My journey into this work began with my own birth and postpartum experience here in Texas—as a Japanese mother, far from home.
 
When I gave birth to my first daughter, I had been living in the United States for nearly 10 years. I was familiar with life here and had worked extensively with young children. I wasn’t too worried about giving birth and raising a baby abroad for the first time. But once labor began, I was met with shock after shock—a delivery process completely different from what I knew in Japan, cultural differences with the medical staff, and a care system that left me feeling zero control and unprepared.
 
I still remember the moment my newborn daughter was placed on my chest. I looked at my husband and whispered, “I might go into depression.” My body and mind felt as if they had been treated without kindness or respect.
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When we returned home on the third day, it was just the two of us. With our families in Japan, my husband was my only support. Looking back, I realized I had never learned how to change a diaper, bathe a baby, swaddle, or breastfeed effectively. Some may say, “You weren’t taught because you didn’t ask.” But at that time, I didn’t have the emotional or physical capacity to even know what to ask. I couldn’t anticipate the skills or knowledge I’d need, and I didn’t have the strength to seek help. My difficult birth experience had also left me with fear and distrust toward the medical system.
And so, I entered motherhood mostly on my own.
 
Despite that difficult beginning, I was blessed with three beautiful children. Over time, I grew more familiar with the birth and postpartum care system in the U.S., and I was finally able to reflect on my early experiences with more peace. The events that once felt overwhelming and even traumatic slowly became stories my husband and I could laugh about. It was around that healing time that I learned about the profession of the postpartum doula—someone who offers guidance and hands-on care to families after birth. I immediately knew: this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the support I once wished I had. Today, I’m honored to offer that care—not only as a postpartum doula, but also as a lactation counselor and baby sleep consultant.
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Since stepping into this work, my passion for supporting families has only deepened. Every family I meet teaches me something new. Each has its own values, challenges, and unique vision for postpartum life. I’ve had the joy of walking beside families as they learn the basics of baby care, support older siblings through big transitions, cope with sleep deprivation, navigate feeding challenges, soothe colicky babies—and even teach a new mother how to make miso soup from scratch. No two families are ever the same—and that’s exactly what makes this work so meaningful and rewarding.
 
My mission is to bring rest, peace, and a sense of steadiness to growing families by offering gentle, grounded, and wholehearted support—always shaped around their unique needs in this tender season of life.