Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Gonzalez.
Hi Savannah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into birth work started long before I ever attended a birth. It began with my own experiences navigating the healthcare system and realizing just how powerful it is to have someone by your side who truly listens, advocates for you, and reminds you that your voice matters. That realization planted the seed for what would one day become The Savvy Doula.
After working in the corporate world for several years, I felt a persistent calling to do something more hands-on and heart-centered. I kept coming back to birth work—the idea of walking alongside families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative times in their lives just felt deeply aligned with my purpose. I completed my doula training, started attending births, and everything clicked. I had found my place.
Over time, my love for empowering parents through knowledge led me to begin teaching childbirth classes. Though I’m self-taught, I pour my heart into helping families feel informed and prepared. I truly believe education is one of the most powerful tools a birthing person can have, and it’s a joy to see families step into their birth experience feeling confident and capable.
Photography has also been a lifelong passion of mine—something I’ve always loved as a hobby. As I began attending births, it felt natural to combine that passion with my work. I now offer birth photography to capture those raw, once-in-a-lifetime moments—like the first time a parent holds their baby or the emotion in the room right after delivery. It’s an honor to preserve those memories for families.
I also partner with the Global Doula Project to offer sliding scale and pro bono services to families who need it most. I provide my clients with the tools they need to seek insurance reimbursement or use HSA funds—because I believe doula care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background.
Most recently, I was hired by Wellstar Hospital through their doula program, which uses grant funding to pay doulas while offering free support to low-income patients. Being part of a hospital-based initiative that centers equity and compassionate care has been incredibly fulfilling and aligns beautifully with my mission.
The Savvy Doula is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of my heart, my faith, and my belief that birth can be sacred, empowering, and even joyful. Supporting families as they welcome new life into the world is a privilege I never take for granted.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most meaningful journeys, it hasn’t always been a smooth road—and I think that’s part of what makes the work so fulfilling. Starting a doula business meant stepping into a world where many people still don’t fully understand what doulas do or why our work matters. Educating my community, building trust, and establishing credibility took time and consistency.
In the beginning, I partnered with a doula company that allowed me to get hired regularly, which gave me valuable hands-on experience. But it also meant working at a lower pay rate while I built up my own client base. Like any small business owner, I faced the pressure of figuring things out on my own—managing marketing, contracts, finances, and client care—often wondering if I was “doing it right,” especially since doula work is so deeply personal and every birth is unique.
Starting your own business can also be isolating. But one of the greatest blessings of this journey has been connecting with other doulas. In most industries, competition tends to push people apart—but doulas are different. From the start, I found a community that truly wants to see each other grow. We share resources, refer clients, take classes together, and lean on one another through both the highs and the hard moments.
When your work is so personal and emotionally involved, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Am I supporting my clients the right way? Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Being able to reach out to fellow doulas, take additional classes together, and learn from one another has made all the difference. The doula community is incredibly collaborative, and having that kind of support has helped me grow not just as a birth worker, but as a person.
I had to get creative, stay resourceful, and rely heavily on my passion and faith to push through those moments. Emotionally, this work can be intense. Supporting families through such raw, transformative experiences requires presence, strength, and heart. There have been long nights, unpredictable schedules, and moments that stretched me in every way—but also so much joy, connection, and purpose. Through it all, I’ve trusted that I’m doing the work I was truly called to do.
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. Every lesson, every birth, and every connection has shaped me into the doula I am today—and I’m so grateful for the journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Savvy Doula?
The Savvy Doula is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of my heart, my faith, and my dedication to supporting families during one of the most transformative experiences of their lives. I specialize in providing compassionate and personalized birth support, offering both doula services and birth photography to help parents feel empowered and connected through every step of their journey. Additionally, I offer postpartum doula support, which helps families transition into the new phase of life after birth, offering emotional, physical, and practical support during those early days and weeks.
I’m known for my approach that blends deep emotional support with a focus on education and empowerment. I firmly believe that informed parents are confident parents, and I work hard to give every family the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to make the best choices for themselves. Whether it’s guiding a couple through a birth plan, offering comfort measures in labor, capturing those raw, once-in-a-lifetime moments with birth photography, or providing postpartum care, my goal is to be a steady, encouraging presence throughout the entire experience.
What sets me apart is my personalized care. I take the time to truly get to know each family, tailoring my services to meet their unique needs and values. I also strive to make my services accessible to everyone, partnering with organizations like the Global Doula Project to offer sliding scale and pro bono services, and providing clients with the tools they need to seek reimbursement or use HSA funds. I believe doula care should not be a luxury—it should be a service that anyone can access.
I’m also proud of the strong relationships I’ve built with a network of local healthcare and birth workers in my community, including midwives, chiropractors, pelvic floor therapists, massage therapists, physical therapists, and others. Through these connections, I’ve been able to curate a resource list that I can refer my clients to for any part of their journey, ensuring they have access to the best support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the strong community I’ve built with other doulas. It’s not always easy to find collaboration in competitive fields, but the doula community is different. We share resources, support each other, and learn together. It’s this spirit of connection and collaboration that I think truly elevates my work and allows me to grow not only as a doula, but as a person.
What I want readers to know is that The Savvy Doula is all about providing compassionate, informed, and accessible care. Whether you’re looking for doula services, childbirth education, postpartum support, or birth photography, I’m here to support you every step of the way, with a deep commitment to your experience and needs. My brand isn’t just about offering a service—it’s about creating a meaningful, empowering birth experience that you and your family will never forget.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality to my success has been my ability to be present and truly listen—both to my clients and to the inner guidance that has led me on this path. Birth work is incredibly intimate, and every family has their own unique needs, hopes, and fears. Being able to tune in, offer empathy, and tailor my support to meet each individual family’s journey is crucial.
Another characteristic that has been essential is my deep passion for empowering families through education. I’m driven by the belief that when parents are informed and confident, they are better equipped to navigate the birth experience in a way that aligns with their values. This passion pushes me to continue learning, growing, and sharing that knowledge with others.
Lastly, my faith has played a pivotal role in my success. It keeps me grounded, helps me persevere through the challenges, and reminds me of the greater purpose in the work I do. When times get tough or uncertain, I rely on my faith and my belief in this calling to keep moving forward.
These qualities—empathy, education, and faith—combine to form the foundation of my work, and I truly believe they have been essential to the success of The Savvy Doula.
Pricing:
- Doula Services- $1299
- Add on Birth Photography- $400
- Postpartum Support- $40-50/hr
- Private Childbirth Classes- $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savannahthesavvydoula.com
- Instagram: @savannahthesavvydoula
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093424120484
