Heidi Terpening

About me

Hi, I’m Heidi Terpening, CFSD, BPCE, founder of Azure Coast Doula. I am a maternal-child health clinician with over 27 years of nursing experience supporting individuals and families across the full continuum of care. My nursing career has taken me through NICU, labor and delivery, postpartum recovery, maternal-child health, pediatrics, community health, and school nursing. In these roles, I have supported families through routine and high-risk pregnancies, medically complex births, NICU admissions, postpartum recovery, and the many transitions that come with welcoming and caring for a new baby. These experiences have given me a deep respect for both the clinical and emotional sides of perinatal care, and a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, patient advocacy, and family-centered support. Over time, I came to understand that families often need more than medical care alone—they need continuity, reassurance, education, and someone who can help them feel grounded during moments of uncertainty. This understanding led me to full-spectrum doula work, where I now combine my clinical background with continuous emotional, physical, and educational support. Through Azure Coast Doula, I walk alongside families during pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, pregnancy loss, NICU stays, and medically complex situations. My role is to provide calm, consistent presence and clear, evidence-based information so families can feel informed, supported, and confident in their decisions. I strive to meet each family exactly where they are, honoring their unique needs, values, and experiences without judgment. In addition to doula support, I offer placenta encapsulation, newborn education, and hands-on newborn care guidance. These services are rooted in my nursing experience and are designed to ease the transition from hospital to home, helping parents feel more prepared and confident as they begin life with their new baby. The name Azure Coast Doula was inspired by the calm strength and resilience of the Adriatic coast of Croatia—a place that reflects the energy I hope to bring into every family’s experience. My work is grounded in clinical expertise, steady presence, and compassionate care, with the belief that every family deserves to feel supported, respected, and never alone in their journey. It is an honor to support families through some of life’s most meaningful and transformative moments.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1999)

Certification and training

Birth Doula, Breastfeeding (2026)

Certified Full Spectrum Doula (2026)

Memberships and affiliations

DORI

Credentials

Specialties

Languages

English

Service introduction

Coming Soon

Ratings and reviews