Beth Hardy (she/her)
owner of heart tones birth services
birth doula | postpartum doula | childbirth educator
Hey there, I’m Beth. I grew up in Elizabeth, CO (a tiny town with no stoplights and one grocery store) and have been fascinated by birth for as long as I can remember. Since I was about six years old, I knew that I wanted to somehow be part of the birth world. This led me to pursue doula trainings whenever and wherever I could, and I began attending births in 2011. I was also working full time as a music therapist in inpatient psychiatry and hospice units at a veteran’s hospital, so the births I was able to support were few and far between. I moved to Utah in 2015 and my partner got a “real job” with good pay and benefits, so I saw this as my chance to finally dive headfirst into the birth world! I started Heart Tones because I am fiercely passionate about helping birthing people know their options, tap into their strength, and rock their birth. I see a need for advocacy for underserved communities in the birth space, and am always looking to learn more about how I can be the best doula for my clients.
I worked as a solo doula for about 5 years, then got a doula partner for a while, and finally expanded into the agency I have now. I couldn’t have imagined how much I would love running a doula agency when I started - it’s an incredible group of birth workers who each bring their own unique skills, passion, and heart to this work. As a group we are able to not only offer our clients the best support, but we’re also there for each other to talk through tricky situations, process tough birth experiences, and give each other a pep talk anytime we need it.
In addition to my doula work, I’m a childbirth educator through Birthsmarter, which I LOVE. I really enjoy seeing the lightbulb go on for new parents as they learn about the physiology of birth and how they can advocate for themselves to have a positive birth experience. You can see our upcoming SLC classes here.
I have had two birth experiences of my own that took quite a few twists and turns. While I’d hoped to have two home births, both my births ended up including hospital transfers, epidurals, Pitocin, one c-section and one VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Having two births that didn't go "as planned" gave me so much more understanding and empathy about the birth experiences of my clients, and helped make me a more well-rounded doula.
Outside of birth work I love cooking vegetarian food, walking around Sugarhouse park with my dog Griffin, fixing up my vintage camper, or watching a good show on the couch with my partner (who makes the world’s best homemade popcorn).
I am honored to have the opportunity to work as a doula and childbirth educator. I love helping parents-to-be discover their inner strength and wisdom, and advocate for themselves in the birth space. I love supporting all families, especially those who may be underserved or marginalized within typical birth spaces. It is very important to me that my clients feel confident, comfortable, and connected during their birth, and I will do all I can to help each client have a safe, satisfying birth. I can’t wait to work with you!
what beth’s clients are saying
“Beth was incredible! She provided instruction before the birth in coping techniques such as counter pressure and massage, walked us through developing a birth plan, and facilitated heathy conversation about our feelings and expectations about the birth. She was AMAZING during the birth asking wonderful questions, recording the birth story, providing relief with massage, and just generally being a positive, trusted source in the room. One of Beth’s recommendations also helped the birth progress, so we were able to avoid an unwanted intervention. I couldn’t recommend Beth more, we loved working with her throughout the process. ”
“If only I could give Heart Tones more stars!! I looked at hiring a doula like this: all the research in the world and I’d still go in not sure what to expect, so why not have someone with me that does? Professionally does. She guided me, listened to me, held my hand when I cried, validated me, answered every question, gave me advice through every phase, and most importantly empowered me to speak for myself to hospital staff. Ok, not to mention rubbed my legs and feet for hours during contractions!!! I wholeheartedly believe that our birth story would’ve been a traumatic experience if it wasn’t for Beth. She is worth every penny. I even told her she’s worth more, so I’d hire her before she listens to me. I love Beth and Heart Tones and I can’t say enough good things about my experience!”
“My partner and I found Beth when seeking queer-informed, trans-masculine-friendly care in Utah. Our vision for our birth was a loving, consensual, empowered and educated experience with a team of caring, respectful birth workers. Having Beth as our doula was crucial to realizing that vision. She was present, active, and incredibly responsive to our needs/inquiries. She’s an amazing networker, and connected us to many care providers and fellow expecting families, which has helped us feel at home in a new place.
As a queer family, Beth affirmed my partner and I at every turn: with gender neutral language, sensitivity for both birthing/non-gestational parents, refraining from assumptions about who would do what in our relationship, and mirroring our vision of our family. In a birth world thick with gender assumptions that didn’t reflect us, this was invaluable!”
Beth’s EDUCATION & ADVANCED TRAININGS
Spinning Babies training for optimal fetal positioning - 2023
Comforting Touch for Doulas + Comforting Touch for Babies - 2023
Birthing at Every Size training - 2021 + 2023
Disparities in Perinatal Health + Birth Outcomes - 2020
Systemic Racism + Implicit Bias in Perinatal Health - 2020
Let’s Talk About Race: A Workshop for Birth Workers - 2020
Childbirth Education Certification through Doula Trainings International - 2020
Seahorses + Unicorns: Trans Birth for the People - 2019
100% Doula business course - 2016
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss - 2016
Providing Culturally Sensitive Care to LGBTQ Families - 2015
Curtis Method Hypnodoula Training - 2015
Sound Birthing Music: Birth Music Consultation - 2015
Sound Birthing Music: Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth training - 2014
Sound Birthing Music: Postpartum Music Therapy - 2014
Postpartum Doula Training - DONA International - 2014
Labor Massage for Doulas - 2012
Birth Doula Training - 2010
Bachelors in Music, Music Therapy - Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, 2008
