Doula Bilen at Love Child. Photo by Marie Hickey.
I am a DTI-certified Birth/Postpartum Doula, GwG-certified End-of-Life Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator. I am also a Doula Project full-spectrum doula. My practice is centered on reclaiming autonomy and agency during life’s major transitions. My primary role is to offer physical, emotional, and informational support. I offer non-judgmental and culturally appropriate services across the choice spectrum. I aim to be a resource by providing evidence-based information so that clients can make well-informed decisions while leveraging my extensive referral network of care providers. I am deeply committed to offering accessible, culturally competent, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care. I am truly honored to continue developing offerings in various areas of care work. I hold a BA in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in Social Science from Humboldt State University.
“We absolutely loved how thorough you were throughout the process leading up to and during delivery. You never took a break! You were highly focused and committed to helping out however was needed without hesitation. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!”
“I really appreciated your deep understanding of the birthing process, pregnancy, and postpartum. It was invaluable being validated every step of the way. I felt understood emotionally which meant so much because the entire process is pretty scary. Your words of encouragement and constant reassurance during labor helped get me through my contractions. I would absolutely work with you again. Your presence was extremely helpful.”
“From the moment Bilen arrived, through the next 36 hours of labor, she was absolutely indispensable. My labor was very long and I battled exhaustion, discouragement, uncertainty, and pain. Throughout, Bilen was not only a calm, encouraging, soothing presence but also an active participant. She also ensured I was fed and hydrated, despite my protests. I was determined to have a natural birth at home and without Bilen I would not have felt as safe or supported to do so. My birth experience was incredibly gratifying and beautiful and Bilen had a major role in that. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to other families. She was made to do this work; she’s the perfect combination of warm, nurturing support, and expertise. She supported both my husband and me, was never overbearing, always reassuring, adapting and reading the ever-changing situation that was my birth experience.”
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