Birth is one of the most powerful transitions a woman will ever experience — yet many expecting mothers in East Side Columbus begin labor feeling uncertain about their choices, their voices, or what support they truly deserve.
As a maternity and newborn photographer serving families throughout Bexley, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, and surrounding Columbus suburbs, I’ve seen firsthand how the right birth support can shape not only a birth experience, but how a mother remembers the moment she became a mother. That’s why I wanted to share this interview with a local birthing doula — to offer expecting mothers education, reassurance, and insight as they prepare for labor, delivery, and the newborn stage.
Below, Caroline Pitts of Peaceful Doula Care shares her perspective on birth support, emotional care, advocacy, and what every expecting mother deserves during pregnancy and labor. Whether you’re building your birth team or simply learning your options, her words offer wisdom every Columbus-area mother should hear.
Home birth photographed by Whispy Shades Photography
What inspired you to become a birthing doula, and what does this work mean to you on a personal level?
My own birth experiences definitely helped me open my eyes about birth and sparked the desire to want to help other women. Watching my closest friend become a midwife peaked my interest in birthwork also.
It’s an incredible honor to support women through the transformation of birth. I truly feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s hard calling it work, honestly.
How would you describe your approach to birth support, and what do you believe every mother deserves during labor and delivery?
I believe every woman deserves to be held and supported through the process of birth. Whatever that looks like for them is quite different for everybody. My underlying care makes a woman feel safe, supported, and heard. I’m like the big sister that is there taking care of her but also knowledgeable about labor and birth.
Every woman deserves to know that they have choices in labor. They should be taught on how to advocate for themselves and their personal choices. and how their support person(s) can help advocate for them too.
Labor can be both empowering and overwhelming. How do you support mothers emotionally when fear, doubt, or exhaustion shows up?
Since we’ve created a connection ahead of time I’ve gained their trust. When they look to me during times of doubt or fear I am locked in with them. I remain calm and remind them of their strength and desires. Sometimes that looks like taking one breath at a time together, sometimes it looks like being their cheerleader, other times a good cry and a hug to let it out. Reminding them they are safe and completely supported. I often say those words out loud to them.
How do you work alongside OBs, midwives, and hospital staff while still supporting a mother’s wishes and voice?
We are a team. We all have her best interests in mind. As a doula I cannot speak for my clients, but I can remind them of their personal desires and preferences. If a provider is suggesting something or about to do something I ensure that consent is given and that they are fully informed about what’s going on.
How do you support families when birth plans change or medical interventions become necessary?
I ensure that my client is completely informed on what’s happening and if she still has choices at that time. I help slow everything down and give her time and space to process. If it’s emergent and we don’t have the luxury of time we spend some time processing it together later.
What types of comfort measures or techniques do you commonly use during labor to help mothers feel supported and grounded?
I am a huge believer in a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) for pain relief and a distraction. I offer one to each of my clients and they love it! The double hip squeeze is also a favorite. Any kind of counter pressure around the hips and sacrum area is usually my go to. I also encourage water therapy such as a shower or bath during labor. Slow beathing and vocalization in low tones help tremendously. Reminding them of these things are helpful as I’m beside them.
Helping them in between sensations of contractions is important as well. Encouraging them to drop their shoulders, recover from each one, stay hydrated and just take one at a time.
How do you support partners or family members so they feel confident and involved during birth?
I encourage support partners to tap into my client’s love language. However they like to be taken care of generally shows up in labor. I especially remind partners that they don’t have to do anything super fancy during birth. Be present, be encouraging and do the things they normally appreciate in times of need. That may look like stroking her hair, holding her hand, offering words of encouragement, etc.
I strongly recommend that anyone who will be attending the birth come to prenatal visits with me and any childbirth education classes. If they are informed they are more confident. Of course I am there to help them navigate birth and what’s happening along the way.
Can you share a bit about your training, certifications, and the types of births you most often support?
I am trained and certified through DONA as a birth doula and I am a Certified Childbirth Educator through Lamaze. Both organizations require continuing education and recertification every three years
I most recently became a Certified VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) Doula.
I most often support births in all Columbus area hospitals.
What does your support look like before labor begins? How do you help mothers prepare mentally and emotionally for birth?
My clients and I have two prenatal visits together where we build their birth preferences and prepare for the big day. We talk about how they like to be supported, what is important to them for this birth and how I can support that. We talk about how they personally stay grounded in stressful times or in times of the unknown. That helps me cater to their individual needs and helps them tap into those techniques when they need it.
At different trimesters I send them different movements they can do to help their bodies prepare for labor. I also strongly believe in mind body connection so I share some of my favorite prenatal yoga and meditation videos.
I make sure to share resources on the fear, tension, pain cycle. We talk about the tools they have to get out of that cycle to remain calm so birth hormones can work appropriately.
After baby arrives, how do you continue supporting the mother and family during those early postpartum days?
I check in almost every day in the 1-2 days after birth via text. We have an in-home postpartum visit within days of getting home. This is an unstructured visit where they are able to talk, process, cry, or laugh! I offer additional resources if they need it at this time and I love to spoil them with goodies! After that visit they know I am available if they need me. I stay connected with many of my clients far past the first few days after birth.
What do you believe makes the doula–client relationship so impactful during birth?
Trust and the sense of safety. The relationship we establish helps them let go during birth and trust that they are truly supported.
What is one piece of advice you wish every expecting mother knew before going into labor?
You have choices in labor. Birth is a miracle and we should be treating it like one, not a procedure. Get educated and know your options, you will have a better birth experience.
What do you hope every mother feels when she looks back on her birth experience with you by her side?
We remember our birth stories for the rest of our lives. Specific details and timelines may fade but we always remember how we felt and how we were cared for. I hope all my clients remember the confidence I helped them find during this time and I hope they felt a calming presence during their journey.
Homebirth captured by Whispy Shades Photography
A Birth Story That Feels Supported, Informed, and Remembered
Birth stories stay with us forever. The details may soften over time, but the way a woman feels during labor — whether supported, heard, and safe — leaves a lasting imprint.
If you’re an expecting mother searching for birth support in East Side Columbus, surrounding yourself with the right care team can make all the difference. Education, advocacy, and compassionate support are not luxuries — they are foundational to a positive birth experience.
As a maternity and newborn photographer serving Columbus families, my goal is to support mothers not only through timeless imagery, but by sharing resources that empower and uplift you during pregnancy, birth, and the newborn season. Whether you’re in Bexley, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, or nearby, I hope this interview helps you feel more confident, informed, and supported as you prepare to welcome your baby.
If you’re preparing for motherhood and looking for maternity or newborn photography on the East Side of Columbus, I would be honored to document this season for you.
Peaceful Doula Care
614-806-4489
