Olivia Rio Doula
Birth Doula
About Me
Hello there! My name is Olivia Rio Godby, and I'm a doula and aspiring nurse midwife in Seattle. My passion for reproductive justice and education began when a close friend of mine gave birth to the beautiful little girl pictured here (I unfortunately can't claim this cutie) and I started to understand the significance of the birth and pregnancy period to how birthing people feel about themselves long-term. The deeper I dive into my preparatory coursework for midwifery school, the more I understand birth as a reclamation of power, community, and confidence. As I begin my birth work journey, it is essential to me that everything I learn and do is grounded in a framework of anti-racism, gender affirming care, and radical inclusivity of all bodies and relationships. I completed doula training through Bastyr University in September 2020 and am working to certify through PALS in addition to completing childbirth educator coursework. I believe everyone deserves a dedicated, compassionate, and supportive doula, no matter their financial situation. If you'd like to work with me in a reduced compensation or volunteer capacity, I'd be honored to discuss the possibilities.
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Outside of birth work, I spend most of my time writing and recording music for my dream pop band, Night Hikes (check us out on Spotify!), reading everything humanly possible about the reproductive system, talking a lot about menstruation, working with high schoolers on study skills, and wandering around outside waiting for spring.
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Training:
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Trained Birth Doula 2020; Simkin Center / Bastyr University DONA International training
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Whole Body Pregnancy Childbirth Educator (in-progress)
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BA in Philosophy and Literature; University of Notre Dame, 2016
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Extensive coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry
Volunteer experience:
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15 years volunteering and forming friendships with adults with developmental disabilities through therapeutic recreation and summer sleep away camp
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5 years coaching teenagers with learning differences to elevate confidence and find academic success
Services
Home Visits
I do two home visits pre-birth to get to know you and your family. I will help you craft a birth plan, answer your questions, and help you craft meaningful rituals and grounding practices to feel connected, safe, and whole in your body. As a songwriter and musician, I'd love to help you incorporate music into your pregnancy and birth experience if that's something you'd like!
Birth Doula
I provide continuous labor support, no matter where you wish to give birth. My first priority is helping you have an empowering birth experience; I do not project my beliefs onto you. I will be your best advocate and listener, your number one suggester of positions to help you move through labor, and your go-to, absolutely whatever you need, no-judgment support person.
Childbirth Educator in Training
I am currently participating in the Whole Body Pregnancy Childbirth Educator Training and certification process. This training is rooted in affirming, inclusive birth care, in full recognition of the human, mental, spiritual, and physical aspects of the pregnancy journey.