Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Sims.
Hi Rhea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a Registered Nurse for nearly 15 years, primarily in maternal-newborn care, and over time I became painfully aware of the gaps in our healthcare system. Families in the perinatal period are often left without the support or follow-up they truly need. Rising maternal mortality rates, fragmented care, and overwhelming workloads meant that even with my training and passion, I often felt like I was fighting a never-ending battle to give patients the care they deserved. It was frustrating and exhausting. I loved my work but felt powerless to change the system from the inside.
I pursued a Master of Science in Global Health to broaden my ability to advocate for systemic change through policy, but that path came with its own bureaucracy and challenges. What became clear to me, though, was what I truly loved doing: providing direct, personalized care and education to families. Meeting them where they are, guiding them with evidence-based support, and empowering them to make decisions that are best for their own family.
My own journey into motherhood strengthened this passion. Experiencing the uncertainty, overwhelm, and joy of those early days firsthand gave me even more empathy for what parents are navigating. It also reinforced my commitment to seeing people holistically — as complete beings with physical, emotional, and practical needs — rather than just as a patient chart, a diagnosis, or a vessel for birth. That perspective continues to shape everything I do.
That’s how The Mama Coach – Rhea Sims, PLLC was born. Today, I provide fully virtual services across North Carolina and the U.S., helping families prepare for birth, navigate feeding and newborn care, find a rhythm with sleep, and feel supported every step of the way. It’s work I love, and I feel privileged to witness parents growing into confident, empowered families.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. And I don’t think it ever really is when you’re building something meaningful from the ground up. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the gaps in care that I saw every day as a nurse in the healthcare system, and now in private practice. I knew there was a real need for personalized, judgment-free support, but figuring out how to reach families and build a business around that took a lot of trial and error.
There have also been practical challenges — building a virtual platform that truly feels personal, reaching families across North Carolina, and establishing trust in a space where so much information is available online. But each challenge has taught me something valuable, and I wouldn’t trade the lessons for anything. Seeing parents gain confidence, knowing I helped make their journey a little easier, makes every obstacle worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Mama Coach – Rhea Sims, PLLC is part of a shared brand of nurses and nurse practitioners around the world, united by a mission to provide personalized, evidence-based support to families during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early parenthood. Building my own practice has allowed me to serve families in the way they truly deserve, offering individualized guidance, compassionate support, and a holistic approach that considers emotional, physical, and practical needs.
I specialize in birth preparation, newborn & postpartum care, and lactation/feeding support, helping families feel confident in their decisions and empowered to thrive during a time that can feel overwhelming and isolating. My approach is non-judgmental and flexible, meeting families where they are and supporting them in ways that work for their unique circumstances.
What sets me apart is the combination of nearly 15 years of nursing experience, my deep understanding of the gaps in our healthcare system, and my commitment to truly individualized care. Families often tell me that my compassionate, judgment-free approach makes them feel seen and understood in a way they haven’t experienced elsewhere.
Accessibility is a cornerstone of my practice. I believe healthcare should be available to all families, and I currently accept HSA/FSA cards directly through my website for services like prenatal education, newborn support, feeding, and sleep. I’m also working to expand accessibility further — I recently sat for the IBCLC exam so my services can eventually be directly reimbursable through insurance. Once certified, this will open my support to many more families who may have previously faced financial barriers.
Above all, my work is about so much more than teaching skills. It’s about creating a supportive space where families can ask questions, gain confidence, and feel validated in their informed choices. Every parent deserves care that is compassionate, individualized, and accessible. And that’s exactly what I strive to provide.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Raleigh is the sense of community and the way the city really supports families. There’s such a mix of culture, green spaces, and family-friendly resources, which makes it a great place to live and raise a child. I also appreciate the focus on innovation and growth — there’s always something new happening, and it feels like a city that’s continually evolving in exciting ways.
If I had to pick something I like least, it would probably be the traffic. Like many growing cities, it can get congested, which sometimes makes getting around a bit challenging. That said, it’s a small trade-off compared to all the opportunities, community, and support Raleigh offers to families.
Pricing:
- Private Prenatal Course and Ongoing Pregnancy Support – $400
- Newborn Support – 4 weeks @ $400, 7 weeks @ $600
- Feeding Consultation with Personalized Feeding Plan and 1 week email support – $150
- Private Feeding Workshops – $100
- Sleep Support with Personalized Sleep Plan and 2 weeks of RN coaching – $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rhea-sims.themamacoach.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheasims.themamacoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamacoach.rheasims
