The Gospel of Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, one of the most notable figures of the New Testament. An angel comes to Mary to inform her that her cousin, Elizabeth, is pregnant. Mary, seeing the miracle God had provided, declares herself a “doula.” This term is the Greek translation of an Aramaic word meaning “servant of the Lord.” Throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Mary took care of her, despite being pregnant herself- demonstrating great humility. She attended the birth as well, providing physical and spiritual support to Elizabeth. Hosanna is a testament to this, as our doulas strive to be servants of God and our clients. We guide and serve families as they navigate their fertility, become pregnant, give birth, and raise their wonderful babies.

Doulas have proven to be vital assets to birthing women, especially those striving for natural, unmedicated births. Birth doulas offer women a wide array of alternative pain management techniques to cope with labor pains, such as aromatherapy, body working, rebozo positions, and breathing techniques. Hiring a doula reduces the chance of a woman seeking out medical interventions, including epidurals and c-sections. The majority of women who have hired a birth doula have said that their overall birthing experience was improved by having an extra set of caring hands.

Postpartum doulas consider the individual needs of mothers and babies as they recover from labor and delivery. Doulas may provide hands-on support to mothers, including massages and body working to improve muscle soreness, pain, and inflammation. Postpartum doulas can also help with a baby’s sleep wake cycle and sleep training, bottle/breastfeeding, and infant development. Postpartum doulas also help with light housework, which may include laundry, cooking, and household maintenance.

Hosanna’s doulas are trained through multiple organizations including Doulas of North America (DONA), St. Zelie Catholic Doula, Milk Queens Birth Queens, Black Doulas International, Lighthouse, Pettyway Pursuits, and various universities and institutions in the state of Texas. Our model of care centers around years of experience gained in both hospital and home settings, providing care to a wide array of families. We strive to combine naturopathic remedies and medical literature to bring our clients the best information and practices for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Doulas ARE NOT medical professionals. We will never tell you what you should or should not do in terms of medical interventions and procedures. It is up to you and your care team to make medical decisions for you and your baby. We WILL advocate for you in these settings and make sure your voice is heard.