Ora Doula Services

03/28/2026

This job is never just a job. To be part of someone's most vulnerable and formative moments can never be taken for granted. I received this sweet note and Christmas ornament, and I've never been so touched. 💗

03/23/2026

It's World Doula Week! Today, I'm celebrating ALL the incredible doulas in our community. When we collaborate, the whole birth community benefits. In order to support mothers well, we must also support each other!

02/22/2026

I could go on a diatribe about how the harms of AI but for now, just know that this not at all how milk is stored in the lactating breast. Learn more about milk production and storage here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1746-4358-4-4?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQG9rxjbGNrBAb2o2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpp-fRhO4kM1VFjYMxSsfoh5zVoXBeEUxmTUfs3IpH9UZtX_J5qCghr0BUvp_aem_fRrX7CkbHwl1uGjbgmJUkg

Just because something is shared widely, doesn't mean it's true.
I really WANT there to be an image of what the lactating breast actually looks like, and I'd share the heck out of it, but this ain't it. Soz

02/20/2026

"Laura is a strong calming presence during birth, even when everything else goes to hell. I had no doula for my first birth and realized I needed more support for my second birth- but I had no idea how much more support I would need. Every delivery room at Randallia was full, so I gave birth on a stretcher in a triage room, which was not the peaceful water birth I had planned on. Despite all that Laura still was there to support me in any way possible. Even when she could barely fit in the triage room, she still was holding my head and encouraging me. I am so grateful to God for Laura and her commitment to moms and babies. She is a gift to me and so many! I encourage every mom to get a doula, you never know how your birth will go, but you can be certain Laura will make it better." - Bernadette F.

Thank you so much for this kind review Bernadette!

02/11/2026

What a joy to witness the births of 2 beautiful babies in the past few days! Both were waterbirths at the Holy Family Birth Center. Congratulations to these sweet families!

02/02/2026

"Having Laura at the hospital was so helpful as a first time mom. I felt an extra layer of security and advocacy as we went through the labor process. I loved our hospital and nurses and ended up having an amazing experience, but even with it going so well, I needed Laura there to help with the mental aspect and also being able to further explain the options provided by hospital staff. I credit her care in the hospital to being ready to birth my son! And get a 15 minute nap before it happened! :) Plus, I appreciated the education and thorough conversation about labor/birth we were able to have beforehand. I always felt like my desires and preferences were respected and never judged. I can't imagine a better doula than Laura."

Thank you so much for this generous review Liz! It was such an honor serving you as you welcomed your sweet baby!

01/30/2026

A good friend recently moved into an old farm house, and found this gem from 1919! This antique Baby Book from the Indiana Health Department is pretty interesting - it's right on the cusp of some of the biggest changes to birth culture in the United States.

It comes down as squarely anti-midwife unfortunately, villainizing the women who cared for mothers and babies for centuries. However, it was written prior to the surge in formula companies and is very anti-bottle feeding, though it provides instructions for doing so. It emphasizes that breastfeeding is the standard, despite some advice I found contrary to modern research such as early night weaning and the myth of over-feeding.

The birth advice itself is fascinating. The assumption is made that birth is happening at home with a physician and possibly a nurse, and the instructions for labor coping are brief but wise - except for that snippet about chloroform! (I didn't highlight that in the actual book, just in my photo editing app!)

The page on why a baby may cry definitely gave me a laugh. Watch out for the baby's enemies, they might present the baby with a pickle!

All in all a pretty fascinating read, written during the decade my great-grandparents were born. What's the most interesting old-fashioned pregnancy, birth, or newborn care advice you've heard or read?

01/25/2026

I could not be more proud of and impressed by the incredible first time mom who gave birth in the wee hours of the morning, while the heavens opened to bless us with this beautiful snow! What a beautiful sign of joy, light, and peace. ❄️

01/19/2026

What a beautiful winter day to have a baby! Congratulations to this sweet family, welcoming a beautiful baby girl in a peaceful, unmedicated hospital VBAC!

What a testament to the perfect design of birth, and the value of having a team that supports that wholeheartedly.

01/08/2026

Important information for clients and followers birthing at a Parkview hospital!

**A press release from the Allen County Department of Health

With respiratory illnesses rising locally and across Indiana, precautions are increasingly important to protect friends, family and those among our most vulnerable residents – patients being treated in healthcare facilities in Allen County.

Cases of influenza (flu) and COVID-19 have increased, and health officials urge caution. Each illness – along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – is common this time of year, and can result in severe disease.

“Immunization remains the best defense,” Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Gutwein said. “Anyone looking for vaccinations can check availability with their health care provider, area pharmacies, Super Shot and the Allen County Department of Health. You can also help stop viruses with simple steps like covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when you’re sick and washing your hands regularly.”

Vaccination reduces the risk of severe outcomes such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death.

Influenza-like activity is rising in Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), and at least 17 people have died this season, which runs from October to May.

Parkview Health is experiencing higher increases in both emergency room and clinic visits for respiratory illness activity. This has resulted in Parkview implementing temporary visitor restrictions to protect patients, family and staff.

“Our highest priority is keeping patients safe, especially those who are most vulnerable to severe illness,” said Dr. Jeff Boord, chief quality and safety officer, Parkview Health.

Precautions include:

• No visitors 12 or younger
• Limit of two visitors at a time, per patient
• All visitors encouraged to wear a mask

Hospitals could have additional or different restrictions in certain departments or specialties, as needed.

Anyone with questions should contact the hospital they plan to visit. In addition, the Department of Health urges Allen County residents to take precautions to minimize transmission of respiratory illnesses:

- Get vaccinated. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations are available at many locations, including primary care providers’ offices and pharmacies. To check availability, contact providers, pharmacies or the Department of Health at (260) 449-7504. Super Shot also provides immunizations.

- Stay home if you’re sick. If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, you should stay home from work or school, whenever possible, until you are fever-free and symptoms are improving. Contact your primary health care provider if treatment is needed.

- Wash hands frequently. Use soap and warm water. If they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

- Cover coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4qmqoEf

01/08/2026

What a joy it was to serve this sweet family!

Say hello to Eloise! She was born weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces on 12/25/25 with Marianne. Happy Birthday!

Her mother kindly wrote, "We are incredibly thankful for Dr. Stroud's practice & the knowledge of all the providers. Eloise is our rainbow baby after a loss last December. FMCC has taken amazing care of me through my pregnancy and walked beside me through it all. Marianne was present for delivery this time and let dad catch baby, it was such a wonderful experience for all of us. Marianne brings such an encouraging & calm presence to the birthing room. We're so thankful we had her and for her care during and after delivery after I experienced some complications. What a blessing FMCC is."

01/01/2026

💗

2025 has been quite a year for DNFW! We have grown exponentially - adding many new doulas and hosting a number of fantastic events! We can't wait for what 2026 has in store!

We collectively attended approximately 236 births this year, and our postpartum doulas supported families for approximately 405 hours! We provided birth support, postpartum support, lactation support, bereavement support, photography/videography, and childbirth education.

It has truly been a joy for each of us to serve in the greater Fort Wayne area. Happy New Year, see you in 2026!