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Give Birth in a Positive Way

Childbirth education and birth doula services in San Diego

Be confident in your birth journey

What could be more fulfilling than stepping into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum feeling prepared and full of joy? As part of your birth team, my passion is to help you feel safe, held, and empowered. I'm here to offer encouragement, answer your questions, and guide you through the unknown, ensuring you have the confidence and knowledge to embrace this incredible journey.

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My Services

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A hands-on, interactive class designed to provide you and your partner with practical tools, emotional support, and evidenced-based information for a confident and positive birth experience.

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Personalized, compassionate, and continuous care providing physical, emotional, and educational support, throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum journey.

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A flexible, self-paced course that offers comprehensive and evidence-based information to prepare you for birth and postpartum, all from the comfort of your own home.

Meet Emilie

Emilie Southward
Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator

After a less-than-ideal journey into motherhood, Emilie’s first birth was everything she needed it to be: empowering, beautiful, and redemptive. It was just a few hours after birth that she knew she had to focus her life on helping other families bring their babies into the world in a positive way. Emilie became a certified birth educator later that year (in 2014) and is a certified birth doula. She has additional training in pre and postnatal nutrition, Spinning Babies, and breastfeeding. Emilie has two miracle babies and some of her favorite things include Jesus, her family, iced coffee, gluten-free muffins, and sunshine.

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  • I can't say enough great things about Emilie! She is so knowledgeable and kind, she made us feel more confident about our birthing journey and also made us feel cared for and listened to.

    Andrew

  • I am a first time mom that was soooo nervous about birth and I am so thankful to have been referred to Emilie. We took her 5-week birth class and also had her as our doula and I definitely recommend both.

    Taylor

  • So thankful for Emilie and her course. My husband and I feel equipped and educated to go through labor together as a team. Taking her birth class was one of the best decisions we made during the pregnancy.

    Cassidy

  • Emilie is more than just your birth support. She is a lifelong woman you can trust with just about anything with zero judgement and someone who will leave a stamp in your life that you'll never forget.

    Sydney

  • A doula friend of mine recommended this birth class and I'm so glad we took it...No matter where or how you plan to give birth, the class will help empower moms and dads alike.

    Christy

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Woman in an orange top sitting on the floor, leaning against a beige couch, with a green plant in the background.
Pregnant woman sitting on exercise ball in a bright living room, advertising a birth education class called "Journey to a Positive Birth" by Journey Southward.
Promotional graphic for "Journey to a Positive Birth" online class, showing a computer, laptop, and smartphone displaying the course. "Now Live" is highlighted in a red starburst. Website link at bottom: learn.journeysouthward.com.
Reflection in a mirror showing a pregnant woman leaning against a stone archway, with another person supporting her. The room features neutral tones and decorative vases.
A pregnant woman kneels on a beach with her partner and young child embracing her belly at sunset.