About Us

A message from the owner

Hello!

My name is Emma Yoder, and I am the owner and founder of Connected Transitions. This company was born from my intense passion to support and educate families during the early stages of parenthood. In fact, it absolutely sets my soul on fire. Some people are lucky enough to have a calling in life, and my calling has always been birth, babies, and empowering new families. Prior to starting this company, I worked independently for over five years supporting hundreds of families as their birth and postpartum doula, educator, and sleep coach. During this time, I discovered a secret ingredient to doula work that the best doulas, birth workers, and providers carry in their pocket.

That secret ingredient is connection.

At the same time, I also began to discover a pattern within my conversations with my colleagues and clients, which was discouragement and frustration with the machine-like model of many doula agencies. While this model may work well for some, I felt the need within the industry for a different type of model, one I knew I was capable of creating. I founded Connected Transitions because I believe that the quality of support provided through a connection-centered approach to birth and postpartum sets itself apart.

For the families we serve

We honor your experience, wherever you may be on your journey. We offer our support with a soulful passion to be your safe space to listen, offer our knowledge, and walk alongside you, whenever you may need us. Our hands are outstretched to you, because we understand these transitions can be complex and beautiful at the same time. And, when we offer our support, we are extending more than our professional experience, but our friendship as well, because your balance and wellbeing matters to us.

Reach out to learn more about how we can support you.

Get in touch

For doulas and professionals on our team

This company embraces and understands your passion to serve families. We honor that spark in you, because we carry that spark as well. We strive at all times to create a supportive environment that offers the tools for your growth and balance. You deserve to feel empowered alongside the empowerment you bring to the families of our community.

Reach out to learn more about joining our team today.

Apply now

"Connection [is] the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship."

- Brené Brown

A connection-centered approach to support is multi-faceted, and its energy weaves throughout all aspects of this company. We believe that connection is the essence of humanity, and that we derive joy, empowerment, and strength from honoring others and their experiences with compassion and authenticity.

With warmth and gratitude,

Emma

Who We Are

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.

Emma Yoder wearing a Connected Transitions tshirt

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.

Emma and Carolyn wearing connected transitions tshirts

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.