Home Birth Doulas in Newark, NJ

These providers list home birth as a specialty. Compare profiles, read reviews from other families, and message the ones who feel like a fit.

97 Home Birth Doulas near Newark, NJ

Jen Ballew

Brooklyn, New York 11 years of experience

5.0 (3 reviews)

Jen Ballew Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in New York, last 60 days

Responds within a few hours

I'm Jen Ballew, a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator and pediatric sleep coach and the founder of The Parenthood Project USA. For over a decade I've helped exhausted families find real, sustainable rest, supporting more than 250 families along the way. My approach to sleep is warm, biology-first, and led by your child's nervous system, never cry-it-out or leaving a baby to cry alone. I work with everything from newborn sleep shaping in the early weeks to responsive coaching for older babies and toddlers, always building rhythms that fit your family rather than forcing a rigid method or anything not developmentally appropriate. My practice began in Southern California, where I spent ten years supporting local families through birth, postpartum, and sleep. Today the work is nationwide and fully virtual, and I'm expanding in person into New York City as I put down roots in Brooklyn. Wherever you are, my care can meet you there. My offerings reach across the whole journey into parenthood. Alongside sleep, I offer birth preparation through my program The Threshold, blending somatic practice, evidence-based education, and nervous system support, with a specialty in VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). My postpartum care supports recovery and the tender early weeks, including nourishing meal prep with healing foods rooted in traditional care, placenta encapsulation, and gentle postnatal bodywork. At the heart of it all, I believe bringing new life into the world is a profound rite of passage that deserves reverence, preparation, and care. I hold each family's path with deep respect, and I would be honored to walk alongside yours.

Recent review

My husband and I are so thankful to have worked with Jen through my first pregnancy. She worked with us through a series of educational sessions in our home which really worked for us. We were looking to get a hands-on learning experience to walk us through everything to expect for labor & delivery but really we got so much more. Yes, you will get insights on pregnancy, birth and postpartum but Jen gives you undivided support and care - it really feels like a personal journey. I felt comfortable being myself and sharing with her about my life and preferences which was crucial in creating my birth plan. Her sessions were so impactful. I recalled a lot of her key notes while I was in labor and was able to make decisions that felt right for me in the moment. Outside of this, my husband felt really confident and empowered in his role for me as well. I also found that everything she taught us on partner advocacy has gone beyond the delivery room and strengthened our relationship overall which has been a huge plus! It was amazing to have had her support and wealth of knowledge in preparation for the birth of my son. I highly recommend working with her if you’re looking to experience an informed, supported, and empowered journey!

- Francheska M.

Simone Toomer

Brooklyn, New York 15 years of experience

5.0 (8 reviews)

Simone Toomer Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in New York, last 60 days

Certification verified NPI verified Accepts insurance

I am a mom of 2, birth and postpartum doula, IBCLC, childbirth educator, infant and family educator and infant sleep educator. I have been supporting families in pregnancies, postpartum and through the first 5 years for almost 2 decades. I also train and mentor aspiring doulas and IBCLCs.

Recent review

I cannot say enough good things about Simone as our night doula and lactation consultant. From the moment she entered our home, she brought a sense of calm, compassion, and expertise that made an immediate difference in our postpartum experience. As a second-time mom navigating recovery, sleep deprivation, and feeding challenges, her presence was nothing short of a gift. She supported our entire family with such gentleness and professionalism. Her overnight care allowed us to get desperately needed rest, knowing our baby was in kind, capable hands. Her lactation guidance was equally invaluable. She offered evidence-based support with zero judgment—troubleshooting tummy issues, providing reassurance, and giving practical tools that worked. Thanks to her help, I went from overwhelmed and in pain to confident and empowered. I did not feel a bit of judgment when I chose to go from breastfeeding to formula due to my baby's tummy issues. She listened deeply, responded thoughtfully, and truly respected our parenting values. She didn’t just care for our baby—she cared for us. If you're looking for someone who is not only highly skilled but also emotionally attuned and reliable, I wholeheartedly recommend Simone. She’s an absolute gem and a vital part of our early parenting story.

- LeeAnne Thompson-Forte

Elyse Breit

Fanwood, New Jersey 6 years of experience

5.0 (24 reviews)

Elyse Breit

Responds within a few hours

As a birth doula based in central NJ, my practice is influenced by my experience as a massage therapist for over 30 years. I have broad understanding of the physical challenges facing pregnant and postpartum individuals. I’m certified as Body Ready Method™ professional to address body alignment issues during pregnancy, which can result in a more optimal labor and birth. I also teach an in-person Body Ready Birth™ workshop for birthers and their partners to practice labor positions that can ease the baby’s journey through the pelvis. I prepare my clients with tools to calm their nervous system and release their fears using Hypnobirthing meditations and breathing techniques. As an integral part of the birth team, I provide educational resources, in-person prenatal/postpartum visits and compassionate care during active labor and birth.

Recent review

I worked with Elyse when I was pregnant with my second child. I had a relatively uncomplicated labor/delivery with my first child but felt unprepared for the exhaustion brought on by labor. While my hope was to have an unmedicated labor and delivery, both my husband and I were so tired and overwhelmed that we opted for the epidural. For this second birth experience, I wanted a doula to help prepare my mind and body for labor and delivery so I could fulfill my desire of an unmedicated birth experience. From our first meeting, it was apparent Elyse is passionate about supporting women and their partners through pregnancy and childbirth. She made me and my husband feel comfortable and was always prepared with resources from evidence based sources to answer our questions. I felt confident in achieving my goals as the due date approached knowing we would have Elyse’s support for the birth. Ultimately, we had an unexpected home birth but Elyse met us at the hospital afterwards and offered her support in those first hours. She also visited me at home a few weeks after the birth and offered additional resources for breastfeeding and postpartum recovery. It was a pleasure working with her and it is clear she cares about her clients.

- Claire M.

Ashley Duran

New York, New York 6 years of experience

Ashley Duran

Accepts insurance

Hi Everyone, I'm Ashley, a Afro-Dominican & Puerto Rican mother to a 15 year old boy and a Certified Full Spectrum Doula and Lactation Counselor. Throughout my career, I have had the honor of supporting over 55 families and counting during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey, helping them navigate all the transitions of bringing new life into the world. My passion for supporting families during this transformative time began when I experienced the birth of my own child. I realized the profound impact a skilled and compassionate doula can have on ones birthing experience because although I wasn't able to have a doula for my birth, I was able to teach myself and those supporting me the role of a doula during birth, which allowed me to achieve all of my birth goals. Through this passion, I have dedicated myself to supporting families through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum in a way that is personalized, empowering, and non-judgmental. I believe in creating a safe and nurturing space that allows families to make informed decisions and feel supported throughout their process. My approach is grounded in evidence-based research and tailored to the needs of each family. I provide emotional, physical and advocacy support as well as evidence-based education and access to resources you may need to help encourage a positive and fulfilling birth and postpartum experience. I am committed to continuing my education and professional development to ensure that I am providing the most up-to-date and effective care possible. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or a birth center delivery and/or you're just looking for postpartum support, I am here to support you every step of the way. I look forward to the opportunity to help you achieve your ideal birth and postpartum experience.

Ally Swanson

Brooklyn, New York 5 years of experience

5.0 (1 review)

Ally Swanson

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.

Joan Sherwood

Brooklyn, New York 31 years of experience

5.0 (6 reviews)

Joan Sherwood

Responds within a few hours

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.

Letisha McFarlane Hadley

Englewood, New Jersey 4 years of experience

Letisha McFarlane Hadley

NPI verified

Welcome to Yes Doula! My name is Letisha McFarlane Hadley, and I am a DONA-trained Birth Doula, Bebo Mia trained Postpartum Doula, Certified Orgasmic Birth Practitioner, Mental Health First Aider and Co-Founder of Yes Doula, a New Jersey-based maternal wellness practice supporting families through both in-person and virtual care. My journey into birth work began at 21, when I supported my mother through her pregnancy and cesarean birth. Years later, I had the honor of supporting my sister through the births of my nieces. These experiences, along with my own three empowering and pleasurable births, sparked a deep calling to support other women and families through the transformative experience of birth. My perspective on birth shifted profoundly through the Orgasmic Birth Practitioner Program and Debra Pascali-Bonaro’s film, Orgasmic Birth: The Best Kept Secret. It became more clear to me, the powerful connection between birth, sensuality, love, and pleasure. This inspired me to share a different vision of birth: one that moves beyond fear and centers trust, connection, choice, and the body's innate wisdom. At Yes Doula, I believe every woman deserves to feel informed, supported, and empowered to make choices that reflect her needs and desires. Whether you are preparing for an unmedicated birth, a VBAC, an epidural-supported birth, or simply seeking a more connected and conscious birth experience, I am here to support you without judgment. I offer personalized in-person and virtual birth and postpartum support, meeting families where they are and providing care that fits their needs. From prenatal preparation and continuous labor support to newborn care guidance and the adjustment to life after birth, my goal is to help you feel supported throughout your journey. I also believe that partners deserve to be informed, included, and empowered. Through education, birth preparation, and partner support, I help families approach birth as a shared experience. How I Can Support You Birth Doula Support: ~Prenatal education, birth preparation, and personalized birth planning ~Emotional, physical, and informational support throughout labor and birth ~Comfort measures, breathing, movement, positioning, and relaxation techniques ~Support navigating your options and communicating your preferences ~Partner preparation and guidance Postpartum Doula Support: ~Emotional support and space to process your birth experience ~Newborn care guidance, including soothing, sleep, and daily rhythms ~Feeding support for breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding ~Practical, hands-on help as you settle into life with your baby ~Light household assistance related to baby care ~Support for partners and siblings as your family adjusts ~Help creating a calm, nurturing environment that encourages rest and recovery As a wife, mother of three, and lifelong caregiver, I understand that every birth and every family is unique. My approach is guided by the principles of Love, Pleasure, Experience, Trust, Support, and Knowledge. Every woman has a voice and a choice. Every woman deserves a safe and pleasurable birth. I would love to learn about you, your hopes for birth, and the kind of support your family needs. Book a Complimentary Discovery Call, and let's explore how we can work together. In-person and virtual clients are welcome.

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What parents are saying...

“I wish I knew about Bornbir sooner, as it's so important to surround yourself with experts who understand during those overwhelming moments and share evidence-based information.”

Kristen P.
San Francisco, CA

“I found my birth doula on Bornbir. After submitting my needs, I was able to connect with several awesome doulas that are within a local distance from me.”

Fiona G.
Austin, TX

“Bornbir is a powerful network. It makes connecting with maternal providers so much easier. It means supporting one another through this parenthood journey, no matter what stage you are in.”

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Orlando, FL