The day my husband checked into his hotel in South Korea to begin a yearlong deployment with the United States Air Force, I discovered I was pregnant. The excitement of new life was instantly met with the sobering reality of distance, isolation, and uncertainty. I began searching for ways to take control of my birth experience, envisioning a homebirth with a midwife. However, living an hour from the nearest large city and hospital, and facing travel fees, made professional midwifery care financially impossible. My option was a military hospital birth—covered by insurance and staffed by dedicated providers but with limited access to continuous nonmedical labor support. Attempts to hire a doula were unsuccessful; none had guaranteed base access or could commit to being present at my labor. These circumstances planted a seed in me: if I could not have the continuous, compassionate birth support I needed, maybe I could become that support for others. Today, as a certified birth and postpartum doula, I am committed to serving families who face challenges around childbirth, especially those separated by deployment or distance. 

With my husband being on the other side of the world, I prepared emotionally for a birth without his presence. During my second trimester, I enrolled in doula training to empower myself with knowledge and shared everything I learned with my mother, who was able to attend my birth. Thanks to that preparation and support, my birth experience was more positive than it might have been otherwise. Navigating logistical barriers and planning for a meaningful birth without knowing exactly when my husband would be home highlighted a gap in support for people in similar situations. I was blessed and my husband arrived home days before I had our son. This experience inspired me to complete doula certification and dedicate my work to being a dependable, calming, and empathetic presence for birthing people—especially those whose loved ones may be far away. 

The value of doula support is not only emotional but measurable. Research shows that continuous labor support increases the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal births, reduces the need for pain medication and Cesarean sections, and improves overall satisfaction with the birth experience. According to a 2017 Cochrane Review of over 15,000 participants, women with continuous support were more likely to have positive outcomes (Bohren et al. 2). Similarly, studies show doulas can reduce Cesarean birth risk by up to 39% and epidural use by 10%–31% (Gruber et al. 53). Birthing people supported by doulas also tend to initiate breastfeeding more successfully and report higher satisfaction. These benefits are vital for anyone giving birth, especially when usual supports—partners, family, or familiar caregivers—may be unavailable. 

My mission is to offer more than physical comfort or informed guidance; I provide understanding grounded in personal experience. I know the emotional weight of planning a meaningful birth while juggling distance, restrictions, and financial constraints. I want to be the person I needed—a steady presence who shows up, holds space, and says, “You don’t have to do this alone.” 

While I focus on supporting military families who often face separation and unique stresses, I welcome civilian clients as well. Everyone deserves respectful, compassionate, and informed care during birth. Many people encounter circumstances where their support systems are limited, whether by deployment, geography, or other challenges. In these moments, a doula becomes not just a birth coach, but a lifeline. 

As I step into this work, I carry the lessons of my own journey: the longing for support, the power of preparation, and the profound impact of having someone by your side who believes in your strength. Birth is not merely a physical process; it is an emotional and spiritual rite of passage. Doulas help guard that sacred space. While we cannot control every outcome, we can shape the experience. My commitment is to ensure that every birthing person I support feels seen, heard, and held. 

In a world filled with uncertainty, especially for families separated by distance or circumstance, doulas offer something rare and precious: presence. That presence changes lives, and I am honored to be part of that change. 

References 

Bohren, Meghan A., et al. "Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 7, 2017, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6. 

Gruber, Kenneth J., et al. "Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes." The Journal of Perinatal Education, vol. 22, no. 1, 2013, pp. 49–58. doi:10.1891/1058-1243.22.1.49.