Mission Birth
Katelynn Rieling CD(DONA), LCCE
Birth Doula Services & Childbirth Education
Personalized Support for Confident Birth
Located in Northern Virginia
About My Mission
Hi there! However you found your way here, thank you for stopping by. My name is Katelynn and I'm the founder and face behind Mission Birth. I am a DONA certified birth doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator. My calling is to guide you on your mission to give birth. This moment in your life is deeply personal and lifechanging. As your baby grows, so will you. My work is anchored with a deep desire to help families experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum the best that they can. I aim to create a relationship with families where they feel confident, supported, and prepared. My approach is to meet you where you are, and help your family navigate a path that is right for you- whatever that might look like. I hope to offer you meaningful support that will allow your birth to unfold safely, give you confidence in your decision-making, and leave you feeling empowered. I intend to care for you personally and faithfully as you journey through one of the most transformative moments in your life. My hope is to foster community and compassion for all, at every step.
♡ Katelynn Rieling CD(DONA), LCCE
What is a birth doula?
Great question! The word doula has classical Greek roots, meaning a woman who serves. A modern-day birth doula provides individualized emotional and physical support, along with helpful information throughout pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum. A doula makes efforts to help meet the needs and desires of parents, establish mother-infant bonding, and statistically may improve overall outcomes. A birth doula supports the mother no matter what decisions she makes or how she gives birth. A doula comforts, reassures, and protects the space for the birthing person. A birth doula is a trusted member of the birth team, ready to use knowledge and skills, along with continuous care, to ultimately empower the birthing person and optimize the birth experience.
​
Research shows that having continuous labor support offers impressive benefits.
2017 Bohren et. al. Cochrane Review
-
Decreased rate of Cesarean
-
Increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
-
Decreased use of medication for pain relief
-
Decreased use of forceps or vacuum extraction
-
Shorter labor overall
-
Higher APGAR scores for baby
-
Overall greater satisfaction with birth experience
More About Me
My Story. My interest and knowledge of pregnancy and birth dates back to when I discovered I was pregnant with my first son. (I have three little ones: two boys & a girl!) While I felt the anticipation and excitement for my growing family, I also realized there was a lot to consider when it came to my body, my baby, and my birth. I desired to educate myself and arm myself with research. I was committed to making my own informed decisions and preparing my mind and body for birth in a way that would best suit me.
​
Throughout my own pregnancy journey, I came across the concept of a birth doula and immediately knew it was someone I wanted to include. When my partner and I met the right doula for us, I felt relieved knowing there would be another person to champion and support me. We realized that by bringing in a person that we could trust and who would use a thoughtful approach to support us, we were able to have a positive and enjoyable birth and postpartum experience. By having a doula at all three of my births, I was able to feel empowered, prepared, and confident. I felt safe and secure in the decisions I was making and the hypnobirthing technique that I chose to implement. After the birth of both of my sons, I realized I had to follow this tug on my heart to make birth work a more permanent part of my life.
​
I am a DONA certified birth doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator. In addition, I was a labor support volunteer at VHC Health for several years. I am a former elementary school teacher and fitness instructor. My career as a teacher and as a birth doula truly align my commitment to lifelong learning, community, and wellness. When I am not teaching childbirth ed or providing birth support, I have three children and a husband at home that keep me very busy! My favorite weekend activities include a long (or short) run, lots of outdoor play, cheering on sports, and baking something (but honestly I only really managed to perfect my sourdough so I'll stay in my lane- lol). When we can, I like to visit with my extended family that is sprinkled around the US, and I have many fond memories of traveling with my partner before we had children. Long Beach Island and Charlottesville are special places to me. I have a high tolerance for spicy food and enjoy word puzzles. I was born in Southern California and raised locally in Loudoun County. Even though I grew up in Northern Virginia, I feel like I'm always discovering something new!​​
​
​
Mission Birth Services
Services
Birth Doula Support Package
Investment of $2,000
Complete the info box below to setup a
free consultation
Virtual Lamaze Childbirth Education
Investment of $300
Currently offering Lamaze
Next class will be in March!
Email katelynn@missionbirth.com for more info, requests, or questions!
1-on-1 Birth to Postpartum Prep Workshop
Investment of $75/hour
This is a great option if you want a little more support for birth prep, as an add-on to childbirth education, or for repeat families needing a personalized refresher
Support Includes:
-
Free consultation
-
2 prenatal meetings one in-person and one virtual. We will cover birth, comfort measures, your preferences, partner involvement, postpartum, breastfeeding, and anything else that you might need in preparing for birth and reinforcing childbirth education courses.
-
Birth plan templates and postpartum planning framework provided
-
Evidence-based resources
-
Option for TENS unit rental
-
Weekly emails and check-ins from 30 weeks +
-
Continuous labor and birth support, providing calm and positive energy, and make you feel safe and supported in your choices
-
Unlimited text support
-
Immediate postpartum support 1-2 hours after birth
-
1 immediate postpartum call within the first two days of birth
-
1 in-person postpartum visit with birth processing and postpartum care, support and resources
-
Follow-up connects within local community and additional resources or support as needed
​​
50% deposit due upon signing the contract. Remaining 50% due at 34 weeks.​
Upcoming class information:
When: Three-day series 5:30pm March 13, 20, 27th
Where: Zoom (live, online)
​
If you are interested in classes for a future date or private classes, send me a message!​
​
What you will Learn:
-
The Lamaze approach to natural, healthy childbirth
-
Childbirth and the stages of labor
-
Comfort measures, pain management, and labor positions
-
Breathing and relaxation techniques
-
Partner support and communication during birth
-
Understanding medical interventions
-
How to make informed decisions
-
Establishing your birth preferences
-
Preparing for postpartum and recovery
-
Newborn care and breastfeeding basics
​
Payment due in full for reservation & before first class date.
Support Includes:
-
Let's talk! We will reflect and navigate your birth and/or postpartum preferences
-
Private reteaching opportunity or deep dive on a number of topics or concerns. For example: comfort measures, shared decision-making with providers, what to expect for the typical labor experience or postpartum period, breastfeeding, induction process, cesarean birth, birth processing session, sleep, newborn care basics.
-
A customized Birth Wishes or Postpartum Plan sent directly to you after our meeting
-
Additional resources or recommendations that might suit your needs
-
Q&A time and text support
​