Doulas of Baltimore Archives | Doulas of Baltimore

Doulas of Baltimore 2024: A Year of Education & Connection

This year was one of tremendous growth for Baltimore families and the Doulas of Baltimore family alike!

Our Doulas of Baltimore Team

2024 was a huge year of growth for our team that expanded from 10 to 17 members. This year our team has grown again – we now have 23 amazing birth and postpartum professionals!

A team that values balance, we enjoyed outings (like lunches and sports games together) alongside professional development together. We also gathered to celebrate DOB’s 10th Birthday!

Childbirth Education & Parenting Workshops

Our classes and workshops were a big focus of this year and we were able to serve 45 families! We held 18 classes and workshops this year.

The coming year will feature our incredible curriculum in both the in-person and digital format as well as a one-day Yoga and Educational Retreat for Pregnancy hosted in conjunction with Deanna Houston and Jody Barnes. Follow us on social media for updates and find more details on Embrace the Journey here!

Doulas of Baltimore in Frederick

In 2023 we saw a need for high quality, unbiased education for expectant parents in the Frederick area. We made plans to launch in 2024 are proud to say we now offer classes and workshops inside Indigo Physiotherapy! We’re glad to partner with an incredible resource for Frederick birthing individuals.

You can find all of our one-day workshops (Baby 101, Birth Basics, and Comfort Measures) in Frederick year-round.

Birth Doula & Postpartum Doula Support

Our doulas had the opportunity to serve 126 families in 2024! That’s 35 more families than 2023.

We saw the most babies born at Mercy this year with 26 families served. Nearly tying with a difference of one was Hopkins at 25 families. We also were able to serve 19 families at our former top hospital, GBMC, and 13 at St. Joe’s. Overall, we supported families at 15 different birthing facilities!

Our team worked over 6100 hours of in-home postpartum doula and newborn care support. We were honored to serve over 2100 additional hours over 2023! *

(*That’s over 254 days!)

Doulas of Baltimore turned 10 Years Old

We have a full write up on our 10th Birthday Party but turning 10 really had us reflecting this year! After a decade as Doulas of Baltimore we decided it was high time for a birthday party. We planned a fun gathering at UNION Craft Brewing Co and invited all our past and present clients, team members, and our professional network.

Attendees enjoyed appetizers, desserts, and everyone left with a custom engraved beer glass! Taking a pause to celebrate our accomplishments was an incredible and important task this year. Cheers to 10 years, here’s to 10 more!

Giving Back

In addition to maintaining our longstanding commitments to Maryland Families for Safe Birth, Fluid Movement, and The Family Tree, this year we were fortunate to be able to donate over $3500 to both local and national initiatives that support racial birth justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and LGBTQAI+ Families.

We also had a hugely successful supply drive as part of our 10th Birthday Party at UNION Brewing Co.

We collected shelf-stable foods, diapers, and baby hygeine products to benefit two organizations who also celebrated 10 years in Baltimore this year – Baltimore Hunger Project and ShareBaby. Many thanks to all of our generous guests and donors!

We are so grateful to each and every one of you who has joined us on our path to providing the warmest unbiased support for Baltimore families.

Find out our busiest birth month, zip codes with the most DOB clients, and more of our 2024 stats on our Instagram page!

Early Labor | What Should I Do?

Childbirth Education, Doulas of Baltimore, Pregnancy

Early labor can often leave us with the question of, “When do I head to the hospital?”. Clever reminders like “511” remind us that contractions should be 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for 1 full hour before you head in. As doulas, we are huge advocates for distraction through early labor. Often, when you focus on distractions you’re able to discern when you can’t ignore labor anymore.

When your pregnancy is healthy and labor is going normally, we love to encourage clients to try to make their contractions go away. True labor won’t stop just because you put your feet up! In addition to staying hydrated, eating nourishing food that feels good to you, and laying down for a bit, here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy a distraction during early labor.

Schedule an Appointment

An excellent way to relax and distract yourself is to get yourself to a self-care appointment. Book a pedicure, a prenatal massage, or find a salon near you that does blow outs. These appointments are wonderful for distraction but they also help create a flow of oxytocin in your body. Oxytocin is a wonderful pain relief and also calming hormone and it can be stimulated by skin-to-skin contact. Be sure you’re in contact with your birth team and consider having someone else drive (just in case!)

Warm Shower or Bath

The warmth of a shower or bath can ease tension and relax your muscles, helping you stay comfortable as early labor progresses. Water has a calming effect and can provide gentle relief, especially for back pain or cramps. Sitting or standing under a warm shower allows the heat to target your back and abdomen, while a bath can create a more immersive, weightless experience that helps you relax between contractions.

Safety Note: Be sure to keep the water at a comfortable, warm temperature (not hot) and stay hydrated if you’re soaking for a while.

Movement and Gentle Exercise

Moving around can be surprisingly effective in early labor. Gentle stretches, walking, a prenatal yoga video, or using a yoga ball can help release muscle tension, encourage a more optimal baby position, and may even help labor progress. Slow dancing with a partner or swaying your hips in a figure-eight motion can bring comfort and connection, grounding you through each contraction.

Tip: If you have a yoga or birth ball, sit and gently rock your hips, move them in a figure 8 motion, or bounce lightly to ease any pressure in your lower back or hips.

Create a Calming Environment

A soothing environment can make a big difference in how you feel. Dim the lights, play calming music or sounds, and use soft, cozy blankets or a favorite pillow. Try lighting a candle that has a soothing scent to create a spa-like atmosphere if you’re interested in aromatherapy. Choose things that bring you comfort and help you feel safe.

Tip: Make a playlist with a mix of calming and upbeat songs. The calming ones can help you relax, while the upbeat tracks can lift your mood if you’re feeling restless.

Mindful Distractions

Early labor is the perfect time to engage in activities that keep your mind occupied without draining your energy. Simple activities like reading a favorite book, watching a comforting movie, or doing a craft project can keep your focus off contractions while still allowing you to relax. Some people enjoy adult coloring books, knitting, or easy puzzles that bring a sense of calm.

Tip: Make a list of short, enjoyable tasks you can do easily and stop anytime, so you’re prepared with options if labor progresses quickly or you start needing to focus more on your contractions.

These techniques can help you stay comfortable and relaxed at home as labor begins. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to experience early labor; do what feels best for you. Take things one contraction at a time, stay connected to your body, and know that each step brings you closer to meeting your baby.

Unsure if it’s really labor? Check out our blog “Am I actually in labor?”

An Interview with Emily and Debbie | 10 Years of DOB

Baltimore, Doulas of Baltimore, Frederick

In honor of a decade of DOB, we thought an interview was in order! Our Marketing Director, Mallory, sat down with Emily and Debbie to chat with them about the last ten years, what lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what’s coming for the future.

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When you first launched, what was your biggest challenge?

We both began our doula journeys as solo practitioners—Emily in 2003 and Debbie in 2014.

Emily: The biggest challenge was transitioning from being a solo doula and childbirth educator to running an agency that brought on trusted doulas to represent the business. With so many word-of-mouth referrals coming directly to me, it was a learning curve to shift to the mindset of, “This person is trusted by me and therefore should be trusted by you.”

What would you say was the best part of the early days?

Interestingly, that challenge also turned out to be the best part. While it felt daunting, it opened the door to supporting many more families and doing much more postpartum work than I could ever manage alone.

What was your first big win?

Emily: The first time I ran payroll for our team was a milestone! But my biggest win was bringing Debbie on as my business partner. To say that Debbie saved Doulas of Baltimore (and me in the process) would not be an understatement. She jumped in with both feet to keep the agency functioning during an overwhelmingly difficult time in my life. Not everyone would do that. Yet, in true doula style, she faced the challenge head-on, rather than shying away. In the last six years, we’ve accomplished so much together! More than that, her partnership meant I was no longer isolated as a small business owner; I had someone to share wins with, listen to me, and challenge me to always bring my best. I often think about how much harder the last several years would have been without her!

Debbie: A more recent win has been adding support staff. What a relief it is not to wear every hat as a business owner! We now have two dynamic marketing associates and an office assistant. Next up is bringing on an administrative assistant and 1-2 doula team leaders. Exciting times ahead!

What would you say your biggest inspiration for DOB has been during this last decade?

Emily: My inspiration has always been the desire to make a difference in the lives of babies and young children. The years from birth to three are crucial for childhood development. Supported parents enter their parenting journey more positively. Solid, non-judgmental support helps parents engage, care for, and communicate with their babies confidently. When cared for by connected, attentive parents, children thrive.

Debbie: It may sound cliché, but my inspiration is Emily. She single-handedly created DOB, evolving from her solo doula business to the first iteration, Baltimore Family Beginnings, and eventually to the Doulas of Baltimore we know today. DOB is Emily. Every day, I strive to ensure that my interactions with our team, clients, and colleagues reflect her incredible legacy in the Baltimore birth community.

Did you envision being where you are right now? What has changed?

Debbie: Never in a million years would I have believed that my doula trainer would become my business partner and one of my best friends!

Emily: I can’t say I envisioned being where we are now. The pandemic prompted a necessary reevaluation of our business. It forced us to rethink our emotional investments, boundaries, and how to sustain growth. We had to pull back and be intentional about what we wanted moving forward. Before the pandemic, we laid down significant boundaries, which gave us the space to focus on what truly mattered. We spent about nine months in 2021 refining our systems, ensuring we were ready when business picked up again.

What’s next? What can we expect to see in the coming years?

Debbie: We identified a need for a more expansive newborn care offering, and our clients have responded enthusiastically. We now have more people taking our four-week Essential Newborn series than our previously most popular class, Baby 101. This makes me wonder if there’s something else we need to develop that we just don’t know about yet—our clients haven’t told us!

Emily: Looking ahead, I want to continue nurturing sustainable growth while integrating systems and support staff to lighten the load. We’re focused on adapting our services based on the needs of the families we serve. Ultimately, we want to build a community that supports our clients, helping them connect with local resources and each other. We’ve long wanted to host parenting support groups, especially for working parents and non-judgmental feeding support. Having our new office has been a game-changer, providing the intimate space we need to create these offerings. I’m excited about what’s next!

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The future of DOB looks bright and we cannot thank Baltimore enough for 10 beautiful years of supporting families. Here’s to 10 more!

New Parents | Planning for Your New Normal

Baltimore, Doulas of Baltimore, Family, Frederick, Newborn care, Parenthood, Postpartum

New Parents, your life will never be normal again.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. You will settle into a new normal but when a baby is born, life as you know it comes to an end. That can sound daunting! How will you make sure your new baby is cared for, your home is tended to, your work keeps going? When new parents are settling into a new normal it will take work. With some skilled planning and a willingness to shift when needed, you’ll find yourself in a groove before too long.

End of New Parents Leave

Usually once a baby has arrived one or both parents will get some amount of leave from their job. Circumstances look different for each employer. Explore what options you and/or your partner have for parental leave once your baby has arrived. How long can you take? When preparing to return to work, consider what will make it easiest including a hybrid or virtual work schedule for a period of time or even permanently. Explore these options and what they will look like with your employer.

New Caregiver

New parents transitioning to a new caregiver will take some effort but with planning it can be as smooth as possible. Ensure your new caregiver has adequate bottles and pumped milk or formula available to feed the baby. Pack their bag well with extra diapers, wipes, outfits, and anything else they may need. Discuss any circumstances unique to your family that your new caregiver may need to understand (is your baby on medication? Do they need to be fed a certain way? etc.) Communication is key to make transitioning to a new caregiver as easy as possible.

Balancing Home/Work

A new baby will always change the dynamics in a house. Consider how to make the transition easier for yourself as new parents, your pets, big siblings, and extended family members. Identify how your household tasks are currently split. Who takes out the trash? What about cooking meals? Who does the dishes? Consider a chart or writing out a schedule for when these things occur and think about planning to prepare food ahead of time while you ease into your new routine.

Babies change your life in the blink of an eye and it can feel overwhelming going through all the changes that you will face. With an open mind, lots of communication, and a plan ready, going back to work will feel challenging but not impossible.

Need some extra help? Check out our Free Ultimate Postpartum Planning Guide!

Frederick, Maryland | Day Trip Idea!

Baltimore, Doulas of Baltimore, Frederick

A perfect day in Frederick, Maryland is just a short drive away! About an hour outside of Baltimore, Frederick is the perfect place to take a day trip. Here’s how we would spend a perfect day.

Start your day off with one of our Frederick-based birth or parenting classes. Our one-day classes begin at 9AM and are a perfect way to kick off your trip enjoying connection, fun, and education with one of our incredible instructors.

Next stop, take a quick stroll down by Carroll Creek. A beautiful waterway that meanders through downtown, you’ll enjoy the soothing sounds of water and a calm stroll past the park.

After your stroll, wander through one of the many shops downtown! We’ve already written about our top shops in Frederick, but we have a few great suggestions for this day specifically.

Stop in at Dancing Bear and find a toy for your sweet baby or their older sibling! Pop over to Curious Iguana (owned by the same people!) and expand your little one’s library with a new book. Stop into The Urban Cottage for a beautiful piece of jewelry or new candle. End your shopping with Relish Decor for a new centerpiece or some new items to make prepping postpartum food a breeze.

Of course you’ll need dinner after your big day! We have a few spots. Stop into Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar for a slice of Spain. To experience local beef and a restaurant committed to the environment, check out The Wine Kitchen. Swing by South Mountain Creamery for a sweet treat to finish off your meal.

We can’t wait for you to enjoy a day of connecting with your partner in beautiful Frederick, Maryland! Don’t forget to register for one of our upcoming classes.