Meet Ursula Sabia Sukinik | Business founder and doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ursula Sabia Sukinik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ursula, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting a business wasn’t always a deliberate decision for me. It was an unexpected, organic process that began in 1999 with a single experience that changed my life forever. I never envisioned myself as an entrepreneur, but what started as a friendly favor evolved into a thriving company known for compassionate care and expertise in birth support.

The idea of becoming a professional doula wasn’t even on my radar when I attended a friend’s childbirth. It all started when my friend Sheila asked me to come along as childcare support. Sheila didn’t want to leave her toddler at home during labor, so my job was to keep him calm and present at the birth.

As labor intensified in the early morning hours, Sheila’s toddler sought the comfort of his father instead of me. What happened next became an unforgettable moment. I swapped places with Sheila’s husband and found myself while helping her birth her son. In the whirlwind of it all, Sheila’s baby arrived quickly—right into my hands. I knelt there, calling into the hallway for help, but by the time anyone arrived, the baby was already born.

That unexpected experience became the spark for a journey that eventually shaped the foundation of Birth You Desire.

I attended births for the first three years primarily for friends and family. Each new experience revealed my passion for providing support and care during these transformative moments. It wasn’t until my own children started school full-time that I began to consider expanding from occasional births into a fully developed business.

I realized that this was something I truly loved doing and wanted to pursue more seriously. As demand for my services grew, so did the business. Bit by bit, I built a team of professionals who shared my commitment to exceptional care, gradually transforming my passion into a company that now serves two regions.

Today, Birth You Desire operates in both the Phoenix metro area and the Washington, D.C. metro region, covering Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. With five team members in Phoenix and 21 in the D.C. area, we’ve grown into a trusted name in birth and postpartum care. Together, our team brings over 250 years of combined experience, which has helped us earn multiple awards and accolades in the industry.

We’ve grown in response to the needs of the families we serve. As our reputation grew, I carefully added key team members who embody the values of compassion, respect, and expertise. Each member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring families feel supported during some of the most vulnerable and joyful times in their lives.

A Range of Services for Every Step of the Journey
Birth You Desire offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support families through every stage of their fertility, birth, and postpartum journeys. Our offerings include:

Birth doulas: Providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor.
Postpartum doulas: Assisting families as they transition into life with a newborn.
Childbirth and CPR classes: Educating parents-to-be on childbirth techniques and essential safety skills.
Sleep consultants: Helping parents navigate the challenges of newborn and infant sleep.
TENS unit rentals: Offering non-pharmacological pain management options during labor.
Our goal is to meet families wherever they are in their journey, from fertility challenges to the first year postpartum. It’s not just about being present for the birth—it’s about empowering families and helping them feel confident every step of the way.

A Legacy of Care
Over the past 25 years, my team and I have worked with over 5,000 families, leaving a lasting impact on the communities we serve. From that chance encounter in 1999 to becoming a leading provider in the field, Birth You Desire has grown organically out of a deep passion for nurturing families.

What makes us unique is that we see ourselves as more than just a business. It’s about building relationships and creating a sense of community. Birth You Desire isn’t just a company—it’s a legacy of care that continues to grow.

With a commitment to compassion, expertise, and personalized care, we strive to be a trusted partner for families navigating the journey of childbirth. Whether through hands-on support, education, or pain management options, our team ensures families receive the care they need—and the support they deserve—every step of the way.

To learn more about our services or connect with a team member, visit BirthYouDesire.com.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What Sets Us Apart? At Birth You Desire, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, personalized care to families at every stage of their fertility, birth, and postpartum journeys. Our goal is simple: to empower families by offering emotional, physical, and educational support tailored to their unique needs.
What truly sets us apart is our deep experience and team-based approach. With over 250 years of combined experience, our team of doulas, sleep consultants, childbirth educators, and more delivers unmatched expertise. We understand that every birth is unique, and we take the time to listen, connect, and respond to each family’s individual preferences and challenges.

We are proud to have built trusting relationships with more than 4,000 families and to have supported over 1,500 births throughout the years. One of our greatest achievements is the expansion of Birth You Desire into two regions, with teams operating in both Phoenix and the Washington, D.C. metro area, covering Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. This growth is a testament to the dedication and heart of our team members and the loyalty of the families we serve.
Another key point of pride is the wide range of services we offer, from birth and postpartum doula care to childbirth classes, CPR training, sleep consulting, and TENS unit rentals for pain management. This holistic approach ensures that we can support families before, during, and after birth, meeting them exactly where they are in their journey.

Building Birth You Desire into the business it is today has not been easy. In the beginning, I was balancing the demands of raising my own children with the unpredictable nature of birth work. As the business grew, challenges emerged in the form of finding the right team members who not only had the required skills but also shared our values of empathy, professionalism, and trust.

Expanding into two regions came with logistical challenges, but we overcame them by fostering a team culture built on communication and mutual respect. As we added more services and expanded our offerings, we also had to adapt to the evolving needs of modern families—such as addressing sleep challenges or providing virtual support options.
The key lesson I’ve learned along the way is to embrace growth gradually and intentionally. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Building a business is much like supporting a birth: It requires patience, adaptability, and trust in the process. There have been moments of uncertainty, but staying focused on our mission—empowering families and offering exceptional care—has guided us through every challenge.

At Birth You Desire, our story is rooted in passion, trust, and community. This business began unexpectedly but has grown intentionally, fueled by a love for birth work and a desire to make a difference. We believe that every family deserves personalized care and that birth should be empowering, not overwhelming.
We want the world to know that we are more than just a service provider—we are partners on the journey to parenthood. Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, whether you’re seeking emotional support, practical advice, or pain management solutions, our team is here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Birth You Desire isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy of care, built on relationships and a commitment to supporting families with integrity and compassion. We’re excited to continue growing, evolving, and serving families for many years to come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Phoenix
Visit the Desert Botanical Garden: Stroll through the 140-acre garden showcasing a wide variety of desert plants from around the world or do a local hike at Phoenix Mountain Preserve or McDowell Mountains.
Lunch: Head to The Henry for some local flavors with light fare and refreshing beverages or Pizzeria Bianco if staying in Phoenix.
Afternoon: Old Town Scottsdale or Roosevelt Row Arts District
Explore Old Town Scottsdale, filled with art galleries, boutiques, and local shops. or visit the Headt Museum.
Finish the day with dinner in Old Town and after dinner, explore Scottsdale Waterfront or retire at home with a firepit and conversation.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The success of Birth You Desire is built on a foundation of incredible support, mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities to share our mission through press, speaking engagements, and podcasts. There are so many people, organizations, and platforms that have played a crucial role in shaping both my personal journey and the business we’ve built.

First and foremost, I owe deep gratitude to Shiela, my dear friend, whose birth experience unexpectedly introduced me to the world of birth work. Her trust in me that night set the course for what would later become a lifelong passion and career. Without that pivotal moment, Birth You Desire may not have come to life.

I also want to recognize the families we’ve served over the years. Their trust, feedback, and continued referrals have been instrumental in our growth. Each birth and every relationship we’ve nurtured has shaped the heart of our company.

Our team members, both past and present, deserve special recognition. Their dedication, expertise, and shared passion for compassionate care have been essential to our success. From doulas to sleep consultants, each individual plays a critical role in ensuring we offer the best possible support to families.

Additionally, I am grateful to the professionals we have partnered with. These collaborations and connections have helped expand Birth You Desire’s reach and foster lasting relationships within the community.

Through press features, podcasts, and speaking engagements, we’ve been able to spread our message further, empowering families with information and insight on fertility, birth, and postpartum care. Each opportunity has allowed us to connect with new audiences and reinforce the importance of evidence-based, compassionate support.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the mentors, educators, and birth professionals who have shared their knowledge and wisdom throughout the years. Their guidance has helped us grow with integrity, keeping us focused on what matters most: empowering families during one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Birth You Desire wouldn’t be where it is today without this incredible network of people, platforms, and partnerships. I am deeply grateful for every contribution—large or small—that has supported our growth along the way.

Website: https://www.birthyoudesire.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthyoudesire/reels/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthYouDesire/about/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/birth-you-desire-rockville-3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTq2hbzvKN8INJ_vsAK4Zzg/videos

Image Credits
DC birth Photographer