Find a Midwife Near Me in Elizabeth, NJ

I am Clarissa Alves. I was born on September 21st in the Bronx, a place that raised me with rhythm, sharp edges, and unexpected beauty. My childhood moved in fragments. Different homes, different states, different schools. I never knew what version of life I would wake up to. As a neurodivergent child, I was not someone who naturally understood people. I learned to survive by noticing shifts in tone, changes in energy, the way someone inhaled before speaking. It was not intuition at first. It was protection. Over time that hyperawareness softened into something grounded and intentional. It became the foundation of the way I now support others. I did not grow up with softness, but I grew up resilient. I did not grow up with safety, but I developed an inner world that protected my truth until I was old enough to claim it for myself. Trauma, displacement, silence, pressure, and the weight of expectations shaped the way I see people today. I see the histories carried in their bodies. I see the lineage behind their fears. I see the child they once were and the parent they are becoming. Every person brings a story with them. I bring mine too. Before adulthood ever arrived, I also survived what should have destroyed me. I survived being kidnapped. I survived rape. I survived molestation, torture, and abuse that tried to separate me from myself. These were experiences that taught me hypervigilance long before I knew language for it. They shaped the way I read pain without needing it explained, the way I notice discomfort before someone names it, the way I honor boundaries as sacred instead of optional. That survival is part of my story, not because it defines me but because it sharpened the way I hold others with care. Today I live in New Jersey with my husband, someone who taught me that love does not have to hurt to be real. He offers a steadiness I once believed did not exist for people built from survival. Together we raise two daughters who carry both fire and softness. They remind me that cycles can be broken gently, that joy can take root in the places where pain once lived, and that motherhood is as much about reparenting our own inner child as it is about nurturing the children in front of us. Motherhood became a spiritual rupture for me. Both of my daughters were conceived after miscarriages that shattered and reshaped me. Recurrent pregnancy loss taught me the duality of hope. It can be delicate and unstoppable at the same time. My pregnancies were marked by hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that stripped me of strength. Standing became an accomplishment. Breathing felt like work. My spirit felt thin. My body felt foreign. I spent months living in survival mode while growing life inside me. During that time my doula was the first person outside of my husband to offer emotional safety without me having to earn it. She did not turn away from my pain. She did not silence my fear. She held space for me with compassion that felt timeless and ancestral. With her support I became the first in my family to have a vaginal birth and the first to exclusively breastfeed. These moments were not only about birth and lactation. They were about reclamation. They were about healing generational wounds. They were about remembering something I was never meant to forget. Birth felt decolonial in a way I did not have words for at the time. It felt like refusing the narratives forced onto my lineage. It felt like reclaiming a bodily intelligence that colonization, medical racism, and generational trauma tried to sever. It felt like honoring the people before me whose stories were erased. It felt like stepping back into a power that did not come from institutions but from ancestry, intuition, and spirit. Breastfeeding felt like learning a language my body had been told it could not speak. It felt sacred. It felt ceremonial. It felt like sitting at a table with my ancestors and hearing them say you were never broken. Over time I produced more than ten thousand ounces of breast milk, enough to nourish not only my own children but others as well. Every ounce felt like a blessing, an offering, a continuation of a lineage interrupted long before I was born. Before motherhood, I survived what should have ended my life. I endured overmedication by psychiatric providers, multiple overdoses, and a suicide attempt that left my throat slit open. I survived because my body fought for me and because medical intervention carried me back into this world. That history lives inside me. It is not a shadow. It is a source of clarity. It taught me how it feels to unravel without support. It taught me how sacred compassion becomes in a moment of crisis. It taught me to listen in a way that does not require words. My work is shaped by lived experience rather than by certificates on a wall. I check in more because I know what it feels like to be forgotten. I listen deeper because I know how much can be hidden beneath the surface of a steady voice. I show up in ways I once needed someone to show up for me. My empathy runs so deep it sometimes aches, but I would rather risk feeling too much than offer someone less than they deserve. I support neurodivergent parents, anxious parents, traumatized parents, queer parents, Black and Brown parents, first-generation parents, and anyone who carries complicated histories. I understand complexity. I understand the tenderness beneath it. I believe fully in autonomy. I oppose routine infant circumcision and any non consensual procedures on children. I honor the right to decline interventions, change providers, choose pain management, choose an elective cesarean, choose formula, choose whatever protects your body, your boundaries, and your peace. Birth does not ask you to sacrifice yourself. Parenthood does not require erasing your own needs. You deserve informed choice without manipulation or fear. My spirituality is quiet but present in everything I do. I move with moon softness and ancestral strength. I approach birth as a sacred transition rather than a medical event. I see matrescence as a spiritual threshold, a reordering of identity, lineage, and self. I witness people the way I once wished someone could have witnessed me. Fully, gently, and without judgment. Every part of my story informs the way I hold space. Every layer of my life is present in the care I offer, not because I announce it, but because it lives in the way I show up.

I’m Erica Castillo a full-spectrum doula, body literacy educator, and folk herbalist walking the path toward becoming a home birth midwife. I offer culturally rooted care across the reproductive spectrum, including birth, postpartum, fertility, menstruation, and reproductive health support. My practice weaves together ancestral knowledge and contemporary support, grounded in the traditional healing ways of my African and Taíno ancestors. In many traditions, midwives were more than just birth attendants, they were community healers, herbalists, bodyworkers, and spiritual guides. That legacy shapes how I show up in this work: with reverence, skill, and a deep commitment to care that uplifts the whole person. For the last 8 years, I’ve supported families with a blend of intuition, evidence-based tools, and heart. If you’re looking for a grounded, culturally aligned doula who honors your intuition and uplifts your experience, and advocates for you, I’d be honored to support!

Hi! My name is Keshia Jackman, located in Newark, NJ. I trained as a community doula with Ancient Song Doula Services. I am dedicated to helping parents navigate through their pregnancy safely, and with as little intervention as possible. In my spare time, I like to read, listen to music and play my occasional video game. I'm also part of a community choir.

I am a certified birth doula. I love helping families get ready to meet their baby! I am also trained in child birth education as well as provide photography - portrait, maternity, family, birth and baby.

Hello! I’m Gabrielle. A little bit about me and what sets me apart: I am an Ayurvedic birth and postpartum doula, an Holistic Pregnancy and Birth Practitioner (HPBP), and I am in my final year of a Master of Science degree in Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda Health. And, aside from all of that, I have been a career nanny for over a decade with experience working with moms and postpartum. My knowledge of this ancient wisdom of Ayurveda allows me to bring a unique approach to your postpartum by focusing on nourishment, healing, rest, + bonding. My focus is to hold you so you can hold your baby. As we enter into this sacred journey together, know that my intention during every stage is done with the utmost reverence and respect for the art of bringing new life into the world, and I am merely a bystander in your new journey to motherhood. I am so looking forward to serving you.

Hi, I’m Colleen Anderson! As a Full-Spectrum Doula, Newborn Care Provider, Lactation Consultant, and founder of Colleen's Birth & Lactation Support, my passion is helping parents feel confident, supported and empowered throughout their journey into parenthood. Every family deserves care that meets them where they are whether that’s guidance through labor, support with breastfeeding, or practical advice for life with a newborn. My approach is rooted in partnership. I’m here to listen, cheer you on and provide the tools and encouragement you need to thrive. With years of experience in newborn care, postpartum support and parent education, I bring a compassionate, holistic perspective to every interaction, helping you build a strong foundation of love, confidence and care.

Hello, my name is Lelia Marino and I am a full spectrum doula, herbalist, and reiki practitioner located in Staten Island, New York. My motto is supporting you from womb to world, and I am dedicated to providing compassionate and holistic care for individuals and families during the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. As a full spectrum doula, I support individuals through all pregnancy outcomes, including abortion and miscarriage. I also incorporate herbalism and reiki into my practice to provide physical and emotional support for my clients. I am committed to creating a safe and empowering space for individuals and families to make informed decisions and have a positive birthing experience.

Her passion for childbirth began in her birthing her four children within five years and learning the amazing power of the mind, soul, and body in physiologic birth and thereafter. Becoming a DONA trained Doula has given her the professional skills and resources to help other birthing people and their partner(s) awaken and tune into this power. As your Doula, she is honored to hold space for you and meet you where you are along your reproductive journey. She will provide emotional, informational, and physical support and hold your hand as you learn to advocate for your preferences in what is the most personal and sacred time in your life. By encouraging you to feel confident, fully supported, in control of your choices, and well equipped with the tools and comfort measures, her goal is to help you optimize any path your birth takes. She especially wants to do all she can to educate the community about the power of birth support, increase access to these evidence based services, and work with BBIPOC and trans and queer birthing people who often experience trauma and inequitable care along their gestational journey. As a Latinx Doula, she is a strong proponent of reclaiming and honoring the cultural roots of birthing communities and their traditional practices. Elizabeth is bilingual in Spanish.

Hello! My name is Stacy, and I am a certified birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth educator located in Northern New Jersey. I love serving and supporting families as they prepare to welcome their bundle(s) of love! To that end, my husband and I work together as a Doula/Doulo team to prepare and support couples to parent/co-parent as a team. My background is in education, and birth work is a beautiful calling that wonderfully utilizes my passion to serve families, particularly in marginalized communities. In my spare time, I love gardening, water activities and sculpting.

I set out to become a birth doula over 25 years ago after becoming a massage therapist, but I put this career goal on hold until my children became adults. I finally achieved my goal and became certified as a birth doula this year. As a seasoned massage therapist, I offer a broad understanding of a person's physical and emotional needs, especially during this special time as you prepare your body for the birth of your baby.

Hi, I'm Taylor Clarke-Cameron, and I am beyond thrilled to begin this journey as a birth & post-partum doula! 🌟 While I may be relatively new to the world of birth-work, I bring over a decade of experience as a school administrator, nurturing and advocating for individuals and families. That same passion has inspired me to step into birth-work, where my mission is to ensure every birthing person feels informed, empowered, and supported throughout their journey. 🤍 Whether you're a single parent, part of a multicultural or multi-religious family, in the LGBTQIA+ community, or navigating the path of adoption, I am here for YOU. Birth is universal, yet every experience is uniquely yours—a wonder of the galaxy. 🌌 Let’s work together to create a birthing experience that is as strong, vital, and extraordinary as YOU are. 💪✨ 💌 DM me to learn more about how I can support you during this transformative time.

Michelle is the owner of Baby, Please Birth Services Agency located in NJ but with a team serving the metropolitan areas of (NY, PA & CT) as well as Baltimore. She is a certified Doula and certified Childbirth Educator teaching the Bradley Method ®, and her own Holistic Course expressly for The Birth Center of NJ of which she is the Doula Director. Michelle serves on the National Black Doula Association (NBDA) Advisory Board where she revised the doula training curriculum to enhance the needs of Black Doulas working in systemically racist environments. As a NBDA Doula Instructor and Doula Mentor she spends her time providing critical thinking skills for her students to be successful and competent in their fields. She is also a Poppy Seed Health Advocate supporting birthing persons virtually where access otherwise would not exist financially. In addition, she established the NJ Virtual Doula Program for Overlook Hospital by galvanizing over 40 local doulas to volunteer their time during the COVID crisis. Michelle recently cross-trained with DONA International to build on her expertise as an educator. She is co-founder of The NJ Birth Justice Collective and Board Chairperson of The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative fostering awareness to Black Breastfeeding Families and Infant Mortality. Michelle tirelessly works in the birth industry since 2005; helping over 450 families navigate their birthing spaces, offering training for birth professionals while ensuring birth justice through state and national initiatives, serving on non-profit boards and panels, enhancing the platform through blogs and podcasts. A mother of two wonderful children born by amazing natural birth experiences. She has been married for 26 years to an incredible man who shares her birth passion, he teaches childbirth education classes with her to share the partner perspective. Michelle empowers others by offering education, support and advocacy. Michelle is also a full time Chemical Engineer working for a German Based company. She holds degrees in Chemistry, Mathematics and Chemical Engineering.

Jaslyn is a compassionate and dedicated full-spectrum doula based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in healthcare and fertility support, she combines hands-on expertise with deep emotional support to guide families through the life-changing transition into parenthood. When she is isn't supporting families you can usually find Jaslyn working on her hobby of photography, simply curled up with her favorite fuzzy blanket watching horror movies or having a great time with her family and her partner. Raised by a strong single mother who navigated life with grit and grace, Jaslyn has a personal understanding of the challenges that many Black and Hispanic mothers face, especially when balancing family, career, and self-care. Her upbringing shaped her commitment to showing up with empathy, cultural awareness, and unwavering support in her doula practice. Jaslyn’s approach to care is rooted in empowerment, education, and advocacy. Her goal is to help you feel confident in your decisions, connected to your instincts, and supported as you find your voice as the parent of a new baby. She believes that informed choices are powerful, and that every parent deserves a safe, affirming space to explore what works best for their family. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating postpartum healing, or seeking support after fertility treatments or IVF, Jaslyn tailors her care to meet you exactly where you are. She supports all birth plans and parenting choices, and honors the unique dynamics of each family, always without judgment. Clients often describe her as intuitive, grounding, and deeply present. She sees her role as part guide, part steady hand, and part instruction manual; someone who’s there to ease the transition and make sure you feel seen, supported, and never alone. Jaslyn also offers sliding scale services to make doula care more accessible, and proudly supports all families, including single parents and blended families. She is CPR certified.

I’m a certified doula, childbirth educator & breastfeeding specialist. I am passionate about birth and looking to help moms experience a glorious push and motherhood journey. I am Haitian and love to incorporate holistic practices from my culture. I stay up to date with evidence based maternity knowledge and I’m big on educating my clients, informed consent and advocacy.

Hello, My name is Tyreema and I'm a Full Spectrum Doula here in Northern NJ.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based doula support for expectant families seeking an empowered and holistic birth experience. I specialize in prenatal education, continuous labor support, and postpartum care, ensuring that birthing individuals and their families feel informed, nurtured, and confident throughout their journey. My hope is to create a calm, supportive, and judgment-free space where families can embrace birth with trust, strength, and peace. Whether you desire hands-on comfort techniques, advocacy in a hospital setting, or emotional reassurance in your home birth, Ivy Haven Birthwork is dedicated to honoring your unique path to parenthood.

Hi, I’m Olga — a birth doula, birth photographer, and founder of YourCherish. I believe birth is not just a medical event, but a profound life transition. My work is grounded in emotional presence, calm confidence, and honoring each family's unique story. At YourCherish, we offer high-touch, holistic support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our approach combines practical guidance, emotional anchoring, and deeply intentional documentation — photography and video that captures the truth and beauty of your experience without disrupting the sacredness of it. Whether you're birthing in a hospital, at home, or somewhere in between, my role is to support your choices, help you feel safe and seen, and hold space for the unfolding of something truly unforgettable.

Simone has been holding space for expecting and postpartum families for over 10 years. Birth has a powerful way of healing and transforming you, and her first birth did just that. The ability to have 2 empowered births the way she wanted, gave light to the need for advocacy, education and doula support amongst the birthing community, especially black families. Simone is a mother, doula, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator and infant sleep educator. She has been teaching and mentoring doulas along the way and excited to dive deeper into holding the hands of the next generation of birth workers.

It was in 2019 that I interviewed my grandmother about her birthing experience, she told me about her mother, and how in the south at that time it was common to have a home birth, and your neighbors would serve as seasoned midwives and doulas. I felt called to this story, of your village coming to provide you with support and care at your most vulnerable. As a birth and postpartum doula, I have served over 100 families from all walks of life, offering calming, comforting support to them and their support system! I believe in providing physical, informational and emotional support to the families I work with. I meet every family I work with where they are in their journey and offer the kind of comfort and advocacy that is needed for a beautiful and holistic experience. My mission is to make sure you have the birth or postpartum experience you want, and to aim higher than safety

Hi! Welcome! My name is Anna, I am Certified Birth & Postpartum doula and Breastfeeding Counselor located in Brooklyn, New York. I am a mother of three beautiful children and My doula journey started over 8 years ago, after the birth of my middle child. I have supported over 100 birth since then and feel very honored to be invited into that sacred space.