My Life Journey As A Caregiver
I am Maria Elena Baez, the face and heart behind Maria Elena Doula. I am a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator, and Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga teacher.
I am a happy grandmother of five. When I am not supporting a new mother, you will find me playing and enjoying my grandbabies, cooking up a delicious meal for my family, or teaching a yoga class to the seniors from my town's local library.
During my child-bearing years, I went through three completely different, and uneducated births and postpartum experiences, which resulted in C-sections and postpartum depression. Years later, I became my father's caregiver. After, I became the caregiver of my second child, an active duty Marine who was injured while serving his country in the Iraqi War.
I am sure that these experiences were the stepping stones that prepared me for this journey of supporting and caring for mothers and their families during the most tender time of their lives as they become parents.
"We don't have to do it alone. We were never meant to."
– BRENÉ BROWN
Maria Elena Baez,
CD(DONA), CPD(IDI), CBC, 500HR RYT
My family and friends would say that I am the person to call in case of an emergency. I am following the footsteps of the caretakers of my family. My heart and soul is intuitively connected to my ancestors' land because the ancestors of my family were empirical midwives and doulas, medicinal doctors, farmers, wives, sisters! At a very young age my grandmother would take me on her adventures to heal the sick and care for the new mothers. It was a beautiful gift taught by the best. I learned about being the voice of the voiceless, and I learned how to heal with my bare hands. With a simple touch filled with intentions, I learned to accompany those in need.
Being a Birth and Postpartum Doula is my passion. I want to empower women to understand the physiology and stages of birth and prepare for it physically and emotionally. I hope to offer comfort amid the natural chaos educating, empowering and preparing mothers to meet any challenges they might face and support their decisions. I make sure to keep the needs of each person in the family, and I believe in creating an everlasting bond, even after I've left the family setting.
I love supporting individuals and families of all kinds, including, but not limited to, people of all ethnicities, LGBTQIA+ parents, surrogates, preemie parents, adoptive parents, intended parents, and parents experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. Every person and family deserves to be accompanied through their birth and postpartum journey with kindness, knowledge, and compassion no matter the birth outcome.
When I meet an expecting mother, the first and most important question I ask is: "How can I best support you today?
Please take a moment to check out my services, and if you have questions or are ready to book your Free Consultation, use the button below!