about me

About me

My Story

My Philosophy

I strongly believe in empowering women and their partner, starting from the moment they reach out to me. The preparation for a satisfying birth experience (as the mother or the couple defines it), begins long before labor. Therefore, equipping expecting couples with information is essential. There are many decisions you will have to make on the day of delivery, and if you've already given those options a lot of thought before that day comes, when it does, the birthing mother and her partner can solely focus on listening to her body and helping her body progress through labor.

I also strongly believe in a doula never taking the partner's place when a partner is present and wants to be involved in the laboring process. When a partner is involved, my job as a doula is to help gently guide the partner in proactive and effective support techniques so that the partner can be the best support that they can possibly be at such an important time as bringing their child into this world.

Where there is no birthing partner involved, I can and will certainly become the primary support that the mother needs.

All of these things help create positive memories for both mother and partner that will be everlasting.

As a pioneer in labor support, named Penny Simkin, so perfectly explained in one of her books, "How a woman gives birth matters - to her baby's long-term health, to her family (including her relationship with her partner), and to her mental and physical health and her self-confidence and self-esteem as a woman and a mother".

Hello and welcome to my page!

My name is Valerie Garcia, and I am a certified birth doula through DONA International. Since my teen years, I've always been completely fascinated with pregnancy and birth. I married young, and soon after, was pregnant with my first of three children. I was very much intrigued and fascinated with all three pregnancies. And although the three birth experiences did not turn out to be what I considered then as being ideal, (as my knowledge on this topic at the time was very limited), I still absolutely LOVED giving birth.

I then became a stay-at-home-mom for about 10 years. Once my children were all off to school full time, it was time for me to figure out who I was outside of my role of being a mother, and to identify and follow my passions while building a career that I could embrace and be excited about. During this time, an acquaintance said to me, "You know, you'd be a great doula!". That was the very first time I had ever heard the term. The rest is history!

I began my training in 2013 and eventually decided that it would be important to me and for my career goals, to work towards certification.

I absolutely love what I do and feel that it is an honor to be allowed into such a sacred experience that is bringing another life into this world. ❤️

~Valerie Garcia (CD)DONA

My Training

Certified Birth Doula

DONA INTERNATIONAL

Basics of Lactation Management

LACTATION EDUCATION RESOURCES

Doula and Childbirth Training (DONA approved)

CARE WITH LOVE by Bruchy Mayor

"Afraid of being judged by the "idea" of what society would label me, I was terrified of the news that my womb had become a home. A home of a precious life that I now call Kaydence McKenzie (pictured above). My doula, Valerie, was and is God sent, as she nurtured me through such an unpredictable journey. Building my knowledge of the actual delivery, being at my beck and call to answer the "not so educated questions". To be blessed with the fruits of her God given calling and talent, humbled my heart. She is truly one of a kind."

-Porsche Hunter