Tonya Howe

Like many doulas, I came to this work through my own path to motherhood. My journey included divorce, medical delays, and fertility treatments through both intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Because I was considered to be of “advanced maternal age,” I wanted a doula who would see me as an individual—not simply as a diagnosis, risk factor, or statistic. The knowledge, resources, and compassionate support my doula provided helped me feel informed and empowered throughout my birth experience. That is the same sense of confidence and individualized care I hope to offer every family I support.

I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology and have worked in the legal field since graduating from college. Both areas have strengthened my ability to listen carefully, understand different perspectives, communicate clearly, and connect families with helpful information and resources.

I officially began working as a doula in October 2022. Looking back, however, I had already been informally supporting friends and family through their births for years without realizing that the “doula bug” had been planted.

I love witnessing birthing people recognize their strength, advocate for themselves, and step into parenthood. Each birth is emotional and meaningful—and I have cried at every one so far.

Although I value birth support deeply, postpartum is where I truly thrive. Families often invest significant time preparing for labor and birth but give far less attention to what will happen after the baby arrives. The postpartum period can quickly become overwhelming when recovery, sleep deprivation, infant feeding, newborn care, household responsibilities, and emotional adjustment all occur at once.

As a postpartum doula, I step into that gap with an extra pair of hands, practical guidance, emotional validation, and dependable support. I help families navigate recovery, care for their newborn, find opportunities to rest, access helpful resources, and build confidence in their own instincts.

My goal is not to take over or tell parents how things should be done. It is to listen, recognize what each family needs, and provide individualized support that makes the transition into parenthood feel more manageable and less isolating.

The principles at the heart of my work include diversity, inclusion, reproductive autonomy, awareness of the bias experienced by Black mothers, and affirmation of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. I believe every family deserves to feel safe, respected, represented, and heard.

A few fun facts about me: I am from the Caribbean, once had two extra wisdom teeth removed, and love traveling and seeking out new adventures. I can happily spend an entire day—or several days—exploring a museum, and my friends have been known to call me a daredevil.

Like every parent, I am also a work in progress. I am currently trying to reduce my Starbucks habit, practice patience through the toddler years, make more time for myself, and stay better connected with friends.

Whether you are navigating fertility treatments, preparing for birth later in life, or adjusting to the realities of postpartum, I will meet you as an individual and provide the thoughtful, affirming support your family deserves.