About Philomena Birth
Our goal is to empower you throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum by offering support and education, while connecting you to your own intuition as a mother.
We think of birth as one of the last wild/untamed things in our domesticated society. Birth is always a wild unknown, but the more that a woman is supported and educated, the more that wildness will no longer scare her. That wildness can be harnessed and empower her into motherhood with confidence.
The minute I stepped into my doula training something awoke inside me and I knew I had found my life work. It also helps that being a birth worker runs in my family. We understand the language of birth and know how to hold space and care for a mother as she labors and births her baby.
What does it feel like to work with us?
We’re often told by our beloved past clients that working with us feels like working with someone you deeply trust, someone you can turn to during joyous and difficult moments. We are resources for our clients throughout pregnancy; we help mothers find the right doctor/midwife, we send them evidence-based articles on any topic they are interested in, we listen to them decompress after tough obgyn/doctor appointments, we educate our families about everything pregnancy, birth and postpartum related, and then we show in the labor room and support them through the birth process. In labor we provide the unique support that each family needs; whether it’s hands-on massage, assistance in labor positions, bedside education and advocacy, creating a positive atmosphere in the room, helping partners feel empowered in their support, or just holding space for labor to unfold.
What You Can Expect From Us
Most importantly, you would be met with listening ears and validation. We want to hear how you’re feeling! Doula support is so individualized and it’s so important that each mom is deeply listened to. Doula support looks so different for each family; some moms are fearful of the hospital, some moms are just excited and feel the best they have ever felt, some moms are terrified of contractions, some moms are nervous about breastfeeding, some moms are looking for natural pain management options, and other moms walk in the door knowing they want an epidural and are looking for an advocate by their side. Each families’ needs are unique and it is our job as doulas to listen and support your specific birth plan. This is the magic of doula support; our only job is to listen deeply and support you.
Where You’ll Find Us
Our location:
119 Maple Ave, Red Bank NJ
Serving Clients Throughout New Jersey; Primarily Central New Jersey
Hospitals and birth centers we most frequent:
Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, CentraState, Capital Health, Saint Peters, Community Medical Center, Tru Birth Center, Our Birth Center, The Birth Center of New Jersey, Mary V. Oshea Birth Center, as well as homebirths.
The Backstory of Philomena Birth
Lineage is powerful. It began with Mary’s mother.
You may have heard of the show Call the Midwife. That was Mary’s mom. Riding her bike down the streets of England to deliver babies at home or at the hospital. While her focus shifted away from midwifery when she arrived to America, she never deviated from her love of supporting women during this beautiful, transformational time in their lives. She went on to become a L+D nurse, lactation consultant, and lamaze childbirth educator, with her biggest passion shining through in the promotion of breastfeeding.
Growing up immersed in the practice of supporting women has allowed Mary the gift of deep, natural roots in this field. Birth work is deeply embedded in her blood. It feels ancestral to her, timeless. Mary’s knowledge and understanding of birth comes not only from her lineage, or from her deep commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest research, but is also rooted in the ancestral wisdom that is carried forward in each mother.
This business is named in Mary’s mother’s honor.
Our Core Values
Excellence
We aim to be the top expert in the field of doula support and childbirth education. Every team member continually studies and learns from others to match our clients’ needs.
Connection
We match each doula’s passion with our community’s desire to learn. Through these inclusive learning experiences, we offer moms opportunities to draw support from each other. All the while, we provide a home for each doula to utilize her strengths, whether art, herbalism, infant massage, or another specialized skill.
Trust
We move and speak thoughtfully and consistently so we can build trust not only with the birthing person but also the birthing partner.
Professionalism
We communicate clearly, keep our promises, and show up on time — with our clients’ needs at the center of our work.
Love
We place our clients’ preferences and needs first, understanding how beautiful it felt when we received this sort of care and attention when we were once in their position.
Honesty
We do our best to paint a hopeful and accurate picture of what each client can expect before, during, and after birth. We also promote transparency during every conversation with our clients’ medical teams.
Safety
One of our core beliefs is that there would be better outcomes for mothers and babies if women were listened to. Our goal is to continually slow down enough to listen to the pregnant/laboring person.
Birth as a Life-Shaping Experience
Birth is a core memory that shapes how we experience life. We truly believe that the care a family receives in labor has the power to shape their entire future.
Mother-Centered Society
Mothers are the forgotten foundation of our society. If we are neglecting mothers or not spoiling them or making them feel powerful, then our society cannot improve. We are here to remember and help others do the same.
Knowledgeable Pregnant People
When many people become pregnant, their baseline knowledge of childbirth education is zero. Many know little-to-nothing about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or breastfeeding. Our goal is to change this.
Confidentiality
Any personal history, medical information, or birth plan details shared in client meetings or through paperwork are held confidential. Clients are free to speak candidly, since the entire doula team respects their privacy.
