DWELLING BIRTH

As a mother, my growing child dwells within my womb. We must care for our dwelling places with the utmost honor and respect.

I am a traditional birth + postpartum doula located in Silver Spring, MD. I serve families in person in DC, Maryland, and Northern VA.

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real / transformative / vulnerable / sanctifying / given /

I’m Clarissa, traditional birth + postpartum doula

DAUGHTER. SISTER. WIFE. MOTHER.

In every village there were women. Women who were old and wise. Women who knew and loved birth. Women who were called when a mother was in labor. Women who cared, cleaned, cooked and loved during this precious time. While I am not the oldest, and I am far from the wisest, I am a woman who has been called to reclaim and recover the importance of womb tending. I am a daughter, wife, mother, and friend. I am not a savior. I cannot predict the future or promise birth outcomes. I can remind you of your feminine genius and innate strength. I can walk alongside you. I can pray with and for you. It is a gift and privilege to witness the miracle of life.

EDUCATION

  • B.S. Business Management, Minor Biology

  • DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop

  • Spinning Babies® Workshop

  • Weaving of the Womb Postpartum Immersion

I am a Catholic homeschooling mother of three. I have been blessed with three beautiful physiological births. My first was born in a local birth center, and the other two have been born at home. I have personally experienced the transforming power and grace of birth. When I’m not accompanying women, you might find me exploring the great outdoors, sneaking in a homeschool lesson, trying out a new sourdough recipe, or sipping something delicious in my back yard.

I am a follower of Christ seeking all that is good, true, and beautiful.

MY CORE VALUES

Life is Given. It is remarkable and must not be taken for granted.

Birth is a sacred experience bringing an immortal being Earthside.

A woman’s body by Design is strong, capable, and wise.

Birth is natural and physiological, not a sickness to be treated.

Husbands play a critical and unique role in birth as the mother’s protector and provider.

A family is the foundational unit of society, and it all begins at birth.

“We are bound as the body of Christ to help create a culture of birth where the totality of woman and baby - mind, heart, body, and soul - is respected and where the most vulnerable among us, the newborn baby and the mother giving birth, are treated with love and evidence-based care.”

- Mary Hasteltine, Made For This

WHY DWELLING BIRTH

To accompany families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period providing emotional and physical support while honoring the sanctity of life. 

I chose the name Dwelling Birth for multiple reasons. As a family, we pray The Angelus frequently and I aim to live my daily life with an awareness of Christ’s dwelling among us. During pregnancy, a child dwells within her mother’s womb. A mother works uniquely with her Creator to grow and nurture an immortal soul into being.

The places we live and dwell, whether physical or spiritually, shape us into the people we become for eternity. As a parent, my home is my children’s dwelling place. I aim to fill it with beauty, order, and light.  As a Catholic, the Eucharist dwells within the tabernacle. It is a divine mystery that sustains.  As a mother, my growing child dwells within my womb. Our Blessed Mother bore in her womb our savior Jesus Christ, therefore making all wombs sacred. We must care for our dwelling places with the utmost honor and respect.  Welcome to Dwelling Birth. 

What on God’s good Earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

“The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not.

She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body...

The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...

What on God’s good Earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?”

- Venerable Jozsef Cardinal Mindszenty

Testimonials

  • In the end, I was so empowered by my birth and the confidence I was able to have in my body. I cannot imagine doing this without Clarissa’s support.

    I cannot express how grateful I am that Clarissa was at my birth. It actually was not my plan to have her there. I had originally had another doula, but when I started going into labor two days before my doula was leaving for a trip, she decided to have Clarissa take over my birth as her backup. I was super worried about having a doula who I had never met at my birth, but Clarissa could not have done a better job stepping up for my family. My husband and I felt completely comfortable with her the moment she walked through the door. Clarissa was at my side through a very long labor. She coached my husband so he could be the best support and supported me when he needed rest. Every time I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, Clarissa was there encouraging me and reminding me of my strength. She backed me up when I felt like the position I was pushing in wasn’t working and gave me the confidence to trust my body. In the end I was so empowered by my birth and the confidence I was able to have in my body. I cannot imagine doing this without Clarissa’s support. She stayed with us for hours after my birth to make sure we were all okay and has continued to help me with my challenging breastfeeding journey. Clarissa has gone above and beyond for me and I wasn’t even originally her client. I am so thankful for what she did for my family!!

    Annie H.

  • She is knowledgeable and supportive.

    Clarissa was amazing.  She was very available in the weeks leading up to birth, a calming and encouraging presence during labor, and very helpful in the postpartum weeks.  She is knowledgeable and supportive. Will absolutely hire her again.

    Elizabeth B.

  • Clarissa would be an invaluable addition as a doula. I’m so thankful she was there to support me in pregnancy, labor and delivery!

    Clarissa attended my birth in 2023 for my first home birth and second birth overall. What an incredible blessing she was to me and my family! Clarissa was an indispensable resource for me leading up to birth providing information around chiropractic providers, supplements, daily movements and exercises, and mental and emotional support as I processed my first birth while preparing for a very new experience for me of birthing at home. Clarissa was also able to support me during the most intense part of my birth where her calm and confident presence helped me to overcome transition, crowning and ultimately the moment I was able to reach down and hold my daughter for the first time. Not to mention, she is the only reason my husband was there to see his daughter born after telling him to come back on his way to get more food as I was in the final moments of pushing! She jumped in to support me alongside my birth team seamlessly, anticipating what I might need (counter pressure, hydration, encouraging words) and providing a bit of calm levity as well during my very intense back labor and final contractions. For anyone hoping to curate a knowledgeable, professional, warm and encouraging birth team, Clarissa would be an invaluable addition as a doula. I’m so thankful she was there to support me in pregnancy, labor and delivery!

    Sarah P.

  • Her presence in the moment and throughout the journey meant so much.

    I am so grateful for the support my doula provided in the last weeks of pregnancy, during birth, and postpartum. She was completely aligned with my values and supported me with such a calm presence, always checking in and sharing valuable resources that helped me both physically and emotionally (especially during several days of prodromal labor). Although my baby arrived very quickly and we didn’t get to fully work through the birth process together, her presence in the moment and throughout the journey meant so much. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, calm, and caring doula.

    E.K.

  • Clarissa helped me navigate a disappointing development in my labor with confidence and helped me to trust my instincts.


    Clarissa’s support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum was invaluable. The two visits during pregnancy were so helpful and a great catalyst for my husband and I to set aside time to prepare for labor and a new baby. When faced with a potential upsetting change in my care team Clarissa was available immediately to help me navigate. During my labor Clarissa helped communicate with friends who were checking in during a long, long labor. This was such a tremendous help because she was able to share encouragement from others without me being distracted from the work my baby and I were doing. Clarissa knew that I primarily wanted physical support from my husband. She helped him navigate different positions as we moved throughout our home using the rebozo, toilet, and birth tub. When he needed to rest she seamlessly stepped in. We are both so thankful for her support especially in helping us transfer from home to the hospital. Clarissa helped me navigate a disappointing development in my labor with confidence and helped me to trust my instincts. Her support was invaluable and we will forever be grateful!

    Alexandra B.

CONTACT