When I think about the qualities I would want in a postpartum doula, I think caring, attentive, motherly. Tammy Smith is one of Nashville Birth & Babies postpartum doulas and she fits this ideal.  

"Learning the Arts of Motherhood"


Why is Tammy a postpartum doula?
"Because of my love of children, I started my family thirty-three years ago, having given birth to seven sons and two daughters during that time.  All of them were born prematurely, ranging in gestation from 32 to 35 weeks.  I have experienced natural births, two C-sections and a VBAC.  The loss of my seventh child, at birth, taught me firsthand about grieving.  I am very comfortable with babies in general but have a soft spot for preemies and the unique and special care they require.

I have dedicated my entire life to "learning the arts of Motherhood" as both a Mother and now a Grandmother.  I am proud to be called "Grandma" by eleven darling grandchildren, ranging in age from ten years old to newborn. All of my children have been educated at home and I find myself down to my last two, a seventeen year old daughter and fifteen  year old son.  

I am currently certifying with Dona International as a Postpartum Doula.  I have served families of multiplies in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area for the past year.  I am very motivated to share what I have learned both from a lifetime of experience and from continuing education and service.  I am motivated to serve, help and educate families, new mamas and their precious babies.

I look forward to helping and caring for you during this new and wonderful time in your life."

What should one expect when hiring a postpartum doula?
Postpartum doulas come to your home and do light house work, laundry, infant and sibling care, and caring for you, the parents, if hired for the daytime shift. If you decide that you need more night time care, your overnight doula will provide you with ten hours of continuous care and support.  She will provide breastfeeding support, and most of all allow you to get the rest you need so you are rested and rejuvenated for the following day. Contact our postpartum doulas to find out more about what services would fit your needs best.  

Update: We no longer offer these services.

Were you aware that one of our doulas, Alex hosts blessingway ceremonies and rents birth pools?  Alex is partnered with Nashville Birth & Babies providing her doula, birth pool rental and blessingways services. Alex's doula passion was inspired with her son's birth in 2012.  

From her Facebook page, "When I decided to conceive I realized that there was a troubling amount of information about birth, and that I had to wade through it in order to know what was best for me and my baby. It took me and my husband a year and a half to conceive, and during that long 18 months, I researched and learned incredible amounts of information. When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed to put that knowledge to the test, to find out what kind of "birther" I wanted to be.
I labored and gave birth completely naturally to my son in July of 2012. After it was all said and done I realized my journey with birth was not over. I have a passion for all things birth. Helping women through pregnancy and birth is like a dream job for me. As a doula I have the chance to help women have the birth experience THEY want. And I love every minute.
I believe birth is a natural function of the female body, not a medical emergency. Women know instinctively how to birth. And if surrounded by people who believe in them they are able to have a fantastic experience. Women have the right to ALL the information; not just home birth info, not just info from the American Medical Association. I am currently in the process of certifying with DONA International. 

If you are looking for an advocate, friend, guide, and passionate professional, I'm the doula for you. Let me help you on your journey into motherhood, whether it's your first baby or your eleventh."

Not only is Alex a doula, but she hosts a ceremony called a blessingway. 

What is a blessing way?

On her Facebook page this week she stated, "I did a beautiful Mother's Blessingway last night for a mother that will be meeting her son any day. Tears were shed, hearts were opened, a beautiful circle was created. Hoorah for supportive women!" I have had friends gather around me to celebrate my pregnancy and birth, instead of the normal baby showers that occur most of the time.  I loved that time with my friends, it is so valuable to have women supporting your desires, supporting you through a time that is wrought with emotions, fears and hope for something great. 

Alex also rents out birth pools to mothers planning births at home (or in the hospital if a couple can get them to allow a birth pool to be brought into the facility.) She rents out Birth Pool in a Box professional birth pools.  These pools are deep enough to fully submerge yourself, have handles to hold to accomplish various birthing positions and they have a comfortable bottom to them when you need to rest.