Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Thompson.
Hi Ella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always had a burning passion for both women’s reproductive health and mother, infant care. Right after graduating high school I got trained as a birth doula through DONA, Doulas of North America – taking the first steps on my journey as a birth worker. Since then I have developed a passion for full spectrum care from pregnancy to postpartum. Which has led me to recently become trainer further as a postpartum doula. Doula’s specialize in continuous care during labor, emotional, physical, and informational support from prenatally tell the 4th trimester, after baby has arrived. Now I am continuing my education in the realm of lactation, provider care at UCSD. In order to broaden my knowledge and field of care for families in the future. Every client I have gotten the honor to work alongside has been a guiding light to the fulfillment of my work and truly illuminate my path ahead. I take pride in specializing in my specific clients needs, so that I can: empower, nurture, and educate them in a way uniquely tailored to their special family.
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?
Pursing birth and postpartum work can be tricky to find where to start. Once you begin in the field there is mounting programs to learn from, plentiful courses, extensive reading and learning that goes into becoming a doula of any speciality. However, I decided on my path I have often been met with a desire to do more. It has been challenging at times to decide what route to take. Stay a birth doula or become a postpartum doula? Do I continue pursing a deeper level of education in lactation? Both of these are questions that racked my mind. However these contemplations had clear answers, educate myself, expand my horizons and do it all – so that I can better assist and support families. Additionally, it was an adjustment to living life on call during the weeks in which my clients due date approach. But the excitement of the “I think I’m in labor!” text eased the time spent wondering just when a baby would decide it was time for their special birthday! Now the weeks I am on call are filled with anticipation and excitement, wondering when my clients will get to meet their babies! Becoming a doula has not been easy, it has taken significant dedication, time, effort, and a deep emotional investment. In turn continuing to do the work and getting see the families I work with thrive with their bundles of joy is the most rewarding experience,
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in empowering families through comprehensive education, helping them make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. I collaborate with clients to create personalized birth and postpartum plans tailored to their unique needs and preferences. I believe that each clients power lies in their own unique journey, while my role is to support them to feel confident in the love, care, and abilities as parent(s).I guide clients in developing self-advocacy skills to ensure their voices are heard in medical and social settings, in order to hold space for their decisions and set safe boundaries. My work primarily focuses on hospital births, where I collaborate with medical providers and clients to help initiate positive birth experiences in the medical setting. When it comes to my postpartum work I am most passionate about encouraging my clients to develop healthy routines, feed their infants in a way that suite their needs best, and give tools for them to process the ups and downs of life with an infant. It is my goal that my clients postpartum know that they are truly all that baby needs and loves, they are doing it and the world is proud of them! I am very proud of my work as a volunteer with, Operation Doula, here in San Diego. Operation Doula provides volunteer doulas to military families within our community. As a military spouse myself, giving back to a community I am apart of is something I truly value and dedicate my time to. Whether my clients partner is on deployment or with them in the room, I work hard to be a place of comfort and love in their birth and postpartum journey. In the doula world we often say “doula care for anyone who wants it”, I feel that providing military families with compensation free doula support aligns with this value, giving back to those who serve for our freedom. My work and those I have been blessed to work with at Operation Doula will always be something I hold near and dear to my heart.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking can lead to personal growth and transformation, offering opportunities to discover strength and resilience. It encourages informed decision-making, helping individuals take ownership of their choices and outcomes. In the context of birth and postpartum, embracing certain risks, when safe, may lead to deeply fulfilling and empowering experiences. Ultimately, taking risks with a positive mindset can foster confidence, trust in one’s instincts, and a greater sense of achievement. That being said as a doula my mindset surroundings risks lies in an understanding that one should equip themselves with evidence-based knowledge whenever possible before taking a risk. Knowledge is POWER. When we equip ourselves with what we know to be true and safe, we are often able to feel empowered in taking a leap of faith with confidence. There is always a time and place to take a risk. But when the time is right, taking risks opens up opportunities that we would have otherwise simple missed. In my own life risks have taken me out of my comfort zone and into a place of learning. Every risk I have taken has led to me to right where I am today!
Pricing:
- Birth Doula Support Package $1,000
- Postpartum Doula Support $25/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.birthwithblaise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthwithblaise/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D
Image Credits
Farah Turner with Farah Turner Photography Ann Pollack Ella Thompson
