Emma Yoder
Emma Yoder is a birth and postpartum doula, educator, sleep coach, yoga instructor, and the founder of Connected Transitions. In addition to being a doula, she has a background in biology from Bryn Mawr College, and is pursuing her dream of becoming an OB/Gyn at Drexel University College of Medicine. Over the years, she has served hundreds of families, and is well known, and loved, within the Greater Philadelphia Region as a doula who carries a deep passion for all things birth, babies, and families.
Her fascination with birth began as a little girl growing up on an organic farm in Kutztown, PA, spending late nights in the barn assisting with the births of goats, horses, and cows. In fact, she was present at the birth of her first horse, which she rode and competed with for many years.
Having two passionate veterinarians as parents, she learned how important connection and authenticity is in medicine, and hopes to carry her experience into her career as a doctor. Her first introduction to becoming a doula was working with a local midwife in Lancaster County, who recommended DONA International, where Emma became certified (in addition to trainings from childbirth international, blossoming bellies, and more). For many years, Emma has been an active member of Philadelphia Alliance of Labor Support, providing sliding scale and volunteer birth and postpartum doulas services to Philadelphia Families, as well as a hotline advocate for Poppyseed Health, an online platform that provides 24/7 doula chat support. Over the years, she also worked with many different local agencies and companies before starting Connected Transitions.
Outside of doula work, Emma has worked as a medical interpreter for French and Spanish, is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and is a certified yoga instructor, specializing in vinyasa, restorative, trauma-informed, and pre/post natal yoga. In 2018, she was awarded a grant to fund a yoga program at a women’s domestic abuse center in Berks County, as well as teach bilingual classes to youth in Philadelphia. In her community, she continues to volunteer teach newborn and childbirth education to libraries, youth centers, and medical clinics.
In personal life, she is an avid traveler and explorer, food lover, and social butterfly. She is grateful to spend her life with her soulmate and partner, Carolyn, who runs operations at Connected.
Connected Transitions is a LBTQIA+ and Women-Owned Business.
