Why a Doula?
Why Choose a Doula?
A doula is more than just a support person; she is a mama, sister, friend, coach, and childbirth educator all rolled into one. As a vital member of your birthing team, a doula provides personalized, continuous care to ensure you feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout your entire birth experience. From offering comfort measures to providing emotional encouragement and education, a doula’s role is to nurture not only the birthing mother but also her partner, fostering a positive, connected experience.
Doulas have been serving women for thousands of years, making it one of the oldest and most trusted professions in the world. While this age-old practice has always been valued, modern research has only recently documented the profound benefits of having a doula. Studies show that doulas help reduce labor time, lower the need for interventions, and increase overall satisfaction with the birth experience. Whether you're preparing for a natural birth, an epidural, or even a cesarean, a doula's unwavering support can help you achieve a birth that aligns with your goals and needs.
Let me be your trusted guide through this transformative journey—supporting, educating, and empowering you every step of the way.
0%
Decrease in the risk of Cesarean birth0%
Increase in likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth*0%
Decrease in the use of pain relief medications0
Minute shorter labors on average.0%
Decrease in risk of low 5 minute Apgar score0%
Decrease in risk of dissatisfying birth experience*Best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labor support from a doula–
someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network.
Meet the Doula
Terri Schelkoph (CD)DONA, HCHD
Lakeville, MN
Congratulations on your upcoming birth journey!
With over 250 births attended, I am a highly experienced and compassionate birth doula, dedicated to supporting families through one of life’s most transformative moments. I reside in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and primarily serve families throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding communities. As a DONA-certified professional, I bring both extensive training and hands-on experience to empower mothers and their partners, ensuring they feel confident and supported throughout the entire birth process.
In addition to my doula certification, I am Hypnobabies® certified, specializing in evidence-based techniques to promote relaxation and confidence during labor. I am also a VBAC Link® certified doula, offering expert guidance for those considering vaginal birth after cesarean. With my Spinning Babies® training, I help mothers utilize body positioning to assist with optimal fetal positioning during labor and delivery, promoting smoother, more comfortable births.
I am particularly passionate about serving and equipping women proactively, helping them navigate their options to best meet their emotional and physical needs. Additionally, I have a special interest in supporting families expecting twins or multiples, offering tailored care and guidance to ensure a smooth and empowering birth experience.
My core mission is to foster a positive and empowering birth experience by educating families on their options and helping them make informed decisions that align with their unique needs and preferences. As a devoted Christian, I integrate my faith into my practice, providing spiritual support and encouragement for those who seek it.
I believe every birth is unique and deserves to be honored with respect, love, and unwavering support — whether it’s a physiological birth, a labor with epidurals, or a planned cesarean. My goal is to provide continuous support, regardless of your birth plan, helping you feel informed, empowered, and confident in your choices.
When I’m not attending births, I love connecting with my community, leading prenatal education workshops, mentoring aspiring doulas, and directing a Doula Intern Program through a partnership between New Birth Midwifery and Wellness Center.
Outside of birth work, you can find me spending time with my husband of 20 years, homeschooling our six children, reading a good book, savoring my coffee, cherishing my friendships, cheering on the Vikings, or serving at my wonderful church.
Let’s work together to make your birth experience a beautiful and empowering one!
Terri's Experience:
- Body Ready Method® - In Training - 2025 Cohort
CST for Birth Workshop – January 2025
- Gilligan's Guide Training and Certification – 2025
- Mastering the Doula Advocacy Role – 2023
Evidence Based Birth Comfort Measures Workshop – 2020
- Hypnobabies® Doula Certification – 2020
Hypnobabies® Doula Training – 2020
- TENS Unit in Labor Training – 2019
- The VBAC Link® Doula Certification – 2019
- The VBAC Link® Doula Training Certification – 2019
- Spinning Babies® Workshop – 2018
- DONA® Certification – 2018
- Lactation 101 – 2018
- DONA® Birth Doula Training – 2018