Terra Blanchard
Postpartum Support
Where are you from and what brought you to Kansas City?
I was born and raised in Saint Joseph, MO and that’s where I currently reside with my fiance and 2 children, 11 and 3. After I finished high school I ventured out into the world to Nebraska and Florida, but missing being near family is what ultimately brought me back home.
What services do you provide and what made you interested in working with new families?
I provide doula care before, during and after your baby arrives as a labor and postpartum doula. Working as a student midwife made me realize how many families need additional care during this huge transitional period in their lives. I love the idea of helping families start their next chapter with their new baby and making it as easy as possible for everyone.
What is your background in?
I trained as a labor doula in 2013 and started my midwifery apprenticeship in December of 2021. Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted my future career to be something that made a difference in people’s lives. I have also always been interested in anything and everything pregnancy, birth and babies. After having my daughter in 2011 I realized that this community is where I was meant to spend my life. After having a home birth with my son in 2020 and receiving midwifery care (and the amazing postpartum care that comes along with it) it sparked a new fire inside of me and I began my own journey to becoming a midwife so that I can pass that along. I’m also now trained as a postpartum doula so that I can help families have the easiest transition possible after their newest family member arrives.
What are 3 of your strengths?
I’m caring, empathetic and reliable. I’ve been told over the years that I have a soft heart. I tend to carry and feel the emotions of others on a deep level. I think that is a huge strength in this line of work because it’s emotionally driven in a lot of ways. Being able to listen to the experiences of the mothers and let them know that they are seen and heard and their feelings are valid is one of my favorite parts of this work.
What are 3 things you enjoy doing?
My favorite things outside of work are spending time with my family, thrifting all over Kansas City and driving with the windows down and the music turned up loud!