My Story

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My name is Paola, I am a mother of two, partner, community organizer and full spectrum doula.

I have always loved the birthing process  and babies. I grew up surrounded by lots of women, my mom’s friends all had babies close together and I was lucky enough to be in their birth rooms. I was 11 years old at my first birth, and remember standing on the left side of my mothers friend, who was closer to me in age (18) supporting her while she pushed for hours. Wiping the sweat that dripped down her forehead, putting towels on her neck and chest, counting down during pushes. 

I was fascinated by mi Nina (great aunt and godmother) as a young child who was a midwife and helped catch lots of the children in my parents old neighborhood in Guadalajara. 

As a young, poor, undocumented student the thought of midwifery as a “real” pathway for me, seemed unlikely. 

I first learned about doulas at Birth Roots, Chula Vista based birth center in 2010 where I volunteered translating documents for their Spanish speaking mamas. That was where I attended a birth as a doula. I loved it. Eventually I became a volunteer doula at UCSD Medical Center, where I gained lots experience navigating in a hospital setting. 

I have dedicated almost a decade of my life to building power in my community through community organizing and advocacy. 

I missed being a doula, and have been refreshing my skills to better support birthing people and their families.