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Are you curious about the ins and outs of birth? Want to know what it’s really like to have a baby with the guidance of one of the many skilled and experienced doulas in Georgia?

As a hospital birth mom who had her first baby in the height of Covid-19, I did not have the option for there to be a support person other than my husband at my delivery. Getting to know more about what doulas are, and how they can support moms has been a treat for me too!

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Cumming, GA area doula Alexis Chambers to learn everything from creating a birth plan to handling emergencies and preserving precious memories through photography. 

So grab a cup of tea and get ready to be wowed by the empowering and transformative world of pregnancy, birth and postpartum with the help of a doula!

How long have you been a doula and what got you into this profession?

I completed labor doula training with ProDoula in January 2024. However, I have been emotionally supporting moms for 4 years. I graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Master’s of Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020. A month later I delivered my first child, during the height of covid. My birth experience left a lot to be desired. My epidural failed and I felt unsupported by the hospital staff. I began learning about natural birth and learned about the benefits of having a doula. I hired a doula for my second birth, switched providers and hospitals, and my experience was 100x better. This really opened my eyes to see how important having the right support can totally change a birth experience. Birth fascinates me and I love supporting women, so it seemed like  a natural fit. 

Can you walk me through your typical process, from the initial consultation to postpartum follow-up?

Once a mom reaches out I schedule a free consultation. This can be done on zoom or in person. I’m an in person girl. If they’re local to me I love to meet at Myth & Legend Coffee at the Cumming City Center. During this initial meeting I love to get to know the mama, what her desires for birth are, and what she is looking for in a doula. If I feel like we align I explain why I think I’d be a great support.

 When hired I offer two prenatal visits where I visit mom and partner in her home, or wherever she feels comfortable. During these visits I am really trying to get to know her, figuring out her communication style, and exploring how she likes to be comforted. We discuss interventions, induction, c-section, and create a detailed birth plan. I also provide education on comfort measures and encourage mama and her partner to practice the skills. I also like to spend time helping create a postpartum plan to ensure a smooth transition. I’m thinking about housekeeping, overnight help, meal trains, etc.

On the big day I ask mom to contact me by phone when she believes labor has started. Once in active labor and mom heads to the hospital, so do I. I stay with mom throughout her entire labor providing emotional and physical support. We will utilize countless comfort measures, from massage to hip squeeze to breathing techniques. Continuous support not only benefits mom, but her other support people as well. Let’s be honest, dad/other support is going to have to use the restroom,  they get hungry, or they may even have to let the dogs out. Having a doula present ensures mom never gets left alone. If mom requires an emergency c-section I stick around to provide support after surgery. 

Within 10 days of birth I visit for the postpartum visit. During this time I process mom’s birth with her, validate emotions, and make referrals to any services she may be needing (lactation, mental health, chiropractic, etc). I typically bring a nutritious meal or snacks, and help with any household tasks mom may need. 

How do you work with families to create a birth plan that is specific to their needs and preferences?

Education is key. I recommend that all first time parents attend a childbirth education class either with me or elsewhere. During the prenatal visit we will discuss birth options in detail including induction, interventions, fetal monitoring, cervical checks, birth environment, relaxation techniques, pain management, positioning and more. I tend to over plan. Having a good idea of mom’s preferences allows me to guide her into asking her provider the right questions the day of. I never want a mother to feel like birth happened TO HER, I want her to play an active role in all decision making. 

Can you talk about the role of the father or partner during a birth and how you support them in their role?

Every partner is different and the role they play will look different. However, I will say that most partners end up more involved than they had originally planned, and they don’t regret it. I love to encourage the partner to get involved and we discuss what that might look like in the prenatal visit. By getting to know the couple I am able to guide the partner into support roles that feel natural. For some that may be physical touch, others it may be words of affirmation and encouragement. Partners appreciate having guidance because they often feel helpless and unsure of what might be helpful. If it’s an unmedicated birth you can bet that the partner and I will be taking turns doing hips squeezes, because that’s no job for just one person!

How do you work with families to ensure they have a positive birth experience, regardless of the outcome? 

I like to talk a lot about expectations during prenatal meetings. It’s great to have a plan and goals but we have to also accept that birth is unpredictable. I think communication is key. Mom’s want to have a good understanding of what is happening and the pro’s and con’s of any interventions that are presented. My job is to prompt the mom and partner to ask the right questions, to take a few minutes to discuss options, and to make sure that they are fully informed. I like to say that it’s my job to slow the room down. The majority of the time nothing happening is an emergency situation and it’s appropriate for parents to ask the provider about any concerns and ask for a few minutes to discuss what is best for them. I also like to ask about their experience with their provider. Your provider plays a huge role in your birth. Are they supportive of a natural birth if that’s your preference? What is their c-section rate? Do they practice delayed cord clamping? The list goes on, I can help you explore what is important to you and help you determine if your provider is a good fit, or maybe someone else would align better with your desired birth plan.

How do you ensure continuity of care for families during the postpartum period?

I provide short-term postpartum support for families that I have served during birth. If the family is in need of long term support or extensive overnight support I refer them to other great local postpartum doulas. I also have a great list of providers I have relationships with for additional support such as lactation specialists, chiropractors, and even pediatric physical therapists that specialize in tongue ties. 

Can you share any examples of how you have supported families who have had a previous traumatic birth experience and how they were able to have a positive birth experience?

I am currently working with a mama who had a traumatic birth with her first child. I feel like this is where my counseling background really comes in handy. I like to meet the mom where she is, truly hear her story, validate emotions, then plan for how I can best support her moving forward. In this case I will be having explicit conversations with her nurses and midwife and ensuring that they know how important consent is to my client and reminding them to ask consent before each cervical exam.  

Where can people connect with you to learn more about what you offer?

People can find me on instagram @alexischambersdoula or on facebook at Alexis Chambers Doula Services

I hope you enjoyed learning about the world of home birth and the possibilities it holds. It’s a unique and empowering experience that can be a reality with the right support. Don’t be afraid to dream big, and trust your gut when making decisions about your birth. And remember, with a hospital or home birth, you’ll have a doula who’s not only knowledgeable but also fun, making your birth experience safe and memorable. 

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