What inspired you to become a doula, and how has your journey evolved since you started?

When I was pregnant with my first child, I fell in love with all things pregnancy and birth during my research. I was supported throughout every step of my birth, even though things didn't go according to plan. A passion to educate, support, and advocate was also born along with my son that day, and I began my doula training a year later.
Since that journey started 8 years ago, I've experienced so much and I learn new things with every single family I am honored to support. I'm always thinking of new ways I can better support the families I serve and how I can be a better doula. This passion has grown more than I ever thought possible!

What is one piece of wisdom or encouragement you find yourself sharing most often with clients?

I find myself sharing this piece of postpartum advice with my clients: Your baby is not a robot. They will likely not fit into the boxes of perfect schedules/milestones Google will have them in. They're their own person, and you will get to know THEM and understand them individually.

If you could give one piece of advice to expectant parents, what would it be?

Do not "just wing it" for birth. You likely put some thought and planning into your wedding, or buying a car, etc. so going into birth blindly isn't a good idea. It's true that unexpected things can happen, but knowing your options will bring you autonomy and empowerment. "Feeling like birth 'just happened TO me' instead of ME giving birth" is an expression of heartbreak I hear often from second time moms who hire me.

How do you build trust and connection with the families you serve?

Prenatal meetings are where the magic happens! I LOVE our prenatal meetings and think they're so fun. It's a joy getting to know my clients, their partners, and sometimes their toddlers, too! We talk, laugh, and sometimes cry. Text and phone calls in between those meetings and birth are also crucial for maintaining that connection and trust-building. Knowing they're not "just a number" to me is the doula difference.

What’s one thing you do outside of birth work that brings you joy and balance?

If I'm not at a birth or my kids' sporting events (both of which I love), you can find me in my backyard with my chickens. As of right now, I have 11 and they bring me SO much joy and peace. I love just watching them; they're hilarious!

Services: Brooke Hickman is the owner of Lake Norman Doula & Wellness. She serves a 65 mile radius of the Lake Norman area (Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Hickory, etc.). She's a birth doula that also offers photography, prenatal personal training, placenta services, and more.