Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Hallak.
Candace, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always wanted to help others in all phases of life. I started my journey toward becoming a registered nurse — bless their souls. I worked in a local emergency department, loving every minute of it. After four years of embracing trauma and fast-paced days, there was an opening in Labor and Delivery. I knew I was meant to take the position, it was one of my dreams to become a mother. What could be more rewarding than watching women and their families embrace labor?
I ventured into Labor and Delivery and was instantly inspired. I felt I could support families and have great connections with them; yet, something vital was lacking… support. These families deserved MORE support and MORE love. I believed that the time to have a baby and the time to nourish your body were two different worlds – my goal was to find a balance between all aspects. I began volunteering my time to support all stages of pregnancy and birth and felt I found my calling. Feeling complete, I ventured into private practice as a birth and postpartum doula, supporting families in our beautiful San Diego area.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I feel fortunate in that the path to becoming a doula “fell into my lap.” I believe that I was meant to welcome life into the world; and, to be in the emergency environment, where I witnessed those experiencing trauma and hardship, helped me to better my own internal self. This helped me empathize and strive to help women and families needing specialized support. In order to fully support families in need, I knew I also needed a healthy support system. Thankfully, my husband and two children have encouraged and motivated me throughout my journey. This daily support, along with watching my clients thrive, has truly been my “why”. I am grateful that I am setting an example for my children in showing them I can take care of all of their needs while having a fulfilling career.
It is so important to build a village, but it is up to you to ask for support yourself. Reaching this understanding will save you years of heartache and frustration. We, as humans, are wired for connection. Don’t be afraid to healthily depend on others. Culturally, in past years, the first forty days of life following labor and delivery were spent resting, being nurtured as a mother, and being fed nourishing postpartum meals. Yes… I’m still learning this as the days go by, but I constantly remind myself it is O.K. to let others help. I am my biggest critic but have also learned to become my biggest fan through self-love and self-nurturing.
The hardest part of birth work is definitely feeling depleted at times. You go through highly intimate moments with wonderful people. As uplifting or as hard as the moments get, it takes a toll on your body and mind. The adrenaline rush to get to birth, watching life enter the world, and helping families process all of the details. In other cases, it is witnessing/honoring a loss, and then internalizing all of it.
I learned the importance of processing these experiences by holding space for not only others but also for myself. I advise women to strive for peace and serenity. One way I nourish my soul is by spending time at the beach. I feel calmness and relaxation when I am surrounded by water. Message of the day: Take care of yourself first so you can take care of others.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
Well! I am a birth and postpartum doula who supports families from pre-conception all the way to the postpartum months, nurturing your sweet newborn in arms. With birth support comes prenatal visits full of information about nutrition and what to expect with a lot of discussion on how our bodies handle birth and how to prepare for it.
I support families during labor and delivery. While this looks different for every family, whether it be home birth, hospital birth or a birthing center, my goal is to help families feel empowered while also creating an intimate space for partners and all who are welcomed to the birth. I enter the birth space to create a calming and supportive vibe while checking in with everyone to see how things are going. I support both medicated and non-medicated births where I am able to use techniques such as Spinning Babies to help facilitate easier birth with fetal positioning. These movements help baby descend and get into an optimal position for labor and delivery. I help track birthing sensations to help clients decide when to call their midwife or head to the hospital. I’ve yet to hear a client tell me they don’t love the hip-squeeze during labor. I teach partners all of these techniques to create an intimate space between a partner and the birthing mother. I always want the birth partner to feel welcomed and cherish a meaningful memory of birth. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide a support system to single mothers whom I can help educate as well as be their rock throughout their journey. At the end of a birth, my goal is to know my client felt educated, emotionally and physically supported, and definitely empowered.
I love supporting all family choices, breastfeeding or formula feeding, and guiding families with information to nourish their babies in either direction. I’m beyond grateful to be a doula in the San Diego community where diversity and education are highly valued. I am a certified lactation counselor, and I lead a breastfeeding support group, vesting women to keep on the journey to health for their baby and themselves.
With extensive experience caring for newborns, I have been able to help families confidently parent and enjoy the postpartum period. I am a member of the Postpartum Health Alliance here in San Diego and embrace all aspects of mental health. While studying psychology at San Diego State University, I realized perinatal mood and anxiety disorders were on the rise and that there needed to be a change. I love working with families postpartum to nurture them and be a part of their village but also to make sure their mental health and well being is addressed.
I am honored to provide exceptional care to families of all backgrounds, inviting partners into this world of postpartum; after all, most outside people are very excited and more focused on how cute the new baby is. While babies are so beautiful in my eyes, it is important to focus on mom being looked after as well as her partner. I strive to help families come together during the postpartum period by providing tips and education to help all involved individuals feel supported and informed. Cheers!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.borntoblossomdoula.com
- Phone: (619) 820-3238
- Email: candacehallak@gmail.com
- Instagram: @borntoblossomdoula
Image Credit:
Robert Norton
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