Suzanne Ledbetter

“She’s a positive soul with great energy, who’ll go to any extent to make sure you get the experience you want during the birth .”- Neha

Thank you for visiting my page.  I use she/her pronouns.  The core of my belief is that every expecting parent deserves someone supporting not only them, but their partner. That support should be from fertility treatments, to pregnancy loss,  to pregnancy and through the postpartum period. I believe that there are many different ways to have a successful birth and my job is to help you achieve what that looks like for you. I want to empower you with the knowledge and support to make birthing the way you want possible. I want to support you on the journey.

I spent the first 20 years as a parent learning about male infertility, significant preterm labor, bedrest both in and out of hospital, intrahepatic cholestasis, pre eclampsia, premature babies, breastfeeding complications and extended breastfeeding, Sensory Disorder, Airway Disorders including Laryngomalacia and Sleep Apnea, Autism, Learning Disorders, ADHD, and learning how to support LGBTQ family.  As our world finally balanced, I attended my first birth as a photographer in 2017. It was amazing and I knew in that moment that this was my life path, and that life had trained me well.

This isn’t just a job, it’s my passion, my spirit, it breathes life into my soul.

I began seeking more births as a photographer and quickly realized I wanted to give more support than photography. In May 2019, I began training with Big Belly Services. I knew I found my passion and calling when after a particularly hard week, I was called into a 30 hour birth. At the end of the two days, I drove home with a smile on my face and knowing all was right in the world, a baby had successfully come earth side. I love every moment I’m supporting birthing parents.

As of the end of 2021, I have been honored to have supported 100 births. I have attended home, birth center and hospital births as well as transfers. I have supported medicated and unmedicated births, losses, terminations, high risk pregnancies and deliveries, multiples, VBAC, Cholestasis, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, elective and unelective cesareans, birth moms over 40, IVF, surrogacy and adoption, high anxiety/depression, teen parents, single parents, complex situations, and more.  Whatever your path to building your family, your birth choices, or your situation, I am here to support you.

When I am not involved with births, I am being mom to my 3 amazing adult (or almost) boys. All three leave me with a great sense of pride at the  adults they have become.  I have also been married to my adoring husband for over 20 years who is a Registered Nurse and fully supports this on call lifestyle.  We love to travel, hike, and play games together as a family. We have numerous pets including an autism service dog.

I began seeking more births as a photographer and quickly realized I wanted to give more support than photography. In May 2019, I began training with Big Belly Services. I knew I found my passion and calling when after a particularly hard week, I was called into a 30 hour birth. At the end of the two days, I drove home with a smile on my face and knowing all was right in the world, a baby had successfully come earth side. I love every moment I’m supporting birthing parents.

As of the end of 2021, I have been honored to have supported 100 births. I have attended home, birth center and hospital births as well as transfers. I have supported medicated and unmedicated births, losses, terminations, high risk pregnancies and deliveries, multiples, VBAC, Cholestasis, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, elective and unelective cesareans, birth moms over 40, IVF, surrogacy and adoption, high anxiety/depression, teen parents, single parents, complex situations, and more.  Whatever your path to building your family, your birth choices, or your situation, I am here to support you.

When I am not involved with births, I am being mom to my 3 amazing adult (or almost) boys. All three leave me with a great sense of pride at the  adults they have become.  I have also been married to my adoring husband for over 20 years who is a Registered Nurse and fully supports this on call lifestyle.  We love to travel, hike, and play games together as a family. We have numerous pets including an autism service dog.

My Résumé

Training & Certifications

January 2021

PALS Certification

May 2020

DONA Certification

June 2019

DONA Approved Training- EnCircle Birth Doula Training- Big Belly Services

May 2019

Advanced Doula Training B.R.A.S. (Breastfeeding Resources Applications and Skills for Doulas)

May 2019

Advanced Doula Training- ‘Supporting Families in Grief’

I do not care what kind of birth you have…a homebirth, scheduled cesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer.

I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected.

–January Harshe