Who we are
Doulas best support families if we, too, are in a community of support.
People are healthier before and after childbirth when they're wholly supported and empowered to make informed decisions. That's why our collaborative goal is to ensure clients have a cooperative network of support.
Birmingham Born is a collective of birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation specialists. Each of our members is dedicated to ensuring families have positive birth experiences. By supporting one another, we better support you.
OUR TEAM
Allison Miller
Allison Miller is a birth and postpartum doula, a childbirth educator, a midwife’s assistant, and a student midwife in Birmingham, Alabama. After completing her Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Maternal and Child Health and International Health, she saw a disconnect between policy and the ability to actually help individual families. Allison, fueled by a passion for empowering people with information and choice, began her path as a doula after realizing that universally there was a lack of dignity and respect for birthing individuals in the labor room. She trained through DONA in 2009 and certified through Doula Trainings International (DTI) as a birth and postpartum doula in 2016. In 2017, she certified as a Childbirth Educator through DTI. In 2019 she became a birth assistant for local midwife.
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I believe that to the overlooked, a doula is a witness. To the powerless, a doula is strength. To the voiceless, a doula is a shout. To the disenfranchised, a doula is hope. I am a shoulder, a hand, a cool glass of water, a warm rag, a sounding board in a quiet place. A keeper of time and space. Someone that helps navigate systems, processes and emotions. Someone that translates and educates. At some births I am all of these things. And at some births I am simply there to observe.
Allison is a birth and postpartum doula and a childbirth educator.
Email: Allison@bhmborn.com
Instagram: @bhmborn
Emily Thayer
Emily is a birth doula, photographer, and midwife’s assistant in Birmingham. Her interest in birth began in middle school, but during college she began exploring other options and found herself torn between pursuing a career in either midwifery or counseling. To see if birth was still a passion of hers, she attended a doula training and began working with a local nonprofit. While witnessing the impact that empowered births can have and the lack of true patient centered care that her clients were receiving, she realized the importance of doula work and felt a sense of true belonging and peace in this role. In addition to her certification as a birth doula in 2021 (DONA), she completed a postpartum doula training in 2023 (CBI) and began her work as a birth photographer and birth assistant shortly after. Emily is also still working with the local nonprofit as contract doula and community outreach coordinator.
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In our world we have often deduced birth to being something you must get through. But when given space, compassion, and support, I believe the birth experience can transform the way a woman views herself and the strength that she carries into motherhood. Birth carries different fears, excitements, doubts, and emotions for each person and can’t be met with a one size fits all approach. My role is to merely walk with mothers as they process their desires, find their voice, and help support and encourage that voice.
Instagram: @honeybirthbham
Website: www.honeybirthbham.com
Email: honeybirthbham@gmail.com
Kristin Rand
Kristin Rand believes in the power of magic and the sacred rhythm of life’s expansions and contractions. She holds a deep passion for helping others feel seen and cherished as they navigate the thresholds of becoming and dissolving. Her call to doula work arose from awe and reverence for the incredible power within birthing bodies. After having two children of her own, Kristin answered this calling by training as a full-spectrum doula through DTI. With an integrated approach, she joyfully and lovingly holds space, honored to witness one of the most transformative chapters of a person’s life. In addition to her work as a birth doula, Kristin is a ceremonialist, yoga teacher, and magic activator.
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I want to ensure that you feel both safe and fiercely strong as you navigate the waves of this life-changing journey. In our time together, we will cultivate a space of radical love and care, where your needs are valued as sacred and your experience is honored in all its dimensions.
Kristin is a birth and postpartum doula.
Email: kristinrand@gmail.com
Instagram: @goodwitchmama
Tricia Phillips
Tricia Phillips is a birth doula trained through DONA International. She has had a heart for moms and babies for as long as she can remember. Tricia is a nurturer and cares deeply for others, and is health-minded. Becoming a doula was the perfect blend of her passions and skills. She believes it is important for women to have access to reliable information in order to make informed choices for their births and feel empowered, as well as to be supported and cared for with all of the vulnerabilities and unknowns that pregnancy and birth can bring. She is wholeheartedly invested in meeting the individual needs of each woman she has the honor to walk alongside on their birth journey, knowing that no two experiences are the same. Tricia is also a mathematics professor at UAB investing in students' lives each day and making strides in public health research, as well as math education. She loves to play ultimate frisbee, spend time with friends, and try new restaurants in her free time.
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The sacredness, beauty, and transformative nature of birth leaves me in awe each time. It is an honor to share in the time and space of a new life coming into this world, with so much vulnerability and strength exhibited by the woman giving birth.
I envision a world where the one giving birth is fully seen, listened to, and honored by all those bearing witness to the hard work she does in growing and delivering her baby. One where this witnessing of the most incredible process a woman's body is capable of is used as a reminder to women of the depths of their strength. A world where women feel empowered in their journey and families walk confidently in the direction of caring for new life with the support they desire. I want to be a part of making that world a reality.
I will inform when you desire choice. I will listen without judgement when the words need to flow out. I will comfort when the pain is too much to bear. You and your baby are worth a safe, loving environment. And I will be with you every step of the way to ensure that.
Tricia is a birth and sibling doula.
Email: triciaphillipsthedoula@gmail.com
Website: triciaphillipsthedoula.weebly.com
Elizabeth King
Elizabeth King is a Certified Birth Doula ( through Maternity Wise International) Lactation Coach, Post-Partum Doula (working towards certification) and Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach.
Through the birth of her 5 biological + 2 adopted children she saw the importance of supporting other women no matter what stage of motherhood they are in.
She has combined her experience as a Nutrition Coach with her passion for birth and believes that nutrition is the key to a healthy pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and success with breastfeeding.
When Elizabeth isn’t attending births you will find her baking a loaf of sourdough bread, homeschooling her children, or taking care of the animals on her homestead.
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“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making Mothers-Strong, Competent, Capable Mothers who trust themselves and know their inner Strength.”
I believe that birth is one of the most miraculous and beautiful things in this world.
Through the years we have replaced its beauty with fear and have caused women to doubt their ability to birth without medical interventions. The truth is, You are completely capable and should never let fear be the deciding factor for any decisions you make.
My goal is to help you find your voice and take control of your birth. I’ll provide you with resources to make informed decisions, support you physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ll encourage you to keep going even when its tough and cheer you on as you step into the role of motherhood.This is your story, one that you will remember for the rest of your life. Let’s create something beautiful!
Hannah Haas Burkhalter
Hannah Haas is a mother, dietitian, and lactation consultant. She completed her undergrad and Masters in Human Nutrition at Alabama in 2016 and began a job as a nutritionist at the health department for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). She quickly realized the gap in women’s healthcare in terms of nutrition and breastfeeding education. Societal expectations for infant feeding and the actual experience of mothers did not add up. This started her on the path to become a lactation consultant and she obtained her lactation credential (IBCLC) in 2020. In addition to offering in-home lactation support, Hannah Haas has served breastfeeding parents by working as a lactation consultant in a pediatric hospital setting since 2019.
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Women (and their babies!) deserve routine nutrition and breastfeeding support. How can one pour from an empty cup? There is nothing more humbling, joyful, and sometimes unpredictable than those early moments of motherhood. I feel privileged to work with mothers during such a transformative time and aim to avoid an all-or-nothing approach to infant feeding.
It is my goal to provide gentle, evidenced-based lactation support that empowers mothers to care for themselves and meet their breastfeeding goals.
Email: hannahburkhalterrdn@gmail.com
Emily Gray
Emily Gray has been providing postpartum support to the Birmingham area for three years. After training through DONA International in 2016 she has assisted many families as they welcome new member(s) to their family. Providing vital support whether it be after pregnancy to childbirth or after the adoption process. Emily has a career in medical transcription but is called to postpartum doula work and understands the vital importance of support in this sacred time for everyone involved. In addition, she has two children of her own, son Kal and daughter Lilliana.
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Often times the amount of support available following childbirth can be lacking. New parents can feel isolated, left at home, overwhelmed. I aim to provide companionship, non-judgmental support, and education. I provide a variety of services based on each families unique needs. As the entire family experiences this new season, I aim to support mom through her physical recovery while also emotionally supporting the entire family. I would be honored to assist you with your 4th trimester.
Emily is a postpartum doula and placenta encapsulator.
Email: Emilycgray3@gmail.com
Rachel Simms
Rachel Sims is a certified birth and postpartum doula through Doula Training International, with a deep passion for supporting families during one of the most transformative times in their lives. Her interest in birth work began unexpectedly during a Human Development class at the University of Alabama, where she was introduced to the miracle of birth by having to watch a video of a live birth in class. Inspired by this experience, she earned her degree in Human Development and Family Studies, focusing on Family Studies, in 2013.
Becoming a mother herself in 2016 gave Rachel firsthand insight into the importance of advocacy and informed care during labor and delivery. She quickly realized that many families lack the resources or education to fully understand their options. This realization, coupled with her personal experiences, motivated her to pursue birth and postpartum doula training after the birth of her second child.
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I believe in the power of compassionate support and education, and I feel deeply called to help families feel empowered and informed throughout their birthing and postpartum journey. I believe birth and motherhood are miraculous and beautiful processes, with the power to transform lives. Every family deserves to have their voices heard and their choices respected. I’m passionate about building trust and connection, walking alongside families as they navigate the challenges and joys of birth. My goal is to not only support families during labor but to continue caring for them during the postpartum period, helping them adjust and find confidence as they step into life with their new baby.
Rachel is a birth and postpartum doula.
Email: rachelayersims@gmail.com
Emily Peterson
Emily loves helping people transition into parenthood — both as a birth and postpartum doula. She has been serving families in the Birmingham area for almost 10 years. Her journey into birth work began after her experience becoming a new mother. She also loves spending time with her two sons, leading Tinkergarten classes, fostering animals, and teaching yoga.
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I believe parents deserve to be empowered with evidence-based information and the ability to confidently make decisions about the birth experience and care of their child. As a doula, I am there to support parents physically and emotionally as they begin a new journey together. It is an honor to be present at a time they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Emily is a birth and postpartum doula.
Email: emilygardnerpeterson@gmail.com
Toni Connell
Toni is a birth doula trained through DONA International and a mom of two. After her experiences throughout her pregnancies and very different births, both of which included the support of an amazing doula, she felt a call to take this path. As a former classroom teacher, her love of teaching, along with her passion for all things birth, has found the perfect blend as she now finds great joy in providing women with support and information so they can feel confident making informed choices that leave them feeling empowered and supported.
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I know that pregnancy and birth can bring about many emotions, but I firmly believe it can be a time of immense joy and transformation. I am passionate in my belief that birth is truly more than a singular event. The ripples of your birth will follow you into your motherhood and permeate every aspect of your life going forward. That pivotal moment is truly a well on which you can reflect and draw strength from for years to come. I would be honored to walk alongside you during this precious time, offering you unwavering support and preparation for the miracle of birth.
Toni is a birth doula.
Email: joyinthemorningbirthdoula@gmail.com
Hannah Rigg
Hannah is a birth doula (trained by Natural Resources 2021 and seeking doula certification through Natural Resources), Licensed Masters Social Worker, and baby carrying instructor. Hannah found the work of a doula to be the most natural embodiment of her social work training. After years of working at the community level supporting pregnant parents and new parents, Hannah is grateful for the opportunity to experience this transformational time individually with each client. Her knowledge of development and attachment fuels her passion for a truly easeful and compassionate birth that informs the delicate dance between caregiver(s) and baby as they navigate their new lives together.
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I'm continuously intrigued and amazed by the ways in which birth unfolds and parents intuitively care for their babies. I believe every parent is the right parent for their baby and that we often just need a bit of encouragement to confidently trust what innately feels best to us as parents. This begins with your journey to conception, throughout pregnancy, and our years parenting our children. The invitation into your family's journey to parenting is a gift.
Hannah is a birth doula.
Email: hzrigg@gmail.com
