Nurturing The Mother Within.

Have you been envisioning and manifesting a birthing experience that is safe, sacred, memorable and empowering? Are you ready to have a birth on your terms, your way? Are you ready to unleash your power?

If you said 'YES' to any of the above, then you have come to the right place!

 
Hi I'm Tejanita
 
 
Nurtured Empowerment Doula Services
 
 

My commitment to you as your doula.

I am here for you, your partner, your children, your support system. I will stay near you, support you, respect you, hold space for you.

Whatever your plans, preferences, and intentions, I am here to ensure you feel confident and safe every step of the way.

Whether this is your first baby, rainbow baby, or your last baby, I am here to make sure you have all the tools and support you need and want for your birth and postpartum journey.

I will nurture you, encourage you, support and comfort you, listen and hold space for you as you bring forth your miracle into this world, and adjust to your new role as a mother.

 
 
Phoenix Doula
 
Phoenix Birth Photographer
 
 
Scottsdale Birth Photographer
 
 
 This is love

"In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves." ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

 

 

Where To Start

 

1. About Me

Hi I’m Tejanita, but you can call me Tay. When I’m not your doula or behind the camera, I’m a wife and mama of 5. Learn more about me.

 

2. Client Stories

See what my clients are saying about their experience working with me as both a doula and their photographer. Check it out.

 

3. Pricing & Availability

More information on my packages, pricing, and availability. Get the info.

 
 
 
 
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  • My gosh, she did not disappoint!

    “Tej was an absolute gem to be around. I utilized her for maternity photos and my gosh, she did not disappoint! She gave great pregnancy tips while talking all things babies, motherhood, being step moms, and just life.

    1000000% suggest everyone booking her for photos and doula services. Thanks for capturing such a beautiful moment in our lives xoxo”

    -Taylor & Justin 

My Story

After experiencing several losses, I was blessed with our rainbow baby.

My experience with my firstborn's birth was discouraging because I felt...

Unheard

Undervalued

... and frankly overwhelmed and anxious being a first-time mom.

I trusted my care provider at the time. Still, I was led to believe pregnancy and birth were more of a "medical emergency" rather than having the potential to be a safe, sacred, and natural experience!

No one told me about postpartum recovery, the depression, the anxiety, the hormonal shifts and physical changes. I navigated that journey feeling lonely, unsure of myself. It was a process.

Fast forward to a worldwide pandemic, when the flight industry reduced by 80% and finding out I was pregnant with my second during all the uncertainty...

Having two under two… My experience from my previous birth and postpartum recovery...

...I was a bit scared to say the least.

During my second birth, I had a team that supported and encouraged me throughout my pregnancy and labor, resulting in what I call my "healing birth."

The differences between my two birth stories are exponential.

Even in the midst of all the crazy, I had a safe, sacred, and healing birth.

And one day I felt the call on my heart.

So here I am, writing you, looking forward to witnessing, supporting and celebrating the miracle, powerhouse and badass you are!

Client Stories

  • “My husband and I chose Tay as our Doula/Photographer for our birth after seeing everything she offered. She truly did it all! A total package when looking for a doula and birth photographer! We also felt fully supported and cared for right away. Tay always made herself available to us for questions and was never bothered by my texts. This was my first pregnancy and she walked through it with me, offering suggestions when I asked and providing evidence based answers to topics I asked about. Tay remained calm, supportive and a strong advocate for me during birth! She remembered all of my preferences and spoke up on my behalf when I was in the midst of labor. She helped me think through decisions when the unexpected came up, explaining everything, and giving me the pros/cons both but ultimately she always supported my choices. Tay was a pivotal piece in accomplishing a natural childbirth, especially when I doubted myself. Both my husband and I are so thankful we chose Tay, she’ll forever be near and dear to my heart for the role she played in such a life changing time in my life! Stop searching, you just found your doula!”

    — Katie

  • “With Tej's support, I was able to remain peaceful through both labor and delivery. I felt her support and guidance through the whole process. My labor was over 80 hours long and Tej was with us through the entire process, even coming over at 2 am, spending the night, and texting me and my husband 24/7. It is clear, Tej was made to do this work; her energy was what I needed and wanted during the laboring process. This was our first labor experience and she gave me and my husband peace of mind, guidance, and confidence during the laboring and birthing process. She is full of knowledge and is always growing and educating herself. It was important for me to be able to trust my doula and I trusted Tej 100%. Tej also did pregnancy and delivery photos, capturing remarkable moments during the birth process. Because of this intimate experience, I know that I can always reach out to her as a parent and a friend. In fact, we want to have another baby just to hang out with Tej!!.”

    — Jenny

  • “Tej was everything I needed in the delivery with my first child. I did not have a lot of family support, so it was absolutely wonderful to have such a joyful presence. She gave me the best emotional support I could have asked for and I was absolutely thrilled to have her there.”

    —Kirstin

My mission is simple...

 

To help mothers, like you, unleash their power and walk confidently into the most significant change of their lives. To ensure you have a birth and postpartum experience that is…

 

Safe.

 

Empowering.

 
 

Sacred.

 
 
 

Memorable.

The Experience

FROM PREGNANCY TO POSTPARTUM I AM HERE TO HELP YOU CREATE AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS

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Informational Support

Informational Support is key to ensuring you and your partner are able to fully understand all of the options you have during your pregnancy, labor and postpartum journey. By providing you with evidence-based resources, you will feel fully empowered to make decisions that align with your lifestyle and dreams.

Evidence-based, informational support includes:

  • Being available to answer any and all questions with evidence-based information pertaining to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum (also referred to as the 4TH Trimester).

  • ​Explaining the benefits of labor techniques for things like breathing, relaxation, movement, and positioning, all useful no matter the birth you choose.

  • Providing Information on breastfeeding, latching, formula feeding, etc.

Physical Support

Physical support is important because it helps the birthing person maintain a sense of control, comfort, and confidence. Aspects of physical support provided by a doula may include:

  • Soothing with touch through the use of massage, counter pressure, and traditional rebozo techniques.

  • ​Helping to create and maintain a calm environment, like dimming lights holding space.

  • Assisting with water therapy (shower, tub)

  • Ensuring food and beverages are readily available.

Emotional Support

Emotional support helps the birthing person feel cared for and feel a sense of pride and empowerment after birth. One of my primary goals is to care for your emotional health and ensure you reflect positively upon your birth story.

Some of the ways I provide emotional support you and your partner:

  • Encouragement and positive affirmations.

  • ​Mirroring—calmly describing what your experiencing and echoing back the same feelings and intensity.

  • ​Helping you and partner work through fears and self-doubt.

  • ​Holding space so you can process and reflect on all events and emotions.

  • Gently guiding your partner to support you however you need and desire.

 
 
you hold the key to an empowered birth
 

YOU JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO UNLOCK IT

 
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My Services

  • Photography

  • Birth

  • Postpartum

See my packages ->

SOME QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKING YOURSELF...

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As a doula I canNOT.

 

  • Provide medical advice or perform clinical tasks.

  • Speak FOR the mother or partner with medical providers and staff.

  • Take over mother or partner’s role in caring for newborn.

  • Insist on a particular style of care for newborn.

  • Take older siblings outside of the boundaries of home for care.

  • Do heavy duty housework.

FAQs

 

What is placenta encapsulation? And why is it important?

I am a certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, I have been trained in placenta anatomy, the ethics surrounding placenta encapsulation and postpartum mood disorders, as well as safe processing skills.Placenta encapsulation is the process of preparing the mother’s placenta after the birth of her baby, in order for the mother to ingest it, also known as “Placentophagy”.

I use the modified Raw method; first cleaning the placenta, dehydrating it, grinding it into powder, and placing into capsules to be consumed by the mother how she sees appropriate.

A placenta tincture is made by taking a piece of raw placenta and steeping it in 80-100 proof alcohol for 6-8 weeks before consumption. Placentophagy is beneficial because it reintroduces the vitamins, minerals, proteins, hormones and other nutrients into the mother’s body after birth, helping slow down the hormone and nutrient imbalance that occurs after birth

While the ‘evidence’ supporting placenta consumption is largely anecdotal, many mothers report numerous benefits including:

- Decrease in baby blues/postpartum depression

- Decreased postpartum bleeding

- ​Increase in maternal energy

- ​Improve mode and over sense of well being

- ​Shorten the healing time after delivery

- Increase in breast milk production

- ​Restore iron levels in blood

- ​Increasing the “love and bonding hormone” (oxytocin) levels

- ​Restore hormone balance

- ​Provide natural pain relief

What do statistics say about having the ongoing support of a doula?

According to Evidence-Based Birth; when women had the continuous labor support of a doula, women experienced:

31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*

​28% decrease in the risk of C-section*

​12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*

​9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief

​14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery

​34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

*For four of these outcomes,* results with a doula were better than all the other types of continuous support studied.

When will I join you for labor? What if I am being induced, having a scheduled C-section, or only got postpartum support? What happens if I go into labor before your on-call period?

The short answer is that I join you in active labor when you feel like you are ready for additional support.

The long answer is that it depends.

For Birth Support, I start being on-call 24/7 when you are 38 weeks pregnant or 4 weeks prior to your estimated due date. For Postpartum Support I begin the 24/7 on-call process at 38 weeks or 2 weeks prior to (EDD)..

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In an ideal world, you would let me know when you're feeling any rumblings of early labor so that you're on my radar. That way, I can keep in touch with you throughout the day or night and can check in periodically on how you're coping. I'll talk with you on the phone and assess your progress -- are you still chipper and chatty, or are you stopping to breathe and moan through your contractions..

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Whenever it seems like whatever you're doing is no longer enough and you're ready for support, then that's go time. I'll be with you in an hour or less..

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If you're being induced or have a planned cesarean, I will meet with you at the hospital at an agreed upon time and support you from the beginning to the end. Please speak with your doctor about their procedures for having a support person in the OR should you have a planned or emergency cesarean..

How do I pick a doula?

Interview! This is why I believe in offering a free initial consultation, giving you a chance to feel me out and see if we get along. Ask me questions about the services and comfort measures I have to offer and decide for yourself whether these interest you. There is no pressure. You need to be comfortable with who you are inviting into your sacred space.

What happens if me and another mom go into labor at the same time?

I take on a very limited number of clients at a time to ensure I am available to support each one when their time comes.However, I always have a backup plan for emergencies and I have a list of amazing doula connections to choose from. I will assign and brief one of them as my backup for you in the event I can’t provide support for you through no fault of my own. I can choose the doula or you can and you can choose to meet them if you’d like as well.

Will I advocate for you?

As a doula, my role is not to advocate FOR you, but rather to help you and your partner feel empowered during your experience so that you may, if necessary, advocate for yourselves and your baby. I can, however, suggest options or questions you might face that can be brought up to your care provider or nurse. If a suggested procedure or course of treatment is unclear, I will encourage you to get the information you need to make an informed choice.Whatever decisions you make, know that I will support them 100% and without judgment.

Will I make decisions for you?

No, I am not your voice; I will encourage you to use yours and seek out all the information to make an informed decision. I can aid in seeking out information by providing evidence based and credible tools, resources, and references you may need to make your decision. I will always support you and your decisions without judgment or bias.

My partner/ friend/ family will be at my birth; do I still need a doula?

While friends and family can be great at supporting you, they are typically not trained in current evidence-based information and familiar with difficult situations that may arise in labor and delivery. I am committed to continuing my education and am trained to react calmly and professionally in any situation that may arise.I encourage my clients to have whomever they wish in attendance at their birth and I will work with them as a team, to support you in having the best possible birthing experience.

Will a doula make my partner/father of the baby feel excluded?

As your doula, it is my goal to foster a feeling of inclusion for all involved in the birthing process and postpartum period! Partners participate in a variety of ways. I will listen to you and your partner, as well as anyone else you choose to have on your support team. I am good at feeling out the room and seeing where I can encourage and support their desire to support you in whatever capacity you are all comfortable with. I am dedicated to enhancing the partner’s role, not replacing it. It is my goal to work seamlessly with your whole support team in order to help you have a positive birth and postpartum experience.

Is it true that doulas push unmedicated childbirth on you and won't let their clients have an epidural?

No, of course not. Your birth, your way. I will never try to prevent you from making a choice that you felt was in your best interest. As your doula, I’m dedicated to supporting you regardless of your pain management/ movement/birth setting preferences. Your need for physical and emotional support does not end when you receive an epidural, and I will help you navigate and assess your options for pain medication so you may choose what is right for you.

If your birth plan includes pain management, I can help you learn all of the options that are offered at your birthing place of choice, and understand the procedures and other important information you might want to know so you feel confident in your decision.

My support doesn’t end when your pain management begins. I am there to help you interpret your labor, provide physical and emotional support in the time before you receive your pain management, and coach you through pushing, all while continuously providing emotional support and encouragement throughout labor. Just because you don’t feel the same pain you would without an epidural, doesn’t mean you won’t feel the same emotions. You have my continuous support no matter what.

Will you be able to support me if I have an at-home birth?

Absolutely! I am available and happy to support you in whatever setting you choose to have your baby. Home, birth center or hospital, I am here to ensure you are supported.

Can I still benefit from having a doula if I have a planned Cesarean birth?

Yes, absolutely. I am trained in providing support no matter how you give birth, including surgical births! Your baby is coming to meet you and you are safe. That is what is most important.I will join you in pre-op, and possibly the OR (depending on the facility), as well as in recovery so you are never left unsupported!.

Here are just a few of the other ways I will support you with your planned cesarean:

- Assisting you in relaxing and focusing on staying calm.

- Explain procedures in terms you understand

- Accompany your partner while they wait to meet you in the OR

- Help you manage the physical and emotional challenges of surgery

- Encourage you to share your birth plan and wishes with the staff

- Update family members at your request

- Stay with you if your baby (and partner) must to go to the nursery

- Help you initiate breastfeeding (if that is your choice)

Additionally, you may be surprised to know that planned cesarean births have options that will allow for a more gentle, “family-centered” experience. There are many decisions to be made, and I will help you to identify your priorities, find out what is available in your birthing facility, and create a birth plan that reflects these preferences.

Unleash Your Power.

Make it yours.

Let's see if I'm the right fit for your needs!