Erika Laquer is a birth and postpartum doula and also a childbirth educator.

She owns Better Beginnings Birth Services and lives in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts

When did you discover your passion for birth?

In 2006 I went to a hospital in the Dominican Republic  as part of a volunteer medical group. I went because we adopted our daughter from the Dominican Republic and I had a strong desire to give back to the country of her birth. Most women in Dominican hospitals went through labor alone and without medication. I quickly saw the value of community doulas and felt drawn to learn more about doulas. I learned from others how doulas supported women in labor, giving them emotional support and kindness that needed no language. The difference that doula care made for these women amazed me. I felt called to be involved with birth in whatever ways possible, in addition to my professional role as a dean and instructor at Smith College. After this life-changing experience I started attending births in the US and taking doula courses and Spanish. I have returned many times to the Dominican Republic since 2006.

What is a doula exactly?

Doulas help parents-to-be with education, emotional support and advocacy.   Birth doulas teach skills and techniques for relief in the third trimester and help clients learn about non-medical pain relief in labor. Postpartum doulas specialize in caring for the new family after the birth.  As a birth doula I get to know my clients before labor so I can translate their dreams and previous experiences into a satisfying birth. I  work with women with high risk pregnancies and pregnancies of extra concern. Together, the doctor or midwife and I give the extra care and support they need. For a few of my birth clients I provide a separate package of continuity of care for the first two weeks after birth.

What is your training as a doula?

Soon after my amazing experiences in the Dominican Republic, I took a national doula training course with CAPPA, and I retrained with DONA International in 2014 and 2019. I also graduated from a home-birth midwifery program in 2009. I have attended many workshops and trainings over the years.

Why are you passionate about supporting new mothers?

Whether this is their first pregnancy or their last, I believe that the compassionate support of an experienced doula gives birthing clients a special benefit. A trained birth attendant gives physical and emotional comfort along with the partner. The doula is the one person during labor and birth dedicated exclusively to the emotional and physical needs of the mother.  I know that the memories and the feelings about becoming a mother will last a lifetime.

When were you first fascinated with babies?

I started helping my mother and my aunts with their babies at a young age. In this photo, taken when I was six, you can see my excitement and pride in caring for my cousin.

Is there any scientific research on the benefits of doula care?

Yes! Since 1975, research has grown about scientific results when doulas attend births. Labor length is shortened by 25%; use of artificial stimulation of labor is reduced by 40%; pain medication is reduced by by 30%; and cesarean surgery is performed in 45% fewer cases. Shorter labors, fewer interventions, fewer cesareans, translate to a more satisfying birth experience. See Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, The Doula Book, Third Edition (2012), chapter 5.

Partners are sometimes hesitant about hiring a doula. How do doulas benefit partners?

Only your partner can provide the love you share. Doulas nurture the birthing partner and help partners to be as involved as they want to be. Some partners want to be labor coaches and others do not. I have attended over 80 births so I have wide experience about what is typical, even for high risk pregnancies. By showing partners ways to  help the labor process I work with both partners. We work as a team with the other members of the birth team.

How do you serve women from diverse ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds?

I know that personal cultural and religious traditions carry deep significance for my clients. I honor all individual choices, cultural and religious traditions in pregnancy, birth, and recovery. I devote as much time listening as necessary to your hopes for how your birth will go. It is your birth, and I always see your wants as primary.  I speak French fluently and proficient medical Spanish.

How do you stay current about birth?

My motto is “always keep learning”. I attend many conferences and gatherings for people working in the perinatal period through the years.

What if you cannot make it to my birth?

I only do birth work now, so I limit my practice to what I can do well. Although I also offer classes and individual consultations as a childbirth educator, those clients are very flexible about rearranging class times for a birth! I know other experienced doulas who back me up if I am ill or unable to attend your birth. The back-up doulas are available to meet you before labor, if you want.

Where do your clients birth their babies?

I attend hospital births in Hampshire, Franklin and  Hampden counties. My home-birth clients come from a wider area of western and central Massachusetts. I live in Easthampton and my clients come from Northampton, Amherst, South Hadley, Greenfield, Springfield, and other Pioneer Valley communities in western Massachusetts.

Do you have any references I can contact?

I am happy to provide these! You can also click the Testimonials tab on this page.

What kinds of birth situations have you encountered?

I have attended births in private homes, free-standing birth centers, and hospitals, including  high risk births, births with and without epidurals, emergency cesareans, planned cesareans, VBACs, premature births, multiples and transfers of newborns to a Level III NICU.

What else do you do?

I live in Easthampton with my husband, and our daughter and her family live nearby. We are grateful to be able to play an active role with our grandchildren. I volunteer in various community groups in Hampshire County including It Takes a Village. I play an active role In Springfield with the Maternal Child Commission and Project Baby, and I am committed to the Springfield Community-Based Doula Initiative.

What does a doula cost?

My doula charges vary, depending on how much support a family wants before and after birth. My basic birth doula package costs $1500. Because I believe strongly in the value of birth doula services for all, I offer a sliding scale. I will work with you on a case by case basis. If you are eligible to receive WIC, I can direct you to apply for subsidized doula care available through the Green River Doula Network at  www.greenriverdoulas.org

What’s next? How do I set up a free consultation ?

Call, text or email me, and we’ll set up a free half-hour consultation! We can meet anywhere within near me and convenient for you.  I will share how doula care can help you have the birth of your dreams. I look forward to meeting you!