Birth & postpartum doula support
Graceful Doula Birth is now part of MotherMade Strong. Asia Rideout, birth and postpartum doula, student midwife and pregnancy & postpartum strength coach, walks alongside you and your family through pregnancy, birth and the first weeks home.
Support for your body, your birth and your family
A doula gives continuous, non-medical support: emotional, physical and educational. Asia combines that with years of coaching pregnant and postpartum women, so you get help preparing your body for labor and a clear plan for rebuilding strength afterwards.
From Hawaii to Alexandria
Born and raised on the island of Hawaii, Asia has supported families there and now serves moms across Alexandria, Northern Virginia and the DMV.
Midwife in training
A student midwife and birth doula, CPR/NRP certified, who approaches every mother as a whole person: body, mind and family.
Strength coach for moms
Certified Personal Trainer and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach, so labor prep, breathing and recovery are built in.
Birth doula
You're never alone in your birth
Having a doula by your side can lead to a smoother, more empowering birth. Asia is with you every step of the way, holding space and advocating for you, with constant emotional support and hands-on comfort such as counter pressure, hip squeezes, positioning changes and Spinning Babies techniques when needed.
Your partner stays at the center of your birth: Asia teaches them simple ways to support you, so the experience belongs to both of you. Overall, this is your birth, and she is there to advocate, support and educate you and your family.
- 2 prenatal visits starting at 36 weeks (1–2 hours each)
- Educational birth plan session: breathing, labor positions and what to expect
- 60-minute prenatal massage
- On call for your birth, with continuous emotional and physical support
- Comfort measures: counter pressure, hip squeezes, relaxation techniques
- Partner coaching so they can support you with confidence
- Homemade red raspberry leaf tea and postpartum sitz bath herbs
- Photos during labor and birth, if you'd like them
- 2 postpartum visits with lactation support
Postpartum doula
Nurturing you while you nurture your baby
Those first weeks after birth can feel overwhelming, and you don't have to navigate them alone. Whether it's holding space for your emotions, helping you rest and recover, cooking nourishing meals or guiding you through newborn care, Asia tailors each visit to what your family needs, for first-time moms and experienced moms alike.
- Lactation and feeding support
- Newborn care and education on baby development
- Healthy meal prep and cooking
- Light housework and laundry
- Help with navigating siblings
- Rest, recovery and companionship for mom
Childbirth education
Prepare with the knowledge and tools for a positive, empowered birth: how labor works, breathing, relaxation, positions and comfort measures.
Lactation support
Guidance on latch, positioning, milk supply and feeding rhythms, so you feel confident feeding your baby.
Placenta encapsulation
Some families choose to encapsulate their placenta. Research on its benefits is limited, and it isn't recommended in some situations (for example Group B strep or infection), so Asia will talk it through with you and your provider to decide what's right.
Prenatal & postpartum training
Stay strong through pregnancy and rebuild safely afterwards with 1:1 training or the ReBuild to Strength series at One Way Performance.
Why continuous labor support matters
A Cochrane review of 26 trials with more than 15,000 women found that people who had continuous one-on-one support during labor, such as a doula, were:
- More likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth
- About 25% less likely to have a cesarean birth
- Less likely to use pain medication, including epidurals
- About 31% less likely to report a negative birth experience
- More likely to have a shorter labor (about 40 minutes on average)
- Less likely to have a baby with a low 5-minute Apgar score
Source: Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017. A doula provides non-medical support and does not replace your midwife or OB.
"Having Asia as my doula was a HUGE blessing! If I could I would hire her for every pregnancy. Asia has all the best qualities I thought I'd want in a doula. She had a deep love and passion for the health of myself and my baby, she listened to my needs, she was funny, & light-hearted. She's a beautiful person all around. Also, during my labor, she applied the absolute BEST counter pressure on my lower back during contractions & trust me you'll need that."
Questions about doula support
What does a doula do?
A doula gives continuous, non-medical support before, during and after birth: emotional reassurance, comfort measures like counter pressure and positioning, information so you can make choices, and help advocating for your wishes. A doula works alongside your midwife or OB and does not provide medical care.
What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife is a medical provider who monitors you and your baby and attends the birth. A doula provides non-medical physical and emotional support. Asia is a student midwife, but in her doula role she supports you and your care team rather than giving medical care.
When should I hire a doula?
Anytime in pregnancy, and earlier is better so you have time to get to know each other. Prenatal visits start around 36 weeks, and Asia is on call for your birth after that.
Will a doula replace my partner?
No. A doula enhances the birth space you share with your partner. Asia teaches partners simple comfort techniques so they can take an active, confident role.
What does a postpartum doula help with?
Rest and recovery, feeding and lactation support, newborn care and education, meal prep, light housework and laundry, help with siblings, and emotional support, all tailored to your family.
What areas do you serve?
Families in Alexandria and across Northern Virginia and the DMV (Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia).
Can I combine doula support with prenatal or postpartum training?
Yes. Many moms train with Asia during pregnancy to prepare for labor, then join ReBuild to Strength or 1:1 sessions after birth. Read Is it safe to lift weights while pregnant? to learn more.
How do I get started?
Book a free consultation. Send a message through the contact page or text or call (808) 319-9905, and Asia will get back to you to talk about your pregnancy, your birth wishes and how she can support you.
Book a free doula consultation
Tell Asia about your due date, your birth plans and what support you're looking for. Consultations are free and there's no obligation.
- Serving
- Alexandria, Northern Virginia and the DMV
- Text or call
- (808) 319-9905
- Studio
- One Way Performance, 5400 Eisenhower Ave, Suite A, Alexandria, VA 22304