Meet Our Team

We're passionate about supporting families.

We're passionate about supporting families through this stage because we know firsthand just how overwhelming and challenging it can be. We also know how invaluable it is to have nonjudgmental, empathetic support from someone who you can trust.

Our passion, experience, and expertise helps us deliver the support and guidance you need to shift from feeling overwhelmed and underprepared to feeling confident and capable. We truly love what we do, and we're here for you.


About Us

About Us

Every family has its own unique combination of needs, goals, and values.

That unique combination combined with your circumstances is going to have a major impact on the choices you’re making. Additionally, we all have different learning styles, require different levels of emotional support, and define success in our own way. This is why we believe in customized, non-judgmental support for each individual family we work with.

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There's no one "right way" to grow families, give birth, or raise babies.

The right decision is the one that’s best for your family. What we care about most is helping you avoid common questions like, "Why didn't anyone tell me there was another way?" That's why we equip our families with science-backed information and all of your options, so you can feel confident in the decisions you’re making as a parent.

Next

Knowledge is power…especially when it's backed by science.

We believe science-backed (also known as evidence-based) information helps parents feels informed, confident, and empowered. When you understand your options and the data behind them, it becomes a lot easier to discuss the benefits and risks of your choices, consider which options feels best, advocate for yourself and/or your family, and adapt to changing situations if needed.

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Everything we offer and the way we show up as coaches is grounded in these three values.

Our COre Values

Our Core Values

Everything we offer and the way we show up as coaches is grounded in these three values:

1. Every family has its own unique combination of needs, goals, and values.

2. There's no one "right way" to grow families, give birth, or raise babies.

3. Knowledge is power...especially when it's backed by science.

Learn More

Every family has its own unique combination of needs, goals, and values.

That unique combination combined with your circumstances is going to have a major impact on the choices you’re making. Additionally, we all have different learning styles, require different levels of emotional support, and define success in our own way. This is why we believe in customized, non-judgmental support for each individual family we work with.

Next

There's no one "right way" to grow families, give birth, or raise babies.

The right decision is the one that’s best for your family. What we care about most is helping you avoid common questions like, "Why didn't anyone tell me there was another way?" That's why we equip our families with science-backed information and all of your options, so you can feel confident in the decisions you’re making as a parent.

Next

Knowledge is power…especially when it's backed by science.

We believe science-backed (also known as evidence-based) information helps parents feels informed, confident, and empowered. When you understand your options and the data behind them, it becomes a lot easier to discuss the benefits and risks of your choices, consider which options feels best, advocate for yourself and/or your family,  and adapt to changing situations if needed.

Next

Our COre Values


Meet our Team


Richelle Clayton

Founder, CEO, Doula, and Coach


Richelle has a worn a few hats over the years, from collegiate volleyball player and club coach, to assistant manager and high-tech change management consultant. While learning to navigate her new role and identity as a parent, she discovered her passion for supporting growing families through this oftentimes unpredictable and challenging period of life. That newfound passion is what led her down the path to learn a wide variety of skills and create From Pregnant to Parent.

In 2019, Richelle set out to create a modern-day parenting village and hasn’t looked back! These days, she supports families as a birth doula, birth and lactation educator, RETAIN Parental Leave Coach, Pediatric Sleep Coach, and a Coach for Parents. She loves helping parents reconnect with themselves and learn to truly enjoy parenthood, not just survive it.

Things that have helped Richelle through her own parenting journey include asking for help, personal growth, and enrichment (not balance). When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kiddos around their home in the SF Bay Area (at the zoo, farmer's market, playground, or hanging at home watching hockey).


Certifications and Trainings
  • Childbirth Education Certification | International Doula Institute | Spring 2020
  • Birth Doula Certification | International Doula Institute | Summer 2020
  • Postpartum Doula Certification | International Doula Institute | Fall 2020
  • Certified Breastfeeding Counselor | International Doula Institute | Fall 2020
  • Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care | Postpartum Support Int. | Oct 2020
  • Full Spectrum Doula Training | Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings | Fall 2020
  • Newborn Sleep Certification | Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting | Spring 2021
  • Baby and Toddler Sleep Consulting Certification Program | The Cradle Coach Academy | Spring 2021
  • Postpartum & Infant Care Doula Certification | ProDoula | Spring 2021
  • Labor Doula Certification | ProDoula | Summer 2021
  • RETAIN Parental Leave Coaching Certification | Center for Parental Leave Leadership | Fall 2022

Specialties
  • Navigating Parental Burnout, Guilt, and Identity Shifts
  • Planning and Preparing for Parenthood
  • Birth Prep: Labor Coping Strategies, Birth Preferences, and Partner Support
  • Newborn Care Prep and Infant Parent Coaching
  • Navigating all 3 Phases of Parental Leave: Preparing, During, and Returning
  • Lactation Prep and Basic Troubleshooting
  • Understanding Normal Infant and Toddler Sleep
  • Troubleshooting Sleep Issues for kids 0 - 5 years old
  • Building (and Preparing) Your Village of Support
  • Perinatal Mental Health
  • Building Your Baby Registry and Organizing Your Home

Read My Bio

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Richelle has a worn a few hats over the years, from collegiate volleyball player and club coach, to assistant manager and high-tech change management consultant. While learning to navigate her new role and identity as a parent, she discovered her passion for supporting growing families through this oftentimes unpredictable and challenging period of life. That newfound passion is what led her down the path to learn a wide variety of skills and create From Pregnant to Parent.

In 2019, Richelle set out to create a modern-day parenting village and hasn’t looked back! These days, she supports families as a birth doula, birth and lactation educator, RETAIN Parental Leave Coach, Pediatric Sleep Coach, and a Coach for Parents. She loves helping parents reconnect with themselves and learn to truly enjoy parenthood, not just survive it.

Things that have helped Richelle through her own parenting journey include asking for help, personal growth, and enrichment (not balance). When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kiddos around their home in the SF Bay Area (at the zoo, farmer's market, playground, or hanging at home watching hockey).

Certifications/Trainings and Specialties

Certifications and Trainings
  • Birth Story Reflection Training for Birth Professionals | Emily Souder | Nov. '22
  • RETAIN Parental Leave Coaching Cert. | CPLL | Spring '22
  • Labor Doula Cert. | PD | Aug. '21
  • Postpartum & Infant Care Doula Cert. | PD | Mar '21
  • Baby and Toddler Sleep Consulting Cert.| TCCA | Spring '21
  • Newborn Sleep Cert. | IPSP | Spring '21
  • Full Spectrum Doula Training | BADT | Fall '20
  • Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care | PSI | Oct '20
  • Breastfeeding Counselor Cert. | IDI | Fall '20
  • Postpartum Doula Cert. | IDI | Fall '20
  • Birth Doula Cert. | IDI | Summer '20
  • Childbirth Education | IDI | Spring '20

Specialties
  • Parental Burnout, Guilt, and Identity
  • Parental Leave and Parenthood Planning
  • Labor Coping Strategies, Birth Preferences, and Partner Support
  • Newborn Care Prep and Coaching
  • Lactation Prep and Basic Troubleshooting
  • Navigating Infant & Toddler Sleep
  • Building (and Preparing) Your Village of Support
  • Perinatal Mental Health

Founder, Doula, and Coach

Richelle Clayton

MeeT the Team


Emily Phelps

Birth and Postpartum Doula + RETAIN Parental Leave Coach


Emily works as a birth and postpartum doula and perinatal educator in Bloomington, Indiana. In 2019, she started The Matrescence Project, a cohort-based new parent group, grounded in adult learning theory. The project was founded on the firm belief that peer support is an invaluable resource during the transition to early parenthood. 

Outside of birth work and coaching, Emily works within corporate Human Resources and Leadership Development. She is a dynamic presenter, an engaging educator/trainer, and collaborative strategist with over 10 years of experience in the field. Before having kids, she lived in Ireland and worked abroad, managing European marketing and training initiatives for a medical device manufacturer.


Certifications and Trainings
  • RETAIN Parental Leave Coaching Certification | Center for Parental Leave Leadership | Fall 2022
  • Certified Instructor | Dancing for Birth | Fall 2021
  • Childbirth Educator Training | Lamaze International | Summer 2021
  • Workshop Training | Spinning Babies | Spring 2021
  • Certified Strengths Coach, Clifton Strengths | Gallup | Spring 2020
  • TED Speaker | TedX Bloomington | Spring 2020
  • Crucial Conversations Certified Trainer | Crucial Learning | Winter 2020
  • Birth Doula Training | DONA International | Winter 2020
  • Certified Postpartum Doula | DONA International | 2018

Specialties
  • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
  • Parental Leave Transition - Navigating Role and Identity Shifts
  • Physical, Mental, and Emotional Preparation for Labor
  • Non-Birthing Partner Support


Emily and her husband welcomed their first child in 2017 via IVF after years of living with infertility. As a lifelong perfectionist with a deeply Virgo commitment to order and control, becoming a mother cracked Emily’s world wide open, in the best and hardest ways. A debilitating struggle with postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD defined her transition into parenthood and inspired her shift to parent-focused work.

Things that have helped Emily through her own parenting journey include: prioritizing time with friends (especially without children present), journaling, choosing silliness, and setting the bar low for joy. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, gardening, and is an active member of her local Unitarian Universalist church.

Read My Bio

Bloomington, IN

Emily works as a birth and postpartum doula and perinatal educator in Bloomington, Indiana. In 2019, she started The Matrescence Project, a cohort-based new parent group, grounded in adult learning theory. The project was founded on the firm belief that peer support is an invaluable resource during the transition to early parenthood.

Outside of birth work and coaching, Emily works within corporate Human Resources and Leadership Development. She is a dynamic presenter, an engaging educator/trainer, and collaborative strategist with over 10 years of experience in the field. Before having kids, she lived in Ireland and worked abroad, managing European marketing and training initiatives for a medical device manufacturer.

Emily and her husband welcomed their first child in 2017 via IVF after years of living with infertility. As a lifelong perfectionist with a deeply Virgo commitment to order and control, becoming a mother cracked Emily’s world wide open, in the best and hardest ways. A debilitating struggle with postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD defined her transition into parenthood and inspired her shift to parent-focused work.

Things that have helped Emily through her own parenting journey include: prioritizing time with friends (especially without children present), journaling, choosing silliness, and setting the bar low for joy. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, gardening, and is an active member of her local Unitarian Universalist church.

Certifications/Trainings and Specialties

Certifications and Trainings
  • RETAIN Parental Leave Coaching Cert. | Center for Parental Leave Leadership | Fall '22
  • Certified Instructor | Dancing for Birth | Fall '21
  • Childbirth Educator Training | Lamaze International | Summer '21
  • Workshop Training | Spinning Babies | Spring '21
  • Certified Strengths Coach, Clifton Strengths | Gallup | Spring '20
  • TED Speaker | TedX Bloomington | Spring '20
  • Crucial Conversations Certified Trainer | Crucial Learning | Winter '20
  • Birth Doula Training | DONA International | Winter '20
  • Certified Postpartum Doula | DONA International | '18

Specialties
  • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
  • Parental Leave Transition - Navigating Role and Identity Shifts
  • Physical, Mental, and Emotional Preparation for Labor
  • Non-Birthing Partner Support

Doula, Coach, and HR PRofessional

EMILY PHELPS

Book a Free Info call

Book a free 20-minute call to learn more about what we do and how we can help!

✓ Set yourself up for a successful parental transition
✓ Feel prepared for the journey ahead
✓ Reduce feelings of overwhelm and isolation
✓ Combat parental burnout, guilt, and resentment
✓ Explore and integrate your shifting identities
✓ Maximize sleep in the early years
✓ Feel empowered to make informed choices for your family

We want you to feel prepared, supported, and confident in your role as a parent. We're here to help you:

Not sure where to start?
Let's chat!