Hidden Gems: Meet Julia Talarico of Dear Doula

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Talarico.

Hi Julia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Julia (she/her) and I am the founder/owner of Dear Doula located in Raleigh, NC! I have recently relocated from Rochester, NY. I am a certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. I have supported over 25 families through non-medicated/medicated births, planned inductions, cesarean births, and vaginal births after a cesarean.

I am also a certified Childbirth Educator and a certified Breastfeeding Counselor through the International Doula Institute. I find these extra bits of knowledge useful during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum to ensure that my families are as informed and educated. I am trained as a Midwife Birth Assistant and assist the midwife at home birth(s). With this additional training, I have obtained my Neonatal Resuscitation Certification.

In addition to birth work, I practice as a therapist. I specialize in perinatal mental health focusing on life transitions, pre-conception, infertility, adoption, grief/loss, and postpartum mood disorders. When I am not at a birth or doing therapy, I love spending time with friends and family, gardening (I have many house plants), snuggling my kitty, moving my body & getting outside!

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?
Of course, there has been struggled! Starting a new business, in general, is a difficult and challenging transition in life. Doing it during a global pandemic was an added layer of stress. There are a lot of different aspects of running a business.

There is a lot of behind of the scene “stuff” that takes time, effort, and energy to complete! Running my own business has been very rewarding, but also challenging! I am responsible for everything: Social media, billing, communication, website maintenance, and so much more!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dear Doula?
Dear Doula was founded in June of 2020 by Julia Talarico. Dear Doula offers support during preconception, pregnancy, labor & delivery, postpartum, and beyond.

I am a certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. I have supported over 25 families through non-medicated/medicated births, planned inductions, cesarean births, and vaginal births after a cesarean.

I am also a certified Childbirth Educator and a certified Breastfeeding Counselor through the International Doula Institute. I find these extra bits of knowledge useful during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum to ensure that my families are as informed and educated. I am trained as a Midwife Birth Assistant and assist the midwife at home birth(s). With this additional training, I have obtained my Neonatal Resuscitation Certification.

In addition to birth work, I practice as a therapist. I specialize in perinatal mental health focusing on life transitions, pre-conception, infertility, adoption, grief/loss, and postpartum mood disorders. My goal is to build a positive, trusting, and caring relationship with you and your partner to ensure that you will feel empowered and informed every step of the way.

The Listen to Women Campaign was started by Julia, Owner of Dear Doula. I started this campaign to raise awareness for women’s basic human rights. Time and time again, we hear women are being invalidated, questioned, put down, bullied, harassed and the list goes on.

Women are unheard of on a daily basis, simply just because of the fact that they are female. This occurs within the workplace, at home, in hospital/medical settings, and unfortunately, in too many other places. But, especially within the women’s health care system and as it pertains to pre-conception, infertility, pregnancy, labor delivery, postpartum, and even if you are not trying to conceive nor intend to have children.

According to the WHO, the U.S. has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality. Yet we are one of the richest countries in the world with a multitude of resources. Most, if not all, of these deaths, are 100% preventable but are neglected and ignored. This cannot continue any longer.

Listen to Women Campaign is about respecting women’s human rights, advocating and fighting for equality on a daily basis & most importantly, listening to women! 10% of the profits are donated to a selected cause.

(https://www.deardoulanc.com/listen-to-women-campagin) *See link for the campaign video.*

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I just relocated to Raleigh from Rochester, NY! I am very excited to be escaping the cold winter months! I’ve been surrounded by babies my whole life. My mom had a daycare in my home when I was younger and I started babysitting at age 12.

Contact Info:

• Email: deardoulanc@gmail.com
• Website: www.deardoulanc.com
• Instagram: @deardoula_nc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deardoulanc