Tara Campbell, CD(DONA),BDT(DONA),LCCE / Founder of Birthing Gently

Podcast Interview with Tara Campbell link

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have" ~Cayla Mills

Tara's own personal journey through high-risk birth, and as an advocate through her children’s

illnesses:

A Slightly Twisted Fairy Tale

Tara Campbell is a certified Birth Doula (2001) & Birth Doula Trainer with DONA International (2006), a Childbirth Educator through Lamaze International (2003), founded Birthing Gently Doula Services and Professional Education in 2002, and BGMH in 2013. Tara has trained over 12,000 birth doulas (since 2006).
In collaboration with certain providers, she has been at the forefront of implementing the “Family Centered Cesarean Section” approach.

Tara takes cases on a limited basis. She serves as a backup to specialized Birth Doulas.

Tara works as an adolescent and cesarean section educator with obstetrical patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston MA. Teaches DONA International Birth Doula workshops. Works closely with the supportive staff at Birthing Gently while managing daily administrative duties. Manages the Birthing Gently Maternal Health Community Doula Program, including Mass General Brigham's United Against Racism Doula Project.

Tara's main area of interest lies in working with Maternal Fetal Medicine High Risk-OB/GYN patients. Areas of focus include Congenital and structural heart disease, psychiatric illness, epilepsy, spinal disorders (scoliosis, spina bifida, SCI, and tethered spinal cord syndrome), cerebral palsy, placenta accreta, VATER syndrome, neuroblastoma, cyclic vomiting syndrome, inequity and injustice surrounding sexual rights and pregnancy for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tara accepts High-Profile clients who require an added layer of special or unique treatment to ensure discretion, autonomy, and confidentiality. She has worked with celebrities, professional athletes, executives, community leaders, and public officials.

Tara’s birth philosophy is “Each birth is as individual, unpredictable, and meaningful as each of us".

We must provide our clients with the unbiased tools needed to make informed and evidence-based decisions regarding the care they are receiving. This support will allow the freedom to enter labor with a clear, educated, and open mind. Everyone, whether they choose un-medicated, medicated, or cesarean birth, needs our support and quality care. Tara's style is a bit more direct and no-nonsense. Tara will help you focus, redirect, and adapt to birth changes as they unfold. You are in control more than you know, don't let fear be the roadblock!

Tara has five children. Evian (1996), Shelby (2002), Kendal (2003), Hailee (2006), and Katheryn (2009). Although she did not have a doula present at her first two deliveries, she did have a doula present at her third, fourth & fifth deliveries, which were, scheduled cesarean sections. She was amazed at the difference between the doula-assisted births and the two previous deliveries. The three major differences were a significant decrease in anxiety, increased birth satisfaction, and recovery.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, skiing, hang gliding, drag racing her car in the 1/4 mile, hiking and traveling, and spending time with her family and dogs.

She acquired great knowledge after having the opportunity to work in other related departments such as antepartum, the newborn nursery, OR, post-op, pediatrics, emergency department, and postpartum. It wasn’t long before she realized that “home” was in the labor and delivery unit and ignited the passion that redirected

her down the doula path.

Tara has been a childbirth educator in a variety of settings including hospitals, private institutions, and federally funded community-based programs with a focus on curriculum development for teens, multiples, and same-sex couples.

Some of her major accomplishments include

The creation and inception of the BGMH Community Doula Program was established in 2013 in collaboration with the Midwifery Practice at Massachusetts General Hospital. The goal of this program is to provide Birth Doula support to low-income and at-risk patients through MGB (Mass General Brigham) who meet the program criteria.
In 2021-2022 BGMH accepted an invitation to join Mass General Brigham Birth Partners “United Against Racism Project”. In collaboration with Mass General Brigham, BGMH will accept additional patients selected through this grant-funded project.
In 2022-2023 BGMH accepted a second contract with Mass General Brigham Birth Partners "United Against Racism Project. This grant-funded program will train community doulas to serve MGB patients.
In 2023-2024 BGMH accepted a third and fourth contract with Mass General Brigham Birth Partners "United Against Racism Project. This grant-funded program will train community doulas to serve MGB patients.
Accepting clients in collaboration with Newton Wellesley Hospitals Patient in need Fund & NWH DV advocates.
Collaborated with Enon’s Doula Ministry Program in Philadelphia PA in 2021 to increase the community doula population and provide tuition assistance for members who wish to train as a Birth Doulas.
Faculty educator at Birthwise Midwifery School in Bridgton Maine (2007-2021).
Faculty educator at Birthroot's in Portland Maine (2006-2020).
Educator at Isis Parenting Boston MA (2002-2014)
Educator at Destination Maternity: Boston, CT & NYC locations (2006-2015)
Instructor at Harvard University (2011, 2013 & 2018) The Doulas Role in Birth: A Personal Journey. Course: Human Evolution, Locomotion, and Pelvic Morphology Class.
Instructor Tufts Medical School (2017,2018,2021) -TOPS (Tufts Obstetric Patients and their Students).
Northern Essex Community College (2004-2005) Birth Doula Educator.
Tara has been invited as a guest speaker to many conferences, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Breastfeeding Collation, Newton-Wellesley Hospital Maternity Services Council, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Kansas City University Medical School, Plymouth State University, Boston Association for Childbirth Education & Nursing Mothers Council, Lynn Community Health Center, Maine Medical Center.
Tara has collaborated with to train doulas for * Maine Medical Center * Brandywine Counseling NJ * Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission * Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation * Rutland Regional Medical Center * Springfield Hospital VT * Harvard Medical School *Tufts Medical School * Birthwise Midwifery School * BirthRoots * Northern Essex Community College* Haverhill High School * Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital * Plymouth State University *
Birthing Gently collaboration and attendance at the International Doula Meeting, Santa Joana Hospital São Paulo, Brazil 2015. Providing staff and local doulas with the most up-to-date techniques for labor and birth.
Throughout her career, Tara has sat on a variety of health-related committees. Currently serves as a committee member for Boston Children’s Hospital’s Virtual Committee, and Haverhill High School Healthcare Advisory Committee. Previous committees Tara served include Pentucket Perinatal Mental Health Coalition (2015-2017), DONA INTERNATIONAL Certification Committee (2006-2007), American Heart Association Children's Hospital Boston CVDY: Cardiovascular Disease in the Young Committee (2003-2006).
Imagine That: Lawrence MA. Community education through our designed play space that included interactive hands-on education, and exploration for young children. This includes newborn care, newborn appearance, bathing safety, and dressing, diapering, dressing, sleep safety, and car seat safety. (2012-2018)
Tara has written and contributed to several publications and a variety of media projects.
Creator of "BOSSGIRLS" (2022-2023)! Empowering each other to be our best selves! A virtual support group for teens ages 13-17. Improving wellbeing and self-care through positive social support and encouragement.
Senior advisor for Support Birth in Tucson AZ.

Areas of focus on continued education:

2024

2023

Harvard University "Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles".
Brigham and Women's Hospital BWH Obstetrical Neurology Conference 2023
Mass General Brigham Spaulding Rehab Hospital "Building Provider Capacity For Women With Spinal Cord Injury"." General Medical Issues, Health Maintenance & Well-Being, Pregnancy & Parenting,& Sexuality & Reproductive Health
Stanford University School of Medicine "Addiction Compassionate Care for a Complex Problem"
Stanford University School of Medicine "Communicating with Presence".
Stanford University School of Medicine "Health Across the Gender Spectrum"
Stanford University School of Medicine "Unconscious Bias in Medicine".
Stanford University School of Medicine "Introduction to Food and Health"
Stanford University School of Medicine "CSI:ME Case Studies In Medical Errors"
Stanford University School of Medicine "Thinking Critically: Interpreting Randomized Clinical Trials"
Patient-Specific Considerations, the GABA Pathway, and New Clinical Trial Data on Neuroactive Steroids in MDD and PPD
CHOP -Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia "Adolescent Gynecologic Emergencies"
The Cape and Islands Maternal Depression Task Force, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
QMED 6th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference Boston.
DONA International "Training Doula Without Children", "Preventing Turnover in the Doula Industry","Brain Boost for Doula Education".
Adult Congenital Heart Association: What To Expect When You’re Expecting with Maternal Congenital Heart Disease
Arizona College of Medicine Tuscon Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Understanding, Assessing, Connecting with Resources

2022

Boston University School of Public Health: Centering the Health of Mothers in the Public Health Agenda.

2020

Harvard University "Leaders of Learning"
Massachusetts Psychiatric Academy "Psychiatric Disorders in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations Across the Female Lifespan".
Mercy In Action " Cultural Competency and Respect in the Provision of Maternity Care".
University Of Pittsburgh "Vaccine Webinar Series" .

2018

DONA International "The Best Start: Strategies to Reduce Early Feeding Problems","Successful Ways to Manage Your Doula Business".

Tara Campbell, CD(DONA),BDT(DONA),LCCE / Founder of Birthing Gently

Tara takes cases on a limited basis. She serves as a backup to specialized Birth Doulas.

​

Tara accepts High-Profile clients who require an added layer of special or unique treatment to ensure discretion, autonomy, and confidentiality. She has worked with celebrities, professional athletes, executives, community leaders, and public officials.

​