Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Carlson.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Erin Carlson. From the time I was a little girl, I knew there was nothing more I wanted in life than to be a mother and be surrounded by children. I met My husband at the age of 20 and shortly after we began trying for a family. I struggled with infertility and knew there had to be a better way and that’s when I began my holistic journey. Once I fell pregnant, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to have my child born into an environment in which I felt safe, cherished, and comfortable so we decided that for us that was homebirth.
We welcomed an amazing little boy into our world and shortly after we welcomed a second little boy. In meeting other parents, I had begun finding out how many people hated their birthing experience and felt robbed of the birth they desired, I knew that I had to do something to make sure as many birthing people as I could find knew that birth is meant to be beautiful. I began sharing my story with anyone who would listen and eventually got invited to speak at my doula birthing class.
It was at that moment, surrounded by so many beautiful souls on different paths but embarking on the same journey that I knew that I wanted to be a doula. From that point, I began doula training and established In Your Hands Doula. Working as a Birth Doula allows me the chance to help other parents achieve the positive birth experiences they deserved and feel empowered to make their own choices surrounding childbirth.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This road has been all but simple. I had a very supportive community in our old state, we relocated to Houston in 2020 whilst the peak of the pandemic during that time making positive connections, while balancing two young children at home, a husband also starting his business over from the ground up was not only difficult but trying. I chose to focus on my studies instead of building my client base. I allowed clients to seek me out without networking or advertising.
I knew those would be my final years with my boys home full time and I wanted them to grow and feel fully nurtured as we had many changes taking place. This year my youngest child started pre-k which has allowed me more time to network and expand my business further. I now have my placenta specialist certification, have attended more training, and am currently working on my peer lactation counselor certification. My goal is to fully support birthing people through their whole journey to parenthood and beyond.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My philosophy is that there is no right or wrong way to have a baby – childbirth just happens! Being open to the process and feeling informed, safe, and secure enough to let go is the best way to achieve a positive birth. A birthing person who chooses to hire a doula is 25% more likely to have shorter labor, there is a 60% reduction in epidural requests, a 30% reduction in pain medication use, a 40% reduction in Pitocin use, and a list goes on.
A birthing person has the right to labor in a safe, quiet environment of their choosing, with as few distractions and disturbances as possible. I aim to make sure they feel safe and informed at all times and that both the birthing person and their partner are continuously supported throughout. I want to get to know you fully, you become an extension of our family I want to know when you feel movement, when your nausea finally goes away, I want to know when your hormones make you do something silly, and when you are downright exhausted, so I can be there to lift you.
If you have a partner, I want them to know that they can call me with any questions or concerns, that this is all new for them as well and I will help you navigate your way through this new beginning, because if your partner is not comfortable then you cannot fully let go and relax. What I pride myself on is making sure everybody feels supported regardless of age, sexual preference, social status, abilities, or even the birth experience you desire. Our differences are what make this world beautiful, and I have learned so much through my clients.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think what makes people feel comfortable with me is my love for people.
If you don’t have the support of family or friends I am there, we can walk together, stretch together, plan together, and I’ll help you set up your crib or pack your hospital bag. My services are far beyond what I include in my contract, and I do this because when I was pregnant other than my husband and doula, I didn’t have support, I don’t ever want the birthing person to feel alone.
Pricing:
- Birth Doula Package- $1500
- Planned Cesarean- $950
- Birth Prep- $300
- information consults- $45/hr
- Placenta Services range from $25-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inyourhands.info
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inyourhandsdoula/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyourhandshouston
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@e.carlson2113
