Doula: A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Meet our birth and postpartum doulas below. Contact them directly for a complimentary consultation.
Deirdre Hopkins: Birth Doula/Essential Oils
Deirdre is a Colorado native with a love of God's creation embedded deep into her heart. She believes in her namesake, which means compassion, and brings empathy into her doula practice.
She has been dating her husband for over 2 decades and parenting their 3 kids together, since 2004. Never having a doula herself propelled her to become a DONA trained and certified birth doula in 2014. She is also CPR certified, TENS unit certified and trained in rebozo and peanut ball techniques.
Deirdre has a bachelor's degree in Human Resources and Family Science. Early in her career she supported teenage mothers at the Child Saving Institute, and then reclaimed a decade of her life to raising her own arrows. As a natural educator, Deirdre has experience working with families and children with special needs in the public school system. Parenting and behavior modification is one of her passions. She also dedicates her life to nutrition and using aromatherapy for physical and emotional health.
"Ask me for strength and I will lend not only my hand, but also my heart." - Unknown
Emily Bentley: Birth Doula/Massage
Emily has an associates degree in Occupational Science of Massage Therapy and Business Management and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for 16 years. She has also trained as a Birth and Postpartum Doula. Her specialty is prenatal, infant and pediatric massage. Being a mom to her two daughters is her greatest blessing and feeds into her passion of wanting to make mamas and babies feel their best. In addition to her specialties, she is also certified in ashiatsu, cupping, myofascial release, deep tissue, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular re-education, raindrop therapy, ROCK tape and ROCK blades. As a former CNA and nursing student, as well as a current Medical Assistant, CPR and BLS Instructor, Emily is well versed in the human body and ways to help it heal. Her training allows for multiple modalities to help the entire family feel their best.
Taryn Starkey: Birth Doula/Birth Photographer
Taryn believes that people deserve autonomy and true informed consent. Her hope is for all of my clients to feel supported in making whatever decisions feel right for them and their family.
Her qualifications include: Doula Trainings: Certified Stillbirthday, DONA, ToLabor, and Your Birth Experience.
Photography: Bachelors of Arts from NSU, Tahlequah. Birth Becomes You Certified Birth Photographer. Everyday Films Course by Monet Moutrie.
Additional Continuing Education: TENS Workshop, YBE Breastfeeding Workshop, Flock Yeah community building, Spinning Babies, Motherboard Birth,
Volunteer: Silas Program volunteer. Stillbirth and NICU photography volunteer
Cheryl Wood: Birth Doula
Cheryl and her husband have raised their five children and have enjoyed the addition of daughters in law and grandchildren over the past few years. Her youngest grandbaby was born at Breathe! Having spent a majority of her 20’s and 30’s pregnant or breastfeeding she gained a love and passion for all things related to this incredible season of life. It was this love and passion that inspired her to become a Doula as her nest was emptying. So, in 2018 she became a birth and postpartum Doula, receiving certification in both areas. One of the first clients she supported as a Doula was at Breathe and it felt like how birth was meant to be. From the first prenatal meeting to the birth of her client’s babies and beyond through extended postpartum support, Cheryl seeks to bring information, education, calm and nurturing into her journey alongside families. It is not uncommon to find her toting homemade labor aid or bone broth made with herbs from her garden to births. When appropriate and welcomed she brings faith and humor. Cheryl received training in Peanut Ball use as well as Childbirth Education. One of her greatest accomplishments, besides raising a family, has been co-coordinating a volunteer team of Birth Advocates for the Afghan Refugee community in Tulsa.
Hope Schneider: Postpartum Doula
Hope is a mom of two girls; a 2 year-old and six month old. As a former CNA, she worked in the postpartum unit taking care of postpartum parents and their babies.
After having children herself she struggled with postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD. She lacked confidence in the beginning of her motherhood journey. After getting some help, she learned different ways to cope and gained confidence in ability to be a mother. She loves supporting women as they enter the postpartum period. Housecleaning, food preparation, childcare or even just lending an ear through challenging moments are just a few aspects of care a postpartum doula can provide. Most importantly, giving new parents the opportunity to rest and bond with their new baby helps new parents heal and rest properly during the 4th trimester. There is “Hope” in your postpartum journey.
Peyton Sifuentes: Birth/Postpartum Doula
Peyton Sifuentes is a community-based doula aiming to cultivate confidence through education and empowerment. She decided to follow her heart and become a doula after delivering her rainbow baby boy at Breathe in April 2022. Peyton’s heart is called to serve those experiencing pregnancy after loss, infertility and/or traumatic birth(s). She is also passionate about and experienced with breast/chestfeeding, car seat safety, baby wearing and cloth diapering.