About Nova Birth
Hi! I am Alena! I am a trauma-informed, neurodivergent friendly doula based in Greensboro, NC. While my business is new, supporting birthing people isn't. I've spent the last 5 years walking alongside families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, offering grounded, compassionate care rooted in trust and choice.
This new chapter is simply the next step in which has already been a deeply personal and purposeful journey. I specialize in holding space for folks who may not always feel seen in traditional care models, especially those navigating trauma, neurodivergence, or just needing someone who truly gets it.
If you are looking for a doula who blends experience with heart, I'd be honored to support you! I offer text-based communication for those who suffer from anxiety making phone calls (I get it!).
Nova Birth is dedicated to providing holistic support to expecting families during labor and delivery. Our approach combines traditional wisdom with evidence-based practices and modern medical knowledge to ensure a safe and empowering birth experience. We believe in the strength of mothers and aim to nurture and support them throughout their childbirth journey. Let's get in touch!
Whether you're planning a natural birth, an epidural, or a scheduled cesarean, my role as your doula is to support your choices. There's no one "right" way to give birth, what matters most is that you feel informed, respected, and empowered every step of the way. I'm here for you, no matter what your birth looks like.
Why hire a doula?
A national Medicaid cohort study (2014–2023) found that birthing women who worked with a doula experienced a 47% lower risk of cesarean delivery, a 29% lower risk of preterm birth, and were 46% more likely to attend a postpartum checkup compared to matched controls.
A three-state Medicaid analysis reported 52.9% lower odds of cesarean delivery (OR ≈ 0.47) and 57.5% lower odds of postpartum depression or anxiety (OR ≈ 0.43) among those receiving doula care.
In socially and economically disadvantaged populations, a 2013 study found doula clients were four times less likely to have low birth-weight babies, twice as likely to avoid birth complications, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding.
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Better clinical outcomes: fewer surgeries, healthier babies, more vaginal births.
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Stronger postpartum health: less depression and anxiety, more breastfeeding success.
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Greater satisfaction: more empowered, supported birth experiences, especially in marginalized communities.
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Continuity of care: consistent emotional and advocacy support before, during, and after birth.
Our Difference
A Different Kind of Doula
Not every pregnancy or birth is simple and not every family wants the same kind of support. That's why I offer something unique: care tailored specifically for people navigating complicated pregnancies, challenging labors, and hospital births.
I know that medical intervention and pain relief can be not just necessary, but empowering choices. Whether you choose (or need) epidurals, inductions, or other medical support, I stand beside you without judgment advocating for your comfort, your safety, and your voice.
With me, you don't have to choose between compassionate support and modern medicine you can have both!
Why trauma informed?
1. Heightened Risk of Postpartum Trauma & PTSD
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A significant portion of women who had complicated births (such as emergency C-section, instrumental delivery, induction, or poor pain control) developed childbirth-related PTSD (CR-PTSD). Pre-existing trauma, especially trauma history, substantially increases this risk.
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Population data reveal prior trauma—such as sexual or childhood abuse—increases risk scores and likelihood of CR‑PTSD after childbirth.
2. Labor Complications Amplify Traumatic Intrusions
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A perinatal cohort followed up to two years postpartum found that each additional labor or delivery complication nearly doubled the odds of persistent trauma-related distress (e.g. intrusive memories), regardless of past trauma or anxiety levels.
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This suggests that a single traumatic birth event can trigger long‑term, trauma‑like symptoms even after acute recovery.
3. Negative Treatment by Care Providers as Trauma Trigger
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Qualitative studies highlight that women often feel traumatized when care providers disregard their bodily knowledge, coerce them, or carry out non-consensual interventions—sometimes triggering memories of prior sexual violence
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Feelings of violation, coercion, or being ignored can be deeply re traumatizing for survivors of interpersonal trauma
4. Loss of Control & Fear Reactivation
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Trauma survivors commonly report intense fear during labor—such as fear of personal harm or harm to the baby—which can be a key predictive factor for CR-PTSD
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Feeling powerless or lacking agency in birth decisions amplifies emotional stress and may recreate prior trauma dynamics (e.g., being forced into procedures without genuine consent).
5. Social Support as a Protective Factor
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A prospective study found that birthing without any support (partner or professional) was linked with the highest levels of PTSD symptoms and worst subjective trauma scores. Having both a partner and trained support like a doula was associated with the lowest symptom levels.
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Importantly, the protective effect of continuous support during labor was even stronger for those with pre-existing trauma histories
Our Services
Personal Home Visits
Our personalized home visits are designed to provide individualized care and support for new mothers and their babies, covering various aspects of postpartum recovery and newborn care.
Lactation Consulting
Our lactation consulting services are aimed at assisting mothers in overcoming breastfeeding challenges and establishing a strong and fulfilling nursing relationship with their babies.
Birth Doula Support
As birth doulas, we offer continuous emotional and physical support during labor and delivery, advocating for the mother's preferences and ensuring a positive birthing experience.