15 years of experience supporting families!
My background in graphic arts, photography in advertising, and teaching has shaped a truly enriching journey! After spending a decade supporting births and new families, I rediscovered my passion for photography during the early weeks of the pandemic. Once I was able to return to hospital births, I brought my camera to capture the precious moments of each baby's first day.
I created "homecoming" photo sessions for my clients, allowing them to document the fleeting early days of their newborns. This time passes so quickly, and memories can fade, but I am delighted to provide them with beautiful art to cherish for a lifetime.
My story expands into engagement and elopement photography as well. As a Florida notary and ordained minister, I am honored to officiate weddings while capturing love stories across the state.
Many of my clients and their families visit Florida's stunning beaches to bask in the sunshine year-round. My career began in Atlanta and I've embraced a new opportunity to serve the Georgia clients as well as the locals: capturing family vacation memories at Disney, Universal, and various coastal destinations. If you’re planning a babymoon, honeymoon, or an unforgettable luxe vacation, let me take care of all the details, as I’m also a travel advisor! I’m also available to travel to your vacation destination and photograph the event, so you can later create souvenirs to remember the experience.
Why/how did I become a doula?
Another lifetime ago, I worked as an art teacher at an Atlanta elementary school. To supplement my income, I also provided childcare for neighborhood families with infants under 6 months old.
All 5 of their babies were born at Northside and Piedmont hospitals, with 4 delivered surgically following unsuccessful labor inductions.
I learned these families had opted for the conventional approach - choosing obstetricians for their low-risk pregnancies. Most of the soon-to-be parents attended a hospital or OB-recommended birthing classes and planned to use epidural anesthesia. Several shared with me afterward that they felt unprepared to evaluate alternatives, benefits, and risks, which affected their ability to make informed decisions during labor. This may have impacted their breastfeeding and bonding experience with their babies.
I realized I had much to learn about the over-medicalization of birth in America and its effects on new families!
After a summer trek through Wyoming and Montana in 2007, I returned to teaching and became a nanny, later earning certifications as a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, and Lactation Counselor. I continued to provide postpartum support and attended numerous births, ultimately founding The Happiest Doulas agency to assist more families in Atlanta in 2009.
As a Professional Member of Evidence Based Birth, I continually update my knowledge of best practices. I share this information with my doula clients and private childbirth students. I frequently train to update my certifications to provide the most current data.
In February 2018, I moved to St. Petersburg, FL, to enjoy the gulf beaches. The Happiest Doulas now offers personalized prenatal preparation and labor support in both Atlanta and St. Petersburg.
In 2022, I became Board President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network, a non-profit organization promoting awareness of holistic and informed pregnancy and birth for all families, including both the community and birth professionals.
Reach out soon to get on my client calendar and reserve space today.
I serve clients who live St Pete, Pinellas Park, Gulfport, and the surrounding areas.
Cynthya Dzialo, Owner of The Happiest Doulas and Tampa Bay Birth Network Board President
Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula-Photographer in St Pete
Queer Inclusive Practice for Childbirth and Infant Feeding
