Thank you so much for your interest in our company and our fine staff of Doulas and Doulas! By way of introduction, please allow Mother’s Care to share a bit about the Doula care provider you are considering to assist you during your postpartum period.

MC has had the privilege of knowing Raquel for many years. She began providing infant & toddler care in 2009 as one of MCs young Babysitters. She dedicated her summers to caring for, laughing and playing with young children while under the guidance and support of our seasoned MC Babysitting Staff. MC has been welcomed over the years by various companies, churches and Jewish Synagogues to provide them with trusted care for children ranging from small infants to elementary school ages during large family and holiday events.

As she matured, her heart desires to provide more assistance and so between 2016 & 2017, Raquel completed the MCDS Postpartum Doula & Infant Care Training. Since then has served as an MC  Postpartum Doula for our smallest and newest little clients & Professional Babysitter for older children.

Raquel is one of our "Seasonal Doulas" and returns to MC several times per year to provide our Clients with Babysitting and or Postpartum Doula Support. While we love having her with us all the time, we must share Raquel with the other passion she follows.  After graduating college she moved to Washington and worked as a national press and policy deputy. She supported campaigns across the country by helping frontliners manage and achieve their policy goals and holding their opponents accountable. When she is with MC, she enjoys slowing down and getting back to the basics of holding, caring for and enjoying the wide range of little ones she has had the pleasure of working with.

It often surprises our Clients that their Doula also works in the political sector. Raquel is quick to explain the similarities behind supporting and encouraging a candidate for state or local service and supporting a new family!  She explains, "I chose to work in politics because I saw things in the world that I thought could be improved or be better and I wanted to be part of the people who inspired that change. I have always been interested in policy and the creation and development of laws.  Watching how policies and laws impact people is important so that we can understand how to improve them for all. I chose the role I serve specifically because I have always loved communications. I get to meet and communicate with so many people, sharing ideas, setting goals, encouraging one another and supporting someone, like a candidate, achieve their goal. Postpartum support is not that different.  In this case, I am getting to know new parents who also have a goal. That goal may be getting more sleep so they can care for their baby during waking hours, or maybe they have another child and they need help with the newest little one.  Families have practices and procedures they follow and as Doulas, we learn what those practices are and blend what we have learned as trained Doulas so that we can help positively impact the recovery of this new family. I also love meeting and communicating with new parents, getting to know them and their baby so that I can discover how to best help them makes me feel happy and fulfilled!"

When asked what advice she'd give a new family who is bring their new (or newest) little home she shares, "I would tell new parents that it's very important to find a Doula who can fit into your lifestyle and who can understand what your goals are so you can work together to achieve them.  When I assist a family, I feel strongly that rest is a huge component of recovery.  I want the parents to know that their baby is in good hands while they sleep so that they can focus on caring for themselves and their baby.  If a mom is breastfeeding, I'm comfortable providing them with basic support and will reach out to our amazing MC Breastfeeding Specialists if I discover challenges the mom is having so we address them right away.  For bottle feeders, I love snuggling up with them and feeding them moms milk or their parents preferred formula. I know it can be hard to trust someone with your baby but I want parents to know that we are here for you and will stand alongside you."

LIFE, FAMILY & HOBBIES:

Raquel loves TV and enjoys watching movies and episodic shows.  She admits to the guilty pleasure of enjoying reality TV.  When not enjoying some of her favorite shows, she loves yoga, exercising with her siblings and soaking up as much South Florida sun when she's in town at one of our amazing beaches!

RAQUEL'S "WORDS TO LIVE BY":

Be kind, it's everyone's "first time" here. Just as we are patient with babies and grant them so much grace because it's their first moments in our world, it's just as important to remember that no matter how old you get, what you are experiencing now, is also your "first time". Give grace and be kind to others and yourself."

We are pleased that Raquel will share in your postpartum experience! We promise that her level of care and support will prove to be invaluable during this special time in your family.