Meet Lindsay Blakely Fattal | Birth and Postpartum Doula | Placenta Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Blakely Fattal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always been viewed by my employers over the years as someone who is social, independent, creative, a free-thinker, and a leader. When immersing myself in what it means to support a woman through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, I knew I wanted to be bound to no rules. As I explored options for employment it was easy to see that I had a different vision for myself and how I wanted to be viewed in this space than what existing agencies could offer me. So, after over a year of brainstorming and a couple of name changes, Womb and Wisdom Birth Services was established in 2023.

I had no idea it would take so long to decide on and build a brand. And, while I am still adding and changing things on a weekly basis, it feels good to have things up and running!! I’ve enjoyed the creative process that goes in to curating not only a business, but a platform that calls to women looking for what I have to offer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I am speaking to a woman about her desires for childbirth and approach to motherhood early on in a consult, I am not only allowing her to get to know me but am also considering if my support aligns with her needs. My approach and motto is “birth and mother intuitively”- this means tuning in to yourself and connecting on a deeper level with your womb. I offer space for women to explore emotionally during pregnancy and provide advice when asked. I believe journeying through pregnancy and motherhood is a calling and opportunity. This belief needs to be mutual for my support to resonate. I also find it extremely critical to plan for postpartum during pregnancy and spend time working to put a support plan together for the mother and family, and while her family and friends may desire to come and hold her baby, my desire is to hold her. I’ve learned this approach is unique to how a majority of society believes a woman should be supported after childbirth.

It can be challenging to initiate these conversations and go against the societal grain- I am proud to offer a traditional and ancestral approach to navigating pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and motherhood with the hopes that one day this will be the norm.

While I’m still in the early years of my career in birth work… it has presented me with lots of opportunities to grow personally. Growth is so dynamic. I am learning my limitations as far as client load and creating structure to the admin side of being a business owner, and am ultimately discovering that there is a delicate line with work/life balance. Birth is a mystery… it’s not a clock in clock out job. And scheduling happens 8 months in advance, so agreeing to work with a client is a full commitment before people are even sending out their wedding invites for that time frame! However, my commitment and dedication to working alongside women to rediscover physiological birth motivates me to find creative ways to overcome struggles and long hours.

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?
To start, I’m a Nashville native… and while I may not know the latest and greatest of the big city I do have some preferred staples.

Day one breakfast at Monell’s is a must to understand how breakfast is made to be served, followed by some time in the Germantown and 12S neighborhoods before heading down to the Broadway strip to check out Robert’s Western World, 5th and Broad, and any other honky tonks with the right tunes flooding to the street front. Hopefully there is a show at The Ryman because it is a MUST. If the night keeps calling an Uber to Santa’s Pub will do the trick.

I love to show folks both the city life and the outskirts. Tennessee has such beautiful countryside to explore, and lots of great hiking. So on day two we are driving to Loveless Cafe for breakfast and then driving the backroads to Leiper’s Fork and Franklin to shop and gain the small town feel and wholesomeness of country living.

In the spirit of enjoying the nature surrounding, I love to take folks to Radnor Lake, Warner Parks, and if the weather allows, Cummins Falls State Park, Day three is for exploring the great outdoors.

As for another day in the city, I have spent a lot of time in East Nashville and after having lived there for several years have some go to’s… so a day in East would include coffee and breakfast at Dose Coffee and Tea, exploring the Shops at Porter East, and then unwinding and enjoying some self care at Holiday Salon and Bathhouse before dinner at Lockland Table and drinks at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club! Some other East Nashville favorites are Mas Tacos Por Favor, Greko Greek Street Food, Riverside Grillshack, Golden Pony, and CHOPPER. Tiger Bar is also on the to do list.

If its summer- we would definitely venture to The Dive Motel or over to paddle the Chaney Fork River for some fun in the sun!

Another day will be spent having 51st Deli and enjoying Centennial Park and a tour of the Parthenon, how could you not?! And because everyone loves to dress up and have a nice meal on vacation, we are making reservations at Gannon’s Nashville and The Optimist at some point during the week. On a night in however, we are picking up takeout from Thai Esane or Two Boots Pizza!

For a cold beer we are heading over to Tennessee Brew Works and also grabbing some delicious BBQ at Peg Leg Porker. The rest of the week will be up to where the wind blows, you gotta leave some time in for spontaneity, you never know who you’ll meet!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am fortunate to have many folks to thank for supporting me in my journey to immerse in birth work. My first shoutout goes to my dear friend, Elizabeth, who hired a doula herself and introduced the concept to me. While familiar with the term doula, I had no clue how broadened my horizons would become surrounding birth! I had been in a place of searching for my purpose and how I could live with intention… after she shared her birth experience with me everything clicked. For so long I desired to work closely with women and I envisioned it being in the realm of health… I found myself scheming immediately on how I could get in to this work!

Secondly, my doula trainer, turned mentor, turned friend, turned sister and birth keeper, Krissy. This is a woman who has been working as a doula herself for eight years. When we met at the doula training I knew I wanted to learn more from her and become friends. The feeling was mutual. She reached out to me two months later and brought me on to work with her and her clients through her business, KW Birth and Postpartum- an easy yes! I am so truly grateful for her knowledge and offering to work alongside me.

Aubrey McMillan, owner of Oak & Clove Midiwfery. Prior to being a midwife, Aubrey was an incredible doula herself. Can you guess how I know?? Elizabeth! And then I connected the dots and found out that Krissy and Aubrey were friends and the stars aligned. Since, Aubrey has become a licensed midwife and has brought me on to assist her and her clients. I am so grateful to her wisdom and trust to learn alongside her.

My loving husband, Jude. There have been many layers to me starting my own business as you can imagine. At the beginning I worked a full time office job, taught spin classes, bartended, and was also attending births- so there was a lot of on the go and missed quality time in our newlywed days… but he has found a way to continue supporting me and believing in me. On call work is not for every family, and while we are still very early in this journey we are working hard to figure out how to balance the schedule demands and our family’s needs.

Shoutout to my village- all of my family and friends that help keep the wheels turning behind the scenes. From encouraging text messages, to cooking for my family, and spur of the moment childcare… I couldn’t do it without your love and support.

Last and most certainly not least, I have to thank each and every woman who has invited me to her birth space, to share time with her in postpartum, and to those who I’ve encapsulated their placenta. It is absolutely my honor to witness you bring life into this world.

Website: https://www.wombandwisdombirth.com/

Instagram: https://www.wombandwisdombirth.com/

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