectives.
There is beauty in all birth and all birth deserves support.
Why I serve as a doula
I was always fascinated by healthcare and I was always especially drawn to women's health. I don't think there was ever a specific moment that I got interested in birth-work. I was always drawn to it. When I found out about doulas and learned that this role exists, I immediately wanted to become a doula. It feels like something that was always a part of me and it's bloomed over the years. I feel Jesus gave me a purpose for this work and a passion for this. He led me down this path, and it’s a beautiful one. Doula work is a beautiful profession. While my focus is on patient education in women's health, I enjoy coming alongside those patients and doing the hands-on work with them throughout their birth journey. Teaching childbirth classes and doing doula work go together like peanut butter and apple jelly.
My goals are to
Improving outcomes is what it’s all about.
How do I do that? By educating and supporting one woman at a time, it makes a difference for her and it makes a ripple touching those around her. Change birth care for one woman and you will change it for her children too. Mothers impact generations. Improve the birth experience for one and you may ripple the effect to her family and friends. A pine tree grows one at a time, but when the wind carries the pollen that creates seeds new growth is formed. Over the years, you can grow an entire forest from what was once a bare field. One tree can grow a forest. Nurturing one woman can grow a community of women who are educated, supported, empowered, and go out to sprout into their own agents of growth. Take care of women. Nurture families. Cultivate wellness. That’s what I want to do.
I want to reach individuals, families, communities, and ultimately reach women around the world with education and support.
That is the reason I serve as a doula.
Doula work is not easy. Birth is not easy. Birth is a passage, a woman’s act of bringing forth life into this world. It is laborious work and it is powerful work. I am always in awe of the strength of mothers, the power of women, the greatness of birth. To serve as a doula is to come alongside women going through this experience.
It is to teach.
It is to grow.
It is to coach.
It is to instill confidence.
It is to encourage.
It is to hold space.
It is to tend to the needs of the bearers of life.
It is to help take care of this most special area of health.
While all areas of healthcare are important, women’s health is truly special.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve in this role.
My goals are to
- educate women about their reproductive health and prepare them for birth
- improve outcomes in maternal health
- improve outcomes in infant health, particularly breastfeeding
- continue the work of maternity care being more family-centered
- inform people of patient rights and advocate for patient-led healthcare with informed consent and respected decline
- support women and families in their birth experience
- build a stronger community of educated women who will in turn grow change in their communities and the generations to come
Improving outcomes is what it’s all about.
How do I do that? By educating and supporting one woman at a time, it makes a difference for her and it makes a ripple touching those around her. Change birth care for one woman and you will change it for her children too. Mothers impact generations. Improve the birth experience for one and you may ripple the effect to her family and friends. A pine tree grows one at a time, but when the wind carries the pollen that creates seeds new growth is formed. Over the years, you can grow an entire forest from what was once a bare field. One tree can grow a forest. Nurturing one woman can grow a community of women who are educated, supported, empowered, and go out to sprout into their own agents of growth. Take care of women. Nurture families. Cultivate wellness. That’s what I want to do.
I want to reach individuals, families, communities, and ultimately reach women around the world with education and support.
That is the reason I serve as a doula.
Doula work is not easy. Birth is not easy. Birth is a passage, a woman’s act of bringing forth life into this world. It is laborious work and it is powerful work. I am always in awe of the strength of mothers, the power of women, the greatness of birth. To serve as a doula is to come alongside women going through this experience.
It is to teach.
It is to grow.
It is to coach.
It is to instill confidence.
It is to encourage.
It is to hold space.
It is to tend to the needs of the bearers of life.
It is to help take care of this most special area of health.
While all areas of healthcare are important, women’s health is truly special.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve in this role.
What services include
I offer support from early pregnancy up to 3 months postpartum. I'm available for hire any time after pregnancy is confirmed.
Appointments
Prenatal appointments: 2 in person appointments will be scheduled, but additional appointments may be scheduled if needed.
Appointment 1 –
Appointment 2 –
Doula clients can either do this as a private appointment or come to a public class. This is a longer class; we can split it into two days.
Each prenatal appointment is several hours long. Please plan accordingly. I try to only schedule one appointment per day so there is plenty of time to talk and listen.
Appointments are scheduled:
If needed, I can add in an appointment for general childbirth education including ways to help labor progress naturally. I can also add in a one-on-one basic breastfeeding class.
If requested, I can come to one prenatal appointment with your OB or midwife.
Birth support: active labor through delivery
In-person support physically and mentally will be provided from active labor through delivery. I stay an hour or two after births to take care of momma, make sure breastfeeding is started well, and help the family get settled in.
Postpartum appointments: 1 follow-up appointment
Within 6 weeks of delivery (whatever time the client chooses works best for her), we will do a follow-up. We review the birth, address postpartum healing, and discuss any concerns.
In addition to appointments
Appointments
Prenatal appointments: 2 in person appointments will be scheduled, but additional appointments may be scheduled if needed.
Appointment 1 –
- The intake – This is where I really get to know you and what kind of support you need and resources etc as well as customizing your birth preparation plans.
- Birth plans – We go in depth talking about what you do and do not want for birth. We talk about your options and what may be available to you.
- Patient rights – We talk about patient rights, consent, effective communication with your care team, navigating the healthcare system, what to do if things are not going smoothly, etc. We can also practice communication if you need/want to go over some scenarios.
Appointment 2 –
- Coping with contractions workshop
Doula clients can either do this as a private appointment or come to a public class. This is a longer class; we can split it into two days.
Each prenatal appointment is several hours long. Please plan accordingly. I try to only schedule one appointment per day so there is plenty of time to talk and listen.
Appointments are scheduled:
- Tuesday – 10am to 2pm (and run till 5)
- Wednesday through Saturday – 10am to 6pm (and run till 9pm)
- Sundays are for church. You are welcome to join me. I do not work on Sunday unless it is a birth.
- I set aside Monday for paperwork and business planning. No appointments are scheduled on Monday.
If needed, I can add in an appointment for general childbirth education including ways to help labor progress naturally. I can also add in a one-on-one basic breastfeeding class.
If requested, I can come to one prenatal appointment with your OB or midwife.
Birth support: active labor through delivery
In-person support physically and mentally will be provided from active labor through delivery. I stay an hour or two after births to take care of momma, make sure breastfeeding is started well, and help the family get settled in.
Postpartum appointments: 1 follow-up appointment
Within 6 weeks of delivery (whatever time the client chooses works best for her), we will do a follow-up. We review the birth, address postpartum healing, and discuss any concerns.
In addition to appointments
- I go on call for your birth at 36 weeks and stay on call until you deliver.
- Phone and email support is always available. Clients have access to call or text any day any time.
- I'm happy to answer questions and help you in decision-making.
- I can provide resources of education on any topic related to women's health or infant care. I can also introduce you to resources here in the community if you're looking for something specific.
- If you need to talk, I'm here. I take a low number of clients so I can be highly accessible to the clients I have. I won't ever be too bombarded with clients that I don't know what's going on with you. This is personalized support.
- Lactation support is included at no extra cost.
- If there are ever any concerns over mental health, please reach out. Even if services have formally ended, I'm here.
- Any handouts that are paid are included in doula services.
- One copy of any of my books is included at client request.
How education and support is Christian-based
My writing, my classes, and my support is founded on Christian faith. What makes it a Christian business? The Lord called me to do this work, and I want to integrate my faith into my practice.
- I am a devout Christian, Apostolic Pentecostal. I follow Jesus daily and strive to grow in my walk with the Lord.
- I pray for and with my clients.
- We use scripture to prepare for birth with faith. I have bible verses that are encouraging for birth and I bring index cards if you want to write them down to hang around the room.
- We have faith-based affirmations. God is in the room. He is with us. Let’s nurture our faith and fix our eyes on the sovereign King.
- We worship during labor. One of my favorite things to do during labor is listen to worship music.
- My desire is to take care of families with a servant mindset. I’m not here to watch you give birth or to hold your baby. I’m here for you, momma. I’m here to serve you and support you. My focus is on taking care of the woman.
- My goal is to serve others with the fruit of the Spirit. I want to bring peace into your labor. I want to serve you with love and kindness and joy. I always want to be gentle in my care so you feel safe and respected with me.
- This company has biblical family values. Family is a beautiful design.
- God-given womanhood is honored. Women are uniquely created to bring life into this world through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Motherhood is a gift. Traditional/biblical gender pronouns are used.
- Children are a blessing from the Lord. We cherish life from the moment of conception around here and we pray for these little ones that they may be healthy and grow up to love Jesus. This is a pro-life company.
- All of my writing and educational content is written from a biblical worldview.
- 10% from every class and doula client is tithed to my church. Some of that then goes back into the community through outreach and service to others.
Types of births I attend and families I serve
It is often thought that doulas only support natural birth (vaginal, unmedicated). Quite commonly, people think doulas are for home births. As for me, this is what my services are available for.
- Any location: hospital, birthing center, or home
- Births with obstetricians and births with nurse-midwives and births with CPMs (certified professional midwives) or traditional community midwives (non-certified)
- Vaginal births
- Cesarean births, whether scheduled or unplanned
- Any type of pain management: all natural or epidural or somewhere in between
- Low-risk births
- High-risk births
- Singletons or multiples
- Expected healthy outcome
- Expected health problems
- Perinatal and infant loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, fatal diagnosis or health issues that are expected to cause death
- All types of families: Whether you're married, single, dating, divorced, somewhere in between, or you have a multi-parent family, I'm happy to partner with you on your journey. I also support adoption, and can be hired by the birthing mother or the adoptive mother (with birthing mom's permission).
- I serve people from a variety of different backgrounds. I enjoy working with a wide variety of people. I believe diversity strengthens healthcare workers.
Confidentiality
- I respect your privacy and keep health information and anything else you choose to share with me confidential.
- I will not release any information to a client’s family and friends unless the client requests I do so.
- I do not share who my clients are or any of their personal details including health history, medical decisions, how their birth went, or the names of anyone in the family.
- I do not announce a birth before the parents. With parental consent, I may post on my Facebook business page a welcome baby announcement or a little bit about the work that I do. Clients are welcome to post pictures including me on their social media. If a client posts a photo tagging my page, I may ask permission to share photos of me working as a doula.
- I will not post on social media who my clients are or any information about their birth without written consent. If a family is fine with having their photo and first names on my website or Facebook with a review, I would be happy to post an approved photo with consent to share about my work as a doula.
Doula Leanna's education and credentials
I was always interested in pursuing a career that allowed me to take care of people. I was always fascinated by science, especially how the body functioned. In my teen years, I started gravitating towards healthcare with a strong interest in women’s health. After learning about the career field of midwifery, I wanted to become a midwife. I suppose each person feels passion for something that they can’t quite explain why they struck a fire in their hearts for that topic. I can’t tell you a why or specifically when that became an interest because it interested me from as young as I can remember. All I can tell you is God called me to women’s health and my fire for it never burns out. At the young age of 20, I decided to become a doula as a stepping stone to being a midwife. This was before the days of social media being the mainstream. The internet was in its dinosaur days compared to now. This was the year I got my first email address (though I didn’t actually know how to send somebody mail over the computer). This was also the year I got my first cell phone, a tracfone from Kmart. I had never seen a book for or about doulas. Most people I knew had never heard of it and did not understand what I was taking off to Richmond, Virginia to do a training for. I don’t know that I knew enough about what a doula was to even fully understand the path I was headed down. I just knew that I felt led and I followed the pull.
In 2008 I became a birth doula.
In 2014 I became a lactation specialist.
Also in 2014, I started college with the original plan of becoming a nurse, going into labor and delivery, and ultimately becoming a RN CNM (nurse-midwife) and IBCLC.
I graduated Sinclair in 2018 with an associate’s degree in health sciences.
I decided not to go the nursing route because my heart's primary interest was for patient education. While nurses are excellent patient educators, they get less and less time at the bedside with patients. Overworked with excessive patient ratios and too much charting, I didn’t think there’d be time to do what I really wanted to do in healthcare – teach!
I did take a lot of mental health classes while in college and was previously certified as a chemical dependency counselor assistant. I have a heart for mental health especially anxiety, PTSD, depression, and substance abuse.
In 2019 I completed training as a bereavement doula.
After college, I started teaching classes on women's health.
Future education
I want to get my bachelor’s in integrated healthcare studies from Ohio University. If I go to grad school, Texas A&M has a master’s in education for healthcare professionals. However, college is expensive. I currently have no student debt. As much as I would like to gain these degrees, I don’t know that I will pursue tens of thousands of dollars in student debt out of personal interest when it is not required for my job.
On the other hand, I am interested in someday pursuing midwifery when the timing is right. I do feel the call to be a midwife, but it is not yet time to step from doula work into midwifery work. I haven't chosen a path yet: CNM or CPM. Paying for college and getting another degree is definitely an obstacle. The time requirements of midwifery are an obstacle as my focus is on writing and teaching. I'm sure when the time is right, I'll feel the tug.
Credentials
Degree:
Associate of Applied Science in health sciences, Sinclair College (2018)
Certificates:
BLS (first aid for healthcare workers)
Birth doula
Bereavement doula
Breastfeeding specialist
In 2008 I became a birth doula.
In 2014 I became a lactation specialist.
Also in 2014, I started college with the original plan of becoming a nurse, going into labor and delivery, and ultimately becoming a RN CNM (nurse-midwife) and IBCLC.
I graduated Sinclair in 2018 with an associate’s degree in health sciences.
I decided not to go the nursing route because my heart's primary interest was for patient education. While nurses are excellent patient educators, they get less and less time at the bedside with patients. Overworked with excessive patient ratios and too much charting, I didn’t think there’d be time to do what I really wanted to do in healthcare – teach!
I did take a lot of mental health classes while in college and was previously certified as a chemical dependency counselor assistant. I have a heart for mental health especially anxiety, PTSD, depression, and substance abuse.
In 2019 I completed training as a bereavement doula.
After college, I started teaching classes on women's health.
Future education
I want to get my bachelor’s in integrated healthcare studies from Ohio University. If I go to grad school, Texas A&M has a master’s in education for healthcare professionals. However, college is expensive. I currently have no student debt. As much as I would like to gain these degrees, I don’t know that I will pursue tens of thousands of dollars in student debt out of personal interest when it is not required for my job.
On the other hand, I am interested in someday pursuing midwifery when the timing is right. I do feel the call to be a midwife, but it is not yet time to step from doula work into midwifery work. I haven't chosen a path yet: CNM or CPM. Paying for college and getting another degree is definitely an obstacle. The time requirements of midwifery are an obstacle as my focus is on writing and teaching. I'm sure when the time is right, I'll feel the tug.
Credentials
Degree:
Associate of Applied Science in health sciences, Sinclair College (2018)
Certificates:
BLS (first aid for healthcare workers)
Birth doula
Bereavement doula
Breastfeeding specialist
Leanna's professional experience and abilities
I have experience supporting women in natural birth, vaginal delivery with epidurals, c-sections, and VBACs. I also have experience supporting birth complications and change in plans as smoothly as possible. I’ve supported low-risk and high-risk mothers. I have worked alongside obstetricians and midwives.
I am able to support all types of births confidently and calmly.
One thing I say often is “Every birth is different.” With each woman, I start over as a doula. I get to know that family. I get to know their own recipe of birth preferences and help them prepare. Different people cope differently. I have a wide selection of coping tools up my sleeve and experience using a variety of methods to help a mother through labor. Support is always customized and intuitive.
I am able to support all types of births confidently and calmly.
One thing I say often is “Every birth is different.” With each woman, I start over as a doula. I get to know that family. I get to know their own recipe of birth preferences and help them prepare. Different people cope differently. I have a wide selection of coping tools up my sleeve and experience using a variety of methods to help a mother through labor. Support is always customized and intuitive.
What all I do
I write. I’m an author. I've written and indie published 5 nonfiction paperback books. Several of them have multiple editions (because they're nonfiction and get updated). I've published 12 times from 2012-2022. I'm currently writing a series on women's health. I’m also a blogger. I blog on Christian topics, women’s health, and the occasional random subject. I make handouts on women’s health. Writing is my purpose, my passion, my compulsion. It’s what I was born for. It’s the reason I breathe. It’s what I want to do every day all day. I love it with a consuming love, an unquenchable thirst, an everlasting abundant desire. Scripturient is my favorite word.
I’m a maternal-infant wellness educator. I knew I wanted to teach about the spectrum of women’s health across the lifespan. So, the term childbirth educator didn’t feel right to me. It felt restrictive. I thought for a while on what a good label would be and settled on maternal-infant wellness educator. That is my own term. It fits my goals. Teaching is a joy. It makes my heart smile to teach and watch my students grow.
Writing is my number one career/calling. Teaching is something I do as often as I can.
I offer doula services part-time. I will take up to 2 births a month. Generally, 4 or 5 is considered full-time. I really enjoy coming alongside people, teaching them, guiding them, supporting them. There’s something special about walking with women through that journey. It’s a passage in life, and I regard it a deep privilege to be able to support women through that.
I also offer lactation support. Breastfeeding is a beautiful design. It can have some bumps in the road though. Tackling lactation obstacles and helping women meet their infant feeding goals is a rewarding job. Mainly lactation support is for my doula clients, but I do offer it as a separate service.
Someday I will add photography to this busy list. I have always loved taking pictures. Having a camera in my hand feels like an extension of me.
I’m a maternal-infant wellness educator. I knew I wanted to teach about the spectrum of women’s health across the lifespan. So, the term childbirth educator didn’t feel right to me. It felt restrictive. I thought for a while on what a good label would be and settled on maternal-infant wellness educator. That is my own term. It fits my goals. Teaching is a joy. It makes my heart smile to teach and watch my students grow.
Writing is my number one career/calling. Teaching is something I do as often as I can.
I offer doula services part-time. I will take up to 2 births a month. Generally, 4 or 5 is considered full-time. I really enjoy coming alongside people, teaching them, guiding them, supporting them. There’s something special about walking with women through that journey. It’s a passage in life, and I regard it a deep privilege to be able to support women through that.
I also offer lactation support. Breastfeeding is a beautiful design. It can have some bumps in the road though. Tackling lactation obstacles and helping women meet their infant feeding goals is a rewarding job. Mainly lactation support is for my doula clients, but I do offer it as a separate service.
Someday I will add photography to this busy list. I have always loved taking pictures. Having a camera in my hand feels like an extension of me.
Fees
A consultation appointment for a meet-and-greet to interview is free. We will meet in a public location for the interview.
Birth doula services are $2200.
This is a flat fee for all types of births. I will never charge anyone more for longer labors, extra support needed, complicated cases, etc.
Fees are non-negotiable. Payment is due in full at time of hire.
Payment methods accepted:
Your insurance company may offer reimbursement fully or partially for doula services. You may also be able to use your HSA.
Birth doula services are $2200.
This is a flat fee for all types of births. I will never charge anyone more for longer labors, extra support needed, complicated cases, etc.
Fees are non-negotiable. Payment is due in full at time of hire.
Payment methods accepted:
- Invoices are sent through Paypal. That allows you to pay with your checking account, savings account, debit card, or credit card that is Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. If you do not have a Paypal account, you can pay with a debit card or credit card.
- Cash is also accepted.
Your insurance company may offer reimbursement fully or partially for doula services. You may also be able to use your HSA.
Service areas of Ohio
I'm in the southwest corner of Clark County just a few minutes from the Green county line, Montgomery county line, and the Miami county line. It's a highly convenient spot to be able to serve a wide area. I'm only a few minutes from I-70 and just a few more minutes from I-75. I’m also only a few minutes from 675. My service area is mapped out below.
The green-colored counties are my immediate service area (4 counties).
The purple-colored counties are my extended service area (16 counties).
The blue-colored counties services are available depending on location and time from my house to yours (3 counties).
The brown-colored counties are out of my service area. This includes Columbus, Cincinnati, and Hamilton. If you live and/or are giving birth outside of my service area but near the border of it, I may be able to take a client shortly outside of these counties depending on travel time.
The green-colored counties are my immediate service area (4 counties).
The purple-colored counties are my extended service area (16 counties).
The blue-colored counties services are available depending on location and time from my house to yours (3 counties).
The brown-colored counties are out of my service area. This includes Columbus, Cincinnati, and Hamilton. If you live and/or are giving birth outside of my service area but near the border of it, I may be able to take a client shortly outside of these counties depending on travel time.
Hospitals and birthing centers in those areas
IMMEDIATE SERVICE AREA
Montgomery county
Greene county
Clark county
Miami county
EXTENDED SERVICE AREA
Warren county
Clinton county
Highland, Fayette, Madison, and Champaign counties – These counties do not have a hospital with a labor and delivery unit. The hospital in Hillsboro closed their unit in 2022 and the hospital in London closed their unit in 2020.
Union county
Logan county
Shelby county
Auglaize county
Allen county
Mercer county
Darke county
Preble county – There are no hospitals in this county.
INDIANA COUNTIES
Union county – To my knowledge, this county does not have a hospital with maternity care available.
Wayne county
Randolph county – Availability in this county depends on the area
IMMEDIATE SERVICE AREA
Montgomery county
- Miami Valley Hospital (Dayton) - They also have a birthing center, Family Beginnings, with midwives. Note: Miami Valley South closed their labor and delivery unit in the summer of 2022.
- Kettering Medical Center (Kettering)
- Kettering Washington Township, formerly called Southview (Dayton)
Greene county
- Soin (Beavercreek) - They also have midwives on the labor and delivery unit.
Clark county
- Mercy (Springfield)
Miami county
- Upper Valley (Troy)
EXTENDED SERVICE AREA
Warren county
- Atrium (Middletown) - They also have a birthing center, Natural Beginnings, with midwives.
Clinton county
- Clinton Memorial (Wilmington)
Highland, Fayette, Madison, and Champaign counties – These counties do not have a hospital with a labor and delivery unit. The hospital in Hillsboro closed their unit in 2022 and the hospital in London closed their unit in 2020.
Union county
- Memorial Ohio (Marysville)
Logan county
- Mary Rutan Hospital (Bellefontaine)
Shelby county
- Wilson Health (Sidney)
Auglaize county
- Grand Lake Health System – Joint Township District Memorial Hospital (St. Mary’s)
Allen county
- St. Rita’s (Lima)
Mercer county
- Mercer County Community Hospital (Coldwater)
Darke county
- Wayne Hospital (Greenville)
Preble county – There are no hospitals in this county.
INDIANA COUNTIES
Union county – To my knowledge, this county does not have a hospital with maternity care available.
Wayne county
- Reid Hospital (Richmond)
Randolph county – Availability in this county depends on the area
- Ascension St. Vincent (Randolph)
Availability
I take up to 2 births a month.
You can hire at any point (even days before your due date), but I recommend booking your slot for your due month as soon as you can as space is limited.
If I take a vacation or have any time that I plan to be unavailable for births, it will be planned well in advance and announced before I take any clients due around that time.
You can hire at any point (even days before your due date), but I recommend booking your slot for your due month as soon as you can as space is limited.
If I take a vacation or have any time that I plan to be unavailable for births, it will be planned well in advance and announced before I take any clients due around that time.
Contact me for a consultation
Note: I am unable to provide services in homes with a cat. They are very adorable creatures, but I am very allergic (which is forever sad because they're so cute). If prenatal and postpartum appointments can be held in another home, I can provide birth support upon arrival to the hospital or birthing center.
Click the button below to contact me via email. Please initially contact through emailing via my website. Social media message requests may not give a notification. In the email, include your name and general area as well as contact information. If a phone number is given, please note whether call or text is preferred and what time of day is best.
After a pre-consultation questionnaire, we can get together in a safe, public location for a meet-and-greet.
Click the button below to contact me via email. Please initially contact through emailing via my website. Social media message requests may not give a notification. In the email, include your name and general area as well as contact information. If a phone number is given, please note whether call or text is preferred and what time of day is best.
After a pre-consultation questionnaire, we can get together in a safe, public location for a meet-and-greet.
Education: comprehensive, applicable, and science based
Support: your birth your way
Empowerment: giving you the tools to lead your health care
