Teia

Aloha!
My name is Teia Kalime, and I’m so excited to support you in your pregnancy and birth.
I was born on Oahu but spent most of my childhood in the Marshall Islands. In my culture, women play an important role; We are the ones who bring life, nurture and carry the weight of our families. We honor women and believe it is vital to provide continuous support throughout a mother’s journey.
My middle name, Kalime, is the Marshallese name for the purple naupaka flower. The naupaka is a resilient plant that grows along the shoreline. Marshallese use its leaves for herbal baths to strengthen and heal the mother and child after birth. You, as a mother, are much like the naupaka; Thriving in the toughest conditions, resilient, healing and nurturing from within.
When I served in the Marine Corps I was injured and relieved of military service. I, as do many women in the military, experienced mistreatment from my medical officers. I felt unheard and dismissed. This drove me to speak up and advocate for myself and others. During this period in my life a lot of things were unknown, so I turned to my faith. I reflected and was patient in His guidance. He used my negative experience with the medical side of the military and I felt called to be a voice to remind women of the power their bodies hold and to trust in themselves. In combination with my cultural background and having supported my mother when she had my youngest sibling when I was a teenager, I felt His new call to service is to support women during the childbearing year and to be a Doula. I know I am meant for this path. Though I’m not a mother yet myself, my goals are to ensure that every mother feels safe and heard, to hold space and empower her. I am looking forward to supporting you on your journey!