Today we’d like to introduce you to Brighid Quinn.
Hi Brighid, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Brighid Quinn and I’m a birth doula, postpartum doula, belly binder and educator. I’m originally from the Midwest but have lived in Los Angeles for the last 8 years. From an early age, I embodied the mother archetype; I was naturally drawn to caring for children and mothers alike. I always wanted to hold babies, hold animals, and became a mother’s helper around 10 years old. It is serendipitous that the Celtic Goddess Brigid-Brighid-Brig is the goddess of motherhood, nurture, fertility, divine feminine, and children. I spent many years working with families as a babysitter and nanny. Upon moving to Los Angeles, I eventually began working with domestic violence survivors in an emergency shelter, followed by some time in nonprofit communications. My work with families combined with my advocacy work led me to becoming a full-time doula. I got to where I am today not only by my own experiences but by natural abilities that were fueled by the wise women before me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was all sorts of terrain, sometimes rocky, sometimes smooth… whatever it needed to be in order for me to meet myself and whomever else in that moment. Establishing a doula practice “from scratch” can be tricky, and self-sacrifice starting out can be high in order to feel successful. I remember wondering for months when I would get my first client. Then suddenly the ball gets rolling once you’re able to receive it and it just keeps going. Honestly, there is a high burnout rate in the birth worker community. You give so much of yourself to this work that it can be easy to put yourself last, thus eventually resulting in walking away completely. It’s imperative for me to put on my oxygen mask first before I assist someone else with theirs. I wasn’t always great about putting it on in the earlier years, but understanding that importance now has kept this work fruitful and enjoyable for me. Birth work isn’t just about holding cute babies. There is true grit in this work, and you’re constantly witnessing life changing moments.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear a lot of hats! Think wedding planner but for birth…therapist but for birth…trail guide..but for birth- you get it. On any given day I may be going to a birth, then working a postpartum shift and ending the day teaching a class. My clients and students can rely on me to meet them with respect and honesty in all settings. Whether someone is having a home birth or a scheduled cesarean section, I will be with them to make sure they feel in the driver’s seat of their experience in order to leave feeling empowered. When I’m holding clients postpartum, I want them to be able to lean into the fourth trimester with holistic support that honors this major life transition. At classes, I’m teaching students but also bringing in their own lived experiences in order to further inform. I’m honored to serve a variety of incredible individuals with their own unique stories and needs since 2019.
What matters most to me within my work (and life) is that I am leading with authenticity. That at times may mean you are not everyone’s cup of tea and that is okay! When people are walking through major life changes like birth and postpartum, having someone in their corner that they can really trust is crucial. I want to paint realistic expectations for everyone that comes into contact with my services so they can trust my word and know I’m on their team first and foremost. The modern day obstetric care model is less than stellar, and it matters to me within this work that I’m shedding light on ways it can improve. I’m in this work because I love working with families but also because I want to contribute to positive change in the system.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quinndoula.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bquinndoula
Image Credits
Gina Pecho
Billye Donya
