About Me

Hello!  I am Chandra Zundel, founder of Happy Hatchings Doula services, and I feel there is nothing more wonderous than welcoming new life into the world!

  I had cancer as a child- and grew up knowing how vitally important the support and care  individuals and families receive is in order to heal and thrive.  From a young age I wanted to make a difference in the lives of those going through medical challenges. After gaining my degrees in Psychology and Nursing. I became a labor and delivery nurse, and LOVED it! I was first trained at a hospital system that highly valued natural-unmedicated birth techniques. I went on to work at the high risk, 3rd busiest birthing center in our nation, and attended the birth of over 1500 babies there. This was a high intervention atmosphere. When a mother came in desiring an unmedicated labor- charge nurses would often ask me to take on their care. I found educating and supporting families to achieve their best possible birth experience was so enriching and rewarding!

I loved what I did- but found it difficult to say goodbye at the end of my shift to patients who still needed my support. It was hard to be tied to the charting, hospital policies, and caring for multiple patients- when it was so clear each patient benefited from the uninterrupted focus of continuous, knowledgeable, caring support! Furthermore, I saw firsthand how little informational support and preparation families were given leading up to labor. This hampered families in knowing and advocating for the things that really mattered to them for their own births.

I hung up my nursing shoes for a few years while supporting my husband’s Navy ER Doctor career, and caring for our three children, one of whom was born with a serious congenital heart defect. Once all the kids were in school, I knew it was my time to return to the field that I loved. I carefully considered the choices of a return to bedside nursing vs moving towards midwifery, but was absolutely led to my best possible career choice.  I returned as a doula!  I have loved the paradigm shift, and new ways I can help and empower families!  I’m thrilled to be able to support couples during pregnancy, throughout the entire delivery process, and into the joys of new parenthood. I strongly believe in looking to evidence based practices, in physiological birth, and expectant management. 

Contact Me
As a doula, I bring with me  
  • Years of labor & delivery nursing, and medical understanding most doulas lack. This allows me to work within the system, helping you understand and navigate complications and interventions as they occur.
  • A degree in Psychology, with an in-depth understanding of and attention to the mental, emotional and spiritual work associated with childbirth and postpartum recovery.
  • Years of clinical and personal breastfeeding experience, including adoptive/induced lactation.
  • Extensive patient education and advocacy experience,
  • Personal experience with perinatal loss, infertility treatment, and adoption.
  • DONA (Doulas of North America) certification and membership
  • Training in Spinning Babies, Fit for Birth, VBAC, and Hypnobabies methods to support physiological birth 
  • Over 1700 births attended
  • Trained in Bekung Belly Binding
  • A love of birth and infant photography, with extensive experience safely handling newborns to capture those special first memories.
  • An unyielding faith that God walks with me as I walk with families through this journey.  I have absolutely been guided by Him, and seen His miracles as I help families.  If you desire spiritual care, and prayer (or not!) I’m happy to tailor my care to your needs.

Testimonials

Samantha K

After experiencing a traumatic birth with my first child, and carrying so many “what if’s” afterward, I knew going into my second pregnancy that I needed someone who could truly advocate for me.
From the very beginning, Chandra was everything I needed and more!  She was always quick to answer my questions and provided constant reassurance and support throughout the entire pregnancy.  When I ran into difficulties, she didn’t just check in through messages- she made it a point to come to my home personally to see how I was doing and what I might need.  That level of care meant so much to me!
She also provided so much education and guidance, helping me feel informed, empowered and confident in my choices.  One thing I especially appreciated was how intentional she was about including my husband through facetime.  Making sure he felt connected and involved while he was away.
Chandra was with us every step of the way until our second baby boy arrived safely in our arms.  With her support, advocacy, and genuine care, this birth experience brought so much healing to our family.  I am beyond grateful for her and cannot recommend her enough!-

Caitlin C

Love Love LOVE Chandra! I utilized her doula services with the birth of my first child and had a phenomenal experience.  Setting up care was simple, and she was always easy to contact.  From scheduling an initial consultation to our childbirth education sessions, to the actual event and beyond, I felt supported every step of the way! With no family close by, It was a relief knowing I had someone I could contact if labor started while my spouse was away for 2 weeks when I was 37 weeks pregnant.  During the labor, the tools and techniques 100% enabled me to achieve the unmedicated birth I was hoping for!  She fit in seamlessly with the medical staff- (My midwife even asked for her contact information to add to her practice’s “good doula” list!)- and was a wonderful support to my spouse.  Our baby was a bit shocked upon delivery and was whisked to the warmer for a little help, but Chandra stayed until our baby was cleared.  Her in-home follow-up visit postpartum allowed us to verbally process any trauma we might have had from the experience. – And she showed us the absolute best way to swaddle a baby I’ve ever seen!  All in all, I would use her services again and again, and recommend her wholeheartedly to any mother considering extra support.- 

Alyssa M

I had a somewhat traumatic birth with my 1st baby and knowing this would be my last, I was hoping to have a beautiful labor and birth.  Chandra seriously helped me all the way through it.  She ensured my birth plan was followed and helped me achieve a birth that didn’t scare me.  I have a very vivid memory of me saying I wanted to quit, then saw Chandra’s warm smile and encouraging words somehow immediately snapped me out of it.  She knew just the position needed to help my labor progress and soon my baby was in my arms. I had accomplished the unmedicated beautiful birth I had hoped for!  I would have 10 more babies if I knew Chandra would be there for every one of them!
She was also a huge help when I had some breastfeeding issues once we got home.   Seriously- have this amazing woman on your team.  You will never regret it!    –

Logan G

Having Chandra by our side for the birth of our daughter was truly invaluable!  As first time parents, she gave us the education needed to make fully informed decisions and the confidence to really trust myself and my body. She stepped in seamlessly to support and advocate for me. Especially with family far away, her presence during both birth and postpartum struggles brought us so much comfort, reassurance, and lasting gratitude.  We truly couldn’t have done it without her! – 

Jana B

Chandra was absolutely amazing from the very beginning of our journey to parenthood! She helped my partner feel at ease with having someone else there for our birth. Her expertise and background as a Labor nurse and focus on evidence based care helped us feel confident in building and advocating for our best birth plan and preferences. Her in-home visits covered everything important from our childbirth preparation classes- over less time and cost!  She has a nurturing, calming presence that made me feel heard, supported, and held  through all the ups and downs of pregnancy and birth.  We can’t thank her enough for helping me accomplish my dream delivery, and instrumental in setting our family up for a beautiful postpartum and breastfeeding journey. I never imagined life could be so sweet!