Melishe Ivey

Washington, District of Columbia

Melishe Ivey

12 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I am a Birth & Postpartum Doula, Educator & Perinatal Health Specialist, who comes from a powerful lineage of healers, birth workers, and medicine women. For over 10 years as a doula, educator, and health and wellness provider, I have provided support and continuity of care to women and families from preconception through childbirth, postpartum, and beyond.

Billie Abdullah

Washington, District of Columbia

Billie Abdullah

3 years of experience
Accepts insurances

My practice is inspired by the idea of radical liberation and justice. I center my service around centering marginalized identities and accepting whoever is open to sharing their journey with me. Entering the birth space with intention of radical joy, agency, and empowerment is what drives and motivates me as a birth worker. With these values in mind, I seek to offer care that embodies an environment of acceptance, affirmation, and protection from hate.

Chassis Hawkins-Younger

Washington, District of Columbia

Chassis Hawkins-Younger

6 years of experience

Hey there! I'm Chas & I'm a full spectrum doula, a certified perinatal nutrition educator, & a personal chef of 10+ years. This supportive service was created in memory of my son Anthony. My mission is to provide physical, emotional, mental, educational, & nutritional support to parents by supporting with a mix of humility, heart, facts, and food.

deborah galvao

Washington, District of Columbia

5.0 (5 reviews)

deborah galvao

4 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello, I’m Deborah Galvao, a dedicated and experienced birth and postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and perinatal educator based in the DMV area. Over the past two years, I’ve had the honor of supporting families through one of life’s most transformative journeys. My philosophy is rooted in creating a calm, informed, and nurturing environment for parents and their newborns. I believe every family deserves personalized care, whether it’s guiding them through childbirth, supporting recovery during the postpartum period, or offering education to build confidence in their parenting journey. My approach is inclusive, embracing all family structures, including LGBT families and those navigating surrogacy or IVF. I’m here to empower you with evidence-based resources, hands-on care, and a deep commitment to your well-being—helping you transition into parenthood with confidence and ease. To get faster answers please text my #

Recent review

Deborah was an incredible support during the newborn phase with my twins. She brought calm, expertise, and so much care into our home. She helped us with routines, feeding, and soothing, and made sure I could rest and recover. Truly patient, professional, and wonderful with babies — I’m so grateful for her and highly recommend her to any family, especially twin parents. we occasionally still use her services even 4 years later

- Lauren Y.

Yakkell Lavender

Washington, District of Columbia

Yakkell Lavender

6 years of experience

I provide birthing bodies with positive and compassionate support throughout their birth experience while empowering them to lead healthy lives.

Theodora Amissah

Washington, District of Columbia

Theodora Amissah

8 years of experience

Greetings, I’m Theodora! I’m a first generation Ghanaian-American postpartum doula serving families in Washington, DC and parts of Northern Virginia. I trained as a full-spectrum doula and started my doula practice in Brooklyn, NYC in 2018. Since then I have supported birthing and postpartum women, people, and their families on their journeys in Richmond, Virginia and now in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. My doula practice is also shaped by my West African background. I come from a big Ghanaian family and diaspora community, where community care is how we care for each other through life’s transitions, especially birth and postpartum. I provide culturally-rooted and affirming postpartum education, support, and nourishing services and products to birthing and postpartum people. I have several postpartum packages I offer, so that you can find the right fit for you and your family. A portion of all my services and products supports black and brown and immigrant women/birthing people and their families across the spectrum of their reproductive needs to have safe, dignified, and loving reproductive experiences. I look forward to hearing how I can join your team of care to provide a nourishing and supported postpartum journey!

Mel Andrade

Washington, District of Columbia

5.0 (2 reviews)

Mel Andrade

8 years of experience

Hi! I’m Mel, a full-spectrum doula, lactation peer counselor, and student midwife based in the DMV and supporting Florida birthing mamas and birthing people as well. With lived experience in both a cesarean and a VBAC/home birth, along with six years of herbal training, I integrate evidence-based care, trauma-informed support, and holistic traditional practices. I attend all births and prioritize improving outcomes for Black birthers through clear guidance and informed decision-making. My goal is to help families navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding with confidence, accurate information, and consistent advocacy. Birth should be calm, peaceful, and empowering no matter which turn it takes. When I'm not being a doula, I'm being a chef ♡

Recent review

Best support system a mom could ask for. Really love and appreciate this woman for supporting me and my family during this special time. She is a real gem ❤️❤️ thank you for helping me welcome my son into this world. Encouraging me during birth and making the whole experience pleasurable and peaceful 🙏🏾❤️

- Joy C.

Jenn Brazelton

Washington, District of Columbia

Jenn Brazelton

11 years of experience

I serve the Greater Washington DC area to include Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, as a Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Enneagram coach and Placenta Encapsulator. My main focus is to support families to prepare and experience their best possible birth and minimize fear.

Esthanette Reid

Washington, District of Columbia

Esthanette Reid

6 years of experience

Hi, I’m Esthanette (Es tuh net), and thank you for considering having me as a part of your journey! I’m a trained full-spectrum doula. All that means is that I can support you during the prenatal, labor, birth, and postnatal period. I want to ensure that you receive evidence-based information to make informed decisions about your care. I want to help equip you with the tools not only to navigate your birth space and care but tools to help you feel prepared after your baby comes earthside. My goal is to work with you to provide nonjudgmental, embracing, educational, intimate, and personalized care throughout your journey. I’m ready to embrace you and welcome you to my doula family. I embrace birthing people and their families in the DC Metro Area (virtually and in-person), Atlanta Metro (virtually and in-person), and across the nation (virtually).

Brittani Gates

Washington, District of Columbia

Brittani Gates

3 years of experience

Hello all, I am Brittani Gates a BEST certified birth doula. I am currently serving the DMV area. I am a current Maternal Child Health MPH student and am passionate about maternal everything! My goal as doula is to support my clients in the pursuit of their best possible birth. That may seem rather ambiguous but everyone has different desires and expectations; accordingly, I support them all. In my free time I enjoy music, books, and trying different restaurants. Congratulations on this amazing journey. I leave you with this: With my support and your intuition, there is nothing we can’t do(ula)!

Traequanda Brock

Washington, District of Columbia

5.0 (1 review)

Traequanda Brock

5 years of experience

My name is Traequanda Brock and my interest in birth and postpartum doula work came about during my graduate studies in the social work program. I have been in the social work field since 2011 and graduated from Howard University with my Master of Social Work degree. I have always been passionate about equity, especially for those who are marginalized. I learned of the disparity among black women/black birthing persons and the rate at which they weren’t surviving due to birth related complications, that are completely preventable when given the right care. As I learned the huge impact doulas could have on the life of black women/black birthing persons, I knew where my calling was leading me. I am trained through the National Black Doula Association as a birth and postpartum doula. I know that my purpose is to be of service to others and that so happens to be in this field. My interest is for birthing persons to get back in touch with their bodies and all that it can do. This looks like, trusting yourselves and tapping into your intuition, nurturing your mind, body, and soul; with the nutrients you feed it, exercise, meditation, ancestral traditions; as well as leaning on your supports through this beautiful experience.

Recent review

Traequanda was my doula. She was excellent from beginning to end. She kept my partner and I well informed, was intentional, and patient. Traequanda is a gem.

- Natalie R.

Samantha Dandridge

Washington, District of Columbia

Samantha Dandridge

7 years of experience

Hi! I’m Samantha. Certified birth and postpartum doula located in the DMV. I am also currently a student midwife. I LOVE everything birth!! I believe that birth should be your way and every person should be informed to make the best decisions for you and baby. I create a judgement free zone for both birthers and support persons while fully supporting educationally, physically and emotionally. During my free time I am finding new adventures with my girls and husband. I’m also a dance teacher and high school cheerleading coach.

Gina Valo

Washington, District of Columbia

5.0 (14 reviews)

Gina Valo

5 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello and congrats! I'm Gina Valo, a certified labor doula (Childbirth International and ProDoula) and the founder of BirthingKind. My role as a doula is to make sure you have access to the information, resources, and support you need to feel comfortable and confident throughout your pregnancy and birth experience. Our philosophy is simple: Your Body. Your Baby. Your Birth. My practice is rooted in evidence-based information, which serves as critical foundation for informed decision-making. I lean heavily on my academic and professional background in healthcare data to stay up to date on the latest research in maternal health. Before becoming a doula I worked as a healthcare technology executive and White House Presidential Innovation Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. I earned a Master of Management in Clinical Informatics from the Duke University School of Medicine and a B.A. in Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan. I like to balance research and data with a healthy dose of empathy and emotional intelligence so that we can arrive at decisions that work best for you. I would love the opportunity to meet you and see if we’re a fit.

Recent review

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Gina and I was so incredibly lucky and thankful to have her present at the birth of my daughter. As a nurse midwife myself, I have worked with a large number of doulas and Gina is truly one of the best doulas I have ever worked with in my career. From not only supporting me physically through my unmedicated vaginal delivery (I don’t know that I would have made it without her incredible hip squeezes). Gina made a point to remember that my husband also needed support (he’s a little squeamish haha). Her ability to take care of not only the birthing person, but the entire family made Gina such a valuable member of my team. And then when complications arose and I was bleeding more than normal, Gina was the most incredible advocate. Checking in with the medical team to ask when I would be re-evaluated and when the MDs were coming into the room, which allowed me and my husband to continue to bond with the baby. And ultimately, when I ended up in the operating room, Gina stayed with my husband and newborn, so that he was not left alone with a new baby and a wife in the OR, which I know was an absolute necessity to keep him calm and at peace. Gina was by my side for almost 12 hours, never taking a break, and did not end up leaving the hospital until almost 3AM when me, my baby, and my husband were all safe and sound. Hiring Gina was the best decision I made during this pregnancy, and I don’t know how I would have emotionally survived this delivery without her.

- Maariya B.

Rachel Carbonneau

North Bethesda, Maryland

Rachel Carbonneau

16 years of experience

I can't remember a time when I was not passionate about family issues, and particularly family health. I had my first child at a young age, and found the perinatal landscape entirely bewildering. Mostly alone, I had no idea what was happening to me and my baby, or how to provide for him once he was born (and later, when he was quite sick). The experience strengthened my desire to support others who find themselves similarly lost at the hands of an impersonal medical institution. ​ ​​ I am committed to helping families access evidence-based information for informed decision-making, and to helping improve the birth experience for all families. I serve families of all types, and I specialize in trauma-informed care, bereavement support, disability advocacy, and neurodivergence, Additionally, I am conversant in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language (ASL). The journey into familyhood should be a time of joy, love, and familial and community support. I founded Family Ways with the intention to help bring such an experience to any individual and family who wants and needs it, and to strengthen the family bond—no matter what shape the family takes. I am honored to have been able to share in the lives of so many beautiful families, if for just this one crucial moment.

Leslie Welsh

Washington, District of Columbia

Leslie Welsh

3 years of experience

I am in the process of certifying as a full-spectrum doula through Doula Trainings International. After ten years as a high school teacher in Washington, DC, I am excited for a change. After witnessing a friend's birth and tending to a loved one in the hospital, I realized that doula work was calling to me. The skills (patience, calmness, humor) I learned as a teacher support me as a doula, and allow me to support you through birth and early parenthood.

Andrane Gordon

Temple Hills, Maryland

Andrane Gordon

8 years of experience

Hello Bestie, My name is Ms Nay and I am a Christian based Full spectrum doula. I provide emotional, physical, informational and spiritual support to individuals and families throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and early postpartum period. What drove me to become a doula is watching my sisters receive prenatal care that was concerning so I wanted to be apart of the change apart of affordable luxury care for families of different financial backings but receiving care that stands out. To have a support bestie who is resourceful and passionate about reproductive care. I offer a wide range of services, including education, advocacy, comfort measures, photographs and guidance to help ensure a positive birth experience and smooth transition into parenthood.

Iman Fowosere

Washington, District of Columbia

Iman Fowosere

12 years of experience

Hello! I'm Iman, and for the past decade, I've had the honor of being present at over 100 births as a doula. I specialize in offering holistic support to families in their reproductive journey through doula support. My mission is to support you in creating a safe and nurturing space for you to feel empowered, heard, and supported every step of the way.

Scarlett Rosas

Silver Spring, Maryland

Scarlett Rosas

10 years of experience

Hi! I’m Scarlett — birth & postpartum doula, lactation specialist, infant sleep trainer, and mom-friend you didn’t know you needed. I help all parents survive (and even enjoy) the beautiful chaos that comes after baby arrives. From soothing witching-hour meltdowns to figuring out breastfeeding, bottles, or why your newborn thinks 2am is party time—I’ve got you. But my care isn’t just for the baby—I’m here for you, too. Whether it’s helping you rest, listening when it’s hard, supporting your mental health, or reminding you to eat something that isn’t a granola bar, I show up with heart, humor, connection, and presence. When I’m off duty and not busy baby whispering, you can find me baking something sweet, discovering new food spots, road-tripping with my daughter, or blasting the perfect song with the windows down—pretending I’m a DJ on the best set of my life.

Shanaée Walker

Port Tobacco, Maryland

5.0 (1 review)

Shanaée Walker

5 years of experience

Hello. My name is Shanaée Walker, proud owner of Rooted in Birth located in the DMV area. I’m a certified birth and postpartum doula with specialized experience supporting twin pregnancies and families welcoming premature infants. I’m also a certified placenta encapsulation specialist and a trained newborn care specialist, offering comprehensive, evidence-based support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. As a military spouse and a mom of three, I understand the importance of adaptability, compassion, and strong support systems. My passion is walking alongside families during one of life’s most transformative seasons, providing calm, informed, and nurturing care every step of the way.

Recent review

Our experience with Shanaée was everything we were hoping for and more. She supported us before, during, and after birth. Before birth, she met with us to create our birth plan and to answer our burning questions as our due date neared. She followed our lead at every step And listened authentically, making sure that our birth plan felt like “ours” while also guiding us towards questions and topics we didn’t know to ask! When I was induced 3 weeks early, Shanaée brought a sense of calm and direction to navigating contractions with movement, counter pressure, and distraction (hello birth comb, my best friend) techniques. She worked seamlessly with our medical team, serving as amplification for my voice when needed (always following my lead and my wishes as they changed throughout my unexpected induction process). She even supported the first latch after birth! She came over the day after we returned from the hospital with postpartum support, a listening ear, and an extra set of hands to guide us in starting off on the right foot! I highly recommend Shanaée, she will forever be one of the main reasons I will look back on my birth experience and feel empowered rather than helpless, and brave rather than scared.

- Katy B.

Vanessa Hanible

Washington, District of Columbia

Vanessa Hanible

10 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Since 2015, I have served clients as a Birth and Postpartum Doula. In 2021, I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I have served over 80 clients having vaginal births after caesarean (VBAC)  planned/unplanned C-sections, vaginal medicated and unmedicated births. I assisted close to 150 families as a postpartum doula, helping them adjust to parenthood with daytime or nighttime visits. I love assisting at births but the greatest joy for me is postpartum work. Families are under prepared for the changes that come during the first 3 months after birth. Having a guide makes the 4th trimester much smoother.