Smile Doula, LLC
About Smile Doula:
Hello! My name is Kara Figueroa. My journey to becoming a doula began when I became a mother. It wasn't until I had my first baby that I started to understand the severe gap that was left unfilled in maternity care. My husband and I have had the beautiful gift of experiencing labor & birth of 4 beautiful babies together. The labor and birth of our second child is what lit that fire inside me to fill that gap. His labor left me broken and numb from avoidable trauma. I remember very specifically leaving the hospital and thinking, "no mom should ever leave the hospital feeling like this. There has to be a better way." After recovering from several postpartum mood disorders, I began to pray and asked God to place me where there was a gap. I began my birth studies in February 2008 and have spent the last 14 years dedicating myself to filling that gap by educating, serving and supporting families.
Some things I feel strongly about concerning birth:
- Birth Matters
- Your Voice Matters
- A labor room is not a war room
- There are many ways to birth a baby
- Each and every birth is unique and beautiful
- A little love, support and service go a long way
- YOU are amazing, powerful and oh so beautiful!
Trainings:
- DONA Birth Doula training and workshop
- Birth Arts International Labor & Birth Doula
- Birth Arts International Aromatherapy for Pregnancy Birth and Postpartum
- Rebozo by Gena Kirby
- Spinning Babies workshop x2
- Neonatal Resuscitation taught by Karen Strange
- Homebirth education
- Safety, Infection Control & Prevention by Childbirth International
- Evidence Based Birth VBAC course
- Simply Breastfeeding
- Bereavement doula and bereavement photographer training from Sufficient Grace Ministries
- Physiological Birth by Bundle Birth
- Faith Filled Childbirth by Christian Hypnobirthing
- Currently training with Birth Arts International for my Childbirth Educator Certification.
- VBAC Pro Training - VBAC Academy
Certifications:
- Birth Arts International Certified Labor & Birth Doula
- Still Birthday University Certified Birth & Bereavement Doula
- Birth Arts International Certification in Aromatherapy for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
- VBAC Academy - Certified VBAC Pro
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
“Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.” Mother Teresa