Meet Your Doula
Hi friends!
I’m Maddie, the face behind Desert Bloom Birth & Wellness Co. Born in Northern California and desert-raised in the Coachella Valley, my journey as a birth worker began before I even knew what a doula was. As a child, while other kids played teacher or veterinarian, I was busy "delivering" baby dolls with my little sister as my reluctant patient. I now know that this early fascination with birth wasn't just a phase – it was a calling.
At seventeen, I decided to pursue my dream of supporting pregnant and birthing families. I enrolled in a five-week birth doula training with DONA International, and I haven't looked back since. This isn't just a career for me , it's the fulfillment of that little girl's dream.
My journey has taken me from the California desert to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, where I spent over a year as a travel nanny. During my time in Asia, I had the privilege of learning traditional Chinese prenatal and postpartum care practices, wisdom that now enriches the care I provide to my clients. Then I traded dim sum for evergreen trees in the Pacific Northwest, which totally stole my heart (don't be surprised if I end up there again someday!).
Now I'm back home in the desert, juggling life as a full-spectrum doula, student midwife, professional nanny, and passionate advocate for reproductive justice. I'm currently in my first year at the Midwives College of Utah, where I'm wrapping up Phase One - the observation phase. This stage has deepened my understanding of pregnancy and birth, and I'm excited to soon move into Phase Two, where I'll begin working as a clinical assistant alongside an experienced midwife. Eventually, I'll progress to Phase Three as a primary midwife under supervision. Between 40-50 hours of weekly studying, attending births as a doula, and preparing for my next phase of midwifery education, you could say I'm living and breathing this work, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way!
If you want to learn more about my midwifery education journey, feel free to check out my e-portfolio!
My commitment to service and justice extends far beyond individual client care. I'm a founding board member of One Love Casa Hogar, a nonprofit working to establish a sustainable orphanage in Mexico that creates nurturing homes for children while respecting our planet. As a lead organizer of the Coachella Valley Chapter of CODEPINK, I advocate for peace and justice everywhere, believing that care and compassion should reach every corner of our communities.
This philosophy drives everything I do - from providing volunteer doula services to teen parents to offering free miscarriage and abortion support to anyone experiencing pregnancy loss. I believe deeply that everyone deserves access to dignified, respectful, and compassionate reproductive healthcare, regardless of their circumstances or socioeconomic status.
When I'm not at a birth, buried in midwifery books, or organizing community events, you might find me hosting girls night with my best friends, attempting to crochet (emphasis on attempting), or planning my next escape from the desert!
One word that describes my doula-practice is “open-minded.”
Nurturing, supporting, and advocating for people throughout their reproductive journeys is my passion. I believe that everyone deserves unwavering support during these profound life experiences, and I'm here to provide exactly that - without judgment, without agenda, and with complete respect for your choices.
As a birth doula, I believe that birth is primarily a natural event, and I also believe in the considered use of medical intervention and the compassionate use of epidurals. Whether you're dreaming of a home birth or planning a scheduled cesarean, I support families seeking both natural and medicated births. I believe that for some, birth is a physical and raw experience; for others, it is spiritual and ecstatic. Most often, it encompasses a bit of both.
As a postpartum doula, my goal is to set you up for success in whatever way that looks like for your family. Want to breastfeed? I'll ensure you're well-nourished and have everything you need to encourage a successful nursing relationship. Prefer to bottle feed? Choose formula feeding? Amazing - let me help you safely dry up your milk supply and master bottle preparation. Plan on sleep training your little one? Great- lets establish healthy sleep routines so that you and baby are set up for success when its time to sleep train! People often say babies should come with a manual - let me be that manual! I'll provide education on safe sleep, car seat safety, milk storage and preparation, and all those little details that help you feel confident as a new parent.
As an abortion doula, I ensure that you are educated, supported, and cared for throughout your experience. I provide information and resources so you can make informed decisions about your healthcare, and I will never attempt to influence your choice in any way. My role is simply to be present, compassionate, and supportive.
My foremost goal is to understand your wants and needs, ensuring you feel supported throughout whatever process you're experiencing. I strive to make your journey an empowering one, regardless of the setting, circumstances, or decisions you make. Every person deserves to feel supported, heard, and empowered - and that belief is at the heart of everything I do.
I can’t wait to share this journey with you!