About Me

Hi! My name is Hannah Mayalu, and I'm glad you're here! I am a perinatal health occupational therapist, meaning I work with mothers and babies during their prenatal and postpartum journeys. I am also a trained birth and postpartum doula, supporting families during the birthing process as well as the weeks and months after birth.

My passion for birth work began as a child watching “The Birth Story” on Discovery Health Channel. After becoming a mother myself, I realized my calling is to support parents as they navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. As a perinatal health occupational therapist, I bring a unique

perspective and skillset into the world of birth work.

My role as your doula is to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support. I am committed to respecting your birth and postpartum preferences and empowering you to make informed decisions. I advocate for birth and postpartum experiences where you feel safe, heard, and respected.

 

History

Inspired by my own transformative early motherhood experiences, I founded Empower Durham to provide essential support to families during one of life's most marvelous yet challenging times. 

My occupational therapy background deeply informs my doula approach by allowing me to view each client through a whole-person lens. I integrate clinical knowledge of the body, mental health, and daily function with the emotional and physical support of doula care.

This means I help you prepare your body, your environment, and your routines for the entire perinatal journey. I consider factors like pain management, posture, sensory needs, mental wellness, and postpartum recovery as core parts of your care. My goal is to help you not only birth your baby, but also transition into your new life with more confidence, comfort, and support. 

Beyond doula support, I also provide occupational therapy services for newborns and infants such as infant massage, breast/chest-feeding support, starting solid foods, therapeutic tummy time, and milestone development support. 

I'm passionate about what I do and am beyond excited to walk through this journey with you.

What Sets Us Apart?

At Empower Durham, my approach stands at the unique intersection of clinical skill and deeply personalized care. While many doulas offer emotional and physical support, and many occupational therapists focus on specific physical recovery goals, I combine both—to support the full, lived experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Here’s what makes my care different:
    •    Whole-person, function-focused care: As an OT, I assess not just your symptoms, but how your daily routines, environment, and physical well-being interact. I offer strategies that are therapeutic, sustainable, and real-life applicable—whether you’re preparing for labor, recovering from birth, or figuring out how to shower with a newborn at home.


    •    Clinical insight, without the clinical coldness: I bring deep knowledge of the body, nervous system, trauma, and recovery—but deliver it in a warm, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive way. You’re not just a patient here; you’re a whole person with goals, feelings, and unique needs.


    •    Seamless continuity of care: Most providers stop at one phase—prenatal, labor, or postpartum. I provide care across the entire perinatal timeline, creating consistency and trust. My clients don’t have to retell their story at every phase—they already have someone who knows them and can adapt support as things change.


    •    Empowerment is at the core: I don’t make decisions for you—I give you tools to make the best decisions for yourself. Whether we’re planning for birth, setting postpartum goals, or navigating identity shifts, I center your autonomy and lived experience.


    •    A focus on equity and advocacy: As a perinatal provider for all humans, I’m deeply committed to addressing the disparities that exist in maternal health care. I help my clients advocate for themselves in healthcare settings and create care plans that center around safety, dignity, and respect.

Why Choose Empower Durham?

Empower Durham exists to be a trusted, inclusive resource for families across Durham and the Triangle area during one of life’s most transformative times. We envision a community where every birthing person—regardless of background—has access to informed, compassionate, and holistic care. By blending the clinical lens of occupational therapy with the relational support of doula services, we bridge the gap between medical systems and daily life, helping families prepare for birth, navigate postpartum, and build confidence in their new roles.

Our goal is to cultivate a culture of care where perinatal health is not just about surviving the journey—but truly thriving in it, together.