My story

Meet Tej

Owner of Nurtured Empowerment Doula Services, Birth and Postpartum Doula, Maternity and Birth Photographer,

Body Ready Method® Pro

Placenta Encapsulator, Team Lead at West Valley Birth Collective

Hey I am Tejanita!

Live and love in the West Valley of Phoenix, AZ.

Wife, Mama to 5 beautiful children, Doulatog and more… but you can call me Tay!

When I was a little girl, growing up in a tumultuous and abusive environment, all I wanted to do was make a difference in women's and children's lives.

But I never knew what it would look like..

So after high school graduation, I immediately went into childcare and became a preschool teacher while attending college.

I eventually left teaching to become a flight attendant.

While while travelling the world, I volunteered with Airline Ambassadors, bringing handicapped children and orphans to the United States to receive medical attention and find loving homes.

While on a work trip… I met my husband (You could say it was love at first Flight).

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 of 2020, 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!

 
  • "Picture having an amazing big sister who encourages you, listens to your vision and is committed to helping you each step of the way"

    Tay was absolutely incredible. Having her support and insight before and during my labor made all the difference! In fact I can’t imagine birthing our son without her. Picture having an amazing big sister who encourages you, listens to your vision and is committed to helping you each step of the way. She shared resources and gave suggestions on what to think through so that we could put a clear birth plan together (things I wouldn’t have thought about). I loved that I could text her with any questions and felt comfortable laboring mostly at home because of her guidance over the phone.

    Once I was at the hospital, Tay suggested positions and actions I could take to expedite my delivery and was patient and supportive. She provided the perfect balance of encouraging me to listen to my body and also incorporating strategies based on her extensive knowledge. I also appreciated how she held space for my husband and helped him in being there for me whether that meant handing him apple juice for me or prepping a cold wash cloth for him to put on my neck. Somehow she knew what mattered in each moment and brought such a sense of confidence and belief and peace. Our birth experience was beautiful and sacred and empowering because we had Tay in our corner.

    -Kristin

  • "Her energy is so calming and her expertise, objectiveness, and professionalism builds trust fast"

    I was very nervous and not confident with my birthing plan at 34 weeks when I learned my insurance would cover a doula and found Tay.

    Fast forward to our birth where I can say hiring her was the best decision. Tay took what could have been a very traumatic birth experience and turned it into a beautiful memory. My partner even describes the experience as “exciting” and states he felt Tay was there for him just as much as me.

    We knew going into the birth that several interventions were possible. Tay helped my partner and I understand all of our options to ensure our confidence when the time came to make decisions. As the hospital staff was moving at what felt like 1000 miles an hour, I’d look over to Tay and her reassurance gave me the extra confidence I needed to advocate for myself.

    One thing I was worried about was whether she would pressure me to have an unmedicated, natural birth against doctor’s advice but that wasn’t the case at all. She was incredibly objective and her expertise allowed her to provide balanced support of natural and medical options.

    Tay was born to do this work. Her energy is so calming and her expertise, objectiveness, and professionalism builds trust fast! My only regret is we didn’t do the photos or hire a postpartum doula. -Christine

  • "Calming Presence... Unwavering Encouragement"

    Working with Tejanita was the biggest blessing during both pregnancy and in labor and delivery. I can't express enough gratitude for the incredible support and guidance she provided from the very beginning. Tay’s calming presence and unwavering encouragement empowered me to navigate each step with a peaceful confidence. Her wealth of knowledge and care truly made all the difference. I felt supported, informed, and had the most positive birth story and experience I ever could have imagined. Thank you, Tay!

    -Sarah

  • "I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive doula in our corner"

    Tej was absolutely incredible. From the prenatal visits all the way through the birth of our son, she was there every step of the way. We had planned on a homebirth and ended up transferring to the hospital. She was there the entire time and was beyond supportive. Not only was she there for me, but she was there for my boyfriend as well. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive doula in our corner!

    -Kelsey

  • "For each of my kids, their birth photos are my most prized possessions"

    It's hard to put into words what my birth photos mean to my family. For each of my kids, their birth photos are my most prized possessions.

    My birth was textbook perfect, and Tay was there to capture it all. I had only met her in person once before my son's birth...but it felt like we had been friends for a lifetime. She felt like a natural part of the birth team - and it would have felt like someone was missing if she wasn't there.

    From making me feel completely comfortable despite the normal bodily functions that accompany birth, she was encouraging and her presence was calming.

    We absolutely adore our birth pictures - looking at them brings me back to one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I couldn't be more grateful Tay was there to capture it all.

    I would never hesitate to recommend her to anyone. She's a true professional and passionate advocate for women to birth in the way they feel comfortable and empowered.

    -Amanda

  • "..most perfectly balanced, compassionate support"

    Everyone could use a Tej in their birth space- she's an earth angel and a highly skilled doula/photographer- I would recommend over and over!!

    When we met Tej she mentioned that this work was her calling, that was SO clear in her work! She listened to all of our intentions for labor and birth, and offered the most perfectly balanced, compassionate support in my baby's birth and immediate postpartum period. From a soothing hand on my back to reminding me of the comfort measures we'd prepared, to the positive and selfless action she took when things took an unexpected turn, having Tej there was priceless.

    -Sadie

  • "...I just knew I needed her."

    As a first time momma, I had little to no experience with pregnancy and birth. I knew hiring a doula would be so helpful during my first pregnancy and when I met with Tay the first time, I just knew I needed her. She was always very patient, listened well and always provided my husband and I with the information we wanted/needed.

    I went in for an induction at 40 weeks. We kept in touch with Tay as things were progressing slowly. She was always very responsive and kept our spirits high as the induction went on for 2 days. When it came down to it, Tay was with us in the hospital for hours. She was there giving words of encouragement, actively helping in different positions, holding my hand, providing comfort when our spirits were low. We tried all different kinds of pushing positions, laboring down, etc. all because she was there when I needed her most. She was so patient and stayed with us during such a long traumatic labor. She was such a trooper and I will never forget her holding my hand in the delivery room. It was a very long night and she was there the whole time.

    Come to find out a few days later, when she visited me postpartum, she was pregnant herself! It was such a joy to work with her and I believe God brought her to me. I truly believe there is nothing better than hiring doula if you’re a first time momma. I will always recommend Tay to any of my friends/family. -Briana

  • "She trusted my intuition"

    Tej was a huge blessing to have alongside me in my twin pregnancy journey. I am incredibly grateful for her wisdom and guidance as I navigated tough decisions, since my pregnancy was considered high-risk. What I loved most is her confidence and validation in MY decisions. She trusted my intuition. She was very attentive and calming throughout my pregnancy and birth. She captured our birth of twins beautifully and encapsulated my 2 massive placentas. Everything went smoothly for it being my first labor. Thank you Tej for everything… for reminding me to have faith and trust in myself when times were hard. You’re the greatest doula ever! <3

    -Divina

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