Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherri Wilkerson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2009, I met a friend who worked as a doula. As she told me more about her role, I was intrigued and began to investigate the complexities of the birth world. I’ve been a certified teacher since 1994, so I loved how doula work combined education with advocacy. I attended a DONA International birth doula training in 2011 and completed my certification process in 2012. I also attended a Lamaze childbirth educator training in 2012 and passed the Lamaze exam in 2014. In 2017, I trained as a postpartum doula, and I maintain an active career that encompasses all three areas: childbirth education, birth doula and postpartum doula work. I’ve recently completed a three-year term on the board of directors for DONA International as the Director of Publications.
I jumped into birth work with both feet, and I’ve never looked back! I’ve attended nearly 150 births and I now have clients I affectionately refer to as “repeats” and “threepeats”!
On a personal note, I’ve been married to my husband Rob for 25 years, and we have four children. Our two oldest are adults who live on their own, and our younger two are in their last years of high school. We’ve recently acquired a 65 lb. puppy named Charlie.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to a stable career as a birth worker has not been easy. There are many doulas in the metro Atlanta area, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with several of them. I believe we would all agree the number one struggle in birth work is making it sustainable. It’s important to charge a fee that’s reflective of our market; so what an Atlanta doula charges might look different than what a Los Angeles doula charges. We work hard, and many times the hours are long – babies come when they want and take as long as they want – so there has to be compensation for that exchange of resources.
I’m basically asking people to pay me to be part of the most intimate and vulnerable time in their lives, so trustworthiness, integrity, and credibility are non-negotiable. Word of mouth referral is a big deal in this industry, especially with other medical care providers. I’ve worked hard to establish a good rapport with doctors, midwives, and nurses. They know when I walk into a birth room that my primary goals are my client’s comfort and awareness of available options.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with A Better Birth Doulas Services – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Whether I’m teaching a childbirth education class, supporting a laboring woman or instilling confidence in a newly postpartum mother, I want my clients to feel like they have my undivided attention and that they are the most important person in my world at that moment. I’m most proud of the fact that my company serves a diverse clientele, and I’ve learned so much and grown as a birth worker by serving people who are different than I am. That’s a value my husband and I have (hopefully) passed on to our four children as well – human kindness has no barriers.
My company practices sustainable birth work. I have a partner, Courtney, and we share on-call time. This way our clients always have 100% coverage and support even when vacations, illnesses or emergencies happen. We work hard to provide rock-solid support!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ve lived in and visited other large cities, but I’m Atlanta born and raised. There is a beauty here that I love, even though I know our city isn’t perfect. There is big city hustle and bustle, but drive a few miles in any direction and you’ll find a quaint little hamlet! I adore that feature of metro Atlanta.
What do I like least? Well, let’s say it together on the count of three – traffic! I don’t really need to explain that one, right?
Contact Info:
- Website: northwestatldoulas.com
- Phone: 706-718-2868
- Email: sherri@northwestatldoulas.com
Image Credit:
Baylee Roberts Photography, Kith & Kin Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
