Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marisa Gaudet. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My journey into postpartum started with my own. After having my first child, I realized the huge gap in support that existed between prenatal and postpartum care. All of the weekly appointments with a care provider suddenly stopped, and I had no one to ask my questions to besides google! After my second child was born, I knew I had to do something. Supporting other women after birth has always been a passion of mine. I enjoyed bringing home cooked meals to families with new babies & giving support and advice where I could. I scoured the internet for ways I could help and landed upon certifying as a Postpartum Doula. Turning my passion project into my life’s work has been deeply rewarding.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

To start at the beginning- hi! I’m Marisa Gaudet, certified Postpartum Doula, pre/postnatal nutritionist student, and owner of Mother Nurture Postpartum LLC in Central Massachusetts. As a postpartum doula, my job is to provide support, education, & resources to families in the fourth trimester (or the postpartum period). Feeding support, educational classes, meal preparation, infant care, & light housework are amongst the many ways I support families for a smooth transition into their new lives with a baby. Support is given both in person and virtually, with the needs of the family always at the forefront! Although postpartum doulas are not a “new thing” (women have been supporting other women after birth since the dawn of time), it is a relatively new concept in the United States. My goal is to make postpartum support accessible to all families! I am so proud that we are carving out a safe space to talk openly about our postpartum journeys and how we can further assist caregivers for generations to come. In my ideal future, postpartum doulas will be as common as receiving a crib or stroller for your baby! The future of healthy postpartum care relies on caring for the entire family unit along with the baby.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele in the birth space is to first and foremost be authentically you. For me, even more important than revenue growth is attracting like-minded clients who see the value in investing in postpartum care. Not every client will be right for you, and that’s okay! But being yourself is the best way to grow a client list that makes you excited for work every morning. As important as remaining authentic is being responsive. Especially after birth, it is so important to felt held, seen, and heard. Being unavailable to your clients during this transitional time is not an option! I have helped women work through really difficult moments just by answering the phone at the right time. Take the time, it’s so worth it!

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

There is no doubt in my mind that I am right where I need to be in this moment. Personally, prior to starting this business, I never felt fulfilled in my career. Jobs were always just that, and it was more about the paycheck than anything else. I now wake up every day excited to support families & to continue my own education in the field. This is your reminder that if you have a passion or drive for something (even if it doesn’t already exist) you can carve out your own space and make it your career! If you have a deep drive & desire for something, more than likely someone else does, too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mother-nurture-postpartum.com
• Instagram: @mother.nurture.postpartum

Image Credits
AK Photography