Hi, I’m Phelicia
Artist. Doula. Birth Nerd. Advocate. Ally.
While photographing my first home birth in Las Vegas, Nevada, I quickly found myself playing the role of doula – setting down my camera to offer hip squeezes, reassuring the birthing person that they were safe and everything happening is normal. We were waiting for the midwives to arrive, and active labor had picked up much faster than anyone had anticipated – sooner than anyone but myself could arrive. When baby was born into dad’s hands, I was photographing the emotional scene playing out in front of me and noticed the cord was wrapped around the neck twice, making it hard for them to lift baby to mom’s chest. Before I could think twice, my body had already responded and I was practically in the tub helping them unwind baby. There was never any second guessing after that- I signed up for official training the very next day.
Credentials & Experience
After her initial doula training in 2014, Phelicia began her journey into lactation and infant feeding support and earned a Certification in Lactation Counseling (CLC) in 2016 and began helping mothers struggling with feeding issues. While living in Las Vegas, she had the unique opportunity of working with a local IBCLC (who had also been a previous birth client) in private practice, as well as in a tongue tie clinic supporting babies during surgery and post frenectomy. She has worked with hundreds of babies in various settings, with varying feeding challenges, and a wide range of feeding goals.
In 2020 Phelicia sought certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (car seat tech).
After moving back to the DC Metro area in 2021, Phelicia jumped back into birth work while continuing her love for photography simultaneously. She began contracting with a local group for birth and postpartum support, earning her birth doula certification through DONA in 2024 and is expected to earn her Virginia State Certification in 2025.
My why.
I have three amazing babies that are so much of my inspiration and drive when it comes to my career and the different paths I have journeyed. My first is the reason I picked up my first DSLR and also the driving force behind my passion for birth work.
