About Odessa Bates, MA, CD, CPD, CPES
Odessa Bates with a client and her baby
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 20 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, LGBTQ ally, Trauma informed, culturally informed, Substance Use informed, and a former counselor with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. I am 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 Pittsfield, MA 01201. Fully Certified, Insured, Vaccinated, and Boosted. Virtual services available for any location. A MassHealth approved certified doula provider (Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula financially 100% covered).
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. Then I’d love to schedule a free consultation to find out if I’m the doula for you.
“A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother (person) who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. The doula’s purpose is to help women (birthing people) have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.”
Education and Certifications
Degrees
Master's Degree, Women's Studies, 2006
Bachelor's Degree, Sociology, 2003
Certifications
Certified Birth Doula (CD), 2017 and Certified Postpartum Doula (CPD), 2017 (through Midwife Michelle L'Esperance, CPM, CD, CPD, Warm Welcome Birth Services)
Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist (CPES), 2019 (through Instructor Ashanti Rivera, CPES, Women’s Choice Perinatal Services)
American Red Cross Infant & Adult CPR Certified
American Red Cross Infant & Adult First Aid Certified
Additional Training
Partners in Perinatal Health Conference
Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) for Doulas Workshop - Taylor Davis
Belly Binder, Belly Molder, and Belly Caster
Empty Arms Bereavement Training for Professionals
Evidence Based Birth Professional
Substance Use Disorder Clinician [specialties include Substance Use Disorders in pregnant and postpartum people, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Mental Health, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Seeking Safety].
Awards and Honors
Chancellor's Civic Service Award from UMass-Dartmouth
My Story
Odessa Bates, pregnant in 2009
I had been working in the health and wellness field for many years when I became pregnant with my first child in 2009. During the first half of my pregnancy, I did not think about my labor and delivery support as I believed the provider I carefully hand-picked was going to be sufficient. I was not aware that some providers are only present for a few medical checks and then once again right before the baby's arrival! At that time, like most pregnant people, I wasn’t aware that there is an art to preparing for labor and delivery.
Late into my pregnancy, and after reading a well-informed birth book, I asked my provider about my birth support options. At that time the word "Doula" was foreign to me and I didn’t know the benefits that a doula could offer me. That day I was referred to a doula and we met soon after. Unfortunately, I immediately knew this doula was not the right fit for my family, but I did not know I had options. I did not know I could have met with other doulas until I found the right one. I immediately hired her as my estimated due date was fast approaching and I did not want to disappoint my provider after asking for the referral.
Odessa Bates, after the birth of her son
When I went into labor, my doula was called but she immediately chose not to join me as my labor was not progressing according to her plan. I was not aware at the time, but I let that doula's decision affect the way I viewed my birthing experience. What's even more alarming is that this experience has happened to other birthing people in the world, and is still happening!
With this shocking knowledge, I researched and learned the difference between "normal" birth support versus wonderful birth support. This started an amazing learning and healing process that was also beneficial for my family as I immediately knew I wanted to become a part of the small, but powerful, group of compassionate doulas. I decided to take the time and effort in picking well-respected professional doula training courses and completed both my birth doula and postpartum doula certificates.
