How to do justice to Seena with words on a page? Impossible! I’m so glad that there is the companion video for you to enjoy alongside this post, because the energy, compassion and treasure that is Seena just cannot be captured in mere type font. I first met Seena when I interviewed her as a prospective member of the Philly Doula Co-op, (from which I have had to retire to being an honorary member but of which she is still an active member.) Seena has so much enthusiasm for the work that she does and that was evident just on the phone, but oh-so-evident when she spoke passionately about her love for birth work upon our first meeting. It’s clear that Seena has integrated the wisdom from her personal life’s journey along with her different skills as a professional to become the kind of person who is such an ideal fit for doula work. While I’ve sat through meetings with Seena and enjoyed coffee dates with her around Philly, it was coming to her home for our interview together that gave me an even greater appreciation for all that she has to offer. Seena seems to have focused in on the richest parts of life, and pushed them to the front and center. Her home is filled with her own artwork, with books that have taught her along the way, with evidence of the special meaning that her faith tradition brings to her life, with pictures of her family through the many stages of life, down to her own in-home studio where she can teach private yoga classes or hold Soul Collage gatherings. There are things that we *know* are sweet stuff of life, the most important - family, creativity, faith, work & home balance - and Seena’s home shows that she has made these things a priority. I think that’s key to why Seena seems to have so much to give! Seena is the kind of person who you might describe as a firecracker - a small package, but with lots of energy! She credits the influence of her parents for her ability to tap into both the gentle and powerful parts of herself. She describes her father as “gentle” and her mother as “anything but,” so she grew up understanding the time, place and purpose for when to offer gentleness and when to offer firmness. I can easily imagine someone choosing Seena as their doula because they know she will offer a calm presence, but will also rise to the occasion when fierce & enthusiastic encouragement are needed, or when a firm placing of the foot helps to hold the space for a birthing person to feel protected from unwanted medical interventions. Being a part of the Philly Doula Co-op gives Seena the confidence to serve her clients well, knowing that if something unforeseen arises that causes her to need backup, she has trustworthy colleagues to rely upon. She will often find herself at a birth reaching out to the other members of the co-op to help give her encouragement, fresh insight or to help troubleshoot a tricky situation while at a birth. I love how Seena describes her after-birth ritual, which you should just watch the video to hear in her own words. As doulas, we often say to pregnant people that “how you do life is how you will do birth.” That seems to follow for doulas as well, that a wise doula will use all of the best parts of themselves, all of their best strategies from life to apply towards their birth work. Seena’s after-birth self-care rituals of warmth, water, nourishment and rest and holding space for her own recovery all reflect the mindful approach she takes toward life - or what she describes as “sacred attention.” I’m always, ALWAYS so happy when I hear from one of my birth class students that they have chosen Seena as their doula, knowing for certain that they will be cared for above and beyond. Check out the links below for more information about how to reach Seena and follow her on social media. Below you'll also find the YouTube link to my in-person interview with her - enjoy! Seena Elbaum (She/her) seenabeth36@gmail.com*preferred method of communication 215-808-6852 Birth Doula Fee: $1200 Serving Philadelphia, The Main Line and South Jersey seenaelbaum.com Facebook: Birthing Mindfully
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