Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Spencer.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for birth began during my first pregnancy. I’ve always been the type to deep dive and jump in with both feet when pursuing a goal. Despite all of my preparation and research, I left my first birth feeling taken advantage of by the medical system and confused by how the experience I planned for differed from the one I had.
When we decided to grow our family again, I was determined to take charge of my birth choices. This time, I hired a doula to advocate for me when I was at my most vulnerable. Experiencing the miracle of an unmedicated, spontaneous birth with my second child ignited a deep calling within me.
I knew then that my heart belonged to supporting families on their own journeys through pregnancy and childbirth. I wanted to help them prepare, plan, advocate, and feel truly supported in the birth space. That’s when I stepped away from teaching full time, became a certified doula, and founded Beloved Births KC, LLC.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, one of my greatest challenges was gaining the trust of those first few families to welcome me into their sacred and intimate birth space. I dreaded the question, “How many births have you attended?” because the truth was, I was just getting started. Thankfully, Kansas City has an amazing birth community that support one another. I leaned heavily on my mentors, trainers, friends, and family for opportunities to gain hands-on experience, and I took on backup doula roles whenever I could. Each birth brought new lessons, deeper understanding, and more confidence in my ability to support families well. Still, it was difficult not to feel the weight of needing credibility and clients. What carried me through was trusting God’s plan for my path, and believing that He places the families I am meant to serve directly in front of me.
Another challenge has been navigating the business side of things. I was definitely naiive in knowing how much work goes into launching a small business. I assumed I could simply pour my energy into serving families and doing what I loved. However, I quickly learned it is not that easy. Just when I would think I “checked all the boxes” I would find something else I needed to do. There were many hours spent building a website, social media, becoming an LLC, getting service agreements, and making sure I was in compliance with operating in Missouri and Kansas.
Since I run everything on my own, there’s the ongoing work of bookkeeping, invoicing, scheduling, and marketing. Along the way, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the small business mentors who shared resources and encouragement when I needed it most.
Looking back, both the birth work and the business work have shaped me. The challenges have deepened my faith, and reminded me that every step, every long night, and every learning curve has been worth it to serve families through such a transformative time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a childbirth educator and labor support doula, one of the most common misconceptions I encounter is the difference between a midwife and a doula. Unlike midwives, I am not a medical professional. I do not deliver babies or perform medical procedures. My role is different but deeply complementary: I provide physical, emotional, and informational support for families as they journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
My focus is on the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — in preparation for childbirth. Through my childbirth education classes, families learn about the physiology of birth, prenatal and postpartum health, the mind-body connection, pain management techniques, labor positions, medical interventions, and the many options available in the birth space. Together, we craft birth plans and develop personalized preparation protocols tailored to each family’s unique circumstances and wishes.
I support families across all birth settings — hospitals, birth centers, and home births. Often, I am the only constant presence from conception through postpartum, building strong and lasting relationships as families navigate the overwhelming flood of information and decisions surrounding pregnancy and birth. In the birth space, I bring a calming presence and a reassuring voice when fear, pain, anxiety, or uncertainty arise.
I use knowledge of spinning babies techniques which are designed to balance, loosen, and lengthen the body in preparation for labor. These techniques can encourage a breech baby to turn, support optimal fetal positioning, and create more space for the baby to engage in the pelvis which helps labor progress more smoothly.
While I support all types of birth — from spontaneous, unmedicated births to high-risk situations or planned cesareans — most families who seek out my services desire to trust their bodies and pursue a natural, unmedicated, spontaneous birth. Regardless of the circumstances, my role remains the same: to ensure families feel prepared, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When building a business and entering an industry you really have to get your name and face out there. Social media has been a powerful tool for me — it not only allows potential clients to see my work and get a snapshot of my services, but also gives other professionals an easy way to connect. It’s a space where families can reach out at their convenience, and where I can share resources, education, and glimpses into the heart of my work.
I also joined several holistic, birth, and doula groups on Facebook that regularly host networking events. Getting out into the community, meeting people face-to-face, and having real conversations has helped me build meaningful connections. Word of mouth remains one of the most effective tools in this industry, and I’m deeply grateful for the testimonies, reviews, and referrals from past clients who share their experiences with others.
There is so much wisdom to be gleaned from those who have been in the business longer than I have. I make a point to grab coffee with other doulas, where we share stories, learn from one another, and offer support. Since most doulas only take on a limited number of clients at a time, receiving overflow referrals from colleagues who fill their calendars quickly has been a blessing when building my own client base.
Beyond connecting with other birth workers, I’ve also built relationships with professionals who support expecting families in other ways — chiropractors, acupuncturists, IBCLC’s, massage therapists, midwife groups, pediatricians, and more. Visiting their offices, leaving business cards, and sharing my services has helped create a network of trusted resources for the families I serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://belovedbirthskc.com
- Instagram: @belovedbirthskc
- Facebook: Beloved Births KC
