Meet Christina Harris: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The origin of Competent Heart Perinatal Specialist came about following my first pregnancy and subsequent experience with loss. At 21 weeks pregnant, I went into preterm labor and was diagnosed with Incompetent Cervix, which is an early opening of the cervix prior to reaching full term. Despite efforts by my medical staff, my labor progressed and my son was born extremely premature and unable to sustain life outside of the womb. The care and support I received during that labor experience was insufficient and not something I wish for any family to ever endure. As I processed through my grief, I was inspired and determined in my heart that my son’s life would not be a memory of brokenness, rather I would create a legacy of love and transformation. Competent Heart Perinatal Specialist, LLC is a culmination of my passion for childbearing and my expertise as a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Pelvic Health. The name also holds significance for me as a push back against the diagnosis I was given. “Competent” is my way of negating the feelings of inadequacy I had in relation to the diagnosis of Incompetent Cervix; I instead choose to believe and instill in my clientele our inherent worthiness that no one can take away. “Heart” embodies the very essence of us as humans; signifying compassion, connection, and warmth, the components that were missing during my labor experience, and I am dedicated to providing for my clients on a daily basis.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created Competent Heart Perinatal Specialist, LLC as an avenue to meet a gap in care and knowledge that I was noticing in the Birthing community. My organization allows me to blend my primary skills as a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists and Doula to provide education, resources, and advocacy in regards to health and self-autonomy throughout the childbearing journey.

My mission is to support individuals and families as they flow into awareness, alignment, healing, and manifestation of their positive pregnancy, birth, and postpartum seasons. I incorporate evidence-based care, self-discovery, Physical Therapy expertise, and other healing modalities to encourage active participation and self-advocacy in order to witness the unfolding of their heart’s desires as they are bringing forth and nurturing new life.

I truly value the depth of diversity and wealth of knowledge within the Doula and Physical Therapy communities, however, there are not many individuals that do both. As both a Doula and Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Pelvic Health I am able to provide a unique level of support as the body undergoes the natural transformations involved with childbearing. Having a Physical Therapist on the Birth Team may initially seem counterintuitive unless someone is experiencing pregnancy-related pains. However, Physical Therapists are experts in the body system anatomy, physiology, movement, and function of the body. During pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum the body undergoes a tremendous amount of transformation in all of these aspects. As a Physical Therapist on-board and in the Birth space, I am equipped to assist with addressing, accommodating, and supporting normal changes as well as certain complications that may arise.

Within Competent Heart, I offer virtual Doula support services. Virtual support is by no means less-than traditional in-person Doula support. I love having the flexibility and being able to expand my services to families outside of my local geographic area in order to support as many people as possible. Within my packages, I provide an abundance of education, resources, and access to me and I spend a substantial amount of time checking in with partners; ensuring they too feel well supported and equipped during this time as well.

Personally, I value being a lifelong student and love deepening my understanding of things. So I am dedicated to continuously sharpening my mastery of skills as it relates to all stages of reproductive health – from pre-conception and fertility to immediate postpartum and beyond – in order to meet people where they are along their experience. This looks like also providing alternative healing modalities and seeking out additional certifications, such as Naturopathic Reiki, Acupressure Comfort Measures, Perineal Steaming, Yoga Training, etc.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite things to do are visiting new places to eat. I absolutely love Indian cuisine and don’t mind checking out new restaurants in town. My next favorite place to be is on the beach; so honestly we would be taking a road trip to a nearby beach to have a good time. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely recognize that my achievements so far have been in thanks to the unconditional support of my family and friends. I have a tight knit group of college friends that are always willing to support and guide me in each of my endeavors. My mom and sisters regularly express interest in my passions and have been my side through each valley and mountaintop experience. The support of my husband has been unmatched; I consistently have a variety of different projects going on at once, and his unwavering support and love helps give me the boost of confidence to know I can try just about anything, and achieve whatever I want.

The first position I took after the loss of my son was with a beautiful soul, Theresa Pride, in her Pilates-based Physical Therapy studio. Ever since we connected she has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and foundation of gentle strength. I truly admire her and the growth we’ve experienced together, both personally and in business. I also have to give a huge shoutout to my Doula business mentor, Brandie Bishop. She champions me in all of my ideas, and challenges me to step outside of my comfort zone in order to achieve my next level of greatness.

I am truly blessed to be surrounded my amazing people that provide an endless source of encouragement in all that I aspire to do and be.

Website: www.chperinatal.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chperinatal

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chperinatal