Meet Caitlyn Martens | Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, Reiki Practitioner, & Placenta Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlyn Martens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlyn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Up until 5 years ago, when I first became pregnant, I didn’t know that my current career even existed. Through learning about a friend’s experience with a doula, I started to understand the importance of what that kind of support could provide during a time that was so intimate and uncharted. I realized I had very little information on the topic of birth and my husband and I needed more guidance if we wanted to feel empowered through the process, so we hired a doula as well. She guided me to better care providers, childbirth classes, and ultimately changed my entire view of what birth was and could be. After my first birth experience, I became increasingly more aware of the gaps in care within our society and medical system. The lack of support for birthing people and their families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum was incredibly disheartening. I saw the need for change, and I wanted in. I began to gather in birth circles to share my story and slowly befriended more and more birth workers within the community. Because of those friendships, I was lovingly guided and mentored onto the path of becoming a birth doula and childbirth educator. I have been in the birth world supporting birthing families for over two and a half years now, and I can honestly say this is the most rewarding and aligned career path I have ever been on.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is really built upon the work and support of so many others who came before me. With the education and knowledge I learned from them, and the life lessons I’ve experienced so far, I have really strived to be the bridge between the logical and the spiritual. Because of this, the services I offer to my clients provide essentially 2 main things: 1. Up-to-date evidence-based information so they can make the best informed decisions for themselves throughout their birth journey and
2. A protective, healing, and loving energy for them to feel safe and valued in every step of the process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is so hard because there are so many amazing places to check out in the valley! Living in Queen Creek, my first go-to is always the Queen Creek Olive Mill. The atmosphere there is so welcoming and the food is *chef’s kiss*. Another one of my favorites, which just opened their second location in Gilbert, is Undertow. Its a fun tiny speakeasy style bar that has one of the most creative setups I’ve ever seen. You are literally transported to a different world when you walk through the doors and the detail that was crafted into their drinks makes them true works of art. For the outdoor adventurers, I always recommend taking the time to go somewhere up north, and if you have the time, take a little one-night trip up to Jerome/Cottonwood/Sedona areas. There’s no where else like them. If you’re wanting to stay closer to home, though, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a really quaint, family-friendly location to walk around and learn about the native plants and animals. And its free! There are so many others I could get into, but I’d be here forever!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to both of my birth doulas. Without them, I would not be the doula, and honestly the person, I am today.

Website: www.ManifestBirthServices.com

Instagram: @ManifestBirthServices

Facebook: @ManifestBirthServices

Image Credits
Rivkah Leah Gelb Manifest Birth Services