Lou Read (she/her) is a certified birth doula and sometimes life coach, a writer and former communications professional. She’s also a really great cook specializing in postpartum nutrition.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Lou now lives in Brooklyn serving individuals and families of all iteration across NYC in person and virtually anywhere.
Birth work is Lou’s calling. Her nurturing spirit is a natural fit for many families seeking compassionate and informed support while navigating the life transition of pregnancy, birth, parenthood in all of its raw and real beauty and challenge.
She is comfortable supporting births in a range of settings — hospital, home, and birthing centers. Her sense of humor and ability to find light in the dark is an asset when unexpected curve balls appear (as they tend to do in birth work).
Birth doula support with Lou includes 3-6 prenatal sessions, labor and delivery support, and some postpartum care. She is passionate about helping clients navigate the entirety of the perinatal period, and especially the often overlooked task of choosing a provider who aligns with your preferences.
MATE is Lou’s business baby. She is here for you when you need.
Birth
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Postpartum
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Nourishment
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Birth • Postpartum • Nourishment •
TESTIMONIALS
Lou provided excellent prior care. Our birth preferences were thoroughly covered. We did a walk through in our home. Brainstormed nursery layout ideas and labor at home ideas. She gave my husband really good advice that he acted upon. She also helped me feel very calm, heard, respected, and ready!
We then met Lou at the hospital where she was wonderful. She didn’t change the vibe or dynamic we had going on with our midwife but she added to it giving me reminders of my preferences and remembering my hopes.
She kept the vibe of the space really nice playing our music when requested and knew exactly where to find it. Kept the diffuser filled. Kept me fanned and cool. And then massaged me and put me to sleep right when I needed rest but didn’t think I did. Overall she was incredible!
— H.S., Brooklyn, March 2023
Lou supported me with the birth and delivery of my daughter. She was extremely helpful and literally an angel. She checked in on me frequently before and after the birth. Lou provided outstanding support mentally and physically.
I had a difficult labor due to having been induced as I had low water and restrictive growth and Lou provided assistance every step of the way. My labor lasted 2 days and Lou brought such a calming energy, always keeping me motivated, and although I was in distress mentally and physically, her presence was a breath of fresh air. She taught me breathing techniques as well as exercises that helped induce labor.
She encouraged me to make the best decisions for me and my baby and provided me with an in depth explanation of what my options were, advocating for my needs at all times with hospital personnel. I am eternally grateful for having had Lou present during one of the most important moments of my life, she is truly a caring and genuine soul.
— Gabriela, October 2022, Tribeca
We loved working with Lou and felt like her approach was really well aligned with our preferences for a lower intervention hospital birth.
Lou was a wonderful guide for me prenatally. We met a bunch of times both in person and virtually. She was flexible, affirming, and made the process of birth prep feel fun!
On the day I went into labor, Lou helped me to make decisions and made sure we got to the hospital in time. She knew the hospital and staff well and was calm and reassuring in moments of potential stress.
Postpartum Lou checked in on us and helped connect us to lactation support and other resources as needed. So happy we had her on our team.
— First time parents, June 2023, Brooklyn
Lou was the perfect "angel on the shoulder" throughout the later months of pregnancy, deep in the trenches of our labor and birthing experience, and as a helpful postpartum friend.
She helped us understand what we needed to think about, questions to ask our providers, and the best ways to prepare for birth. She did this all without pandering to us, never afraid to tell us how she felt or when we were in the wrong.
Throughout the birthing experience, my partner and I constantly turned to her for guidance. When things were going well, we looked to her to ask if this would continue. When complications arose, she helped us breathe, think, question, and move forward with our preferred method.
To be honest, we were hesitant to hire a doula and Lou herself, but now couldn't imagine going through that experience without her. She'll forever be deeply embedded in the memory of our child's birth, and also a friend borne out of that experience.
— First time parents, April 2023, Brooklyn
Hiring Lou was a wonderful decision. With humor, openness, warmth, and knowledge, Lou guided my husband and I through making choices about our baby's birth and supported us through labor and postpartum.
In the days before I went into labor, having Lou to call and text as I tried to figure out what my body was doing and how to best physically and emotionally prepare for labor was extremely helpful. She gave me suggestions for activities for my body, but also listened to my anxiety and helped me feel more patient about it all. When I went into labor, I was so relieved to have Lou to call. It was the middle of the night, but she answered on the first ring and sat with me on the phone through some rough contractions. When I decided I had had enough and needed to go to the hospital, she was completely supportive. I was working with some excellent midwives, but I did feel that they were not taking seriously my dehydration (I was unable to keep any liquids down) and were pushing for me to stay home longer.
Having Lou in my corner to say that I should go if I feel I need to go was centering. When I got to the pushing stage, Lou guided me to push on my side, cooled me down with a cold compress, and gave me helpful visualizations. She also gently advocated for me to wait to push until I was fully feeling the urge - and I'm glad I waited because I pushed for less than 15 minutes!
—Caroline and Chris, April 2023, Queens
Without Lou my labor experience without a doubt would’ve gone sideways.
Her presence allowed me to be calm. Her expertise in reading monitors, asking the right questions, reminding me of my patient rights, and knowledge of positions allowed me to remain strong and achieve my wish of a birth canal delivery (even after induction).
My labor was extremely long and difficult; my partner could not do all that needed to be done. Lou stepped up to help both of us during the most important time in our family’s life.
I recommend her to my pregnant friends and am grateful she was present for my labor and delivery.
— First time parents, August 2023, Brooklyn
Lou brought a sense of calm, reassurance, and thoughtfulness into the hospital room. Especially when things got tough and stressful, she was our anchor!
—First time parents, February 2023, Manhattan
Training and Experience
Birth Doula Training — Carriage House Birth, July 2022 (includes postpartum basics)The Pelvic Floor: A Workshop for Doulas and Birthworkers — Sonia Reiter OTR/L, August 2023Comforting Touch for Doulas — Yiska Obadia, May 2023 Lactation Counseling for Doulas — Boober, December 2022Lactation Basics for Doulas — Carriage House Birth, January 2023Home Cook, Postpartum Nutrition & Recipe Testing (First Forty Days) — 2022 - 2023Infant Safety and CPR — Common Sense CPR, January 2023Calling In Workshop — Loretta J Ross (co-founder of the Reproductive Justice movement), October 2022Life Coach Training Program — Handel Group, 2020-2022Personal Assistant — NYC-based family during pregnancy and early postpartum, 2018-2019Communications Specialist — Various Organizations in wellness and media, 2010-2022Continuing education on lactation, reproductive justice, healing modalities — Ongoing, Forever