Lou Read

Lou Read is a birth doula and meditation teacher based in Brooklyn. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Lou now serves individuals and families of all iteration as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. Birth work is Lou’s calling – her nurturing presence is a fit for families seeking compassionate and informed support grounded in a balance of spirituality, joy, and data.

she/her

Certified Birth Doula, Meditation Teacher, Parent, Home Cook Specializing in Perinatal Nutrition

Birth Doula

Daytime Postpartum

Overnight Postpartum

Lou is comfortable supporting births in a range of settings — hospital, home, and birthing centers. Her flexibility, sense of humor and ability to find light in the dark is an asset when unexpected curve balls appear (as they tend to do in birth and the perinatal period). Birth doula support with Lou includes 3-6 prenatal sessions, labor and delivery support, and some postpartum care. She is passionate about helping clients navigate the entirety of the perinatal period, and especially the often overlooked task of choosing a provider who aligns with your preferences. Lou's passionate about continuing education. So far, her training and experience includes: Transformed by Birth Apprenticeship — Britta Bushnell, Oct 2023 - March 2024 Birth Doula Training — Carriage House Birth, July 2022 (includes postpartum basics) The Pelvic Floor: A Workshop for Doulas and Birth Workers — Sonia Reiter OTR/L, August 2023 Comforting Touch for Doulas — Yiska Obadia, May 2023 Lactation Counseling for Doulas — Boober, December 2022 Lactation Basics for Doulas — Carriage House Birth, January 2023 Home Cook, Postpartum Nutrition & Recipe Testing (First Forty Days) — 2022 - 2023 Infant Safety and CPR — Common Sense CPR, January 2023 Calling In Workshop — Loretta J Ross (co-founder of the Reproductive Justice movement), October 2022 Life Coach Training Program — Handel Group, 2020-2022 Personal Assistant — NYC-based family during pregnancy and early postpartum, 2018-2019

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What families are saying

Hiring Lou was a wonderful decision. With humor, openness, warmth, and knowledge, Lou guided my husband and I through making choices about our baby's birth and supported us through labor and postpartum. In the days before I went into labor, having Lou to call and text as I tried to figure out what my body was doing and how to best physically and emotionally prepare for labor was extremely helpful. She gave me suggestions for activities for my body, but also listened to my anxiety and helped me feel more patient about it all. When I went into labor, I was so relieved to have Lou to call. It was the middle of the night, but she answered on the first ring and sat with me on the phone through some rough contractions. When I decided I had had enough and needed to go to the hospital, she was completely supportive. I was working with some excellent midwives, but I did feel that they were not taking seriously my dehydration (I was unable to keep any liquids down) and were pushing for me to stay home longer. Having Lou in my corner to say that I should go if I feel I need to go was centering. When I got to the pushing stage, Lou guided me to push on my side, cooled me down with a cold compress, and gave me helpful visualizations. She also gently advocated for me to wait to push until I was fully feeling the urge - and I'm glad I waited because I pushed for less than 15 minutes! - Caroline, Queens, April 2023

Lou was the perfect "angel on the shoulder" throughout the later months of pregnancy, deep in the trenches of our labor and birthing experience, and as a helpful postpartum friend. She helped us understand what we needed to think about, questions to ask our providers, and the best ways to prepare for birth. She did this all without pandering to us, never afraid to tell us how she felt or when we were in the wrong. Throughout the birthing experience, my partner and I constantly turned to her for guidance. When things were going well, we looked to her to ask if this would continue. When complications arose, she helped us breathe, think, question, and move forward with our preferred method. To be honest, we were hesitant to hire a doula and Lou herself, but now couldn't imagine going through that experience without her. She'll forever be deeply embedded in the memory of our child's birth, and also a friend borne out of that experience. - First time parents, Brooklyn, April 2023

Christine was a calming voice in the birthing room, and an advocate for me when things got hard. Postpartum she has continued to be a support person as questions have arisen.

Birth Doula Services

Daytime Postpartum Doula Services

Overnight Postpartum Doula Services

Sibling Support Services

Lou Read

What families are saying

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