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-Bethany Gurrola-
She/They
I am a warm, bright eyed, queer human who loves color, movement, music and watching new parents blossom.
I have worked with families throughout my whole life and I am a nurturer by nature. I am known as Mama B by those who are closest to me and it means so much to me to be able to be a safe harbor for my loved ones.
My nurturing nature as well as my experience is what I believe gives me the confidence and ease while supporting tender new families through the 4th trimester.
I am here to witness you.
This path kind of found me after being encouraged to watch "The Business of Being Born", a documentary by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein where I discovered what a doula was. Then, shortly after having a vivid dream I just couldn't shake, where I happened to be supporting a person in labor, immediately I knew I had to start researching and reading books that would help me understand and learn more about this deep and important role.
To this day, I believe that making the choice to become a Doula, was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. This is truly some of my soul work. I will forever be a student to this ancient work and will always be finding ways to make sure my work is inclusive and supportive to all birthing bodies.
I am life-time certified through DTI as a birth and postpartum doula serving the greater Sonoma County and some of my greatest passions are bringing informed, non-judgemntal, unconditional support and evidence based information to the families I work with. This is important to me because I truly believe that if a person feels fully supported, knowledgable, seen and empowered...they can do anything; no matter what the outcome.
I am also very passionate about helping to create an even stronger bond between couples and families before and after birth. This can be anything from normalizing big feelings and unknown triggers, to being supported through guided meditation, writing exercises and helping to hold space for more open conversations. I plan to continue to educate myself through workshops and personal study and through the amazing connections of the fellow birth workers I have met and have yet to meet along the way. I am so humbled by every birth I have been able to witness and it has truly made me dedicate my life to making sure people feel seen, heard and loved in their most vulnerable moments.
Currently I am is solely supporting families in their Postpartum months, as I feel this is my niche and where my love, energy and knowledge help fresh tender parents thrive and feel held in their new roles and embodiments.
Outisde of Doula work, I am a strong advocate for social and reproductive justice as well as mental health and community resources. I also happen to be a mentor to the youth in my local and sourrounding communities and I am constantly working towards educating myself further to be more inclusive and sex positive in my health education.
In 2016 I created a beautiful circle series for youth, 9 to 12 years old, where they can learn about the importance of self care and consent as well as learning great ways to deal with the over abundance of emotions that surface through these sensitive years. Throughout the 6 week series I enjoy weaving knowledge, crafts and exercises together that help these amazing young humans get educated about their body's cycles, use their voices and discover their truest intentions while having fun doing it!
I could not be happier with what I get to fill my days with and only hope to inspire others to live their dreams and share their passions.
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*To learn more about her Sister Moon Series, click here.
