Kristen Penner

New York, New York

Kristen Penner

3 years of experience

Doula work found me after my own pregnancy and birth journey. I know how unexpected and sometimes frightening bringing a new life into this world can be and I want to help guide expecting parents on that path and through an empowering birth.

Denise Bolds MSW, Ed.D, CD(DONA), CLC, CBE

New York, New York

Denise Bolds MSW, Ed.D, CD(DONA), CLC, CBE

13 years of experience

Certified birth Doula, DONA International, CLC, childbirth educator, supporting high-risk pregnancies: VBACS, Advanced maternal age & more. Certified lactation counselor, placenta encapsulation services. Childbirth Instructor. Supporting Hospital and birth center births. Supporting NYC and Northern New Jersey. 12 years and 325 births of experience. I am a Black birthworker. Carrot Certified Provider

Zen Holmes

New York, New York

Zen Holmes

9 years of experience

Zen Holmes is the founder of Comfy Momma Prenatal and Postpartum Support and offers doula services, lactation counseling, prenatal massage, prenatal yoga and guided meditations aimed at reducing fear and preparing the mind/body to relax during childbirth. She also offers childbirth education, newborn care and breastfeeding classes. Zen is a Midwifery Assistant and a Midwifery Student at Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery. Zen is a DONA certified birth doula and a Carriage House Birth trained postpartum doula. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a Certified Integrative Lactation and Feeding Specialist (ILFS). Zen received her certification as an Evidence Based Birth Instructor and offers to most up to date research in her classes. She is also trained in hypnobirthing and mindfulness. She uses visualizations, massage and sound therapy to help laboring moms feel grounded, relaxed and confident during the birthing process. Zen Holmes has been a NYS licensed massage therapist, specializing in prenatal and medical massage for 20 years. She is also a Reiki practitioner. She has 3 pregnancy massage certifications (MotherMassage, Loving Pregnancy Massage, and Bodywork for the Childbearing. She is also a proud mother of 5 amazing adults.

Carolynn Soba

New York, New York

5.0 (1 review)

Carolynn Soba

2 years of experience

As a current c-section mom of 2 under 2, I want to bring happiness, joy and education to new and seasoned mothers. I love to provide a judgement-free zone to parents of all kinds and strive for success. I currently live with my husband and daughters in The Bronx, NY. In my free-time I love to be outdoors, study astrology, and cook. I’m excited to connect with you!

Recent review

Carolynn was a such a HUGE help during our first week home with our baby girl. She came in with the calmest energy (even when we were a mess tbh), made sure I was eating, resting, and not losing my mind, and somehow always knew what both my sweetie and I needed. She helped me with breastfeeding, newborn care, and more. And yes, I actually got to nap… She was supportive, kind, funny, and zero judgment. Idk how we would’ve made it through that first week without her. We saw her a few times after that until we felt comfy to take on the world as a new family.

- Ashley G.

Misty Gant

Brooklyn, New York

Misty Gant

6 years of experience

Misty is a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula (via DONA and Lifespan Doulas) as well as a Certified Lactation Counselor, a Certified Hypnobabies Doula, Newborn Care Specialist and an Integrative Wellness Coach. She approaches each stage of pregnancy and postpartum with a holistic mindset. Misty strives to provide her clients with a warm and supportive space, along with tools to instill confidence, while they navigate this new phase of motherhood. She is also a trained Spinning Babies doula and yoga instructor.

Danielle Wachter

New York, New York

Danielle Wachter

3 years of experience

I am passionate about helping people have a positive pregnancy and birth experience. I believe that with the right support and team, pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be a special and memorable experience. My background is in statistics and technology, so I'm excited about supporting birthing people with research-backed and evidence-based recommendations in addition to emotional and intuitive support. I live in New York City with my husband and our 15-year-old Yorkie, Mercedes.

Ansar Muhammad

New York, New York

Ansar Muhammad

5 years of experience

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

MaternityWise Institute

New York, New York

5.0 (1 review)

MaternityWise Institute

24 years of experience

MaternityWise has been through an evolution since it's inception back in 2002. What began as a private doula practice quickly became a training opportunity for those who sought out a more balanced approach to maternity care support than what was available, which at the time were only two other organizations specifically training doulas. The discrepancies between what was available to women (either very pro-conventional medicine, or very anti-conventional medicine) led to the development of a comprehensive, standardized curriculum that could be moulded and used internationally. MaternityWise is unique in that we are the only Internationally recognized organization that holds such a standard. Our curriculum is based on whole-earth practices and "pure information". What this means is that while you will learn what is practiced locally in your country and community, you will also learn what the rest of the world is doing and how to incorporate that wisdom to challenge the status quo and bring improvements to maternity care everywhere. ​ "Pure Information" is a term we use to categorize the knowledge we share as an organization. It is pure, because no one profits from this information. We use intuitive wisdom blended with logic where science fails to provide answers. It is our favorite thing when science "proves" what we already know in our hearts to be true, as women and as mothers. ​ In 2017, MaternityWise International was re-born as The MaternityWise Institute. We remain an international, board-certifying organization providing education and credentials for labor and postpartum doulas as well as lactation support people. This is the year we also introduced the MaternityWise Educator program and the first of it's kind EpiDoula Program, training labor support companions how to decrease cesareans in mothers who have an epidural. ​ As MaternityWise Institute International grows, it continues this new chapter of excellence, with diverse leadership, continued educational enhancement and a premier mentoring program. What we have learned from the past and from participating in other programs around the globe, we are using to meet the real needs of our students so that MWI can become a standard to follow by all maternal health education programs out there! Our premier programs, and forward momentum, developing unique education to meet the ever-changing needs of the birthing family sets us apart. We invite you to join with us to change the birthing world!

Recent review

I LOVE MWI! From the affordable prices, the super kind community, the amazing education, I can't recommend this organization enough. Not only this but they have payment plans, mentorship and more

- Cheylah B.

Rajah Ferdinand

Brooklyn, New York

Rajah Ferdinand

2 years of experience

Hi! I’m Rajah Ferdinand — a newly trained birth and postpartum doula based in NYC. I’ve completed certified postpartum doula training through A.N.E.W. Village at Kingsborough Community College, and I’m deeply passionate about helping families feel supported, informed, and truly cared for throughout birth and the early days of parenting. I offer a calm, nurturing presence, whether you need hands-on newborn care, emotional support, help with healing after birth, or a steady voice during labor. As a doula, my focus is on you — your voice, your choices, and your peace of mind. I’m currently accepting clients at sliding-scale rates as I grow my experience. If you’re looking for nonjudgmental, culturally aware, and affirming care, I’d love to connect with you and support your journey.

Kay Bee

Brooklyn, New York

Kay Bee

6 years of experience

Heyy! My name is Kaybee and I am a certified holistic birth and postpartum doula, certified lactation counselor, child birth educator, advanced newborn care specialist and certified new parent educator. I also provide perinatal nutrition guidance. I service New York City and Jersey City I am originally from St.Vincent and the Grenadines and I am a Garifuna descendent. I offer a mix of my ancestral and cultural roots blended with evidence-based support. I primarily support advanced maternal age clients, high risk pregnancies, bariatric clients and vbac. I've also supported c-section births & low intervention birth. Additionally I offer postpartum day/night time support, live-in postpartum support and lactation support. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Jade Newkirk

Montclair, New Jersey

5.0 (11 reviews)

Jade Newkirk

13 years of experience

Jade is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and mother. She brings years of experience, compassion, and a deep respect for the transformative journey of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Jade takes an evidence-based, inclusive approach to perinatal care. She does not subscribe to one “right” way to give birth — instead, she supports all types of births and all families, whether that includes unmedicated labor, pain medication, cesarean birth, home birth, or hospital birth. Her goal is to help each family feel informed, respected, and empowered in their decisions. She is deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices in the birth space and works collaboratively with healthcare providers to ensure that care is respectful, culturally sensitive, and centered around the needs and preferences of each birthing person. Jade offers a wide range of services to support families through every stage of the perinatal experience, including: Holistic Lamaze Childbirth Education Classes “Breathing for Birth” Childbirth Prep Workshops In-home Prenatal & Postpartum Lactation Support Customized Newborn Care Classes Prenatal and Postnatal Support for Families Doula Mentorship In addition to her work with families, Jade is the Doula Program Director at Montclair B.A.B.Y., where she collaborates with her partner Kelli DeFlora to bring high-quality, nurturing, and educational programming to new and expectant families in the community.

Recent review

Before I went to Jade's childbirth class at Montclair BABY, I had never heard of a doula. Her class was holistic of all the options during labor and delivery, and my husband and I felt like Jade could be the perfect support person to ease my anxiety during pregnancy and labor. We were absolutely right. Jade offered continuous comfort and information for me throughout my pregnancy. She is extremely knowledgeable and thorough and gave advice for things I hadn't even considered. Being someone who has always been terrified of childbirth, Jade eased my anxiety leaps and bounds. We prepared for it beforehand, but once I went into labor, Jade supported us over the phone and at my home before we went to the hospital. My birth went from something that I used to fear, to something I now look back on with fond memories (I think that's a wild transformation) and I truly credit a lot of that to Jade. She was an advocate for me at the hospital, she rarely left my side except when I needed alone time with my husband, and she encouraged me. She worked cooperatively with the rest of the birth team. Dare I say birth was actually a little fun? I whole heartedly recommend Jade as a doula and would love to have her at my future births. There really aren't enough words to describe how grateful I am for her.

- Jen D.

Astrid Hufnagel

Montclair, New Jersey

Astrid Hufnagel

10 years of experience

When I had my "Little Prince" (Finn), and became involved in the birth world, I realized that I found a calling! Working with families through their pregnancies, and helping them embrace the new phase of life after birth, brings me much joy and satisfaction. I have a creative side, with a passion for photography. I also have a love for travel and exploring the outdoors. My experiences with my boys have made me attune to the struggles one can endure in pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period. I am a researcher at heart and am extremely resourceful. If I don’t know an answer, I am confident that with some time and research I can come back to a situation with various angles and options to help families navigate this new and exciting time in their lives. I look forward to being a part of your journey!

Antasia Mccray

New York, New York

5.0 (3 reviews)

Antasia Mccray

4 years of experience

I am a mother to a 5 year old and have loved children since I was a child myself. I have always been someone who enjoys helping people. I started on the path towards nursing, earning my Associate’s degree in Fall of 2022. After mostly completing my degree in summer of 2022, I realized my personality wouldn't shine in nursing. I am more empathetic and personable, which lead me to becoming a doula. I started with birth doula in August and it opened my eyes to my passion for birthwork. Shortly after, I took the postpartum doula workshop. That led me to also taking infant CPR, and earning a certified lactation support counselor as well. I am looking forward to sitting for the Lamaze CBE exam Fall of 2023. I have worked with families both prior to these certifications and currently and I can’t wait to explore and learn more

Recent review

Antasia was an incredible support for my husband and I when we needed overnight care for our newborn. After interviewing many people, we had been turned off by those who were strict about their approach and seemed to want to impose their practices on our family. As new parents, we needed tenderness and flexibility—someone who would care for our son at night and allow us to sleep peacefully knowing our son was safe and being tended to the way we choose to raise him. Antasia was a calm and responsive presence, working with us to adapt to changes as our newborn developed and we grew as parents. She was always on time and communicated proactively in the rare instance there was a scheduling issue. At the start of every visit she asked us what changed and what was new, which was helpful as newborns change on a weekly basis and so did our approach. We were always at peace knowing Antasia was coming. I also was able to recover from insomnia due to Antasia’s presence and my confidence in her to look after our child while we slept. Our only regret was not meeting her sooner so we could have had her with our family on day 1 coming home from the hospital.

- Ruani R.

Christina Crosland

New York, New York

5.0 (1 review)

Christina Crosland

11 years of experience

Hi, My name is Christina. C I am a Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Consultant & Placenta Encapsulator. I’m here to assist women and families during pregnancy, birth & postpartum. I started my birthwork journey in 2016. I have had the pleasure of being a part of 80+ births and assisting 69 families with specifically 4th-trimester support thus far on my Journey. I have always been empowered by the strength and inner power of our women and the beauty of birth since I was a young child. This is why I became a professional Birthworker, Or as many call it a “Doula”. Every woman deserves to have support through the monumental changes & transitions of pregnancy, birth & postpartum. I'm here to guide, educate, and assist you with the Journey. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Your Doula Chrissy.

Recent review

Christina came into our lives when we found out we were expecting shortly after me an my spouse were married. As first time parents we had no idea what expect or do especially because we relocated to a state an city with no family or friends near. Christina educated us in ways we wouldn't expect an prepared us for the most challenging yet beautiful experience to come. She was my Birth and Post-partum Doula she assisted us up until our daughter Mila was 4 months old. Thank You Christina ❤️

- Ashley B.

Rachel Andre

Brooklyn, New York

Rachel Andre

8 years of experience

Hi! I’m Rachel (she/they). Although I have been a witness and sometimes an active participant in births since a very young age, I’ve been working as a trained birth and postpartum doula since June 2018 and have supported 250+ families throughout the NYC area. I am a certified lactation support counselor, integrative lactation and baby feeding specialist, a trained lactation educator, doula mentor, placenta specialist and currently obtaining clinical hours at Jamaica Hospital to become an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). My philosophy is simple - there is no wrong way to birth as long as your choices and decisions through the journey are being heard and respected. In working together, I hope to co-create the vision for how you would like to feel during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; helping you move through this time building confidence in your ability to decide what feels right for you. My style is rooted in mindfulness; working with the tools we already have to help us stay grounded and present in the moment. I have been a Brooklyn resident since 2004 and live one block away from Prospect Park with my child, Simone, and dogs, Elfie and Gyda. I have a BFA in Studio Art from Hunter, own a recurve bow, have a depth of knowledge in native new york plants and study herbalism. I am a LGBTQIA2S+ friendly doula - gender affirming care matters to me!

Aniyah Talbert

Franklin Township, New Jersey

5.0 (3 reviews)

Aniyah Talbert

3 years of experience

Hello, my name is Aniyah Talbert. My business is named Tiny Miracles. I am a Birth and Postpartum Doula located in Somerset, New Jersey. My background primarily is in early childhood education and development. And now shifting into social work. My practice tries provides you with emotional support, tools to help advocate for yourself, and an overall sense of community. I aim to help you create a peaceful birthing experience and postpartum experience.

Recent review

Aniyah provided services for me when I gave birth to my son. She was very attentive to my needs and helped to keep me calm during my delivery. When I went into labor she dropped what she was doing to be by my side and checked on me every day until I was discharged. She was the absolute best and I highly recommend!

- Amira T.

Christine Becerra

Caldwell, New Jersey

1.0 (1 review)

Christine Becerra

7 years of experience

Hi, I’m Christine! Throughout my six pregnancies and three births, I learned how vital it is to have a strong support system through each step and event. Every family looks different but something we all have in common is the need for unwavering guidance during some of life’s most vulnerable times. My intention is for you to feel confident and ready for all that is to come! To help you do so, I will offer up-to-date knowledge and full support of your wishes. I wholeheartedly believe that you should be able to make your experience your own and trust your body. You might be worried about all the changes to come or feel unprepared, but I want to help give you all the tools you need to feel ready. My goal is to help you reach YOUR goals, whatever they may be. I believe in being my clients ally through every path and take great pride in being Your Family Doula.

Ally Swanson

Brooklyn, New York

5.0 (1 review)

Ally Swanson

5 years of experience

I am a certified birth doula and a postpartum doula based out of Brooklyn. I'm passionate about providing my clients safe, respectful, loving, and equitable care throughout their journey to meeting their new baby. I am here to offer a sense of stability and comfort as I support you through your unique experience whether that's in a hospital setting, birth center, or the comfort of your home. I focus on supporting clients to have all the information and referrals they could need so that they can make informed decisions for what's best for them and their family. I also work to hold a nonjudgmental space of emotional and physical support for you and your partner, if you have one, during labor and delivery. I believe it is every person's right to have an empowered and gentle birth experience and I am here to protect and cultivate that space for you. I aim to prioritize queer and marginalized communities. Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Recent review

I was so happy to have Ally by my side for the delivery of my son! Our prenatal sessions with super informative and made me feel prepared and confident going in to the birth process. Most of all, I deeply appreciated Ally's peaceful, intuitive, and positive nature throughout my labor. That is exactly what I needed most leading up to and during birth. I have a lot of great memories around my birth, attributed largely to the support and environment that Ally helped create throughout the whole process. I highly recommend hiring Ally as a doula. Their care was so crucial for my family. Our OB and nurses also commented on how nice it was to have them there with us during birth!

- Isabela G.

Janiele Davy

Brooklyn, New York

Janiele Davy

9 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi, I am certified postpartum/birth doula and certified breast feeding specialist located in Brooklyn, NYC. I serve Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. Birth and postpartum can be enjoyed once you have the support and education that you need. The way I practice is to creates a judgement free environment for all parents seeking emotional and educational support. When I am not working I enjoy cycling, cooking (trying new recipes) spending time with my family traveling and reading. As a way to give back to the community I offer my doula services at a free and low cost to qualifying persons.

Megan Davidson

Brooklyn, New York

Megan Davidson

22 years of experience

I am one of the most experienced doulas in the country, having supported nearly 700 families in birth and over 1600 families prenatally and postpartum. I am also the author of Your Birth Plan: A Guide to Navigating All of Your Choices in Childbirth. I'd love to speak with you more about your plans and my services.