Biography:

Kayla V. Ortiz is a Full Spectrum Doula, Licensed Social Work Associate, Lactation Educator, and Justice of the Peace based in Boston, Massachusetts. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings nearly a decade of lived and professional experience to her birth work, grounded in a deep commitment to community, dignity, and culturally affirming care.

Kayla's path to birth work began with her own personal experiences — navigating her own birth and witnessing someone close to her do the same. Those moments revealed something that has since become the foundation of her practice: how profoundly continuous, compassionate support shapes the experience of bringing new life into the world. That truth drove her to become not just a doula, but a full-spectrum advocate for birthing people and their families.

As a bilingual Latina practitioner and Sister-Friend trained through the Birthing Project USA — The Underground Railroad for New Life — Kayla centers the full humanity of every client she serves, with a particular commitment to families of color who deserve informed, empowered, and dignified birth experiences. Her approach is flexible and deeply client-led. She does not arrive with an agenda; she arrives with presence, skill, and an unwavering willingness to follow the lead of the families she supports.

Kayla's professional background is as rich as it is relevant. She has spent years advocating for families navigating housing instability, domestic violence, and systemic barriers to care — first as a Family Advocate at Centerboard Inc., then as a Program Director at RFK Community Alliance, where she led Boston-area programming for youth and families and supervised a team of case managers. She currently serves as a Program Assistant with the City of Boston, where she was honored with a Certificate of Recognition by Mayor Michelle Wu for her outstanding contributions as an Equity and Inclusion Ambassador. Her clinical foundation includes trauma-informed care, biopsychosocial assessment, crisis de-escalation, and case management — skills she brings seamlessly into her work as a doula.

Her birth work credentials reflect the same dedication. Kayla holds a Lactation Education certification (6 Nursing Contact Hours, 6 L-CERPs, IBLCE recognized), is a certified Circle of Security Parenting facilitator, and is a MEGI High-Risk Doula Certificate candidate. She is also a licensed Notary Public and Justice of the Peace, authorized to solemnize marriages and ceremonies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — meaning she can be present not only at the beginning of life's most sacred moments, but at many others as well.

Kayla welcomes all families — regardless of background, birth plan, or experience level. Whether you are a first-time parent stepping into the unknown or a seasoned parent seeking extra support, she meets you exactly where you are, with warmth, skill, and her whole heart.

Why did you become a doula?

Becoming a doula was a deeply personal decision rooted in lived experience. Through my own birth and witnessing the birth of someone close to me, I saw firsthand how transformative and how vulnerable, that experience can be. What stood out most was how much it mattered to have someone there: present, informed, and unwavering. I became a doula because I want every family to have that kind of support, no matter their background or circumstances.

What is your personal connection to birth/family/community?

Birth has touched my life in the most intimate ways. I have walked through it myself and stood beside someone I love as they did the same. Those experiences gave me a deep respect for the strength it takes to bring life into the world, and a clear sense of purpose: to give back to my community by offering the kind of continuous, heartfelt support that makes a real difference.

What is your philosophy of doula care?

I believe that no two births, and no two families, are the same. My approach is rooted in flexibility and trust. I follow my client's lead, honoring their wishes, their instincts, and their vision for their birth experience. My role is not to direct, but to support. Offering physical comfort, emotional reassurance, and a calm, consistent presence so that families feel informed, empowered, and never alone.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is anyone who wants a dedicated, compassionate support person by their side. I welcome all families, regardless of background, birth plan, or experience level. Whether you are a first-time parent navigating the unknown or an experienced parent seeking additional support, I meet you exactly where you are.