We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Karasiewicz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Honestly, birth work is creativity in action! I keep things fresh by staying curious; every family, every birth brings something totally new, and I love that. I pull inspiration from everywhere. Music, nature, deep convos with other birthworkers, even dancing in my kitchen. I also make sure to rest and play, because a burnt out doula isn’t a creative one! But truly, it’s the people I support who keep me inspired, their strength, humor, and heart always spark something new in me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Natalie, I am a birth doula + the owner of A Brighter Birth here in Charleston, Sc! A Brighter Birth is a curated collective of local practitioners providing an array of services for the diverse needs of our community. Rooted in social justice, we are committed to supporting your individual experience through fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenting and wellness.
My doula journey started back in 2019 while I was living on the beautiful island of Hawai‘i. Honestly, that season of life changed everything for me. Being surrounded by such a rich and respectful birth culture opened my eyes to how deeply connected and sacred the experience of bringing life into the world can be. I began supporting families right in the middle of the COVID pandemic, which led me to really focus on childbirth education, especially when hospital restrictions left many families feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
Before all this, I was actually studying criminal justice! I’ve always had a heart for helping people and being an advocate, and that foundation has absolutely shaped the way I show up for the families I work with today.
I’m a proud mom of 6, thanks to a big, beautiful blended family with my husband. My first two births were your typical hospital inductions, but after going through my doula training and supporting other families, I approached my last birth in a completely new way. I hired a doula (best decision ever), and finally got to experience just how amazing our bodies truly are when they’re supported and trusted. That experience lit an even bigger fire in me to help others feel empowered in their journey too.
I trained with MaternityWise International and now get to work with them as their Initial Contact Administrator, Social Media Manager, and Student Doula Mentor. I love helping new doulas get started, walk beside them during their training, and cheer them on as they find their own footing in this work.
Bringing A Brighter Birth to Charleston has been such a gift. Inspired by the amazing community Melanie and Hunter built in RVA, I’ve made it my mission to grow that same sense of connection and support here in the Lowcountry. I love working alongside other birth professionals and women’s health providers to create a safe, welcoming space for all families during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond.
Looking ahead, I’m so excited to continue building this community, supporting more families, and helping Charleston feel like an even brighter place to grow a family.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, the three biggest things that have shaped my journey are deep listening, being flexible, and building real connections in the birth world. Learning to really listen and not just to what someone says, but to their energy, body language, and even what’s not being said , has helped me show up in a more present and intuitive way. Flexibility has been huge, too, birth rarely goes exactly as planned, so learning how to stay calm and adapt in the moment has been essential. And honestly, community has made all the difference. Having other birthworkers to lean on, especially my partner in this collective, learn from, and grow with has been such a gift.
If you’re just starting out, my advice would be: take your time learning how to really hold space and be fully present. Let yourself be stretched and challenged, but know your limits and care for yourself, too. And don’t be afraid to connect with others , community truly keeps this work alive!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, definitely! I’m always open to collaborating! I love connecting with folks who are heart led and passionate about supporting people through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and all the transitions that come with it. That might be other doulas, childbirth educators, bodyworkers, therapists, herbalists, artists or anyone whose work centers care, healing, and community.
I’m also always looking to grow our collective too. The more diverse and supportive our network is, the more we can offer the families we work with, whether that’s referrals, resources, or just knowing who to turn to when something deeper is needed. If you’re reading this and feel like your work aligns, I’d love to connect. You can reach me on Instagram @abrighterbirth.charleston or shoot me an email at [email protected] . Let’s collaborate and support each other’s work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abrighterbirthcharleston.com
- Instagram: abrighterbirth.charleston
Image Credits
Valarie Joy Photography.
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