What Is a Bereavement Doula? And Why Every Loss Family Deserves One
Most people don’t learn about bereavement doulas until they’re already in the depths of grief. In this post, I’m breaking down what a bereavement doula is, what they really do, and why they’re a lifeline for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and other forms of perinatal loss. Whether you're grieving or called to support others, this is the heartwork that changes lives. Let’s shift the way we support families through pregnancy and infant loss — with presence, compassion, and truth.
The Story Behind the Evelyn James Shop: A Movement Rooted in Grief, Built on Love
Discover the heart behind the Evelyn James Shop—created by a loss mom to bring hope, healing, and remembrance to grieving families and the people who serve them.
10 Things Professionals Think Help Loss Families… But Don’t
Let me be honest—no one ever prepared me for the silence.
Not the silence in the room after my daughter was born still…
Not the silence from my providers after I left the hospital…
And definitely not the silence in the grief training that never came.
Now, as a pregnancy loss educator and bereaved mother, I teach professionals what I wish someone had taught the people who cared for me.
Too often, well-meaning doulas, nurses, and therapists say or do things they believe are comforting—but they actually deepen the trauma.
How to Protect Your Energy and Heal After Loss
Vallen discusses the profound impact of loss and motherhood, sharing personal experiences and insights on navigating grief. She emphasizes the importance of emotional health, the power of language and mindset, and practical strategies for managing grief. Vallen encourages listeners to surround themselves with positivity, engage in personal development, and take actionable steps toward healing. The conversation highlights the significance of community support and the need for self-care in the journey of motherhood after loss.
The Silent Struggle – Unmasking the Realities of Perinatal Loss
Perinatal loss—whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death—is something we don’t talk about enough. Yes, it’s gaining more awareness, thanks to incredible nonprofits and families doing amazing work, but silence still lingers around this kind of loss.
And that silence? It doesn’t ease pain; it deepens it. Society often expects grieving parents to move on quickly, but how do we move on from losing a piece of our hearts? From losing a whole future we envisioned for months? If you're into mindset work, you know how powerful visualization is—we create these lives in our minds, and when they’re taken from us, it leaves a massive hole.
So today, let’s break the silence.
Changing the Landscape of Perinatal Loss: Creating a Standard of Care
Learn about our comprehensive training for doulas and professionals, 24/7 hospital membership programs, and resources designed to empower families during pregnancy and infant loss.
Breaking the Silence: The Journey of Supporting Families Through Stillbirth and Loss.
At Evelyn James & Company, we are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding stillbirth, unplanned pregnancies, and pregnancy loss.
Embracing Change: Navigating Loss, Identity, and Personal Growth with Alyssa Smith
While loss is often associated with death, it’s also intertwined with significant life changes, such as motherhood, career shifts, or the end of a relationship. Alyssa shared how becoming a mom changed her identity and routine, bringing a form of loss alongside the joy of motherhood. Vallen pointed out how even seemingly smaller losses, like letting go of a job or navigating life without a second car, can impact our sense of security and routine.
Navigating Parenthood with Mental Health Therapist Hannah Carlsrud
Hannah specializes in perinatal and maternal mental health and works with individuals and couples during the preconception to postpartum phases. They explore the importance of mental health support, particularly for moms, effective communication in relationships, and how to navigate postpartum mental health. Let's delve into Hannah’s expert advice and actionable tips for parents navigating mental health challenges.
London is the Reason: Kristin McQuaid’s Story of Loss, Love, and Creating a Legacy through Supporting Intended Parents and Surrogates.
Kristin’s story sheds light on the unique challenges intended parents face in surrogacy—often overlooked in the grief community. Her insights reveal the emotional complexities involved in this journey, from the hope and excitement of surrogacy to the sorrow of infant loss. The conversation emphasizes the importance of finding the right support systems to help parents navigate their grief and rebuild their lives.
Late Night Thoughts…
Late night mom and business thoughts with Vallen Webb, Founder of Evelyn James and Company.
Uncovering Hope: A Guide for Doulas Supporting Moms Through Grief
As doulas, our role often extends beyond the birthing room, which can include support after pregnancy loss. It is so important to give grieving parents support right after a stillbirth or miscarriage.
A guide for Birth and Postpartum Doulas: Helping moms heal with the help of connection and community.
In the realm of doula care, one of the profound aspects is supporting mothers through the challenging journey of pregnancy loss. In this blog post, we will talk about the transformative power of connection and community and explore how doulas can play a big role in guiding moms toward healing.
Identity Crisis after my Stillbirth… Who am I suppose to be now?
This blog post discusses the identity crisis we have when we lose a baby, from stillbirth or miscarriage the grief we experience and this new life we have to live as a bereaved mom.
Finding Purpose After Loss: My Journey Through Stillbirth and Beyond.
You may find that helping other people ultimately helps you heal. You may find your baby's death to be a catalyst of change for yourself. That is what I have found. That is what I decided. Vallen talks about her journey after the stillbirth of her daughter, Evelyn.
How to Celebrate Life While Honoring Your Loss and Your Baby.
Learning to live after losing a baby is very hard to do. That is putting it as simply as possible. It fucking sucks. I had to come to terms that living in a duality of life and death is a thing and just because our society doesn’t talk about it doesn’t make it not so. Every day is knowing how brief our lives can be but also choosing to live fully, not just survive.
My Transformational Healing Journey After Losing My Daughter.
This blog post is about life after my full-term stillbirth and the challenges I experienced on my healing journey. 13 things can help support you on your loss journey, as a loss mom.
Rebuilding Life after Pregnancy Loss: Finding a New Normal.
We talk about rebuilding life after pregnancy loss. The beginning of my grief was the hardest because I would wake up to this reality over and over, my baby isn’t here and neither is my pregnancy belly, where is she?! I put my focus on my kids, and spent all my time on the couch, writing.
My Experience Navigating Through Pregnancy After My Fullterm Stillbirth
My journey to having my rainbow baby after the full term loss of my daughter, Evelyn, was anything but happy. I was full of turmoil and fear everyday.