kayla'S STORY

Kayla came into this birth carrying the weight of her past experiences. Her previous deliveries hadn’t gone the way she’d hoped; they left her feeling disappointed, even a little traumatized. So this time, she made a bold and intentional shift: a new midwife, a different hospital, and a fresh start. It changed everything.

Her midwife, who truly saw and respected her, recommended me as her doula, and from that moment, her support team felt complete. Kayla was never alone in this. She was held, heard, and empowered every step of the way.

As a personal trainer and bodybuilder, Kayla had prepared her body with incredible dedication. That strength showed up in every moment of her labor. She moved with purpose, breathed through hours of contractions without pain meds, and embraced every position change and suggestion with trust and determination. We even brought a queen bed into her room to give her space to rest and move freely. It felt more like home, and she settled into it with ease.

When transition hit and nitrous wasn’t available, Kayla made the call to get an epidural, but only the lightest dose. She stayed fully present, able to move and feel her body as it guided her toward birth. When the fetal ejection reflex kicked in, she shifted instinctively, hands and knees, squatting, then on her side. Her husband was incredible throughout, steady and loving. Her sister was right there with her, and her mom, who had been present earlier, stepped out during the birth to honor Kayla’s space.

And then, after all that strength, all that healing, Kayla delivered a beautiful, chunky baby boy. The gender had been a secret between her and her husband, making the moment even more intimate and joyful.

This birth was redemptive. It was healing. It was everything Kayla needed. She was in control the entire time, surrounded by love, and fully in her power.