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Ariel de Roche (she/her) is a Certified Holistic Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Growing up in a large tight-knit family, Ariel has always been surrounded with pregnant bellies and tiny humans. This combined with her background in epidemiology (research) has greatly informed her profound passion for evidence-based information, sexual and reproductive health research, and advocacy. Her goal as a doula is to create a container, a space where you feel seen and heard. Birth is such a sacred time and through birth work, she seeks to continue to empower and encourage all folks, in all ways.

Claudia Gerbracht (she/her) is a full spectrum doula and certified lactation counselor. She provides grounded emotional and physical support to all birthing folks and all sorts of growing families. Claudia's ability to blend solid knowledge with strong intuition (plus a big, warm laugh) makes her a calming and reassuring presence in hospitals and homes. Her initial doula training was with Ancient Song Doula Services. She sees birthwork as a creative and political act, and a way to directly respond to inequalities in healthcare -- everyone should have a doula! Prior to this calling, Claudia held a career in the arts, and she still finds, to quote doula Penny Simkin, "rhythm, ritual, and relaxation" in her woodworking and artmaking.

Ania Raczka (she/her) is a DONA trained Birth Doula, Certified Holistic Birth Doula, INNATE postpartum Care Provider, trained in a holistic approach to Postpartum time, as well as Certified Breastfeeding counselor. Ania lives in Harlem with her husband and two children. She offers her services in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn. Born and raised in Poland, where is got her Master degree in translations, which led her to work as a Medical Interpreter for many years. With her own experience of giving birth in hospital settings and then, with her second baby, at home, she feels comfortable supporting her clients in both settings. Both of her experience brought a lot of feeling of empowerment in her life, and after the birth of her son she decided to become a doula, and help other parents find the inner wisdom and strength, that we all have in us. She is passionate about every birthing's person right to feel supported and empowered during this transitional life event. She brings her calm presence and emotional intuition to every birth.

Jennifer Oge (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula. She focuses on the importance of sisterhood and women's empowerment. She is committed to reproductive justice for all women, helping to create a safe space filled with love and encouragement. She has always had an appreciation of the beauty and strength of women. However, she officially began this journey after an epiphany during a meditation course in Bihar, India. She felt a strong calling to do more; focusing on holistic health of the mind, body and spirit. Following her nurturing instincts, she decided to steer her journey towards birth work. As a trained full-spectrum birth worker, she takes a more holistic approach using guided meditation, movement(dance, yoga), and music to name a few. Outside of the birthing world, you can find her practicing yoga, artistically creating, traveling, dancing, and remaining sustainably stylish. She looks forward to helping you tap into your innate abilities." My contact: info@nnennebirthingservices.com Website: nnennebirthingservices.com

April Cañete Pavlish (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula (Birth Arts International and Manhattan Birth), a licensed Zumba instructor, and holds a Master's in Public Health with years of experience in sexual and reproductive health. She was inspired by this work after having a wonderful doula at her own birth. As a nonjudgmental companion during the transformative - and at times overwhelming - childbearing journey, April offers informational and emotional support to help expecting families navigate and understand their options, and feel confident in deciding what's best for them. She brings a calm and uplifting presence to the birth and postpartum period so that clients feel safe, listened to, and able to trust in their body and intuition. April is a Jersey girl with Filipino roots. Her love languages are comfort food, dance, and laughter that makes you cry. She lives in Jersey City, NJ, with her partner, toddler, and senior rescue dog. 

Madeleine (she/her) is a Certified Holistic Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor. She’s also a native New Yorker, an actress, a lover of travel, and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. With a doula/acupuncturist mother and a physician father, Madeleine grew up with a pretty balanced perspective on holistic vs. medical approaches, and she’s committed to supporting whichever path you take. Madeleine brings nurturing, warmth, and a sense of humor to this work she cares so deeply about. She’s also a knowledge junkie, helping people feel confidently prepared for their birth and/or postpartum journeys through prenatal (or on-the-spot) education, always with a hefty dose of grounded emotional support. Madeleine brings an open mind, deep compassion, and the occasional well-timed joke to what is so often an intense ride of emotions and oh-so-many questions. She sees her role as a blend of friend, confidante, coach, jargon translator, baby care expert, breastfeeding guide, personal assistant, and professional tiny human holder (no complaints there). She believes passionately in supporting people through the wild and wonderful unknown of birth and the fourth trimester. She feels incredibly lucky to call this her work and is honored to support your growing family.

Julia Markoe (she/her) is a DONA-trained birth and postpartum doula and a Certified Lactation Counselor, and is currently pursuing further training and support through the Manhattan Birth Mentor Program. She brings her calm and reassuring presence, sense of humor, and innate emotional intuition to supporting each client. She strongly believes that the childbearing year is a transformative experience and that every birthing person deserves to be cared for, listened to and respected during this transitional life event. She feels passionately that every expectant parent has the necessary information and support to feel empowered by their birth experience and cared for as they adjust to life with their new little one. She meets parents where they are and offers non-judgmental support and encouragement during birth and through the postpartum period. Julia has additional trainings in comforting touch, rebozo and infant care, among others. Originally from Minnesota, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of St Andrews before moving to New York City, which she is now thrilled to call home! She lives on the UWS with her partner and their Maine Coon Cat, Georgia

Aimee Latta (she/her) is a birth doula offering her clients ongoing support and resources from hire to postpartum. She has been a registered nurse for over 13 years providing families with compassionate and evidence-based care in various aspects of their health journeys. Aimee came to birth work after her own doula-assisted birth. She believes in assisting birthing people and their support team in achieving the birth they desire and fully respects the individual choices of each client. In addition to her nursing degree, Aimee has a Masters in Global Health and has conducted research on the birthing practices of Xhosa people in South Africa and on the sexual and reproductive rights of people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. While in South Africa, Aimee learned the concept of Ubuntu - I am because you are, which she feels encompasses the spirit of the birthing process and has experienced stepping into parenthood herself.

Courtney is a trained birth and postpartum doula, working toward her certification through Manhattan Birth. Spirited about women’s reproductive health for as long as she can remember, she took the leap to becoming a doula after the transformative experience of her son’s birth, with an incredible doula at her side as a support. She is deeply and fiercely passionate about every birthing person’s right to be supported, listened to, and empowered in pregnancy and birth. She aims to honor the unique journey to pregnancy and the birthing desires of every woman that she works with, offering empathy, guidance, a listening ear, a loving hug, and a dash of humor, for good measure. She approaches each client relationship with unconditional and nonjudgmental support.

Shawayna Brown (she/her) is a birth, post partum, and sibling doula. Shawayna supports home, birth centers, and hospital births. She is here to support and guide you through your pregnancy, labor/birth, and through the first few weeks after your baby is born. She wants nothing more than to be able to reassure, encourage, and empower you during this journey.

Michelle Berninger (she/her) provides evidenced-based support so expecting parents can make intuitive and informed decisions around their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her doula practice is focused on developing mindfulness, self-advocacy and a safe space for your empowered entry into parenthood. Michelle practices inclusive, body-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming doula services and is trained in HypnoBirthing. Birth, postpartum, and postpartum chef services offered.

Chantelle Richards (she/her) is a DONA trained birth doula, who believes every birthing family should have support during their birth journey. Chantelle’s interest into birth work came shortly after the birth of her son Jaxson. Her birth and postpartum period was not what she envisioned and she thought about how her story could have been different if she had the support of a doula. Her goal is to teach and help expecting family to feel confident as they navigate through their pregnancy and the first few months of having baby. In doing so, she will create a non judgmental and loving space for family’s to be comfortable.

Jennifer Reynoso Ng (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula. She came to this work through her own pregnancy and birth experience. When she was pregnant, Jennifer felt overwhelmed by how much she didn’t know about the process, but also felt a strong sense of intuition guiding her as she nurtured her growing baby in her womb and during the postpartum period. Jennifer believes that every birthing person deserves the right to be heard, seen and learn to trust themselves through this very intense, transformational time. She looks forward to supporting you in this journey through listening, providing a calming, reassuring presence and making space for you to tap into your inner wisdom and strength.

Jessica Apfel (she/her) is a birth doula and yoga teacher who is thrilled to be a part of the Manhattan Birth Doula Mentorship program. She received her training through DONA International with Debra Pascali-Bonaro and Robin Lim’s Gentle Birth Doula Retreat (Eat Pray Doula) in Bali, Indonesia. The experience allowed her to dive deep into the birth world through understanding the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of childbirth as well as cultivating a sisterhood with doulas from around the world. In addition to birth work, Jessica is also a Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT). She received her Prenatal Yoga Certification with the renowned Prenatal Yoga Center, where she currently teaches classes.

Madeline Elaine (she/her) is a birth and postpartum doula training with Doula Trainings International. She currently spends her time as a volunteer doula at the Brooklyn Birthing Center and is looking forward to her Lactation Counselor (CLC) training in the Spring of 2020. An empath and caregiver at heart, Madeline feels a particular calling in helping families in their postpartum period, along with mothers suffering from postpartum depression and anxiety. She hopes to ease this life changing transition with the appropriate newborn care and postpartum nutrition, with a whole lot of kindness and humor along the way!

Carolyn Parker (she/her) is a Birth Doula in the NY area since 2016 with recent experience as a volunteer Doula in Honduras. This work is part of her spiritual practice, a way of continuing her ancestors’ journey and reestablishing important traditions. Carolyn’s goal is to serve her sisters by reminding them that they are never alone, and together much stronger as she offers comfort, encouragement.

Jacqui Feinstix (she/her) is a Westchester-based birth doula, certified lactation counselor, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and prenatal yoga teacher. Formerly an elementary school art teacher, Jacqui was drawn to the magical energy of pregnancy and childbirth, which led her to follower her calling of supporting people during their journey to parenthood. She empowers birthing people with the information their minds need, the movement and breath their bodies crave, and her protective energy and heart. She believes that there is no one right way to birth, and that each experience is unique and special. If Jacqui’s not supporting a birth or teaching a yoga class, you’ll find her hosting her bimonthly new mothers circle and monthly womens gathering in lower Westchester County helping to foster a beautiful sense of community and sisterhood. Jacqui is a baby-wearing, cloth-diapering, magical mom in Yonkers, where she lives with her wife, young son, and a rescue dog named “Zeppelin” (yes, after Led Zeppelin!). Jacqui has a “whole lotta love” to give.

Sarah Levy (she/her) is a Birth and Postpartum Doula serving the NYC area. She trained as a Birth Doula with DONA International after experiencing the two vastly different births she had with her children, and the realization that pregnant people and families receive incredibly disparate care. Sarah firmly believes that birth is a natural, physiologic process that can be the most empowering experience of a person’s life—she wants you to get the birth experience you want and deserve! Sarah is a proud New Yorker, born and raised, and she’s also done some stints in California, New Jersey, and Maryland. Sarah calls Astoria, Queens home along with her husband, two children, and her little dog too!

Clare Amoako-Parks (she/her) is a birth and postpartum doula who aims to support birthing people in understanding their bodies, and the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual changes that take place during the transformative experiences of pregnancy and postpartum. Currently pregnant herself (due Feb 2020), she is aware of the level of self-trust that is required to make informed decisions that are best for the parent(s) and ensure they have the pregnancy and birthing experiences that are right for them. Clare has studied and taught health and sexuality education for the past seven years, and is passionate about helping people work with, rather than against, our bodies to further understand ourselves. She was trained to be a birth and postpartum doula by Mama Glow, and is excited to be a part of the Manhattan Birth community.

Jamie Frazier (he/they)- After numerous experiences with medical discrimination, Jamie realized that having just one person in the room who was there to support them would have radically altered if not avoided the incidents entirely. They are now committed to being that person and providing that support for others. Combining their background in anthropology and advocacy with a lifelong commitment to service, Jamie uses a holistic, evidence based approach to ensure that all birthing people can feel seen, heard and respected. Whether you choose a hospital or home, a planned C-section or physiological birth, Jamie will support you as you choose what is best for you.

Allyson Conner (she/her)- A New York native, Allyson is honored to be a part of Manhattan Birth's yearlong doula mentorship program. She trained with DONA in 2017 and with Carriage House Birth in 2019. Her disposition towards supporting expectant and new mothers is deeply anchored in her background in holistic health. She is Reiki 1 certified since 2018 and graduated from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a Holistic Health Coach in 2019. She has a nurturing heart, an open mind, and a deep-rooted desire to help and be of service. Allyson has been a professional nanny for 8 years - 6 of those dedicated to the same family on the Upper East Side where she has also undertaken the roles of personal assistant and house manager. She was first introduced to doula work in 2016, when she supported her sister during and after her first birth and never felt more connected, passionate, or excited. As a doula, she aims to bring confidence and trust to the birth space, birthing process, and life after birth. She believes everyone deserves to feel heard, safe, valued, educated, empowered, and supported during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences. She would be honored to accompany you and your family through this beautiful transition & transformation and support you every step of the way.

Susannah Holub (she/her) is a full-spectrum doula, certified with Ancient Song Doula Services. She supports every kind of family and every kind of identity, and is particularly passionate about serving the LGBTQ+ community. With a background in theatre and comedy, she always tries to bring a sense of humor to the space to ease her clients' fears and anxieties that they might have around birth. She supports home, birth center, and hospital birth.

Megan Sparkman (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula and lactation counselor and she believes that there is power and beauty in every birth, especially when there is trust between the birthing person and the birth team. She was inspired to become a birth worker after years of women’s rights and social justice work as well as her own empowering pregnancy and birth experience. With her past roles as a special education teacher, life coach and women's rights advocate, she brings a unique blend of knowledge, creativity, communication and compassion to your journey of becoming a new parent. She brings support to your birth by keeping the space calm, positive and non-judgmental, with a down-to-earth and confident approach, while using techniques learned through her doula, teacher and life coach training. Megan feels very passionate about helping women and birth parents feel heard and prepared throughout their journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Ashley Seeley (she/her) is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Counselor based out of Brooklyn Heights. Ashley is Spinning Babies trained and loves introducing her rebozo to perinatal families. She believes in the strength of opening up and holding space for families in this incredible transition period. Coming from a career in the fashion industry, you might catch Ashley hand embroidering in the quiet times of your early labor. Aside from everything in her doula bag, the most useful tool she brings to your birth or postpartum bubble is her warm, kind, and compassionate energy. Ashley knows what an honor it is to be invited into these spaces and she treats each client with gratitude.

Jacob Szczypek (he/him) provides full spectrum, holistic, evidence-based support and guidance for expecting parents from conception to postpartum. As a professional dancer, Jake uses his knowledge of movement and the human form to support his clients. Studying to become a nurse midwife, he uses his studies in the field to help educate and empower pregnant individuals. He is certified through Manhattan Birth with a focus in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Dani Seltzer (she/her)- Inspired by her great-grandmother who practiced as a midwife in her village in Argentina, Dani has held a deep reverence for the birthing process since she can remember. Drawing on her own two transformative births at home and accompanied doula training and experience, Dani is honored to guide families and birthing people as a holistic birth doula. Trained with Ancient Song and currently mentoring with Manhattan Birth's 12 month program, Dani offers deep listening and warm guidance to help families make the choices that are best aligned with their goals and values, as well as offering physical and emotional support for birth and postpartum. Dani is also a writer, loves playing guitar with her boys and is fluent in Spanish and Hebrew.

Gina Benson (she/her) is a former school teacher who holds a B.A. in Psychology & Special Education, is a certified Ayurveda Practitioner, Holistic Nutritionist, and Birth & Postpartum Doula who specializes in women's health during perinatal, pregnancy, and postpartum. Gina supports home, birth center, and hospital births. She offers a Sow to Seed Fertility Program to aid couples on a reproductive health journey. The program includes nutrition, movement, and full spectrum support. In the years to come, Gina plans on going back to school to study midwifery and complete her all encompassing program to work with mothers from before pregnancy, throughout, and after. Gina is gentle yet vocal about her clients' rights and comfort. It is most important to her that her client is treated fairly and safe throughout their birth and postpartum experience. She looks forward to supporting you and your family.

Athena Manolopoulos (she/her) is the Radical Doula and Holistic Wellness Advisor behind Wild Willing Wisdom. Through her work as a Birth Doula she provides evidence-based education and support to childbearing families, tailoring her guidance and care to each individual’s needs. She has additional offerings in the realm of postpartum care, plant medicine, and placental ceremony, and is constantly evolving her practice to meet the needs of her clients. Athena is a Brooklyn-based mother, mystic, and healer. She firmly believes in your innate ability to birth as well as your right to birth autonomously, in power.

Sherraine Ashley (she/her) is a native Brooklynite and owner of Sweet Birthday Babe, a birth, postpartum, and abortion doula service operating in New York City. Sherraine first trained with Ancient Song in 2017, with DONA in 2019, and is now pursuing certification with the Manhattan birth mentorship program. As a full spectrum doula and soon to be MSW, she brings a strong emotional presence to her work, offering you a listening ear, evidence-based well-sourced information, and a sturdy set of arms and shoulders to lean on (though she be but little, she is fierce). While the bebés are a huge draw, Sherraine’s goal throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum phase is to remind you that you are capable beyond your wildest imagination, and to help you harness that strength to power on and power through.

Erin Ednie (she/her) is a holistic birth and postpartum doula with a specialty in physical fitness as a certified personal trainer. She helps her clients to, not only embrace and navigate through, but be empowered by the changes their bodies go through in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. After receiving unconditional, loving support from her doula and team for her son’s birth in 2011, she found a passion for providing that deep level of support for other expectant parents. Erin maintains an unwavering faith in her clients abilities to choose what is right for their bodies, their babies, and their families. “It is my passion and soul’s purpose to hold sacred space for my clients so they feel safe and assured that, no matter what they choose, I have their backs and I believe in them, because freedom is everything.”

Shelly Wierman (she/her) is a Birth Doula (DONA Trained), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200, Westchester Institute of Yoga, Tao Porchon-Lynch), with additional training in Prenatal Yoga (Yoga Haven) and Restorative Yoga (Sue Flamm). Shelly's passion is supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum, and she hopes to offer Postpartum Doula services in the near future. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest but now makes her home in Westchester County, and is the mother of five grown humans. She can frequently be found talking about pelvises, reading about birth, looking at birth and newborn photos or listening to birth podcasts.

Bessie Beneway (she/her) advocates for safe and natural childbirth for members of her community. As an aspiring midwife and DONA Internationally trained doula, Bessie wants to know how you want to experience birth and postpartum, and will do everything she can to be your voice throughout this process. She studied Biology, Psychology and Spanish language and literature as an undergrad at SUNY Geneseo. She has lived abroad in Peru and Spain and is conversational Spanish speaker - she believes that everyone should have access to safe birth services, regardless of their native tongue.