“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” - John H. Kennell, MD

About the Doula

Hi there! I’m Caralyn Tate, a birth doula and childbirth educator in Birmingham, Alabama. I was first introduced to doulas when a friend of mine became a doula and told me about her passion for birth. Hearing about a role dedicated solely supporting women during such an intimate, sacred time was absolutely fascinating to me and I knew I should start researching and look into being a doula myself.

I love research, so I began reading and consuming as much information about birth and doulas as I could, and just fell more and more in love with birth work. I felt like I was being called by God to make a difference in the births of the women around me and bring His sanctity and the dignity of human life to any birth I would attend.

I began my doula education with DONA international in 2024, where I learned childbirth and lactation basics, and later achieved my certification as both a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator in 2025 through Faith Driven Doula Academy after months of in-depth study on pregnancy, anatomy, birth, coping techniques, the science of labor and birth, the pros and cons of many common interventions, and much more about how to have a healthy, positive birth!

Fun facts about me:

  • I LOVE travel and grew up traveling all over the world and have been to 9 foreign countries and lived in 3 of them long-term

  • I was a homebirth myself and have had a love for homebirth since I was a kid

  • I grew up Presbyterian and converted to Catholicism as a young teenager

  • I married the love of my life and high school sweetheart in 2026!!

 FAQs

  • A birth doula is a professional labor companion trained in physiological childbirth, anatomy, labor pain coping techniques, measures and positions for comfort and labor progression, advocacy, and more! A doula is basically a hired best friend to guide, educate, empower, and support you during birth. While doulas are educated on common medical procedures and interventions related to birth, they are NOT medical providers and do not replace a midwife or OB/GYN.

    See the “Services” page to learn more.

  • I attend home, hospital, and birth center births assisted by a licensed medical provider trained for births, as long as your birth location is within 45 minute radius of Irondale, Alabama

    I attend either low or high risk births, though I ask that you contact me with the details of your situation so that I may support you as best as possible.

    Though I am a Catholic doula, I do not only attend the births of Catholic women. I can attend births of women of different faiths, but I cannot support anything contrary to Catholic teaching, such as abortion, surrogacy, sterilization, IVF, or “male mothers.”

  • I am located in Jefferson County Alabama, in the Irondale/Birmingham area. I can attend births in locations within a 45 minute drive of Irondale.

  • A doula is primarily there to support you during labor and offer suggestions for coping techniques, maternal positions for labor progression and comfort, and advocate for your preferences in birth. Beyond labor, doulas are also available answer questions throughout your pregnancy and prenatal appointments, educate you on your options for pregnancy and birth, support you during initial breastfeeding and postpartum, provide valuable resources for you and your husband for birth and parenthood, and more!

Contact Caralyn

Interested in having Caralyn as your doula? Fill out some info and she will be in touch shortly!