How Much Does a Birth or Postpartum Doula Cost in Bridgewater, NJ?

Ready to compare providers? Browse doulas in Bridgewater, NJ

Median package price

$1,285

Typical range $500–$2,000

Median hourly rate

$45/hr

Typical range $35–$55/hr

Near Bridgewater New Jersey United States
Median package $1,285 $1,400 $1,100
Typical package range $500–$2,000 $400–$2,178 $450–$1,800
Median hourly rate $45/hr $45/hr $45/hr

Based on 1,272 package prices from 466 providers listed on Bornbir within 150 miles of Bridgewater, NJ. Updated September 2026.

See national doula prices

Doula pricing depends on the type of support: birth doulas usually charge a flat package fee for labor support, while postpartum doulas typically charge by the hour for daytime or overnight care at home.

It's important to note that doula fees can vary significantly within the Bridgewater area, with some highly experienced or specialized doulas charging higher rates. Additionally, some doulas offer package deals that may include prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and postpartum support, which can affect the overall cost.

When considering hiring a doula in Bridgewater, it's advisable to research and interview several doulas to find one who aligns with your preferences, needs, and budget. During consultations, you can discuss their specific services and pricing structure to ensure you have a clear understanding of what is included and the associated costs. This process will help you find a doula who meets your needs and fits within your budget.

Want a quick estimate first? Try our doula cost calculator to see live birth and postpartum doula price ranges computed from packages doulas publish on Bornbir.

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Real parent reviews

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Found 493 Doulas in Bridgewater, NJ

Alisha Alli

New York, New York

5.0 (2 reviews)

Alisha Alli

16 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Packages from $150 · $85/hr

Dedicated Birth and Postpartum Doula, while pursing a nursing degree during my labor and delivery clinical I knew this was my passion to provide compassionate support throughout the birthing process and postpartum. As a certified doula, I bring a wealth of 15 years experience and expertise to every birth and postpartum service, fostering a nurturing and informed environment for birthing individuals and their partners. My journey into birth work began with a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of childbirth and the importance of holistic support during this profound life event. With an open mind for hospital settings and pain relief when needed. I have supported numerous families through various birthing experiences, including hospital births and home births. Allowing couples to have a safe and informative space to relax and have their birth be just as intimate as they'd like. Natural hormones are key into relaxing mom! Music, sound and lighting plays a part in allowing that intimacy to play out. This sets the tone for a calm postpartum recovery onto healing and adaptation to a new routine. My approach to doula care is centered around empathy, education, and advocacy. I have worked seven years as an investigator for medical malpractice and seen what goes wrong when women aren’t allowed informed consent. I am committed to ensuring that each client feels empowered, informed, and respected as they navigate the journey of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. My goal is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support, tailoring my services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each individual and family whether it be medicated or unmedicated. All women deserve the right to make informed decisions based on there individual needs. Also being a certified life coach for five years has gifted me with the skills to help families navigate through postpartum, new routines/added or changed. But most importantly to give clients the support they need to not feel alone or overwhelmed during these times. Normalizing chaos and not feeling okay, but empowering them to know that they can and will get through these times and they will adjust. While also providing them with lactation support whatever that may be for each families preference. With a warm and nurturing presence, coupled with a steadfast commitment to my clients, I strive to create a positive and empowering birth and postpartum experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. Whether providing emotional support during labor, advocating for informed decision-making, or offering guidance and or resources in the postpartum period, teaching newborn care and up keeping self care. I am forever honored to be a part of each family's unique journey into parenthood. I take great pride in working with woman giving them the care and support they need to trust their mind, body and soul.

Recent review

She is an excellent advocate who is generous with her time and knowledge, ensuring that both the birthing and support parent were in a good position for the birth experience - before, during, and after. As first-time expecting parents there was a lot to learn even with regard to terminology, medical situations, and the outcomes that we wanted to achieve. Alisha's confidence makes you confident. She's great under pressure and remained communicative throughout our delivery. You can't control how things will unfold on the big day. While we had our best-case scenario planned out, things evolve and we were pressed to navigate changing circumstances when my water broke without any other signs of active labor. This put us on a countdown clock yet we remained calm, opted into certain interventions on our timeline, and were able to achieve the vaginal delivery as intended. We credit this to our preparation and real-time guidance with Alisha. Lastly, Alisha just has a great personality and treats you as a real friend. She genuinely cares about you as more than just clients and we looked forward to our time spent with her. We strongly recommend working with Alisha for any of the services that she offers!

- Kathleen R.

Chandel Stallworth

New York, New York

5.0 (4 reviews)

Chandel Stallworth

Accepts insurance
Packages from $1,200

Informed. Responsive. Compassionate. Adaptive. Reassuring. Chandel brings a steady presence and a client-focused viewpoint to birth and postpartum care, offering support that adapts to your needs—especially when the path looks different than expected. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies, inductions, and NICU transitions, and is known for being a calm, grounding force in the room when things feel unpredictable. Her background in movement and maternal wellness allows her to support both physical recovery and emotional resilience. With training through Postpartum Support International, Chandel is especially attuned to the mental and emotional shifts that can arise during the fourth trimester. She holds space with empathy and skill, gently guiding new parents through the messy, beautiful realities of this season. From labor to latching and everything in between, Chandel meets families where they are—with care that is present, personalized, and always centered on your experience. Her goal is always the same: to help you feel supported, seen, and never alone. Chandel holds certifications as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, VBAC & Induction Support, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise Specialist, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer.

Recent review

Chandel is a gem! She was communicative from the start, and went the extra mile when it came to insurance verification, which is usually an annoying process. She was such a calming and supportive presence during those overwhelming first few weeks with our newborn. Her steady reassurance, patience, and kindness made a huge difference for our family during a challenging transition. We felt genuinely cared for and supported every step of the way.

- Prisca C.

kay smith

New York, New York

5.0 (6 reviews)

kay smith

8 years of experience
Packages from $4,900

Hi, my name is Kay! I am a Certified Newborn Care Specialist and Postpartum Doula with over 8 years of professional childcare experience. I am also CPR, First Aid, and AED certified and have a background in the medical field as a phlebotomy technician, allowing me to bring an added level of safety awareness, attentiveness, and professionalism to newborn care. I specialize in supporting families during the early postpartum weeks through structured routines, healthy sleep foundations, feeding support for both breast and bottle-fed babies, and calm, attentive overnight or daytime care. My approach is nurturing, dependable, and centered on helping both baby and parents feel supported, rested, and confident during the transition into parenthood. I understand how important the newborn stage is, and I pride myself on clear communication, discretion, and maintaining a peaceful, organized environment within the home. My goal is to provide compassionate, reliable support that helps families feel more at ease while adjusting to life with a new baby.

Recent review

Our provider was always attentive to feedings, diaper changes, soothing, safe sleep practices, and her communication throughout the night gave us complete peace of mind. We especially appreciated the detailed tracking of our baby’s feeding and sleep conditioning which allowed our baby to sleep through the night. As new parents, we feel much more confident after having such an educated and thorough provider help us

- Mikayla G.

Marissa Clarke

New York, New York

5.0 (7 reviews)

Marissa Clarke

2 years of experience
Packages from $200

Peace! - I'm Marissa, a certified Birth + Postpartum Doula (trained by Ancient Song in Brooklyn, NY), my CLC is loading (I am studying for it now), and a certified Peristeam/ Yoni Steam Facilitator (PFc) in which I specialize in personalized herbalism consultations, customized steam plans for cycle regulation, womb wellness, postpartum recovery, and more! My Birth + Postpartum Support includes an array of offerings: Collaborative birth planning, continuous labor support, calm yet stern advocacy, in-home lactation + feeding support + newborn care sessions, fourth trimester planning, postpartum herbal tea blends, soaks + steaming, and more! I bring a zen, safety-minded presence, and heart-filled approach with the goal of creating a custom plan - practical, nurturing, and truly you - so that you feel informed, held, and confident to prepare to welcome your baby and ease into the fourth trimester with peace of mind.

Recent review

When I got connected with Marissa, I just knew she was the right doula for me. I know there’s no such thing as perfect, but my spirit truly aligned with hers. I trusted God and felt at peace not choosing a backup doula, even though I had interviewed three. And I have no regrets. I was induced at 37 weeks, so I wasn’t able to fully follow my birthing plan. However, we had discussed it in depth, and she knew exactly what I wanted. Marissa was firm, supportive, and confident which I deeply appreciated. She wasn’t afraid to speak up for me. She made sure to ask me if decisions being made were truly what I wanted and ensured I understood everything happening. She also made sure she had all the information just like I did. I felt completely comfortable and safe with her. I didn’t feel like I had to track or manage everything because I knew she was doing that. She made sure I had water, juice, crackers everything I needed. I’m not used to being taken care of. I’m usually the strong friend, the one who handles everything on my own. So when Marissa was putting chapstick on my lips, socks on my feet, rubbing my back, and helping me stay comfortable, it honestly shocked me in the best way. It meant more than I can explain. Yes, she’s a doula but to me, it never felt like just a job to her. It felt genuine, loving, and intentional. I will always adore and appreciate her for how she showed up for me during one of the most important moments of my life.

- Jennifer Thomas

Vennessa Beason

New York, New York

5.0 (14 reviews)

Vennessa Beason

11 years of experience
$40/hr

Welcome to Gentle Hands Maternal And Newborn Care Services Hello, I’m Vennessa Beason, a compassionate maternal and newborn professional dedicated to supporting families with evidence-based care, education, and nurturing support through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn adjustment. With over 11 years of professional healthcare experience, I bring both clinical knowledge and heartfelt care to every family I serve. I am trained and certified through the International Doula Institute as a Birth Doula, Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator and Perinatal Nutrition Educator. I am also certified through ICT Academy as a Newborn Care Specialist, Sleep Coach, and in Infant/Child CPR. In addition, I am a Certified Medical Assistant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration, which strengthens the professional and holistic support I provide. My approach blends education, advocacy, practical support, and gentle care to help families feel informed, confident, and supported. Whether you are preparing for birth, navigating postpartum recovery, seeking newborn guidance, or desiring overnight support, I am honored to walk alongside you in this journey. At Gentle Hands Maternal And Newborn Care Services, my mission is simple: to provide compassionate, skilled, and personalized care for mothers, babies, and families from bump to beyond.

Recent review

We had such a wonderful experience with Vennessa during the first month of our daughter’s life. She was incredibly warm, caring, and compassionate, and we immediately felt that our baby was in loving and capable hands. She was attentive to our daughter’s needs and brought a calm, reassuring presence to our home during such an important and sometimes overwhelming time. She was also extremely helpful with breastfeeding and provided thoughtful guidance and support as we navigated those early weeks. She helped us establish a healthy sleep routine that worked well for our family and gave us the confidence to better understand our baby’s cues and needs. We are so grateful for all of her support during those first few weeks. Her experience, kindness, and genuine care made a meaningful difference for our family, and we would highly recommend her to any new parents looking for compassionate and knowledgeable infant care.

- Brittany B.

Alexandra Fleurentin

New York, New York

5.0 (2 reviews)

Alexandra Fleurentin

18 years of experience

Hey there! My name is Alexandra however most come to call me Alex. I’ve been a postpartum doula for the past 16 years! I was born in Haiti and i practice all of the indigenous birth practices of my country. Ranging from postpartum nutrition, postpartum herbal bath and massage as well as postpartum closing bone ceremony. My passion is caring for mama as she cares for baby. Allowing her the space to navigate her new role whether it be her first baby or her ninth with the upmost care, patience and kindness and with my full support and knowledge. Let us build a village together

Recent review

After having a pregnancy that was not like my first for reasons other than health, I received a postpartum herbal bath from Alexandra. The experience was truly exceptional as the way in which she took her time to curate a bath that was specific to me and my needs was barely the pinnacle of my experience. In moments of uncertainty as a mother, whether it is your first or your third, the care you receive matters. Receiving care from Alexandra is an experience within itself that can only be described within a feeling, one that is sweetened with care and someone who is committed to carrying you to the other of your vulnerability. I recommend her services to others as she is an exceptional individual who is serious about her craft and the care of the children in which she assisted in coming into this world. Again, I can not fully put into words what it is like as you would have to experience her services to understand. I can say within a day I was up and walking, and the aches and pain had vanished seemingly overnight after the bath. Simply plain and put she is passionate and dedicated and will show up for you.

- Diandra D.

Lexie Moore

Red Bank, New Jersey

5.0 (3 reviews)

Lexie Moore

11 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Packages from $1,250 · $45/hr

Labor, Postpartum, lactation and Infant Care Specialist (ProDoula) Growing up, I was empowered having been around so many strong, independent women and it led me toward a path of wanting to carry that into my career. I believe that pregnancy and birth and postpartum are monumental life experiences that no one should have to do alone. Every person so matter their background or beliefs deserves support and respect as they venture through this major life transition. My personal philosophy of what doula embodies is a person who stands beside the new parent(s) to help with guidance, validation, and empowerment. For the last decade of my life I have been devoted to this practice, caring for and assisting with dozens of families to thrive in not only their family life but into their communities. And I hope to continue this practice for a long time. 

Recent review

Lexie was our doula for the birth of our babygirl and we couldn’t have asked for a better one! From our very first phone call we were impressed! Lexie is extremely knowledgeable about the birth world. We appreciated how she took the time to speak to us on the phone to learn about our goals and even walk us through a breathing exercise. We booked her when I was 38 weeks pregnant so there was some urgency with setting up our prenatal visit and wanting to make sure everything would work out for whenever we went into labor. From the beginning of finding her, Lexie was prompt in communicating with us through text and calls and that was very important to us. Her passion and knowledge came through so clearly during our prenatal visit and she gave us so much advice on birth, breastfeeding, sleep safety, and postpartum. Lexie was encouraging of our goal to do an unmedicated birth but when plans changed she wasn’t pushy, she was supportive. There was a moment where we had to make some tough decisions and Lexie made sure we had all the information for everything that was being thrown at us during labor and we got to the hospital! We’ve learned so much from her and I personally as a mom have felt supported and seen even during postpartum. She has a passion for supporting new moms and has been sweet enough to check in often since giving birth two months ago. I’ve appreciated having someone to ask questions to, especially since my husband and I don’t have family support here in Washington since moving here a few years ago. Overall, I highly recommend Lexie! I’m extremely grateful that our paths crossed and she helped welcome our babygirl !!

- Ashley C.

Elmira Zhassuzakova

West New York, New Jersey

5.0 (2 reviews)

Elmira Zhassuzakova

Packages from $120 · $100/hr

Hello! My name is Elmira, and I am a certified birth doula serving families throughout New Jersey and New York. As a mother of five, I understand that every pregnancy and birth journey is unique. I provide compassionate, evidence-based, non-judgmental support to help families feel informed, confident, and empowered throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the early postpartum period. my goal is to create a calm, safe, and supportive environment where parents feel heard, respected, and cared for. I'm fluent in English and Russian. I'm honored to support families from diverse backgrounds. I look forward to being a trusted part of your birth journey.

Recent review

As a first-time mom, I had so many questions (and new ones seemed to come up every week!), and working with Elmira has made such a difference in my pregnancy experience. Even before our birth, she has been incredibly proactive, checking in regularly, answering every question with patience, and often anticipating concerns before I even think to ask. I never feel like I'm bothering her, and that kind of support has given me so much reassurance during a time that can feel overwhelming. One thing that has been especially meaningful for my husband and me is that we're an international couple. Elmira understands both of our languages and cultures, and she naturally incorporates that into the way she communicates and supports us. It has made us both feel seen, understood, and included throughout this journey. We're genuinely looking forward to taking her birthing classes together because we've already learned so much from her. She has a calming presence, is incredibly knowledgeable, and truly cares about the families she works with. If you're looking for a doula who is responsive, compassionate, and invested in helping you feel informed and confident every step of the way, I wholeheartedly recommend Elmira. We're so grateful to have found her and can't wait to continue this journey with her.

- Yana B.

Marianne Pane

Fair Haven, New Jersey

5.0 (1 review)

Marianne Pane

4 years of experience
Accepts insurance

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I receive your inquiry with gratitude and happy for you to interview me during your quest for a doula. My fee includes, but NOT limited to, 2 in-person prenatal visits, support via all modes of communication, coaching in person & virtual from the point of contract through birth and first latch (if wanted), 1 postpartum visit. Please feel free to schedule a time to interview and I can send a Zoom meeting. https://calendly.com/eastwestdoulallc Some testimonials on: https://doulamatch.net/profile/35037/marianne-pane Warmly, Marianne BIO: Marianne Pane, a devoted mother of five, ranging from adults to teenagers, seamlessly blends her rich background as a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator with her studies in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Pacific College of Health and Science. Her extensive experience, spanning over two decades as a Project Manager and Logistician for major companies, has honed her skills in adaptability, resourcefulness, advocacy, organization, and negotiation. This skill set has been instrumental in her transition to the health and wellness sector, particularly focusing on maternal and pediatric health. Marianne’s journey includes profound experiences as an end-of-life caregiver for several family members, complementing her role as a Birth Doula, where she assists in celebrating the miracle of life. This unique balance of experiences reflects her deep understanding of the Yin and Yang principles central to TCM. In her role as a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, Marianne is committed to educating and coaching her clients, guiding them through the medical system with respect, integrity, and evidence-based information. She adopts a holistic approach, ensuring her clients are well-informed and empowered throughout their pregnancy journey. Marianne is trained in various techniques, including those from Spinning Babies® workshops, and uses tools like rebozo, birth ball, and peanut ball. HypnoBirthing® (The Mongan Method) is also in her array of services. As a student of Acupuncture and TCM, Marianne is skilled in techniques for natural labor induction, stress management, and pain relief. Her repertoire includes massage, auricular seeds, moxibustion, and other TCM modalities, all supported by evidence-based information. Marianne’s philosophy is simple yet profound: positivity breeds positivity. With this mindset, she encourages clients to make wise choices, fostering the belief that every day holds potential for achievement.

Recent review

I had the privilege of working with Marianne for the birth of my second child. Her ability to create a calm and peaceful environment was truly remarkable. She seamlessly merged holistic medicinal practices with Western medicine, ensuring that I had access to a wide range of options. Her professionalism was outstanding, and she went above and beyond to educate me on the available choices and my rights as a patient. This level of support was invaluable during such an important and vulnerable time in my life. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a doula who combines a holistic approach with western medicine whilst maintaining unwavering professionalism

- Eunice D.

Elizabeth Sandoval Garcia

New York, New York

5.0 (3 reviews)

Elizabeth Sandoval Garcia

6 years of experience
Packages from $1,500

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Sandoval (she/her), founder of Evergreen Birth Services. Born and raised in NYC, I provide compassionate, evidence-based birth and postpartum doula support with a calm, confident presence. My background in public health, paired with my passion for mindful, personalized care, allows me to guide families through pregnancy, labor, and the tender postpartum months with intention. I believe support should feel both grounding and empowering, whether it’s your first baby or your fifth. With deep respect for your values and vision, I’m here to help you welcome your baby with clarity, confidence, and care.

Recent review

We had an incredible experience with our birth doula, Elizabeth, and cannot recommend her enough. She is truly down to earth, kind, caring, supportive, and knowledgeable. From the very beginning, Elizabeth made herself available by phone, and we always felt comfortable and confident reaching out with questions before labor. Once I went into labor, it was reassuring to notify her and she generously made herself available to support us. During labor, Elizabeth provided amazing emotional support and helped me through some of the rougher contractions with tools and support. She was also a strong advocate and helped guide us through decision making in the labor process. In addition to offering knowledge and guidance, having another familiar, calming face in the room made a huge difference. Elizabeth took the time to really get to know us before labor and followed up with a visit afterward, which meant so much. Having a doula like Elizabeth added an extra layer of support, advocacy, and reassurance that allowed us to feel more grounded, informed, and cared for throughout the entire experience. We truly loved having her as part of our birth and are so grateful for the role she played in it.

- Sarah G.

Vania Oliveira-Breen

New Britain, Pennsylvania

5.0 (5 reviews)

Vania Oliveira-Breen

13 years of experience

Hello! My name is Vania, and I am a Certified Postpartum Doula specializing in overnight newborn care. Based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, I provide compassionate overnight support to families throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including Philadelphia and its suburbs, as well as Central and Northern New Jersey. I am available to travel within a 90 minute radius and am currently accepting Fall 2026 clients. I am DONA trained, ProDoula certified, hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Brazil, and am currently pursuing my nursing education. Since 2013, I have worked closely with newborns, infants, and families as a professional newborn nanny and postpartum professional, gaining extensive experience in newborn care, feeding support, infant development, and family adjustment. I have a deep passion for supporting families and caring for babies. For me, this work is more than a profession; it is truly fulfilling. I enjoy understanding each family's unique emotions, challenges, and needs, and helping parents find their rhythm so they can have more peaceful days and restful nights. As a postpartum doula, I provide compassionate, evidence informed support tailored to each family's unique needs. I have experience supporting families with newborns, twins, premature infants, NICU graduates, and unique family dynamics, including surrogate siblings born one month apart. My goal is to help parents feel confident, supported, and well rested as they adjust to life with a new baby. Caring for both babies and parents is a true calling for me. I love providing the support, reassurance, and guidance that helps moms and dads feel confident, relaxed, and cared for during the postpartum journey. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a family feel supported, rested, and confident as they settle into their new routine.

Recent review

Vania is an exceptional doula! She is gentle, loving, understanding, and kind. She worked with us as a team, along with our other night doula, to come up with a plan and make sure our twins would be happy, healthy, and able to sleep through the night by the time she left us. Her communication was wonderful and she provided many additional tips beyond night support, such as products to buy and exercises to do with the babies. We loved our time having her in our home and are so grateful for the skills and tools she worked with the babies on that will continue to help them as they grow!

- Stephanie G.

Clarissa Alves

Bangor, Pennsylvania

5.0 (6 reviews)

Clarissa Alves

3 years of experience
Packages from $1,300 · $30/hr

I am Clarissa Alves, a certified doula and the heart behind Mooncradle Matrescence. My philosophy for birth work is rooted in bodily autonomy, informed consent, and deep respect for each family’s lived experience. As an Afro Indigenous mother, born in the Bronx and navigating the maternal healthcare system as a person of color, I understand how systems can fail families, silence intuition, and pathologize normal experiences. My work is grounded in decolonizing birth, honoring ancestral wisdom alongside evidence based care, and creating spaces where people feel seen, protected, and empowered to make choices that are right for them. I believe birth is not something to be controlled, but something to be supported, whether that looks like an unmedicated birth, a cesarean, a VBAC, or postpartum healing. My role is to hold space without judgment, provide honest education, and walk alongside families with compassion, reverence, and unwavering advocacy.

Recent review

Having Clarissa as my doula was truly a once in a lifetime experience! Straight from the beginning, she was there for me throughout my entire pregnancy. Whatever questions I had, she helped me answer. She also helped me create a personalized birth plan step by step. When my water broke, I called her immediately and she was on her way. She showed up with things to decorate my hospital room, as well as pain management items, and a peanut & labor ball. Ambient lighting, oil diffuser, and words of affirmation on cards. These things really helped set the tone for my whole labor. As I progressed, I got good use out of all the pain relief items Clarissa brought. My personal favorite was the TENS machine and comb. Clarissa also made sure to advocate for my wants, needs, and rights as a patient. This truly meant a lot to me, as I feared a hospital birth due to hearing about mistreatment of new mothers who aren’t fully aware of their rights. As I started experiencing more intense pain, Clarissa jumped into action to help with pressure points and positioning my body in a way to ease pain. She helped me with breathing techniques and ways to move my hip on the birthing ball she brought along. All of these things made such a tremendous impact on how beautiful my whole experience was. Clarissa was right there squeezing my hand tight, holding my leg, and cheering me along so I knew I was able to do this. That was the strength I needed. Finally, my daughter was born! Clarissa made sure I got immediate skin-to-skin and a good deep latch to kick off my breastfeeding journey. We both laughed and cried when my daughter came out, it was truly one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had! Throughout my postpartum weeks, Clarissa made sure to check in with me daily as she did when I was pregnant to assure I was doing okay, and to answer any general questions I had about breastfeeding, postpartum care, and being a new mom in general! All her advice was so helpful. Choosing Clarissa as my doula was one of the best decisions I could have made. If you want an individualized experience with someone who is passionate about helping moms, Clarissa is the perfect person for that!

- Maya D.

Joan Sherwood

Brooklyn, New York

5.0 (6 reviews)

Joan Sherwood

31 years of experience

I am Joan Sherwood, founder of Peaceful Beginnings To You. My calling to become a doula was born from a personal experience. During the birth of my child, I was left alone in a hospital room without any support. My spouse and brother were sent home because I was not in active labor. My water had broken, so I was admitted, and I faced the daunting process of labor alone, in a secluded area until it was time to push. This experience, where I delivered a 9 -pound, 2-ounce baby without my loved one's present, ignited my passion to ensure that no other person would have to endure such solitude. My journey as a doula began 25 years ago when I assisted a family member through labor. Since then, I have been a source of support and guidance for family and friends, which eventually led me to pursue certification as a birth doula through DONA International. I am deeply committed to holistic birth and postpartum care, and my extensive training reflects this dedication. My education includes a Family Development Credential, studies at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the Center for Homeopathic Education, and the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. I am also a certified Calm Birth Instructor, Infant Massage Instructor Trainer, Womb Sauna Practitioner, and have received postpartum training from Indigemama, BirthMama, Traditional Postpartum Practitioner, and Birth Arts International. My approach to doula care is centered on the needs of the laboring person. I come with no preconceived notions, and I remain as fluid and flexible as possible to meet the evolving needs of each individual. In addition, to running my private doula practice, I have provided doula care to underserved communities as a doula and doula mentor for a federally funded program in Brooklyn.

Recent review

Joan was my doula for both my pregnancies, one in 2014 for my now 8 year old and again during the pandemic for my 2 year old. I highly recommend Joan she provided such consistent support during both pregnancy, while birthing and postpartum. I was so fortune because Joan is just naturally resourceful and intuitive and she was right by my side every step the way. To this day I consider her such an empowering and beautiful human being and I am thankful that she was with me on my journey into motherhood -- I would choose her again and again and again!!!

- Donauta S.

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