It's been my joy to feature Thrive Doula Services this month and give Erin a boost as she sets out on the doula journey. She's just like you and me, folks. She's worth a follow for sure!

Short-term/long-term business goals:

In the short term, Erin’s looking forward to supporting 1-2 birthing families per month and getting to know other birth workers in the Columbus area. Her long-term goal is to open a physical one-stop shop for all things new parenthood--a community space where people could show up in their sweatpants to meet with their doula or pelvic floor physical therapist, attend a lactation support group or baby and me yoga class, or even just have someone hold their baby while they take a hot shower with very fancy bath products in a peaceful, spa-like bathroom! Erin jokes that if she can't keep having more babies of her own, she at least wants to be the cool neighborhood aunt who knows what you're going through and always says the right thing.

Support for those who can't afford it:

Erin firmly believes that all people benefit from doula support during labor and birth and she’s dedicated to doing her part to increase doula access. She welcomes clients from all backgrounds and is particularly honored to support people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or who have complicated relationships with the healthcare system. As part of her commitment to birth justice, she offers several scholarships each year to cover birth doula services for families who could not otherwise afford doula care. If you are unsure if your family might qualify, please don't hesitate to contact her to see what can be worked out.

Why support any and all birthing folks?

Erin realizes that she’s lived a life of enormous privilege not because she was lucky enough to be born into her family, in this country, at this time. She believes the most important thing she can do with her time here is to pay this forward and serve other people who have not been given the head start that I have. Too many people in our country are ill-served by the medical system, and it breaks her heart that many people approach labor and birth without knowing that they will be treated with respect, or even if they can trust their care providers to keep them safe. Seeing these inequities firsthand, supporting folks through this journey, and helping to make the process less scary and more joyful is something she knows she’s supposed to do.

She sounds pretty stellar, huh? You’re darn right! Erin, you will go so far in this birth space and I wish you all the best! Here’s to a fantastic first year of business for you, future collaborations, and all of the families who will be blessed by your support!