Doula Services Duluth, MN

Empower is currently at capacity for supporting 2026 birth families. We are excited to welcome inquires for expectant families with due dates in 2027!

Empower offers professional, comprehensive, and grief informed birth doula support (Duluth, MN) where your doula is with you through the entire process. Kirsten and Sarah are in their “Doula Duette” era and share in the same values of connection, knowledge, and curiosity in their birth work.

From the most exciting outcome to the most heartbreaking, we are here for you. 

Birth doula packages include support for both you and your partner through this process:

  • 3 prenatal sessions roughly 90 min. in length
  • Email support through pregnancy with on-call status starting at 37 weeks and ongoing x2 weeks post birth
  • In-person, compassionate birth support during your birth and immediately postpartum
  • Documentation of your birth timeline (and photos if you consent)
  • 2 postpartum sessions 60-90 min. in length 

Our birth package cost is a one time payment of $ 2,200.00 or a monthly payment plan of $300/month for 8 months for a total of $2,400.00 (this includes a small $25/mo convenience fee associated with the ability to space out the payments over 8 months).

FSA/HSA plans often cover birth doula services! We are happy to support you with any documentation you might need for that. We can also be found in BeHerVillage services registry where family/friends can contribute funds to your birth doula services! If you need to discuss a longer payment plan for lower monthly payments or a sliding scale option please let us know, we believe everyone who wants a doula should be able to have a doula.

You can add us to your baby registry! Click here to get started with BeHerVillage.

Testimonials

My husband and I had a birth prep session at 30 weeks pregnant with Dr. Kirsten and I'm so grateful we did. Kirsten was non-judgmental, curious, and gave us both practical tools to use during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. I'm highly critical of providers and can confidently say that I would recommend a birth prep session with Kirsten to all of my pregnant friends.
- Olivia
Dr. Kirsten is exactly who I have been looking for, for an intuitive birth. I’m so thankful for the modifications she is working with me on to really be prepared for birth and strengthen my muscles in the right way for this preparation. If you’ve been going back and forth on doing PT prior to birth do not delay and meet with her. You will not be disappointed. I cannot wait for the next few sessions as baby gets closer!
- Kelsey

The Team

Dr Kirsten

Dr. Kirsten DesMarais

PT, DPT, OCS, CD (DONA) Owner/Founder

Doula work is soul work for Kirsten and is a way for her to care for families throughout the entirety of pregnancy and into the early postpartum season. She is a certified birth doula through DONA International. Her background in physical therapy and pelvic health provide her a detailed understanding of the body and of ways to nurture and support the birthing person during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. 

Sarah Chapple, doula and yoga teacher

Sarah Chapple

Birth Doula/Prenatal Yoga Teacher

Sarah Chapple is birth doula and yoga teacher at Empower Ortho and Pelvic Health that specializes in birth work & prenatal yoga. She is passionate about supporting people through this transition into parenthood and loves to hold space in this process so each family can navigate this journey in their own unique way. Learn more about Sarah’s doula background and other professional insights in the Doula page! Outside of work, she enjoys being outside on her mountain bike and cross country skis, traveling to the mountains and spending time with her family and friends.

ABOUT OUR OTHER SERVICES

Dr Kirsten demonstrating a jump rope activity

We treat all orthopedic/musculoskeletal aches and pains with specialized training in modalities including dry needling, cupping, joint mobilization and manipulation, and more. No MD referral needed!

Dr Kirsten's dry needling supply cart

We offer services that extend beyond the acute phase of healing. Wellness support can include dry needling for recovery and maintenance “just in case” care, help with sleep hygiene and basic exercise/wellness guidance.

We treat all common forms of pelvic dysfunction through a fitness-forward and trauma-conscious approach. 

We are self proclaimed birth nerds! We offer a variety of support options including pregnancy and postpartum memberships, birth prep sessions, postpartum prep sessions, and wellness sessions.

Empower offers professional birth doula services with the option of two different birth doulas. Birth doula care is comprehensive and follows you through pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.

Dr. Kirsten smiling coaching a deadlift

Pregnancy and Postpartum membership coaching options are each 6 months in length and start with a virtual onboarding session. Our coaching offers comprehensive support through virtual check-ins, and access to resources, guides, and workouts through a free app.