Korrie Athena Renee'

No..I did not spell Journi wrong. That is actually the name of one of my very special doula babies who I accidentally delivered on my own in 2019.

It was around 2009/2010 when I found out about a DOULA after giving birth to my own two sons. However, once I discovered DOULA work I always said that was something I would like to do, because even then I felt no woman should have to give birth alone without support. That was my only thought behind the work back then. Now in 2026 I know this work is much more than being the bestie in the room during birth.

When I gave birth to my second son, it was just the doctors and I. Partly my fault because I believed my son's father would be there and he never showed. Though, I never realized the true mental damage it did to me to give birth under those circumstances; alone, until I snapped. Only then did I realized I was suffering and traumatically hurt due to the circumstances of my own birthing experience. This is why I desired to hold space for those who were delivering alone.

In April 2017, I began my journey as a DOULA by completing a training through DONA International. I participated in a weekend DOULA and BREASTFEEDING training taught by Mrs. Annette Culp. 

After completing my DOULA training I joined the Atlanta Doula Collective as a volunteer DOULA, established by traditional midwife, Sister Sekesa Berry. It was with the collective that I truly began my hands on work with women in the city of Atlanta, GA. Through the collective in 2019, I became a full time DOULA working primarily through the office of CNM, Marsha Ford who owned OB/Gyn and Midwife Associates. Only one of three practices that provided waterbirths in the hospital in Atlanta, GA.

With the guidance of Sister Sekesa Berry and CNM Marsha Ford, I developed into the DOULA I am today.

I work diligently to assist families with establishing a birth plan. I strive to educate and support my families through pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as postpartum transition. I attend every birth with the intention of keeping the laborer and family as calm, cool, and relaxed as possible to ensure that the environment allows the body to do what it was born to do - give birth naturally.

My journey as a DOULA up until now that I am rewriting this has been beyond what I ever imagined. I have supported bearths at home, birth centers and hospitals. I have supported waterbirths at homes, hospitals and birth centers. I have supported families with vaginal births after c-sections both in the hospital and home. To my surprise, I have been tremendously blessed to be able to support two twin births, which were successful full term vaginal delivers – despite the threats of the OB/Gyns. 

I must be honest. I am not a DOULA who supports free births. I am a DOULA who believes in the power of Midwives and OB/Gyns and respects their skill to identify when there is an issue. I have seen many Midwives and OB/Gyns save lives unexpectedly.