Erica Garcia joined MCs Doula Mentorship Program in 2024. Our Program aims to assist future Certified Birth and Postpartum Doulas complete their requirements for certification while also offering them guidance, support, education and expert advice from our Elite Certified Doula Mentors. 

TRAINED BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA (Certification Pending): 

In 2024 Erica began her journey to become a Birth and Postpartum Doula through Childbirth International's Doula Training and Certification Program. She is currently a member of MCs Doula Mentorship Program where she receives support, education and mentorship from our Experienced / Certified Doula Mentors.  Her Certification status is PENDING with an expected confirmation of certification by or before December 31, 2025.   

WORK EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND: 

Erica is born and raised in Miami, Florida and while she has lived in several different locations, “everywhere I lived, brought me right back to home”. Erica’s educational and work background gives her a unique perspective and life experience that will be of benefit to the clients she provides support to. Her background begins in the area of aviation.  After training in aircraft accident investigation and occupational safety and health she invested 7 years focusing on aircraft damages and employee injuries. While working on completing her Birth & Postpartum Doula Certification, Erica continues to work as a technical writer, writing aircraft safety manuals.

PRENATAL & POSTPARTUM EDUCATION & MORE!

Erica is a 500-hour Hatha & Vinyasa registered and certified Yoga Instructor with additional certifications and continuing education hours in: prenatal yoga (85-hours), childrens yoga (95-hours), yin yoga (20-hours) trauma-informed & restorative yoga training and education. Lastly, she is a Certified “Girls Gone Strong” Prenatal & Postnatal, Woman’s Coaching Specialist.

With such an extensive background in care, safety and body work, it makes absolute sense that she would excel at redirecting her focus towards ensuring that birthing families experience birth in a way that allows them to feel safe, supported and empowered while also providing education on how the body should move and be positioned for labor and birth.   

WHY SHE CHOSE BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA WORK:

Erica’s journey into birth work and ultimately to seek becoming certified as a BIRTH DOULA was “born” after her own birth experiences.  She explains, “ My daughter’s birth was absolutely phenomenal besides all the uncertainties and unexpected complications that arose. The group of women that I had surrounding me were empowering, comforting and they did everything to make me feel at ease. I wouldn’t change a single piece of it. My son’s birth was entirely the opposite. I had a terrible experience with two doctors and my hospital staff. My birth ended up being traumatic and even still hard to talk about sometimes… the terrible experience I had really gave me the push to try and make sure no other woman ever feels that way.”  Erica hopes to empower women “to feel confident in themselves, their bodies and their choices”.  She aims to “be a rock for them to lean on when things get challenging and to give them the confidence that no matter what, someone is on their side and will stand next to them”. Erica honestly shares, “I think that the labor and birth experience is exhilarating just as much as it is terrifying. I believe that women need support, love, encouragement and empowerment to feel their greatest and most capable. In order to feel that, I feel that knowledge is always power and understanding information fully to make the best informed decision gives women that empowerment. In labor support, I feel it is important to be the voice that can help her understand and ease any fears or hesitations that she may have, but to also encourage her to follow her instincts and do what is best for her, her baby and her family”

When asked why she chose to become certified as a POSTPARTUM DOULA she answered, “It takes a village! Having a baby is scary and bewildering. Your entire life completely changes and it can sometimes feel so lonely. I decided to become a postpartum doula to make the transition easier for women and to make it feel a little less lonely and more fulfilling without the added stress”. Erica acknowledges that postpartum is the most challenging during the early days, weeks, and in some cases, months after giving birth. 

She feels that it is during this vulnerable timeframe women are most susceptible to transitioning from the common “baby blues” into the far more severe postpartum depression.  “Having someone to help and teach is so crucial to not feeling so alone. It can really help to not feel as though the world is resting on your shoulders and you’re doing something wrong. My theory for support is to be whatever you may need me to be. Someone who can ease the workload, explain changes in your body that you may be experiencing, and help you adjust to a new member of your family”, Erica shares. 

LIFE, FAMILY & HOBBIES:

Erica and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful children, their 4 year old daughter and 2.5 year old son. Erica is an avid reader and always has a book or her kindle in hand, ready to catch up on her favorite books.  She also enjoys arts and crafts and exercising, especially yoga. All of her other free time is invested into spending time with her kids and learning something new.  “I can be pretty creative when I put my mind to it; arts and crafts and my cricut. Pretty good at word searches and problem solving (especially true crime games!”

Favorite Quote:  “This too shall pass.” - Edward Fitzgerald

We are pleased that Erica will share in your birth or postpartum experience! We promise that her level of care and support will prove to be invaluable during your labor and birth!