Meet Erica Manto Paulson

We recently connected with Erica Manto Paulson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being the only doula in the room, and often the only one in a labor and delivery room who shares my role and scope of practice, has been both a challenge and a profound opportunity. When I started my work, doulas were often not acknowledged or even wanted by the medical community. We were blatantly ignored, looked down upon, and disrespected while we were working. Some doctors told their patients they refused to work with doulas, creating scenarios where women felt stripped of their options. Sometimes doulas were made to sign statements by hospitals labeling us as “visitors,” and telling us we had to abide by the “visitor policy,” which was really more of a veiled refusal to acknowledge the value of our work. It was disheartening. Despite the lack of recognition, I believed in my own intrinsic value because I believed that women are more than a uterus or the outcome of her uterus. Women are people. That means if they feel seen and heard, if they are acknowledged and included in their care, it actually changes the outcome of their birth and postpartum experience. So I felt driven by a passion to provide non-clinical support to women and their family during her childbearing years.

Only recently have studies been published that clearly show the benefits of continuous support from a doula, such as reduced cesarean section rates, shorter labor durations, fewer medication requests, improved postpartum experiences, and shorter NICU stays. These improved outcomes are linked to the continuous emotional, informational, and physical support that a doula provides. As these studies have been published, the medical community and the broader world have started to acknowledge our value. Before this recognition, we were largely discarded, but I never wavered in my belief in the importance of my work.

I believe it is better to build bridges of communication and support instead of waging war on a broken system, so to remain effective and successful, I’ve learned to rely on a few key principles. First, I believe in the value I bring to the birthing experience. My training, experience, and passion for supporting birthing people are crucial. I focus on providing emotional support, advocacy, and holistic care that complements the medical expertise in the room.

Building strong relationships and fostering open communication with the medical team is essential. By introducing myself and clearly explaining my role, I can create a collaborative environment where everyone’s contributions are respected. This motivates me to advocate for my clients and ensure that diverse perspectives are recognized and valued in birth work.

Continuous learning and adaptation are also vital. Staying informed about the latest research and best practices allows me to bridge any gaps between myself and the medical professionals. I also draw strength from my community and professional networks. Today, I am respected as a vital key to improved maternal outcomes and I am grateful for my colleagues in the medical community and how we work together towards this shared goal.

Maintaining my own well-being is crucial. Practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed help me stay resilient and ensure I can provide the best care for my clients. It has not always been easy, and I am always looking for ways to improve in this area, but I’ve been able to navigate and thrive in environments where I might be the only one like me.

This journey is not just about personal empowerment but also about uplifting the families I support and the broader community of birth workers. Despite the challenges, I remain dedicated to my role and the positive impact it has on the birthing experience.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Erica, a CAPPA certified labor doula, childbirth educator, and a proud member of the CAPPA faculty as a doula trainer. What excites me the most about my work is the profound impact it has on women’s health, choices in childbirth, and increasing options for childbearing families. Each birth is unique, and being part of that transformative experience is incredibly special. Additionally, my role as a published poet and author has allowed me to blend my passion for words with my dedication to maternal and infant health.

At Nurture, we are continuously evolving to better serve our community. We have several exciting developments underway. We are expanding our services to include a broader range of prenatal and postnatal support options, ensuring comprehensive care for our clients. This expansion includes the introduction of a new range of products that support holistic health. These include natural and organic prenatal supplements, essential oils for relaxation and pain relief, and eco-friendly postpartum recovery kits. Our goal is to provide our clients with high-quality, holistic options to support their well-being throughout the childbirth journey.

We are also launching a series of community workshops aimed at empowering parents with practical skills and knowledge. These workshops will cover a variety of topics, from breastfeeding support to mental health awareness, fostering a well-rounded approach to family wellness.

Our commitment to advancing maternal and infant health is demonstrated through our active involvement in state and local organizations, including my work as a member of the Ohio Doula Advisory Board and the Buckeye Birth Coalition. These roles allow me to advocate for better policies and practices that support birthing people and their families.

At Nurture, we are passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care, and we are excited about the future as we continue to grow and innovate.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three qualities that have been impactful in my journey as a doula and childbirth educator are empathy, communication, and continuous learning.

Empathy has been crucial in connecting with and supporting families during such a transformative time in their lives. Truly understanding and validating their experiences allows me to provide compassionate care tailored to their unique needs.

Communication is another essential skill. Effective communication with clients, their families, and medical professionals ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the birthing person’s wishes are respected.

Continuous learning has kept me current with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in childbirth support. The field is always evolving, and staying informed is key to providing the best care possible.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to remain open, curious, and dedicated. Cultivate empathy through genuine connections, hone your communication skills through practice and training, and commit to lifelong learning to stay at the forefront of your field.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

I love working with clients who believe in the value of their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Some may not have any experienced this yet, but they have a hunger inside of them and know, somewhere deep inside, that these things matter. I believe on an intuitive level, all women do understand the importance of having a supportive and nurturing environment and seek a collaborative relationship where we work together to create a positive “matrescence” experience.

Our clients have different perspectives and approaches to childbirth, and that encompasses all options, including epidurals but also natural and holistic methods (it doesn’t have to be “all or nothing” when it comes to exploring your options.). They are eager to educate themselves about the metamorphosis happening inside and outside of their bodies as well as the birthing process, including options for labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Communication is key, so we encourage our clients to feel comfortable expressing their needs, preferences, and concerns to help create a transparent and supportive relationship.

We support our client’s need to feel confidence in their body’s ability to birth their baby! They want to trust their body and they want to trust the support team they have chosen. We support our clients in being proactive by engaging with their birth plan and investing in their own health and well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond. The role of emotional, physical, and informational support is not to be undervalued and we encourage our clients to embrace the guidance and care available to them as a vital tool and not a luxury.

Ultimately, our clients seek a positive and empowering pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum experience and they value the comprehensive, compassionate support that we can provide to them as a part of their healthcare team. Together, we can create a birth experience that aligns with their values and desires, fostering a nurturing environment for welcoming their new baby and becoming a new parent.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

TSG Cincinnati (headshot). Jen Moore Photography (birth photography)

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