Episode Title: From Doula to Patient: Danielle Sollars on Holding Space for Self & Others Through Cancer Treatment
Host: Melissa Harley, BA, AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE
Guest: Danielle Sollars, RN, CD(DONA)
In this meaningful episode of the CCDS Doula Collaboration Podcast, host Melissa Harley sits down with Danielle Sollars, an experienced doula and labor nurse, to discuss an unexpected twist in her journey—being diagnosed with breast cancer while actively supporting birthing families. Danielle shares how she navigated the emotional and physical challenges of her diagnosis while continuing to provide doula care, how her experience changed her perspective on advocacy and self-care, and the ways her clients, backup doulas, and medical team rallied around her in support.
Melissa and Danielle discuss the parallels between birth and healing, the importance of surrender, resilience, and support systems, and how doulas can hold space for others while also receiving care themselves. Danielle also shares how this journey has influenced her work as a doula, her insights on boundary-setting, and her plans for growing her birth practice in a new city.
✔ How Danielle balanced her doula work while undergoing cancer treatment
✔ The unexpected ways her clients supported her during this time
✔ The parallels between birth work and facing a health crisis
✔ The importance of boundaries, self-care, and receiving support as a doula
✔ How Danielle’s experience has reshaped her birth work and advocacy
Quotes from the Episode:
💬 “It was almost like my clients were doulaing me right back. The love and support I received was incredible.” – Danielle Sollars
💬 “I kept relating everything back to birth—facing the unknown, surrendering, taking it one step at a time. It all felt so familiar in a different way.” – Danielle Sollars
💬 “Doulas are so often the ones holding space for others. But this was a powerful reminder that we also need to let people hold space for us.” – Melissa Harley
💬 “Sometimes we overthink this doula thing. At its core, it’s about meeting people where they are, with love and support—and that’s exactly what your clients did for you.” – Melissa Harley
About Danielle:
Danielle is not just a birth doula, childbirth educator, and birth photographer, but a unique blend of these roles with over 2 decades of experience in the birth field. She is certified through DONA (Doulas of North America) and has supported over 100 births since becoming a full-time doula in 2018. Her diverse background includes working in ob/gyn offices, a birthing center, and as a labor and delivery nurse in a hospital for 5+ years. What sets her apart is not just her extensive experience, but also the calming presence she brings to the birth space.
🌐 Website: Birth Chattanooga – Labor with Danielle
📸 Instagram: @labor_with_danielle
💙 Facebook: Labor with Danielle
Resources Mentioned
📌 Coloring pages for labor as a mindfulness tool
📌 The role of patient advocates in medical settings
0:01 Introduction and Background of Danielle Dollars
03:23 The Role of a Doula vs. Labor Nurse
05:45 Navigating Personal Challenges: Breast Cancer Diagnosis
08:11Continuing Doula Work During Treatment
10:39 Support from Clients and Community
13:12 Sharing the Journey on Social Media
15:49 Coping with Side Effects and Personal Growth
16:39 Emotional Transformation Through Hair Loss
17:50 The Importance of Support Systems
18:48 Advocacy in Medical Care
19:37 Using Experience to Help Others
20:20 Self-Care and Coping Mechanisms
22:20 Resilience and Surrender in Treatment
23:47 Boundaries and Self-Preservation
26:07 Finding Joy in Work During Hard Times
27:23 Future Aspirations in Doula Work
29:35 Prioritizing Self-Care as a Doula
About Your Host:
Melissa has been a dedicated birth professional for over two decades, supporting more than 1,000+ families as a birth doula and childbirth educator. A DONA-approved trainer since 2010, she has trained over 1,200 doulas worldwide, blending evidence-based practices with insights from her extensive leadership experience. She served on the DONA International Board of Directors for seven years, including as President in 2020, contributing to strategic planning, education, and advocacy initiatives. Currently, she coordinates DONA’s conferences and webinars, fostering ongoing professional growth in the perinatal community.
Based in Florida, Melissa remains an active doula trainer, childbirth educator, and lactation counselor, committed to excellence and the advancement of birth work.
📩 Have a topic suggestion or want to be a guest? Contact Melissa at: CCDS Podcast Guest Inquiry Form
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