Meet Baby Caravan

Emily & her two sons 

Friends, I'm excited to introduce you to Emily Crocker, a mother of two & one of the founding members of Baby Caravan.  Baby Caravan offers birthing & postpartum doula services, as well as childbirth education classes and back to work prep for the new parent returning to the work force after the baby is born.

"Witnessing a mother bring life into this world and remain powerful and in control changed my life." -Emily Crocker

Check it out:

Bebe Birds (BB):  Tell us a little bit about Baby Caravan.  How did it all begin?

Emily Crocker of Baby Caravan (EC):  Hey Nicole-Baby Caravan was founded by myself, London King and Jennifer Mayer.  London and Jen have been birth doulas in NYC for over 10 years and have assisted hundreds of women before, during and after labor.  We started Baby Caravan last year in an effort to help women and their partners get access to the services they NEED-like birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth education classes, new mothers groups and back to work packages for mothers who are struggling with having to leave their new baby WAY too soon.

It all began with the birth of my two children, Charlie & Mac.  London was my doula.  I was looking for a little help for my husband and I while I was in labor. She really inspired me to take control of my birth. With London's guidance and support I ended up having the most peaceful, beautiful and natural birth, while meeting one of the most amazing people on this earth.

After my second son was born I texted London "I am thinking of getting certified as a postpartum doula."  She wrote me back immediately with what seemed like a million text messages saying she was looking to start a venture and wanted me to work with her.

Once Jen, London & I sat down together it all made sense.  We work so well together.  We trust each other completely.  We all share a passion for supporting women and supporting their choices in childbirth.  After that it doesn't feel like work, not even for one minute.

BB: That's awesome!  Before we go any further can you explain to our readers what a doula does and what role do they play during the birthing process and postpartum?

EC:  Doula is a re-appropriated word that originally meant "Woman's Servant." Doula is now referred more to as a labor coach or non-medical support person during childbirth. When thinking of labor most women don't realize that their doctors or midwives may only be available to them for a small amount of time.  The doctors or midwives may come in at the end of the labor, which can last 12 or more hours, especially when it is your first pregnancy.

A doula can help make the mother comfortable at home before leaving for the hospital, assist you & your partner to the hospital and then support you with any type of delivery you have, including a natural unmedicated birth, a scheduled C-section or a birth with an epidural.

The Baby Caravan team clockwise from left to right Jennifer Mayer, London King & Emily Crocker

BB:  Being a mother, having a doula for both of your births & becoming a doula yourself can you share any tips for new mamas beginning their search for a doula? 

EC:  Yes!  First, begin by asking your friends because that's the best way to find a doula.  If none of your friends have used a doula you can ask an acupuncturist, your OB or a massage therapist.  Also, search local sites who post services for expectant mothers and check their reviews.  Google is good but there is a lot of doulas out there, so you may be searching awhile-especially if you live in NYC.  Better yet, if you live in the NYC area visit Baby Caravan-we have the best doulas around! :)

BB:  From your own experience can you share the benefits of having a doula? 

EC:  Not only did my doula help me, she helped my husband. I love my husband but he knew NOTHING about having a baby.  When I was in labor he was super nervous. Knowing London was there to help me made his life so much easier.  There was a time when I was experiencing the worst pain in my life and I was terrified. I looked up and saw Terrence's face, it was as white as a ghost.  I thought, thank God, I have London here. It gave me so much comfort.

"We want women to know that they don't need to just 'figure it out' or do it on their own because that's what their mother did. We know better!  Support is here!" -Emily Crocker

BB:  What was it about your doula that inspired you to become a doula yourself? 

EC:  Once I became a mother I really fell in love with being a woman and a being around women. I loved how passionate London was about supporting women and making a difference in their birth. She finds birth to be so sacred and a real opening to your motherhood.  I think Jen, London on and I agree that a peaceful supported birth can change the world.  When a woman feels confident about her birth, she can mother confidently-and this is true for every kind of birth.  We have helped so many women have c-sections feel comfortable with their outcomes so that they can move on to what is important-the beautiful baby in their arms.

BB: Now that you are a doula can you tell us what it was like for you to witness a birth for the first time as opposed to giving birth? 

EC:  I had the pleasure of witnessing a beautiful, peaceful water birth at the Brooklyn Birthing Center and can honestly say it made me feel more important and accomplished than any other work I have ever done in my adult life.  Witnessing a mother bring life into this world and remain powerful and in control changed my life.  Women are all incredible and have such strength, especially when it comes to our children.  Once I became a mother, I felt forever bonded to every mother in the world on some level.  When I witnessed my first birth I felt I entered the world of birth worker and yet another deeper connection to all women and mothers.

BB:  What are some of the services Baby Caravan offers mothers & mother's to be? 

EC:  Baby Caravan offers birth and postpartum doula services and supports women before and during their labor, as well as the first six months of their babies lives. We offer some innovative services such as supporting new mothers who are returning to work.  This is something that has not really been done yet.  There need to be more of these types of services.  There is so much support for pregnant women, but once they have their baby it's like the new mother disappears into the dark hole and when the women reemerge back into the office it's business as usual.  As a working mother I felt I had to hide so many of my feelings when I returned to work. There weren't many people in my office who understood what I was experiencing. Pumping at work was crazy.  I never thought I would be in my office with my shirt off every two hours-and there I was half naked while people were knocking on my door even though I had a sign that read "Do not disturb-Pumping."  Our goal is to be an emotional support for women through Skype and email. We want to help them return to work and figure out pumping, deal with their sadness and guilt as well as partner with their partner to find a balance between work & home life.

BB: What can we look forward to from Baby Caravan?

EC:  It's Baby Caravan's mission to make doulas mainstream. To prove to every woman that she NEEDS and DESERVES support prenatally, during labor, postpartum & when she returns to work.  We want women to know that they don't need to just "figure it out" or do it on their own because that's what their mother did. We know better!  Support is here!  We want women to understand that if you have support during this time in their life it will help you become a more confident self aware mother who will raise confident and swell aware children.  And we need more confident and self aware people in their world-because they make this place a better world to live in.

Thank you so much Emily!  It seems the journey you are traveling is very inspiring.  To learn more about doula services visit Baby Caravan!