Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Pitts
Hi Caroline, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I first heard the word “doula,” I had no idea what it meant. But once I learned, I immediately thought, “That’s me!” I’ve always been a caretaker, and I’ve been fascinated by birth, especially through my best friend who is a midwife and owns a birth center in Florida. My own birth experiences also inspired me to want to help other women achieve the outcomes they desire during childbirth.
At first, I put off pursuing this path, thinking such an amazing profession wasn’t feasible while working a full-time job and raising a family. I thought I’d wait until my youngest child was older, or maybe even until retirement. But the idea kept resurfacing, and I finally decided to go for it.
In September 2020, I became a DONA-certified birth doula. I was hired by Mount Carmel as part of their on-call doula program before I started my own private practice, Peaceful Doula Care. To further my career in birth work became a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator, and I recently left my 9-to-5 job to pursue my passion full-time.
To date, I have supported 75 births and look forward to many more!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Balancing a full-time job with being on-call for clients who could go into labor at any moment was extremely stressful. Frequent work-related travel within Ohio made it challenging to be present for both my clients and my employer. As a result, I utilized all of my paid time off for births, leaving little opportunity for family vacations. However, I was able to pursue my dream thanks to the support of my husband.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Peaceful Doula Care ?
As a birth doula and childbirth educator, I help women plan and prepare for positive birth experiences. I educate them on the local hospital systems and how to advocate for their desired birth plans, ensuring their partners are also involved and informed throughout the process.
In the birth space, I provide unbiased physical, emotional, and mental support – like having a best friend or big sister, but without the personal opinions or drama. I encourage clients to make informed choices, reminding them of their right to bodily autonomy, and I help them navigate any suggestions that may arise during a hospital birth.
In addition to my doula services, I offer online Lamaze classes and free quarterly workshops at the local library called “Donuts With the Doula” where I cover important topics such as postpartum planning and birth plan development.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Providing virtual support to a laboring woman is harder than I thought it would be. Text and FaceTime support doesn’t match the in person support of a doula.
Pricing:
- $100 online childbirth education class
- $1200 labor only support fee (great for repeat clients or women who have given birth before)
- $1800 full birth doula fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peacefuldoulacare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefuldoulacare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacefuldoulacare/
