A Doula’s Heart: How My Own Birth Lit the Path for My Calling

Some call it a job. Others call it a profession.
But for me, being a doula is deeply personal—something sacred that began with my very first breath.

My mother with her doula in 1998, after giving birth to me!

I was born in 1998, the second child of a mother who was determined to have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). At a time when doulas weren’t widely known or commonly used, my mom, guided by faith and determination, found one. That doula walked with her through labor, offering comfort, encouragement, and presence—and my mom had a successful, all-natural VBAC.
That experience stayed in our family’s story.
Years later, as a teenager, my mom gave me a handwritten letter the doula had written for me shortly after I was born. Reading her words brought tears to my eyes. She described how sacred it felt to witness my mom’s strength and how meaningful it was to be part of my birth. I didn’t just hear about my birth—I got to see it through the eyes of someone who was there solely to support and honor that moment.
That letter planted a seed in me. I knew I wanted to one day support women in that same way—with presence, peace, and faith.

Called to Support Women and Families
In my teens, I began volunteering with a local childbirth educator, drawn to the rhythm and beauty of birth. I officially began my doula journey in my 20s, pursuing education and mentorship while deepening my own sense of calling. That journey led to the creation of Lamb & Latch Doula Services—a faith-rooted practice dedicated to walking alongside families with prayerful support, evidence-based care, and deep compassion.
My love for birth work expanded naturally into a passion for breastfeeding support. I believe nursing is one of the most sacred and intimate gifts God has given mothers—a beautiful, sometimes complex relationship that deserves both reverence and support. I’m now working toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) so I can offer clinical lactation care alongside emotional and spiritual encouragement.

A Legacy of Letters
Because of the impact my doula’s letter had on me, I’ve carried a dream in my heart to offer the same to the families I serve.
Among the many ways I support families, one of my favorite things to do is write a handwritten letter for the baby. A note that captures what it was like to witness their entrance into the world. A letter filled with encouragement, prayers, and a glimpse of how strong and loved their mother was in that moment.
Someday, they might read it. And like I did, they’ll know how sacred their beginning was.

Why I Serve
Birth is holy. Breastfeeding is holy.
And every woman deserves to be supported in a way that honors both the science of birth and the sacredness of motherhood.
As your doula, I’m here not to replace your partner, but to hold space for your entire family. To help you feel calm, informed, supported, and never alone. Whether your birth is unmedicated, medicated, cesarean, VBAC, or something in between—I will meet you there. I believe that the fewer interventions, the better—unless they are truly needed. And no matter how your story unfolds, we will move through it together with trust, education, and faith.
Every birth tells a story.
Mine is what brought me to this work.
And maybe yours is the one I’ve been called to help hold, gently and prayerfully—one wave at a time.

With love and faith,
Sydney
Founder of Lamb & Latch Doula Services
DONA International Doula, Aspiring IBCLC, Breastfeeding Advocate 

December 29th, 1998 at Forsyth Hospital. I was born VBAC and completely unmedicated!