About Brave Journey

Brave Journey is judgement-free, inclusive, & intentional childbirth education with information, tools, & support to bravely navigate birth your own unique way. Here, you'll cultivate clarity, and confidence as you prepare to birth.

Brave Journey Birth Preparation courses provide you with evidence based childbirth knowledge, birth wisdom, and ensure you know your options as you navigate birthing in our modern medical context. 

 

Testimonials

What People Are Saying

Sara D.

The birth of a child is such an incredible moment and we feel truly blessed to have had Cara share and support us ... Cara provided such amazing support from start to finish.  I went in calm and comforted knowing that although we weren't having the birth for which we had planned, it was still the most amazing day of our lives meeting our little girl. She never questioned our decisions but definitely made sure we were fully informed, which I loved.  

Fabiola V.

At the end of the [Brave Journey Birth Preparation] program, I felt teary because I had gained so much love and compassion for that version of myself who didn't have this information nine years ago but deeply needed it and would have loved it. Now having had the pleasure, it has filled me with confidence as I continue to plan for future children. I highly recommended it to any pregnant person preparing for birth and will definitely be recommending it to my future postpartum clients. Thanks, Cara for creating such a beautiful program.

 Danielle & Noah T.

What really resonated with us was Cara's open-minded, culturally sensitive, and holistic approach to the many different ways of birthing. Her approach connects evidence-based principles, including the latest scientific research, with the emotional, spiritual, and intensely personal dimensions of birthing. We also enjoyed the incorporation of art, movement, and humor. The ice, breathing, and stretching practices were particularly helpful.

About Cara

Hi! I'm Cara (she/her). I've been helping people prepare for and navigate deeply transformative and unfamiliar experiences for nearly two decades. I had a successful career leading social change programs in the nonprofit and public policy sector until the birth of my first child. In the past nearly ten years since then I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of pregnant people as a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Prenatal Yoga Teacher. 

The births of my two kids as well as the births of those I'm honored to attend as a doula continually solidify my commitment to ensuring birthing people are prepared to navigate the transformation and surprises of birth. When preparing you for labor, birth, and postpartum I ensure you know your options, build your birth knowledge, have an opportunity practice labor coping strategies, and are reminded of your courage and resilience as you navigate birth in our modern medical context

I believe there is no one ‘right’ way to give birth. I believe birth is a normal physiologic process and best left undisturbed, and at the same time that sometimes medical interventions are the wisest choice. Informed decision making strategies are a large component of Brave Journey courses and I'm fiercely committed to body autonomy & judgement-free birth education where expectant parents build the knowledge and tools to seek information and practice clarifying what feels right for you. 

My approach is trauma-aware, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, and nonjudgmental.

Read more about my journey.

 

 

 

Certifications, Degrees, & Professional Associations

I'm a Certified Professional Birth Doula with toLabor, a Birthing From Within Trained Childbirth Educator, and a professional member of Evidence Based Birth. I have completed professional workshops with Spinning Babies, Nurturely Milk Magic, and the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. I'm currently a member of the Doula team at the Wombkeepers Obstetrics & Midwifery Practice in Scottsdale, AZ. 

I hold a BA in Anthropology (Arizona State University) and an Executive Leadership Master’s in Public Administration (University of Washington). I also hold a graduate certificate in Migration and Refugee Studies (The American University in Cairo).

I completed Yoga Teacher Training in 2011 (200hr Akasha Yoga), and Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training (Soul of Yoga) in 2014.

I currently serve on the Advisory Board of St. Andrew's Refugee Services in Cairo, Egypt, and I am a board member and co-founder of Refugees Thrive International.  

Brave Journey Values

Education

Brave Journey values providing accurate, quality, and evidence-based birth information, uncomplicating medical spaces and empowering birthing people in the process. 

Connection

Brave Journey values inspiring you to connect to your community, as well as to yourself, creating an assurance of internal strength and courage for the journey ahead.

Advocacy

Advocacy means ensuring birthing people are regarded as the leader of their birth journey by Doctors, Nurses, and Midwives. Advocacy means redefining what a "good" birth means on your own terms. Brave Journey values communication that is inclusive of all birthing people and all types of births. Advocacy also means portions of Brave Journey's revenue are always going towards justice and equity for all birthing people.

Grounding in Place: Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

Brave Journey is located in modern-day Phoenix, Arizona, which is on the ancestral lands of the Akimel O’odham tribe and before that the Hohokam people. This place where I live and work has been and continues to be the home of indigenous peoples since time immemorial. I honor the elders of both past and present, as well as future generations, of the Hohokam peoples and the Akimel O’odham nation. I express gratitude for their stewardship of the land we currently occupy.

Prehistorically, the Hohokam people inhabited a large part of central and southern Arizona. Their descendants, the Akimel O’odham tribe (River People) are also known as the Upper Pima, and today are part of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Indigenous ancestors of these groups developed the most advanced canal system in North America to provide irrigation water to villages and agricultural lands here in the harsh Sonoran Desert environment. Hundreds of miles of canals were engineered and dug by hand. These systems allowed them to engage in canal farming and produce an ample supply of food. Some of these historic canal courses are still utilized in the Phoenix Valley and my home receives flood irrigation water from these historic canal courses, today. I acknowledge this important infrastructure that early colonizers, modern day populations, and myself and my family have benefitted from.

Addressing Disparities

 A commitment: 10% of all of Brave Journey's revenue is redirected to organizations reducing systemic disparities in birth & breastfeeding outcomes by expanding the availability of culturally-matched, community-powered education and support.