Welcome to LilyGrace Doula Care: My Journey and Birth Story

Hi there! I’m so excited to welcome you to the LilyGrace Doula Care community. My name is Taylor, and I’m a doula, childbirth educator, Spinning Babies Parent Educator, maternal health advocate, and the founder of LilyGrace Doula Care. I’m thrilled to be able to share a little about myself and how my journey into doula work began. It all started with a passion for pregnancy, birth, and supporting mothers—a passion that’s been with me since I was just six years old!

Why I Became a Doula

Growing up, I had dreams of being the female version of "Dr. Huxtable" from The Cosby Show (lol!). I’ve always loved everything about pregnancy and babies. It felt natural to eventually turn my passion into a career focused on maternal wellness. But it wasn’t just my love for this field that led me here; it was my own birth story—my initiation into the world of motherhood—that really shaped my path as a doula.

My Labor and Delivery Story

I was 23 when I found out I was pregnant with my son. I’ll be honest—I was young, clueless, and full of excitement (and a little fear!). I just knew I’d figure it all out somehow. My OB-GYN told me all the standard advice: eat a balanced diet, hydrate daily, get enough rest, and keep my feet elevated. She also suggested taking a childbirth education class held monthly at the hospital. I felt prepared—or so I thought!

As my third trimester neared its end, I started feeling really anxious. I couldn’t shake the thought, “There’s no way I’m pushing a baby out of my body, pain meds or not!” LOL. Fear had started to take over, and despite my love for all things pregnancy, I doubted my ability to deliver my son vaginally.

Early labor started one Friday morning while I was actually taking my final exam for my medical assistant certification. Yes, you read that right—I was breathing through contractions while finishing my test because if I missed it, I’d have to repeat a whole month of coursework! Determined, I used every breathing technique I could and finished the exam (with an A, might I add dusts off shoulder lol).

Labor went on throughout the day, and by that night, the pain was too much. I headed to the hospital, but I was only 1 cm dilated. They gave me Stadol (a narcotic similar to morphine), but my labor pattern wasn’t progressing, so I was sent home. I tried to get comfy, but by Saturday night, I was back at the hospital—same routine: Stadol and sent home again. I felt defeated and scared.

By Sunday night around 11 PM, I was finally admitted. They hooked me up to the monitors and IV fluids, and I was able to rest after getting an epidural. However, at 5 AM, I woke up to the news that my son was experiencing decelerations, and I needed an oxygen mask. After repositioning me multiple times, they made the call—I needed a C-section.

The Unexpected Birth

Surprisingly, I wasn’t scared of the surgery. All I wanted was to meet my son safely and hold him close. My OB was fantastic and had my son out in under three minutes! When he was born, we discovered he had tied two knots in his umbilical cord and wrapped it around his neck—a little one playing jump rope in there! I also had polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid), which could have led to complications. I thank God every day that he was born healthy and not "sleeping."

Recovery and Reflection

Recovery was smooth, but let’s just say the pain meds left me with a little memory loss—one friend swears they visited me at the hospital, but I don’t remember it at all! Tylenol with Codeine worked wonders! Once home, I found myself feeling restless and anxious. Instead of taking it easy, I decided to bake strawberry cupcakes because, well, cravings! (I know, I know—do as I say, not as I do, ladies!).

Looking back, there are definitely things I would’ve done differently during pregnancy and recovery, but I’m so grateful for the outcome I had. It was this experience that solidified my passion for becoming a doula. I knew that if I could help even one woman feel more prepared, supported, and empowered through her pregnancy and birth journey, it would be worth it.

Empowering Your Birth Journey

My goal as a doula is to help moms feel informed, supported, and confident. I always tell expecting moms: Get you a doula! Take every accessible class you can, talk to your providers as if you’re coaching a team, and build a labor plan that empowers you and prepares you for anything. While no one can predict exactly how things will go, we can be proactive rather than reactive.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my birth story and get to know me a bit. I look forward to walking with you on your own journey, and remember—keep blooming!

Yours in wellness!