Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Birth Doula Support in Elmira, Corning & Ithaca
Meet Your Doula
A Few Things about Me
• Rooted in the Twin Tiers and Finger Lakes community
• Mother of three homeschool graduates
• Passionate about trauma-informed care and education
• Known as loyal, kind, and encouraging
• I believe everyone deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported
My name is Rebecca Love, and I am the sole owner of Labor with Love Doula Services. I provide inclusive, trauma-informed support that prioritizes emotional safety, informed choice, and respectful advocacy. Families from all backgrounds and belief systems are welcome, and care is always tailored to honor your values and lived experiences.
Rather than steering clients toward specific decisions, Labor with Love focuses on education and thoughtful discussion so you can make choices that align with your unique needs. By fostering confidence, clarity, and emotional well-being during pregnancy and birth, it is my goal to help create positive birth experiences — and support emotionally healthy parents, stronger families, and thriving communities.
Every family deserves compassionate, supportive care, and it would be a privilege to walk alongside you in this season.
You deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported every step of the way. I bring a calm, steady presence to your birth experience, offering compassionate, non-judgmental support that honors your story and your needs. With a trauma-informed approach and strong emotional intelligence, I help create a space where you can feel grounded, understood, and confident as you move through your birth.
Emotionally
Knowledge brings confidence, and I’m here to help you feel prepared and informed. I provide evidence-based information tailored to your unique needs and preferences, so you can make decisions with clarity and peace of mind. Together, we’ll build your understanding and support your ability to advocate for yourself, so you feel empowered every step of the way.
What does Your Doula Support look like?
Educationally
Your body was designed for this, and I’m here to support it in ways that feel right for you. Through breathwork, positioning, and hands-on comfort measures like massage, I help encourage progress and provide natural pain relief. With continuous, attentive support, I adjust to your needs and wishes in the moment, helping you stay as comfortable, relaxed, and supported as possible.
Physically
What to Expect When You Work with Rebecca Love
Choosing Labor with Love
1
Reach Out & Check Fit
You reach out and share your due date, birth location, and what you’re hoping for. I make sure birth doula support is a good match for your needs.
2
Free Consultation
We schedule a relaxed conversation where you can ask questions and get a feel for whether I’m the right doula for you.
3
Decide & Reserve
If it feels right, we go over the contract. Your spot is reserved once your contract and payment are received.
4
Prenatal Support
We meet for prenatal visits to explore your options and build a flexible birth plan together as your pregnancy evolves.
5
Labor & Beyond
I provide continuous support during labor. After baby arrives, we meet for a visit to process your birth and check in at home.
Myth #1: A birth doula replaces my partner or my nurse/midwife/OB.
Truth: A birth doula does not replace your partner or your medical team. I’m there to support both of you emotionally, physically, and informationally, so your partner feels confident and included while your medical team focuses on clinical care.
As a birth doula serving in the Twin Tiers and Ithaca area, I am trained to support you. You will receive continuous emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and birth. A doula doesn't provide medical care or make decisions for you. Instead, I will help you understand your options, stay grounded during labor, and feel confident and cared for throughout your birth.
Do you replace my partner or my midwife/OB?
No. I don’t replace anyone. I work alongside your partner and your medical team. I help your partner know how to support you (positions, comfort measures, breaks), and I help you both understand what’s happening so you both feel confident and supported.
At what point in pregnancy should I hire a doula?
Most families hire a doula sometime in the second trimester, but you can reach out at any point in pregnancy. The earlier we connect, the more time we have for prenatal visits, birth planning, and building trust.
What is your service area?
I currently offer birth doula services to families in the Twin Tiers and Ithaca, NY area and surrounding communities.
Do you support home births, hospital births, or both?
I support births in hospitals and at home when you’re already under the care of a licensed midwife or provider. My role is the same in both settings: to support your comfort, communication, and confidence as your baby is born.
What happens if you’re sick or unable to attend my labor?
Very rarely, things like illness or emergencies can come up. If that happens, I work with a trusted backup doula so you still have continuous support. We’ll talk through this backup plan during your prenatal visits so you know exactly what to expect.
When will you be “on call” for my birth?
I’m officially on call for you starting at 38 weeks until your baby arrives. That means I keep my phone close, limit travel, and am ready to join you when you need support in early or active labor.
What should I do if I think labor has started?
If you think labor has started, follow the plan we discuss in your prenatal visits:
• Pay attention to your contractions, your baby’s movements, and how you’re feeling.
• Follow any instructions from your provider about when to call or head in.
• Then call me so we can talk through what you’re noticing and decide together when you’d like me to join you, so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Common Questions About Birth Doula Support
What a Birth Doula Really Does:
Myths, Facts & FAQs
Birth is a big transition, and it’s normal to have questions about what a birth doula does. Below you’ll find clear answers about how I support you and your partner, when to hire a doula, where I work, and what to expect as labor begins.
Myth #2: A doula is only for people who want an unmedicated birth.
Truth: A birth doula supports all kinds of births—unmedicated, epidural, induction, planned cesarean, and everything in between. My role is to help you understand your options, feel grounded, and stay connected to your preferences as things unfold.
Myth #3: If I have a great nurse or provider, I don’t need a doula.
Truth: Nurses and providers rotate and care for multiple patients. A birth doula is a consistent presence for you, from pregnancy through early postpartum. I stay with you, explain what’s happening in clear, simple terms, and help you feel seen and supported throughout your experience.
8%
22%
*More likely to Have A Spontaneous vaginal birth
*Less likely to have a cesarean birth
31%
10%
*Less Likely to use pain medication
*less likely to report a negative birth experience
*Based on findings from the Cochrane Review on continuous support during childbirth