Hi! I’m Elaine Tucker.
Most of the things I love in this world start with the letter B: big hair, boots, babies, birth & butter.
But then there are tacos. I also love tacos.
My story: I grew up in Indiana and earned my BA in Communication & Culture as a Hoosier at Indiana University. I spent my early 20s working at a newspaper on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and moved to Columbus, Ohio to raise my family in October of 2009. We now happily reside in the Maize-Morse neighborhood of Columbus.
But how did I become a birthworker? What unique characteristics do I bring to the birth team?
I was raised with a childbirth and child development education from an early age and feel it’s always been a part of who I am. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my first pregnancy when popular myth about pregnancy is pretty negative. But mine wasn’t so. The experience of becoming a mother rekindled that early fascination with childbearing and I began to study birth and have relished motherhood.
I birthed my first daughter with the help of my husband and my doula. I afterwards felt I wanted to try to become part of this doula sisterhood. I was given the opportunity to nanny for 3 years while I pursued my training and began certification. My first support role was in 2011 for the family I nannied for and it is one I will hold dear for the rest of my days. My second daughter was born at home under the care of midwives and doula support. It was a life changing experience for our family and furthered my passion for birth. I have currently attended over 290 births as a full-time, professional birthworker.
When I’m not at a birth you can find me having dance parties with my family in my living room, at a concert with my husband or taking a long hike through the Central Ohio woods. I fulfill the important role of primary caregiver in my family and balance full time birthwork with being a parent.
Finding the right fit?
I truly believe there is a perfect doula fit for every family and making that connection is key. Over the years I have found some key attributes that make it more likely that I’m a good fit with my clientele and I’ll list them below. Additionally, I do not find myself to be a good fit with care provider practices that restrict a birthing person’s choice in their support people with a practice-wide doula ban and I do not feel comfortable being covert as doula support in those situations. I regularly refer to practices I see supporting the autonomous choices of their patients and have enjoyed witnessing their superb care and the birth experiences my clients have with those care providers.
Important attributes of clientele:
- are invested in learning about the entire birth spectrum
- are willing to dedicate time to learning, connection and preparation
- are invested in being an active participant in their care and birth decisions
- value physiological birth, the body and instinct as part of the process
- desire experience to be equally emotional, spiritual, mental, physical and medical {when applies}
*I support all families regardless of race, religion, profession, family structure, gender expression and birthing choices. The above is just info I have found useful to consider before scheduling a consult. If I am not the best fit I do my best to provide referrals.*
Education, Certifications & Trainings:
2022:
- Neonatal Resuscitation w/ Karen Strange 5/2022
- Midwifery Wisdom Experience workshop & convention 11/2022
2021:
- These Are My Hours Doula Training
2020:
- Breech without Borders 2/2020
- Spinning Babies 3/2020
- Breastfeeding Friendly Consortium training 4/2020
- ALPP Recertification 4/2020
- Northwest Birth Assistant – Midwifery assistant training 5/2020
- DONA Recertification 5/2020
- BADT – Racism & Privilege in Birthwork 6/2020
- Indiebirth – The Babies Transition Earthside 7/2020
- Neonatal Resuscitation & Birth Emergency Skills Training 10/2020
2019:
- IndieBirth Birth Warrior Project
2018:
- Approachable Ayurveda for Women’s Health Professionals, 5/2018
- IndieBirth Conference, 5/2018
- Postpartum Mood Spectrum Workshop with Dawn Friedman
2017:
- HypnoBabies Childbirth Hypnodoula accredidation (HCHD), 1/2017
- DONA Recertified 5/2017.
- Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Recertified 5/2017.
2016:
2015:
- Rebozo- The Gena Kirby Method Technique Certified
- Spinning Babies
- VBACfacts
2014:
- DONA Certified professional Birth Doula 5/2014.
- Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Certified Lactation Counselor 3/2014.
- Lamaze International Childbirth Educator training 3/2014
- DONA postpartum doula training 3/2014
2013 and before:
- DONA birth doula training Sept 2011. Audited DONA training Oct 2013
Other relevant affiliations:
- I have a dedicated backup doula that I work closely with and then work within a professional network of doulas that serves as a safety net for one another.
- Active member of Central Ohio Doulas
- Previous labor & birth experience includes: hospital, birth center and home birth, medicated and unmedicated birth, Twins, vaginal OR delivery, Interventive and Non-interventive birth, Cesarean birth, High-risk birth, VBAC support, Water Birth, Gentle/Family Centered Cesarean support, TOLAC and planned Cesarean support, Home birth transfer.
Thank you for looking into my services. Send me a message to set up a free interview. I hope to meet you and your growing family soon.
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