Nicole Brown Memorial Doula/Educator Training Scholarship

One of the first questions many people ask me is why I became a doula. I love this question because I get to share the story of my sister-in-love, Nicole, asking for labor support after she found out she was pregnant with twins.

Nicole’s Story

Nicole had recently moved to Des Moines and only knew a few people. We spent many of her early months talking about eating healthy and preparing for the birth. Towards the middle of her pregnancy, she was having some complications that landed her on bed rest on the maternity floor at Unity Point hospital in downtown Des Moines. I tried to visit her as much as possible and rarely missed a day. This meant that I got to meet a lot of her care team–doctors, nurses, and high risk specialists. I learned a lot about the machines and even more from Nicole who let me ask her anything–and everything–about her pregnancy. Nicole really wanted an unmedicated birth and asked if I would be her “coach”.

Not long before the babies’ births, I decided to take a doula course so I could be a better support for Nicole during the birth. The class was on a Saturday and Sunday in Cedar Rapids, IA. On the final day of the class, Nicole told me that she thought she was in labor but that the hospital was going to try to stop the contractions. I drove quickly back to Des Moines and spent that night with her. Thankfully, the babies were still safe inside Nicole. After my training, a spark lit inside me for supporting mothers through pregnancy, labor, and birth. To say it changed my life is an understatement!

A few weeks later, I was able to support Nicole and my brother-in-law through the birth of their babies! She was so happy to have the birth she hoped for and that her babies were safely in her arms.

Shortly after the babies were born, Nicole learned she had cancer. She spent the next years going through every possible treatment to get rid of the cancer. On April 2, 2015, she was finally able to rest from her cancer. The world lost a beautiful woman and loving mother.

Nicole Brown Memorial Scholarship

Since Nicole is the person who encouraged me to become a doula, I thought it would be fitting to help other people become doulas too.  Financial commitment is often a barrier into this important work, and I know communities benefit from having doulas/educators working with families.   This scholarship is available for any CAPPA trainings I teach in any location. This is money from my personal business to help others start their journey. It is a way for me to remember Nicole and encourage others to support their own communities too. Special considerations will be given to people of color, military families, and single mothers to honor Nicole.

This scholarship is available on a limited basis to those people with financial need. Part of the Scholarship Application process is to share how you will plan on serving your community. Please be very specific and thoughtful with your answers.

Scholarship Application