About

Dark haired mom with hair in braid holding newborn baby against her chest. Baby is asleep after breastfeeding. Mom is gently smiling. She has one hand on baby's body and one hand on his head. Her face is touchung baby's forehead. Mom is bonding with her newborn.

How it all started

My interest in doula work started when my daughter was born in 2000. Even though I took a childbirth class, had a midwife and a partner I still felt unprepared and could see how a doula could have changed the experience. So I jumped at the chance to participate in a midwife-led birth doula program where I trained and then attended births at the labor and delivery of a local hospital in the Virgin Islands in 2005 and 2006. Our family moved back to New York when my daughter became school age and as a single mom, I found a way to make a living and create community for us. Then in 2020 I came back to the field and trained as a postpartum doula with the Long Island Doula Association. I started my postpartum doula practice in the Hamptons and got referrals mostly via word of mouth and also through a birth doula colleague. Most of my clients requested overnights and therefore feeding, soothing methods and basic newborn care has become my specialty. Sleep has proven to be a lifeline for families at this stage.

Now I live in and serve Queens (and Nassau county).

My story

Building community and public health education have been threads throughout my work/personal life. With a background in anthropology, I worked in the social work field for several years where I facilitated parenting classes for moms in crisis. Being dedicated to learning in motherhood, I participated in many parenting groups over the years where we read and discussed various topics from attachment to discipline. With attachment being one of the most important indicators of success for children based on research, I have chosen being a doula as an ideal way for me to serve families to ensure the best possible outcome.

I received my LIDA certification in 2023. Part of becoming certified involves reading books, writing essays and taking workshops on perinatal mood disorder, CPR, etc. as well as becoming familiar with local resources

My approach

I got involved in doula work because I found it to be important for mothers to have an empowered experience with birth and with caring for their newborn. And I saw how much that helped them to feel confident as a mother.

I am knowledgeable and offering support comes naturally to me. I appreciate the art of following cues from mom and baby. And I have a great willingness to do research from good sources as needed.

I have experience with moms who have had postpartum depression and I have seen how sleep deprivation can amplify those symptoms. Medical attention and a few weeks of overnight doula care can get mom over the hump and make a great improvement in mental health.

I have an interest in healing birth trauma. Sharing the birth story to a concerned listener can do wonders for reframing the experience.

Troubleshooting breastfeeding issues puts mom and dad at ease in the early days/weeks.

Establishing a good rapport with all family members makes everyone feel comfortable.

Mother is in the kitchen, holding her sleepy newborn baby on her shoulder. With her other hand she is holding a wooden spoon and stirring food in a pot. Mother is cooking dinner as she holds and comforts her baby.

Supportive, reliable and deeply in tune with the needs of her clients

Doula mentor