Hi, I’m Rachael Zamora (she/her).
I am a birth and postpartum doula in Winnemucca, Nevada, where I live with my husband, two kids, and our dog.
I found my way to birth and postpartum work after the birth of my children. As cliché as it sounds, becoming a parent was such a life-changing experience for me. I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and while I devoured so much information before birth, I felt like there was a lot left out of the popular books that I’d read.
When I became a mom, I realized how little care and support birthing people receive once baby is born. I had read the baby books and prepared for birth, but I had no clue how to take care of ME once my baby was in my arms. I was shocked at how it changed my marriage, my mind (first postpartum anxiety and later postpartum depression - both undiagnosed), and my identity. I spent my second pregnancy primarily focusing on preparing myself for postpartum, and between that and experience, I had the best fourth trimester I could have imagined - despite giving birth in a pandemic and learning how to juggle being a mom of two.
When I got pregnant with my second, I knew I wanted to leave my metallurgy career eventually and help new parents and babies, but I didn’t know how or what that would look like. Almost exactly a year after I first spoke that wish out loud, a dear friend of mine - who is a doula - gave me the push I needed to become a doula myself. Through the Manhattan Birth doula mentor program, I have grown into my passion and purpose.
Outside of doula and lactation work, I am a Zumba and Pound Fitness instructor. I love listening to so many different types of music that I can’t pick a favorite genre or band/artist. I was a metallurgist at Twin Creeks gold mine before pursuing birth work, and got my bachelor of science in chemical engineering at Colorado School of Mines (nerd alert!). Winnemucca has been my home for over a decade now, and I am excited to serve local families while raising my own here!
Trainings and Mentorships
Manhattan Birth Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, in progress
Member of the Doula CO-OP
Manhattan Birth Mentor Program, 2020-2022 - mentored by Emilie Rodriguez, Myla Flores, and Montse Olmos
Understanding Fetal Monitoring, January 2021 - facilitated by Tanya Wills, MSN, LM, CNM, IBCLC
Understanding Rebozo and Cultural Appropriation, February 2021 - passed down by Monste Olmos, an Indigenous Mexican birth keeper
Manhattan Birth Comprehensive Childbirth Prep (Audited Participant), March 2021 - facilitated by Sarah Lovell, RN, CLC
Making Your Birth Work Queer and Trans Inclusive, March 2021 - facilitated by Ray Rachlin, LM, CPM, CLC
Comforting Touch for Doulas, April 2021 - facilitated by Yiska Obadia
Walking with Whitney Infant Development Workshop for Doulas, April 2021 - facilitated by Whitney Burke, MSPT
Understanding LGBTQ Family Building, July 2021 - facilitated by Ray Rachlin, LM, CPM, CLC
Integrative Lactation and Feeding Specialist, Certification, August 2021 - facilitated by Tanya Wills, MSN, LM, CNM, IBCLC and Sarah Lovell RN, CLC
Grandma’s Hands Pregnancy & Postpartum Herbs and Nutrition in the Southern Tradition online course, November 2021 - passed down by Divine Bailey-Nicholas
Whole Body Pregnancy Postpartum Doula Training, Spring 2022 - facilitated by Erika Davis