Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Foster.
Hi Kaitlyn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For me, the path to becoming a doula and founding Queen City Doulas was deeply personal, starting with my own experiences as a mother. I found myself absolutely in love with the experience of birth and the postpartum period, but I also keenly felt the lack of consistent support and reliable resources for new families. I noticed how many people felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unprepared for this incredible, life-changing journey.
That feeling—the desire to ensure that no one in our community felt unsupported during such a vulnerable and beautiful time—was the spark. I knew I needed to do more than just help; I needed to create a system of reliable, professional, and compassionate care.
So, I immersed myself in training and professional development, earning my certifications. But I quickly realized that one person, no matter how dedicated, couldn’t fill the vast need in our Charlotte community. That’s when the vision for Queen City Doulas came to life.
I founded Queen City Doulas with a mission: to build a team of exceptional doulas who shared my commitment to evidence-based, judgment-free, and heartfelt support. Today, we’re a thriving agency, known for our high standards, professionalism, and warm approach. We’ve expanded our services to cover comprehensive birth and postpartum care, education, and much more, all while maintaining that initial, intimate focus on the individual family’s needs.
We’ve grown because our community trusts us to provide the expert, nurturing care they deserve. My story isn’t just about me anymore; it’s about the dedicated team of professionals who make Queen City Doulas the trusted support system it is today for hundreds of families. We’re truly passionate about making your transition to parenthood as smooth, confident, and joyful as possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started, the biggest initial struggle was simply creating awareness and trust. While I knew the immense value a doula brings, many people in our community didn’t fully understand what professional doula care looked like—it was often seen as a luxury or something non-essential. We had to work hard to educate families and providers on the evidence-based benefits of our services and demonstrate our unwavering professionalism.
As Queen City Doulas grew into an agency, the challenges shifted:
Building the Right Team: Finding highly qualified doulas who are not only skilled but also deeply aligned with our core values of non-judgment, compassion, and continuous learning was a significant hurdle. We have a rigorous vetting process because we are committed to providing the absolute best care, which means sometimes the pool of candidates is smaller.
Scaling Support: Learning how to grow our client base while ensuring every single family receives the same personalized, high-quality, continuous support was a complex operational puzzle. We had to build systems to manage client matching, seamless shift transitions, and 24/7 availability—all while maintaining that empathetic, personal touch.
The Emotional Toll: Working in birth and postpartum is deeply meaningful, but it also carries emotional weight. Ensuring our doulas feel supported, rested, and valued is a continuous effort. We strive to create a safe space for our team so they can, in turn, provide the best care for you.
Despite these struggles, every challenge has led to greater clarity, better systems, and a stronger, more resilient team. I genuinely believe overcoming these hurdles is what makes Queen City Doulas the trusted, high-quality agency that it is today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Queen City Doulas?
I love this opportunity to talk about what makes Queen City Doulas special! We are so much more than a group of independent doulas; we are a dedicated, professional agency committed to supporting families in the Charlotte area.
Our Services & Expertise: Comprehensive, Professional Support
At our core, Queen City Doulas specializes in providing full-spectrum, professional support through the entirety of the perinatal period.
Birth Doula Services: We are known for providing calm, knowledgeable, and continuous support during labor and birth, regardless of your birth plan (hospital, birth center, or home). We prioritize informed decision-making and emotional and physical comfort.
Postpartum Doula Services: This is a huge focus for us. We provide expert, nurturing care in your home after the baby arrives, covering everything from infant care education and feeding support to light household management and emotional wellness support. We focus on nurturing the whole family.
Specialized Education: We offer high-quality childbirth education, infant care classes, and private sessions tailored to your specific needs.
What Sets Queen City Doulas Apart? (Our Difference)
What truly differentiates us is our agency model and our commitment to professional excellence:
Backup & Reliability: Unlike hiring an independent doula, our agency structure means you always have team supporting you. If your primary doula is unavailable (which is rare, but life happens!), a well-vetted, equally qualified team member can step in seamlessly. Your support is never interrupted.
Rigorous Standards & Vetting: Every doula on our team meets the highest standards for training, experience, and professionalism. They are fully insured and continuously educated. You are hiring a vetted and trusted team, not just one person.
Client-Centered Matching: We take the time to carefully match you with the doula on our team whose personality, experience, and specialties best align with your family’s unique needs and preferences.
Our Proudest Brand Achievements
I am most proud of the trust and reputation we have built within the Charlotte healthcare community. We are highly respected by OB/GYNs, midwives, and hospital staff because they know we operate with professionalism and integrity. That mutual respect means better communication and, ultimately, better support for you.
I am also incredibly proud of our team culture. We foster an environment of continuous learning and deep support for our doulas, which means they show up for your family feeling rested, valued, and ready to give their absolute best.
What We Want You to Know
We want you to know that professional doula care is a necessity, not a luxury, and that Queen City Doulas is here to simplify that process for you. Our goal is to empower you to feel confident, prepared, and truly supported through one of the most transformative times in your life. We offer a variety of packages to fit different budgets and needs, because every family deserves exceptional care.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that connection is infinitely more valuable than control—both in birth and in business.
Early on, like many driven people, I focused heavily on structure, specific outcomes, and trying to control every variable to ensure a perfect experience. However, the perinatal journey—birth, postpartum, and the emotional roller coaster in between—is inherently unpredictable. Life rarely follows a script.
The breakthrough came when I shifted focus:
In Birth Support: We train our doulas to release any need to control the outcome and instead focus on genuine connection with the mother and her family. Their role is to deeply understand the family’s vision of an ideal birth and to advocate for the mother’s wishes. When families feel truly seen, heard, and respected, the birth experience can remain positive and empowering—even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned.
In Business: Building Queen City Doulas taught me that I can’t micromanage every detail, nor should I. The real strength of our brand lies in connecting with our exceptional team, trusting their expertise, and fostering a collaborative environment.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to control the birth or the postpartum period; it’s to build a strong, empathetic connection with the family so they feel supported, safe, and truly empowered to navigate whatever comes their way. That connection is what creates a positive, lasting memory of their experience with Queen City Doulas.
Pricing:
- Postpartum support $35-$45/hour
- Labor/birth doula package $1,000-$2,600
- Individual Newborn Care Class $200
- Initial Breastfeeding Consult $200
- Follow-up Breastfeeding Consult $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://queencitydoulas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queencitydoulas.nc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queencitydoulas.nc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/queencitydoulas/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@queen.city.doulas
