back

Personal

It takes a village.

Danielle and I met where many moms meet these days: in a mom group on Facebook. When you become a mom, these groups become your tribe. A place to vent, to commiserate, to seek advice and ask questions you’re too embarrassed to ask the ped (no, you don’t need to feed water to your newborn – I’ll save you a Google search). So when Danielle mentioned that she was a doula, I had to learn more.

 Meet Danielle! She's a rockstar.

Meet Danielle! She’s a rockstar.

Danielle and her business partner, Megan, operate Chesapeake Birth and Baby, a doula team offering a range of services to new and expecting mothers in Maryland. The two invited me to tag along one Saturday as they provided postpartum support to a mom who’d just given birth the week before.

Y’ALL. Stop for a sec.

Do you realize what “postpartum support” is? I watched in awe as these rockstars did the dishes, folded laundry, tidied up common areas, and even walked the dog, Marley, all while validating their client, listening to what she needed, providing guidance, and just checking in on that mom at the moment she needs it most.

And that’s not all: these ladies provide childbirth classes, labor & support services, and they run a Facebook support group just for Maryland moms.

 This is Marley. She's pretty psyched to be a big sister.

This is Marley. She’s pretty psyched to be a big sister.

I cannot tell you how much I wish I’d known these two when I was having my babies. You simply cannot know how giving birth is going to affect you until you’ve done it, but these women have seen it all and are such an invaluable resource to their clients.

 This is Megan. Her third labor took 10 minutes. You NEED her in the delivery room with you.

This is Megan. Her third labor took 10 minutes. You NEED her in the delivery room with you.

In a time where we moms can feel so isolated from each other and the outside world, the love and service doulas give is truly a breath of fresh air. While Danielle helps mom with the baby, Megan tells me all about their placenta encapsulation process and quickly whips out a few of these little brown capsules.

Perhaps sensing my pause, she laughs and tells me they’re just for show! Fun fact: hot cocoa power apparently looks EXACTLY like an encapsulated placenta. The more you know, right?!

 Danielle checking in with mom after fetching some water for her.

Danielle checking in with mom after fetching some water for her.

 Megan giving mama a break and getting some snuggles with Elliott.

Megan giving mama a break and getting some snuggles with Elliott.

I had such a great time getting to know these ladies and all that they do for Maryland moms. Serious question – I have a 10 month old. Is it too late to receive postpartum doula support?! I might have to have a third baby after all.

+ view the comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A

W

BEHIND THE LENS

Hi, I'm  Amanda.

As an internationally-lauded wedding photographer with a decade of experience, Amanda brings her signature timeless, editorial style and classic, romantic aesthetic to modern love stories. 

Learn More

man and woman kneel with dogs along waterfront in Baltimore

 01

Is there anything more exciting than capturing a proposal for two wonderful people?! Dave and Katie are simply the sweetest and I had the honor of photographing their romantic waterfront proposal in Baltimore MD!  Dave was referred to me by current wedding clients of mine, which is always my favorite way to find my people! […]

parents stand holding newborn baby girl during photos in Washington DC

02

Welcome to the world, Bonnie! I’m so excited to share this sweet girl’s newborn session at home in Washington DC today! I photographed Lindsey and Andrew’s maternity session earlier this spring at Washington National Cathedral. Luckily we fit in their maternity session when we did, because Bonnie was born just 48 hours afterwards. Now I’ve […]

bride and groom smile standing together outside Terrain Gardens

03

Congratulations, Caitlyn and Austin! I first met Caitlyn and Austin almost two years ago, when the two vacationed in southern Maryland and hired me to take their engagement photos in Solomons. Needless to say, I was thrilled when they asked me to travel to Pennsylvania to photograph their wedding as well! They planned a beautiful […]

Your inbox just got much, much prettier

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.