Meet Ilana Omae | Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilana Omae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilana, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Besides working for myself, the single most important decision that has contributed to my success is my ability to just go for it and put myself and my work out there. Not being afraid of connecting with my community. Without building a connection as a doula it can make to difficult to get anywhere. In a world that is always so busy and internet based it is important to remind those raising our young the power in slowing down and finding support in the people around you. I encourage the parents I work with to join groups in their neighborhoods that allow them to build friendships. Call on family if they have the ability to do so. Get back to our roots. Reminding people of that and being a supporter and ally in their life I would say has contributed to my success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business or practice, Genesis Birth Allies, excites me most because I get to welcome new life into this world for a living. When people allow me to hold that space for their birth experience I could not feel more honored. It has always been a dream of mine to help and serve mothers and those raising our young. I’ve only just begun this journey and every birth I attend and family I assist bring new learning experiences. I would say no one moment has been harder than the next, I just have to take it all as it comes. Acting as a business person and birthworker can be two very different roles. Learning how to do both, birth worker and business owner, has been a learning curve but I have welcomed it. I want the world to know that doulas can and do improve birthing outcomes and we are accessible. More specifically my practice prides itself on being easily accessible to my community, I accept medi-cal, offer sliding scale payment, I am hoping to offer a free community support group to pregnant people this summer. I connect the families I support with free resources because parenthood already costs enough. I believe the way we welcome life into this world can set the tone for the rest of their upbringing, the more myself and we as doulas and birth workers can do to improve these outcomes the better off generations to come will be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When people come visit San Diego I would take them straight to the water. But first were stopping for a California burrito from Nico’s in OB before heading to the cliffs to enjoy it. If you aren’t a beach person we can hit Balboa park or a padres game. Enjoying the sunshine and delicious eats is what San Diego is all about. There are so many good local breweries and coffee shops it is hard to name my favorite. Can’t go wrong with the fish and chips at what my household has dubbed the “bubble” aka Ketch Brewing in the harbor. I love showing my friends and family around this city, especially in the summer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If there were to be one person I could lift up and give extra thanks to on this journey would hands down be my mother. She has been my rock and my fangirl since I decided to start my own business and pursue further education. She reminded me of my abilities and my power to be fearless. Also all of the families I have served, without them welcoming me into their birthing space and allowing me to help guide, support, and educate them on this journey I would not be able to do the work I do.

Website: https://www.genesisbirths.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisbirths/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesisbirthallies

Image Credits
Betty Christensen