As a maternity & newborn photographer, I witness first hand that of course the transition to parenthood is a beautiful, emotional, joyful time, and it is also a challenging time. I fully believe that new parents were never supposed to tackle any of this alone! I also became really passionate about doula support when I learned more about the statistical, measurable medical benefits a doula can provide to parents:

“Studies have shown that doulas can help cut back on time spent in labor, reduce a mom’s anxiety, lower the rate lower the rate of medical interventions (including C-sections) and improve mother-baby bonding post-birth. Their assistance has even been shown to improve your odds of breastfeeding success, since many doulas are also lactation consultants.” (whattoexpect.com, 2021).

A doula is one option for additional support for the parents to help smooth the transition and provide extra support and care before, during, and after birth. I wanted to take a moment today to share more about their services, to help spread the word to new and expectant parents that they have resources and options if they ever want extra help.

Interview with Anathea Abele, co-owner of Bay City Doulas 

Q: Let’s say you just met a new person at a party and they don’t know what a doula is! What would you tell them?
A: I love this question, because I absolutely love explaining what a doula does to someone who doesn’t know yet! I would say that a doula ( our doulas) are there to support families throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We offer customizable care, and truly believe that each family can thrive with proper support, resources and encouragement during their journey into parenthood. Our doulas main priority is to instil strength and reduce fear in our clients. We pride ourselves on our intuitive ability to support all types of families and situations.

Q: What led you personally to becoming a doula?
A: I have loved babies and children literally since I was a baby myself. There is a picture of me at two years old bottle feeding my cousin. I started working at a preschool when I was fifteen, and later became an infant nanny. I loved my work as an infant nanny, but always felt there was more I could be doing to support new moms and families, as far as emotional care goes. I was in school to become a psychologist when I first heard about doula work, and it just clicked in my head “That's what I am supposed to do.” I haven’t looked back since!

Q: What’s a common misconception many people have about doulas and the work you do? 
A: There are many, and unfortunately some have been set by doula’s themselves. One common misconception is that doulas are more of a “hippy thing”. Doula care is for everyone who feels they could use extra support and education during their process! Another is that doula work is the same as nanny work. This one is just so far from the truth, while nannies are so important, the additional training that a doula has and the support that they bring with them is incomparable. 

Q: What’s your personal philosophy surrounding birth and supporting women?
A: My philosophy is simple. I support new families and women in making the decisions that work best for them. No two people are the same, and its so important to celebrate each others differences and respect each others decisions, especially in parenthood!

Q: Many women have underlying fears and anxieties about the birthing process. What advice would you give to them?
Hire a doula! Really though, having someone to talk through these feelings with is huge. It makes sense to have fears and anxieties about unknown situations, but having support through these feelings, and getting to the root of these feelings is extremely helpful.

Q: Caring for women during and after birth is a very intimate experience that must be built on a foundation of trust. How do you build relationships with new families leading up to the birth?
Our doulas provide a safe non judgmental space for their clients from the moment they begin contact. We have worked extremely hard and it is our number one priority to have doulas on our team who can build connection and show up for their clients in an unbiased way. Our team is amazing, and each doula brings with them their own special background. We build this relationship through checking in, being reliable, being available, and holding space. 

Q. What advice do you recommend for fathers both as supportive spouses in the birthing process, and also as caregivers in the first weeks and months of their new baby’s life? 
This is such a great question! I like to remind partners that they too have just gone through a transformative process, and it’s a transition! It’s important for them to take some time for themselves each day as well, and have additional resources as well. I like to recommend them to try and do something nice for themselves a day, read for half an hour, call a friend, etc. Also, I invite you to be kind and gentle with yourself too! I really recommend a doula, or support person who can come and care for the family as a whole a couple of times a week minimum.

Q: What other services do you provide?
Our agency provides postpartum support, labor support, Childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, and infant feeding specialist support.


Q: Where can new mamas connect with you?
Please join us on Facebook! Our group is called San Francisco Bay Area Pregnancy and Postpartum Community. Also, please contact us at www.baycitydoulas.com I look forward to talking with more of you soon!

Looking too schedule Maternity or Newborn Photos in the SF Peninsula or Bay Area? Contact me today to learn more!