About Me
Hello! My name is Emily Kossila (she/her), and I’m a COPE-certified birth doula and birth photographer of eight years attending over 100 births out of Robbinsdale, MN.
I’ve always had a passion for education and justice. The birth of my daughter opened my eyes to the power and incredible transformation of birth on people and families, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to walking alongside those families.
My goal as a full-spectrum doula is that my clients feel supported and confident in all of their reproductive health journeys and choices. I am committed to anti-racism, anti-transphobia, and anti-homophobia in both my life and doula practice, and am always striving towards more education and action for myself to provide the best possible care.
Every birth and experience is as unique as the people involved, and I am so excited to be a part of yours!
When I’m not doula-ing, I’m typically at home with my husband Richard, my 9-year-old Aurora, and 6-year-old Thorin. I have a BS degree in Biology with minors in Sustainability Studies and Fisheries and Wildlife.
My current obsessions include anime, playing Dungeons and Dragons with my siblings, and harassing my cats Scully, Mulder, and Ripley.
experience
All types of birthing locations: hospital, birth center and home birth
Birthing People over 35
Non-medicated and Medicated Births
High Risk Pregnancies/Births (Hyperesmis Gravidum, Prior Health Conditions, Diabetes, Pre-eclampsia, etc)
Inductions
Perinatal Mental Health
Loss and Stillbirth
Plus Size Birthing People
Preterm Labor and Birth
Twins
Teenage Birthing People
Survivors of Previous Life Trauma
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Water Birth
Training
2014 BS Degree in Biology, minors in Sustainability Studies and Fisheries and Wildlife, from the University of Minnesota
2015 DONA International Birth Doula Workshop and Training and Intro to Childbirth Education with Liz Abbene at Enlightened Mama
2015 Breastfeeding Support for Doulas with Liz Abbene at Enlightened Mama
2016 LGBTQ Positive Doula Training with Queer Birth Project
2016 Cultural Competency and Privilege in Birth work with Ahava Birth Works
2018 Transgenerational Trauma and Resilience Among African American Mothers with Maternal Mental Health Now
2019 Cultural Sensitivity in Health-Care with International Women’s Day, For Women of African Descent Conference
2020 Birthing Beyond the Binary Training with king yaa
2021 Abortion Companion Community Training with mama aicha
2021 Community Outreach Perinatal Educator (COPE) Workshop with Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra
2022 Access and Action: Community based strategies for connection, organizing, and change Conference hosted by Cornerstone Doula Trainings
2023 Gilligans Guide training for Optimal Fetal Positioning with Ann Gilligan
2023 Spinning Babies Workshop with Gail Tully
2023 Red Cross Infant and Adult CPR Certified with Allora Birth
2023 Your Role – Black Maternal Outcomes with Dr. LaVonne Moore
Community Engagement
2018 Volunteer Doula at Roots Community Birth Center
2019 HCMC Doula Program Doula
2020-2022 Childbirth Collective Board Member and Treasurer
2015 to Present Day Core Program Everyday Miracles Doula
“Emily was our doula for the birth of our first baby. She was an amazing support during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum. She shared many local resources (she even helped me find a birth class I loved!), and was always able to provide articles or information for any questions I had. Her approach is friendly, calming, caring, and open - I knew she would be there to support me 100% no matter what approach to birth I chose.
During the birth I really felt like I had someone in my corner. She helped slow down decision points so I could chose the path I wanted, and really brought in my mom and husband so they were active participants to help with my labor.
She also took amazing maternity and birth photos that I will cherish.
I’d 100% recommend Emily as both a doula and photographer.”