Hello! My name is Odessa Bates, owner of Doula Odessa & Birth Services. I’m based in Western Massachusetts and have been in the health and wellness field for over 25 years. I’m a Certified Birth Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, Evidence Based Birth Professional, Empty Arms Bereavement Professional, VBAC trained, lactation trained, support all types of families, Neuro-Affirming, BIPOC ally, LGBTQIA+ ally, trauma informed, culturally informed, religion-informed, a past substance abuse clinician with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. I’m trained and educated in a wide range of topics surrounding prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences. My goal as your doula in this magical time is to support you and your family to have an experience that is uplifting, empowering, and joyful. I travel to MA, NY, VT, and CT within an 1.5-hour radius from my home base in Lee, MA 01238. Fully certified, insured, vaccinated, and boosted. Virtual services available for any location. I’m also a MassHealth insurance approved certified doula provider, which means my doula services are 100% covered. For other insurances, you can be reimbursed as I provide a “Super Bill”. I look forward to working together!

Doulas are more than a “birth attendant.” Doulas should motivate, excite, and calm you during your pregnancy, through childbirth, and in the early days with your new baby. They should answer any and all questions. Scroll down to read about the childbirth experience I had with a doula that was not ideal and learn how that experience inspired me to become certified as a doula myself to serve as the compassionate doula for others that I wished I had had myself.

My Advice

Find a certified doula who is exactly right for you. Find that warm and positive doula who will lift you up, ease your worries, and even becomes a wonderful part of your birth story memory. To find out if I’m the right certified doula for you, you can read on this page about my extensive trainings and certifications. Then browse through the services I offer and my areas of expertise. I’d love for you to schedule a free consultation to find out if I’m the right doula for you.