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.

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.