Teresa Howard, CD (DONA), CLD, CLE, CCCE(CAPPA) , CHBE

Labor Doula, Lactation & Childbirth Educator, Happiest Baby on the Block Certified Educator

I am a birth guide- someone to help you along your mysterious journey- guiding you when you need it, helping you back on the path if you step off, watching in wonder when you don't, and always supporting you.

I began assisting in births in 1992. I've worked with both high-risk births & VBACs. I have doula'd for both home and hospital births. I've enjoyed working with both single moms & couples ranging in age from 17 to 46. I have been a doula for over 450 births as of July 2010. I take three labor doula clients per month and serve women in the metro area of Atlanta and Athens. This is not only my profession, but my calling!

I'm actively involved with pregnant moms and new parents as both a labor doula and a childbirth/parenting educator. I'm certified with Doulas of North America (DONA) and the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) as a labor and postpartum doula, childbirth educator and a certified lactation educator. I am also a retired La Leche League leader. I have trained with Pam England in my childbirth preparation based on her book "Birthing from Within" and am also a certified Happiest Baby on the Block instructor.

Married to Dallas since 1977, I'm a mother to three grown children, Julie, John and Jami, born without medication using both the Lamaze & the Bradley methods. Jami had my first grandson, Harrison, in February 2003 (a home birth). And Julie followed three months later with my first granddaughter, Savannah, born in May 2003 with a quick, unmedicated hospital birth. Julie gave birth again in April 2005, unmedicated to her son, Jackson. And I got to catch her last child, a daughter in February 2009! I love being a nana!

As a childbirth educator, I offer parents a new approach in childbirth education that helps to prepare them for parenthood. It begins in pregnancy by learning to bond with their babies, to make decisions based on informed awareness & to give birth in that same awareness, choosing a path that is right for them. I teach Birthing in Awareness childbirth classes, lactation-breastfeeding couple classes, parenting classes including Happiest Baby, C.A.L.M.S and H.U.G.S. combo classes, infant massage and a childbirth refresher class. I love teaching and helping others explore their options as a new family.

As a doula, I meet with the mother or couple to offer assistance with learning their best birth options that fits their needs & desires. I'm available to give reassurance & support as needed during the pregnancy. I offer to come to her home in early labor if she desires or I meet her at the hospital. I'm there throughout labor, offering comfort measures--encouragement, massage, relaxation techniques, and suggestions along the way to aid in helping her to stay comfortable. I offer a follow-up visit with the mom & new baby where I provide mom with photos and a written birth narrative of her special day, and offer breastfeeding help if needed.

I am also a belly caster, providing a lasting memory of the pregnant belly in full bloom!

Contact Teresa for more details at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Guina Bixler CLD, (CAPPA), Birthing from Within Mentor

Labor Doula, Childbirth and Lactation Educator

It is with joy that I offer my services to families, giving them something I wish I had been given. I offer the wisdom, love and experience of a woman who has traveled the journey before them.

I have always known that caring for others was my calling. I became certified as a cardiac/pulmonary technologist and for ten years I worked with patients in cardiac cath and pulmonary labs.

After viewing a film titled The Story of Erick I decided two things. One, if I ever had a son I would name him Erick and that my births would be, as the film portrayed, unmedicated. Two years later I gave birth to Erick. Although unmedicated, I was unsupported and frightened. The hospital childbirth class had not prepared me for the intensity of that journey. I also struggled through 3 months of breastfeeding before giving up in frustration. I learned then how lonely motherhood can be for women who are unsupported.

Seven years later I had a cesarean birth due to a breech presentation. I felt hugely disappointed at the loss of my 'dream birth' with my husband by my side but, we had a beautiful nursing relationship thanks to the support I received from La Leche League and the books I read before her birth.

Our third child was born via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and it was a wonderfully empowering experience. It was through her birth that I learned what a doula is and how she brings her heart and hands to birth. My Children are now 32, 24 and 17 and we have 2 granddaughters. I am excited to now be a woman who is there for others. I am also grateful now, for my cesarean birth. Without it I would not be on this path as a doula.

I am certified with CAPPA as a labor doula and am trained as a childbirth educator, a post partum doula and a lactation educator. I have infant CPR training.

I have been trained by Gail Tully in learning about optimal fetal positioning techniques (www.spinningbabies.com). I lead Line Up Your Baby for Birth workshops and I am currently a Birthing From Within mentor Level I. I will be completing Level II in November 08. I teach private and group Birthing From Within classes.

I look forward to 'mothering the mothers' and supporting the partners of new and expectant families.

Contact Teresa for more details at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Persis Bristol, CLD (CAPPA), CD (DONA)

Labor Doula

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” ~Barbara Katz Rothman

Persis delights in the opportunity to be a part of the discovery of life. Shebelieves the body and spirit is fully equipped to meet all of life’s challenges. Thebirth process is one of the events in life that call for inner peace, safety, security,and love. Parenting starts at conception. Persis works to help you realize thestrength you posses from the very beginning. She has been blessed with thedesire and ability to be among the "women who love the women". Persis is alsoblessed to have a wonderful family who supports her in these endeavors.
Persis became a doula from a unique path working as a certified sign languageinterpreter. Interpreting is a human service profession that mediates languagebarriers by conveying meaning, feeling, and attitude. She came in contact withpeople of all walks of life in various situations on a daily basis. From thoseassociations she longed for an opportunity to provide support that was not limitedto language facilitation. With a natural disposition to nurture and encourage alongwith a history of advocacy, labor support came as a logical step.
She started mothering mothers in 2002 and earned certification the followingyear. Although her life experience will not include a personal birth experience,she has been blessed with the heart and hands that will serve as the anchor forwomen and men as they experience life's most blessed event.
In addition to labor support, Persis is a certified baby sign language instructorwith Weehands. Weehands classes have a strong emphasis on teachingAmerican Sign Language using music, games, and strategies that follow age-appropriate language development.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jennifer Fargar, CD (ALACE)

Postpartum Doula, Educator

I have been a birth enthusiast for almost 10 years. I believe birth can be an empowering, exhilarating time for a woman when she is educated and committed to following her birthing instincts. I am an ALACE certified birth doula. I apprenticed with Labor of Love Doulas and audited a series of Birthing in Awareness classes offered by LOL. Four years ago I gave birth to my son drug-free and he was born underwater in his own time after less than 12 hours of fierce labor and I felt on top of the world! As the Chair of Georgia Friends of Midwives, I am active in local birth politics and am helping to facilitate change in the status of Certified Professional Midwives and to influence change in the current maternity care system. I became a Trust Birth facilitator, a woman-to-woman support group whose goal is to tell the truth about birth: Birth is safe. Interference is risky. I believe that pregnancy, labor and birth are normal physiological events and should be allowed to unfold in their own time.

As a Doula, I am passionate about helping moms allow the process of normal birth to work in its own time and to its own rhythm. Because I am a full time certified Music Together teacher (music classes for moms & babies), I cannot currently attend births as a birth doula. But I can still help new moms in their transition into motherhood. As a LOL post partum doula, I help new moms find their confidence in their new roles by encouraging them to follow their instincts when it comes to caring for their newborns. I offer breastfeeding support, lifestyle transition support and many tips to ease the new baby into the family. I teach I'm Pregnant, Now What?- an early pregnancy informational class designed to help you get your pregnancy off to a healthy start. I also teach Home or Hospital?- What's the right location for you? Get the facts and education so you can make an informed choice.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Alicia Pillsbury, CLD (CAPPA) Labor and Postpartum Doula

Katy Roe, Pending CPD (CAPPA) Postpartum Doula

Although I have no children of my own yet, I’ve never been far from birthing, babies, and children. I was homeschooled until college which left plenty of time to accompany my mother to her La Leche League meetings and to help other mothers with their new babies- and even assist them with breastfeeding. I have been interested in helping with babies from a very early age. I graduated in May of 2009 with an A.B. from the University of Georgia. I’m a CAPPA trained postpartum doula, soon to be certified. Babies have always been a passion of mine and I love the idea of helping babies and their mothers get a wonderful start to a beautiful relationship.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Gail Dupont, Labor Doula pending certification

I am a wife, mother of two grown children and a grandmother to three grandsons with a fourth on the way soon!  They are the love of my life. When I learned what a doula was, I really felt this was my calling in life.  Both of my own natural birthing experiences were wonderful and I loved nursing my babies.  I am very passionate about natural childbirth and breast-feeding and hope to share my knowledge and experience with other mothers and fathers.  This is a new venture in my life as a labor doula and currently I am completing my certification with DONA and have apprenticed the childbirth series through Labor of Love.

Pam Roe, CLD, CCCE (CAPPA), CD(DONA), Birthing from Within Mentor, CHBE

Labor Doula, Childbirth, Lactation & Parenting Educator, Happiest Baby on the Block certified Educator

I am proud to offer labor doula support with Labor of Love. I also teach a variety of classes, including group and private childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean), toddler parenting, and a baby soothing class that includes Happiest Baby on the Block, CALMS and The Hug training. I am certified with Doulas of North America (DONA) as a labor doula, with Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) as both a labor doula and a childbirth educator, with Birthing from Within as a mentor and am a certified Happiest Baby Educator, as well.

Dick and I have been married since 1978 and have three children. Richard, born in 1982, and Kate, born in 1986, both arrived via unplanned caesarian births. In 1988, Emily's birth was a VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean). We used the Bradley and Lamaze childbirth techniques with the first two births and a less-structured approach based on the writings of Dr. Michel Odent and Janet Balaskas, with the last. I learned so much from each of our birth experiences. I now see birth as a threshold experience, an opportunity for a woman to step into the courage and strength that she will call upon throughout motherhood.

I have been involved with La Leche League since 1986, becoming a leader in 1990 and am now a retired leader. As a stay-at-home mother, I wore many hats. I did accounting work for small businesses, ran two food co-ops, helped create and operate a support network of more than 100 families, and worked with a midwife/herbalist.

I cherish the time I spend with families before, during, and after births. I continually update and broaden my knowledge to better assist them. Mothers, fathers, babies and birth have been my passion for as long as I can remember and it is an honor to support families during these special events in their lives.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Renee Wymer,CD (DONA) Labor Doula

I first came to Labor of Love as a student in the Birthing in Awareness series and immediately found myself passionate about pregnancy and birth. The amazing birth of my daughter inspired me to help women achieve the same thing- not a birth like mine, but the birth they want. Women have the power to grow life, give birth, and meet our babies most basic needs. I wanted to support women during these life-changing times. I began my journey by pursuing trainings with DONA and CAPPA and an apprenticeship with Labor of Love.

In addition to being a DONA trained labor doula and CAPPA trained educator, I am the mother of a spunky toddler and wife to a wonderful and supportive husband. We are expecting our second baby in September.

Raising my family in a way that is healthy for us and our environment is a priority for me. I feel like this is not only better for our well-being, but also teaches a respect for ourselves and our planet. I'm very excited to share my enthusiasm in Labor of Love's newest class- Growing Green Families: Creating a smaller carbon footprint.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Apprentice Doula Program

Labor of Love offers an opportunity to newly trained doulas to be mentored by a seasoned doula in our apprentice program. Apprentices attend as an assistant to our labor doulas once they have completed their certification training. They are included in our childbirth and parenting education program as well. For more information contact Teresa.

Parents can invite an apprentice doula to accompany their Labor of Love doula during their labor and birth. This is a way to provide hands on training and enables them to be even more supported with an extra pair of hands at no additional cost to them.

Melanie Naysmith,  CD(DONA)

For me, there is no journey more magical than that of a woman becoming a mother.  Whether it is her first or fifth baby, each pregnancy is unique and belongs solely and completely to that mother and baby.  Childbirth is important, and something that a woman remembers for the rest of her life.  It is my passion to serve women in childbirth--to help prepare them for and support them through the birth they desire.  

I became a doula after the birth of my first daughter in 2006.  Her birth was a fairly typical hospital birth beginning with an unnecessary induction and ending with an epidural.  While everything went smoothly and I left with a healthy baby, I felt afterward that I had been cheated out of something that I couldn't put my finger on.  I wanted to know what other women were experiencing, so I began researching birth stories, watching birth videos, and reading anything I could get my hands on about childbirth.  Soon I was training to become a labor doula and completed my certification with DONA International in 2008.  Meanwhile, I had become pregnant again, and this time I worked hard to educate myself about my birth options and how I wanted to experience my labor.  I prepared for a natural childbirth, and had an empowering waterbirth in the hospital.  I continued working as a doula and for a short time as a homebirth midwife's apprentice.  I have since had a third daughter, whom I birthed on my bed in my own home after an intense and difficult labor.  I am so grateful for all these birth experiences as they have all played a vital role in my own journey as a mother and as a doula.  

While I believe that natural childbirth is the safest option, my job first and foremost is to support the mother, however she wants to give birth.  I believe that education and support are the most important tools in preparing for childbirth, and it is my pleasure to offer you my services as you take your own journey to motherhood.

Patti Schultz, CLD (CAPPA) Postpartum Doula

I am thrilled to be back with Labor of Love after spending almost 4 years in Minnesota. I am a certified labor doula with CAPPA and a post-partum doula. Currently, I am available for post-partum services. I have been married to my husband Kevin since 1996 and am the proud mother of Bob who is almost nine years old.

As long as I can remember I have been fascinated by babies. After attending my sister's birth to my niece, I knew I had found my calling and became a labor doula which then led to me offering post-partum services. I was blessed to have my sister and mother encourage and guide me during the first precious days of my son's life. I remember my sister supporting me while I was learning to nurse my son and the euphoria I felt when we finally were successful. They taught me to listen to my instincts in addition to practical knowledge on how to soothe my baby. It brings me great joy to help and nurture a family while they bond with their baby. I believe getting to know your new baby is one of the most special times in a parent's life.  I feel honored to assist families in this process.

Contact Teresa for more details at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I am Charlotte Scott. I am a Labor Doula, currently apprenticing under the amazing women of Labor of Love. I am a mother of 5, 4 I gave birth to… 4 boys and 1 girl now ranging in the ages of 16-35. I also have 3 grandchildren of which I was able to attend their births. My granddaughter, now 8, was born at home and I was present. I always like to tell myself I was the first face she saw.

My first child was born at a time when I was very young and without the support of other women. I was alone in an “operating room” and heavily sedated.  After he was born there was no one around me to coach me about breastfeeding and I sadly gave up very quickly. My body seemed to want to but I had no support and I gave in to the pressures around me. There were no wise women to help me feel okay about the changes and needs of my body.  With each child I did a lot of self discovery and spent a whole decade where I was either pregnant or nursing. It was an amazing time.

The last 15 years of my life have been spent nurturing and assisting women through all kinds of transitions. Teens into adults; women through their pregnancies and births; women through menopause and the humbling experience of a women in hospice. I have a great passion to serve as one of those women I was missing in my births and in my early life. I am a relaxation therapist, yoga teacher, massage therapist and body-worker. The natural course of events as I worked with women brought me more and more opportunities to attend births. I attended in the role of a relaxation guide and to provide that female, nurturing support.  I remember the first time someone looked at me in the hospital and asked…”so you’re the doula?”  I realized…yes, I suppose I am. Since then I’ve taken the training and currently working on the CAPPA certification for labor doula and apprenticing with Labor of Love. I am also planning to be trained as a lactation and postpartum doula.

One of my great passions is dance. I am a drummer and have been a dancer for nearly all of my life. I am looking forward this fall to be offering a Dancing For Birth™, teaching women to align their bodies for birth.