Paloma Irizarry is a doula whose practice relies on massage, movement, and mindfulness. She supports pregnant families through the prenatal, labor, and postpartum stages by validating and prioritizing each birthing person’s intuition every step of the way. Her journey began with the birth of her niece. Determined to prepare herself as best as possible for her first time on a hospital’s labor and delivery floor, Paloma signed up for her first doula training with the Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support (PALS). This quickly turned into a passion, guided by the impulse to help new families navigate information and resources that can be overwhelming and complicated.
With birth being such a transformative and spiritual occasion, Paloma believes it is imperative for birthing people to be informed, feel powerful and confident, and to trust themselves and their birthing team. She has received training through PALS, Ancient Song, Love over Fear, and Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE). Paloma’s work as a Theater of the Oppressed facilitator and collaborative performer has provided her with the tools for mediating complicated family dynamics, effectively balancing charged spaces, deep active listening, and creatively tackling obstacles.