Today we’d like to introduce you to Merica Mitchell.
Hi Merica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t set out to become a doula, it was more like birth work found me. After having my own babies (five of them, to be exact!) and hearing the stories of those who had children before me within my family and walking with close friends through their perinatal journeys, I realized how much of the birth experience depends on being safe, seen, heard, and respected. Too often, families walk into healthcare spaces hoping for the best; quickly learning that “the best” can sometimes mean policy wins over personhood. That didn’t sit right with me.
So, I took my lived experience, the chaos, the beauty, the lessons, and turned it into purpose. As a woman of color, a mother, and a childbirth educator, I’ve made it my mission to help families reclaim their voice and experience in the birth room. My work is rooted in trauma-informed care, informed consent, and a deep belief that birth is not just a physical event, it’s a mind, body, spirit journey. A normal mind, body, spirit journey.
Today, over a decade in, I get to walk alongside families as they navigate one of life’s most transformative moments, reminding them that their story, their choices, and their experiences matter. And honestly? There’s nothing more fulfilling than that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not exactly, more like beautifully bumpy. Navigating motherhood, marriage, school, work, and entrepreneurship while holding space for others in their most vulnerable moments has been both humbling and stretching. There were seasons when I questioned if I could keep pouring from a cup that felt half-empty, especially when navigating systems that weren’t necessarily built with us in mind.
There’s also the emotional weight of birth work, bearing witness to both joy and trauma, sometimes in the same breath. Learning to care for myself with the same compassion I offer my clients has been a lifelong lesson that continues to challenge me in the best ways.
Yet every tough moment has shaped me into a more grounded, empathetic, and intentional human and doula. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been sweet, and I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Woman Beside Her was born from a simple but powerful belief: no one should have to navigate birth, or the systems surrounding it, alone. I provide labor and postpartum doula support, childbirth education, and mentorship for families and aspiring birth workers, all rooted in trauma-informed care and informed consent advocacy. My approach blends evidence-based knowledge with deep emotional presence, because birth isn’t just about contractions and centimeters, it’s about connection, confidence, and care. And I am grateful for the women who walk beside me in this work as we grow and are looking forward to expanding our care and offerings in the near future.
What sets Woman Beside Her apart is the heart behind the work. We don’t just show up for the birth; We show up for the woman and her partner. We meet families where they are, physically, emotionally, and culturally, and strive to help them feel seen, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Woman Beside Her has become a safe space for families who often feel unsure in traditional healthcare settings. It’s a brand built on advocacy, education, and genuine human connection. Whether I’m teaching, mentoring a new doula, or holding a mother’s hand through labor, my goal is always the same: to remind her that she is never alone, there’s always a woman beside her. Mothering the mother and supporting the partner.
I’m currently collaborating with two amazing, empathetic, and brilliant women to make Woman Beside Her even stronger. Erin Richardson, my trusted collaborator and fellow advocate in birth and beyond, and Toi McClendon, a longtime friend whose insight and compassion has become vital to our collective vision. Together, we’re building something that honors families, uplifts birth workers, and keeps heart and our shared faith at the center of it all. I can’t wait to see and share what we create next!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor or building a network in birth work isn’t about collecting business cards, it’s about finding like minded people…your people. The ones who speak your language, share your values, and remind you why you started when things get hard. My best advice? Lead with authenticity. The right connections come when you show up as yourself, not as who you think you’re supposed to be.
For me, mentorship has looked like organic relationships built through shared experiences, mutual friends, birth rooms, community events, late-night text threads about advocacy and self-care. I’ve learned that mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal; sometimes it’s a conversation, a collaboration, or a moment of mutual encouragement.
What’s worked best is staying curious, staying teachable, and surrounding myself with people who challenge me to grow while cheering me on. In this work, community isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Pricing:
- Labor Doula Support: flat rate- includes prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and postpartum follow-up.
- Private Childbirth Education Classes: flat rate – small group or private sessions available, focused on informed decision-making and confidence-building.
- Mentorship for Aspiring Doulas: flat rate – personalized guidance, business development support, and trauma-informed care foundations.
- Postpartum Support Add-On: hourly – emotional, physical, and practical support during the early weeks after birth
- Birth & Postpartum Planning Sessions: flat rate per session – a personalized, one-on-one consultation to help families clarify their birth preferences, prepare for postpartum recovery, and create a plan that supports both physical and emotional well-being. Sliding scale and payment plans available to ensure access for all families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womanbesideher.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womanbesideher
Image Credits
MD Mitchell
