Meet Sessy Spira | Birth Doula, Birth Photographer & Prenatal Massage Therapist

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

Hi Sessy, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

I’m from Colorado. Growing up we hopped around a bit. We started in Northglenn, moved to Golden, then over to Commerce City, then back up near Thornton. I finally settled in Denver when I was 19 and got my own apartment. I grew up with two loving parents that have always supported me emotionally. They are my biggest fans. Even if they don’t understand what motivates me they respect it. This plays a vital role in where I am today. When I was younger we struggled financially quite a bit, but I believe it served me well. I developed an insane work ethic early on. I’m not quite sure the word content is in my vocabulary. I tend to look for what needs improvement, but I can also appreciate what has already been accomplished. I also have a deep appreciation and awareness of the opportunities available to me.

 I was homeschooled for most of elementary school. This crippled me in a social setting with more than 2 people. I am already fairly shy by nature and this added fuel to that. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I really overcame that social anxiety. It still creeps up now and again, but I’m not letting it hold me back. On the flip side, being homeschooled during those formative years gave me the ability to connect with people deeply in one on one settings. During those years I grew extremely close to my older sister and mother, allowing me to receive and reciprocate love and compassion easily. Which has served me in abundance in my work as a doula.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Today, my business is technically a birthwork agency. But we operate much more like a collective.  I value each member of the team and believe we all bring something unique and strong to the table. I’m insanely proud of the team I get to be a part of and the services we offer.  My group offers birth and postpartum doula services, childbirth education, breast/chest feeding support, and birth photography. As a group we focus is on providing birthing folks with an inclusive and safe space to navigate their childbirth journey. We also proved resources and education to aid in their process. Our collective truly offers an unbiased experience.

I am most excited about continuing to add different services that we can offer our community. With each birthworker on the team comes a different set of skills and attributes. We recently extended our private classes and workshops to small groups. This is an amazing step forward for us and our community.  All of our small group classes and workshops are offered on a sliding scale payment structure, enabling us to provide education on a wider scale. Perseverance, commitment, and integrity have led me to where I am today. I also have hella boundaries. This is what has allowed me to maintain a sustainable practice for nearly a decade. As the team leader and founder, I have to recognize when something isn’t working well for the business as a whole and make adjustments. As with any long-standing business, I’ve had to navigate unpleasant situations. I’ve learned to respond, not react. Incredible growth comes from challenging moments. This company was built with intention and love. It’s nurtured and maintained by the birthworkers and doulas that encompass it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m going to base this one off of pre-Covid times. – Brunch at the Brown Palace – Get matching tattoos at Dedication or Sol Tribe on South Broadway – Movie at the Myan – Soak at Indian Hot Springs – Hike near Golden (easy trails) – Breakfast at Maria Empanadas – Snack at Voodoo Doughnuts

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Partner – He’s the one who inspired my entire career path. My husband has been by my side through all the phases and stages of my career. He also won’t hesitate to call me out when I need to rebalance. Having that kind of honest and unconditional support keeps me going through the rough patches. Penny Lyons – She was one of my original doula trainers here in Denver. I have always viewed her as my mentor. She encouraged me to pursue the birthwork path. I remember fondly calling her many times throughout the first dozen births I attended for advice. She always answered, even at 3 in the morning. It makes my heart happy to know she is still training new doulas to this day. My eldest child – They have been my greatest teacher. Jessica Bouck – She is my sounding board for all things birthwork. We have mutual respect for each other and celebrate our differences. I think it’s the fact that we are so different that allows us a window into another perspective. This benefits us and the folks we work with. She’s encouraging but also remains logical. I admire that she knows who she is and has a clear vision of where her career is going. She’s wicked smart and equally charming.

Website: www.Queencitybirthwork.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queencitybirthwork
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenCityBirthWork

Image Credits
Lauren Wright