Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Carrasco.
Alexandria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became a mom in my early 20s and went from being a works-all-the-time person to a stay-at-home mom of nearly five years. It was an interesting transition. At home, I was able to love on my babies and focus on “mom life” but I missed the satisfaction that came with working outside of the home— adult interaction being my #1 woe. We’d considered me going back to work many times but, the truth of the matter is, our family only functions properly by having one parent always available for appointments, sick kids, play dates, meetings, etc.
As my kids continued to grow, I still felt that I was made to do something purposeful outside of our home and, by then, I knew it would draw on my experiences through pregnancy and motherhood, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I had counseled many friends through pregnancy and now motherhood, and realized it was truly what I loved doing.
Flash forward to early 2018, I was sitting in a doctors office and reading a magazine which discussed the benefits of a birth doula. A doula? I had only one experience with a birth doula and it left a bad taste in my mouth from an ethical standpoint. But this article, this description didn’t line up to anything from that first experience. No, in fact, this was a description of what I was already doing for the women I love! I text my husband from that waiting room that I had found it, I KNEW what I was supposed to be doing.
In late 2018, I enrolled in a training program, and I was certified within seven months. I expected a slow beginning, I expected to be watering this seed for several years before it bloomed. My hope was to serve three maybe four families this first year. God had a different plan for me though, a bigger plan. I attended my first birth in March 2019 and by March 2020, I will have provided support for roughly 20 families. These families are completely organic clients, people who found me and put their trust in me. I am forever grateful to them, and for the hands that I have been given to serve them during one of life’s biggest transitions.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the hardest part was deciding what program I wanted to pursue for my certification. I didn’t know any doulas, so being mentored was out of the question. I spent several months narrowing down the programs and finally selecting one. Luckily, I hit the jackpot with my training program and have many mentors I can turn to now. The job itself, and the work that comes with it, has been smooth and fulfilling for me, and I think a large part of that is owed to the fact that every fiber of my being knows that I am doing what I am meant to do.
Motherlover Doula Services – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Motherlover Doula Services means exactly what it says. I am a doula who specializes in loving mothers during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences. My goal is to educate, guide, and assist in creating a birth experience that a mother is proud of, and one that leaves her feeling fulfilled and capable of tackling motherhood.
Don’t let the name fool you though, I love the mother but I also love the partners! I never want a birth partner to feel left out of the experience, so I use my role to coach and lead, but use their hands to provide support for their laboring partner.
We are a birth TEAM!
Overall, I am proud of what Motherlover brings to a birthing space. I feel an indescribable amount of gratitude for this calling when I get to sit down with my families postpartum and listen to them recount the value of my presence in their story. It is always an honor!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as leaving a birth knowing that I did everything in my power to advocate for my client’s wants and needs. No one births alone, and a mother’s preferences do not get undermined.
A successful business is only successful if each step along the way is done thoughtfully and with dignity.
Contact Info:
- Website: themotherloverdoula.com
- Phone: 682-333-7405
- Email: alex@themotherloverdoula.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherlover.doula/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherloverdoula/
Image Credit:
Alexandria Carrasco of Motherlover Doula Services
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