Lydia Kelow-Bennett, Ph.D. is a DONA and SMC Full-Spectrum trained, birth and postpartum doula with deep-rooted intuition and fierce advocacy skills for all people walking the birthing path.

I will walk with you through any and all parts of the perinatal journey, offering support in prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods up to six months after birth. My graduate education lends evidence-based research and information gathering skills, combined with a compassionate approach that helps you and your loved ones make sound decisions in a complicated world.

As a PhD-trained birthworker, I am well-read in the latest research and best practices that impact maternal, birth parent, and infant well-being, as well as how medical institutions can fall short of what we need and want as patients. My approach to advocacy is to make sure you have the information you need, and that you understand it fully so that you can use it in advocating for yourself. I believe that education and information empower us to make the best choices we can, especially in challenging situations.

My approach to birth is to prepare as much as possible, and then gently release the expectations we have when they no longer serve us. Birth is transformational and sacred, and every person deserves dignity, kindness, and deep support as they walk that path. I support you through designing birth plans, regular check-ins during the prenatal period, providing accurate and up-to-date information about your questions, physical and emotional support during labor, and fierce advocacy skills that insist your voice, needs, and values are heard. I walk alongside you whether you are birthing at home with a midwife, at a birthing center, or in a hospital, and I support medicated, non-medicated, and C-section births.*

My approach to the postpartum period is communal, gentle, and honors the major transition that birth brings to parents, infants, families, and communities. I support you in the postpartum period through nurturing practices gained from Black midwives and other traditions of healing, including careful attention to nutrition, rest, bonding, and learning how to care for your new baby. I am experienced in breastfeeding and baby-wearing, and can provide a nourishing meal, light housework, help with care schedules, and assistance with siblings as your family adjusts to this new addition.

*Please note that as a doula, I am NOT a medical professional. I do not attend unassisted births, and I cannot replace the expertise of a midwife or OBGYN.

My work as a doula is guided by a strong conviction that every person—every soulful being—deserves dignity, compassion, factual information, and deep care during their pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period

I would be honored to walk with you through any, or all, stages of your pregnancy and birth.

While I am specialized in supporting birth for Black and POC clients, I am glad to walk with anyone through the birthing journey. I am pro-LGBTQ+, body-positive, and anti-oppression in training and I work with those who want to experience dignity, empowerment, and deep care through their birth journey.

Reach out to me to set up a free consultation to learn if I am the right doula for you.

schedule here

Qualifications

As a lifelong student, I am always training, learning, and adding to my skillset. Currently, I am:

  • DONA birth (2023) and postpartum (2026) doula trained

  • SMC Full-Spectrum Doula trained (2018)

  • A dual birth and postpartum DONA certificate candidate

  • A volunteer doula for University of Michigan’s Dial-A-Doula program

  • Trained in Trauma Informed Care

  • Trained in Eat, Sleep, Console protocol for opioid exposed infants and their caregivers

  • Actively building skills in LGBTQ+ doula support

  • A former breastfeeding and baby-wearing mama

  • Engaging in deep research on all aspects of birth, including Black maternal health, hospital births, C-section reduction and best practices, and spiritual aspects of birthing

I will continue to update my qualifications as I build them! In the near future I am pursuing:

  • Adult and infant CPR training

  • LGBTQ+ Continuing Education

  • Childbirth Education Training

  • Certified Lactation Counselor

  • Abortion Doula Certification