Shantel Taylor

Brentwood, New York

Shantel Taylor

7 years of experience

As the founder and CEO of Doula S.M.I.L.E., my heart is dedicated to supporting and uplifting families during one of life’s most transformative experiences. I am a trained birth and postpartum doula through DONA International and a Certified Lactation Counselor. My goal is to help you achieve the birth and postpartum experience you’ve always dreamed of, surrounded by warmth and understanding.

Sarina Harty

Peekskill, New York

Sarina Harty

4 years of experience
Accepts insurances

As a birth and postpartum doula, I am honored to share my story with you. My commitment to supporting and empowering families during the transformative experience of childbirth is deeply rooted in my own origin story. I am originally from Laredo, Texas, a city on the Texas-Mexico border. Raised in Mexican-American upbringings, I grew up on the frontera, minutes from the border. I moved to New York City in 2009 to attend New York University’s Steinhardt’s School Counseling and Guidance program. After living in Manhattan and Queens, I moved to the suburbs, Peekskill, NY in 2020. My birth and postpartum doula journey began during 2022 when I recognized the need for comprehensive, inclusive and compassionate support for expectant parents. Drawing from my personal birth experience as a woman of color, a mother and extensive knowledge as a certified doula, I set out to create a space that celebrates the beauty and strength of childbirth. Thus, Mariposa Doula Care was born in 2022. Outside of my doula work, I am an avid advocate for immigration, holding space for the BIPOC community and dedicating time to community education. My devotion to fostering a positive birthing experience extends to empowering families with knowledge and resources, ensuring they embark on their parenting journey with confidence. When not immersed in the world of birth and postpartum care, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter and discovering new outdoor spots in Westchester County. I aim to provide doula care to all families, all backgrounds including but not limited to: BIPOC, single parents, LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent families.

Megan Mendoza

Darien, Connecticut

Megan Mendoza

5 years of experience

My name is Megan Mendoza, I’m a birth doula and am passionate about educating birthing people and helping them learn about their options when it comes to childbirth and postpartum. I have an incredible husband, David. Together we have two amazing and very energetic little boys Grover and August, and a sweet heart of a dog Lola. As a family we love to hike and travel as much as we can. While I was pregnant with our second (August) we traveled full time in a school bus converted into a tiny house. This is when I really found my voice to advocate for myself. Everyone thought (and told us several times!) that we were crazy for having a young toddler and expanding our family while we didn’t have a "typical" house. But I knew that it was possible and that I was going to have the birth I had dreamed about. A few months later I was able to have an empowered V-BAC birth. Through this experience I discovered my love for helping women find their own voices and to help advocate for themselves to have the empowered births they desire, whatever that may be.

Gavin Outlaw

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gavin Outlaw

6 years of experience

My name is G, and I’m the heart behind Little Brown Doula—a Philadelphia-based, full spectrum doula service rooted in love, lived experience, and radical care. I’m an African American mother of three, an artist, and a dedicated preconception, birth and postpartum guide for families navigating every stage of the reproductive journey. As a full spectrum doula, I provide compassionate, culturally grounded support through fertility, pregnancy, birth, loss, and postpartum transitions. I believe every birthing person deserves to feel seen, safe, and sovereign in their choices. My work is deeply personal—because I’ve been there. I honor the power of the body, the sacredness of birth, and the stories of Black motherhood. Whether I’m guiding you through a natural birth plan, holding space after loss, or simply listening when you need it most, Little Brown Doula is here for the full picture of your journey.

Amber Mole

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Amber Mole

2 years of experience

Hi, I’m Amber (aka The Doula Cheerleader). I am a birth and postpartum doula proudly serving families with emotional and physical support in the Greater Philadelphia area. As a natural born cheerleader, I have enjoyed shifting my love to encourage and uplift others towards the families I work with. My goal is to help every client feel seen, heard, equipped with knowledge of their rights and choices, and to positively impact them during the maternal health period.

Allison Petrides

New Canaan, Connecticut

Allison Petrides

7 years of experience

After birthing three children within a time span of five years, I couldn't help but recognize how overwhelming pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in general can be. I also had an unfavorable birthing experience with my first child. I was young, under-supported with financially limited options and felt "under-qualified" to be part of labor and delivery decision making. I simply left everything up to my obstetrician. I was told what to do and what not to do, what to take, where to go and even when to push. I was rarely asked for consent, but rather told what they were doing to me as they decided to do it. It all felt so clinical, as if I was in the hospital due to an illness rather than a healthy, natural event. I felt lonely, helpless and scared for three days straight. Needless to say, the experience left me wondering what could have been done differently and what choices each pregnant mother has to create a more empowered, positive birthing experience. ​ The moment I discovered doula work, it gave me a sense of relief learning that our society has a support system specially geared for the mother to be guided and assisted through this journey. I personally feel that our culture has brainwashed us to believe that childbirth is simply a painful burden to endure. (Cue television and movie clips where the laboring woman is screaming bloody murder and everyone is rushing around her as if there is a scary emergency to be remedied.) However, with the right knowledge and support, there can be such beauty and empowerment that comes with knowing all of your choices and feeling in control while fully trusting that your body has the capability and the strength to do exactly what it's meant to do - create new life and make miracles happen. ​ I am a certified labor doula (CLD) and certified postpartum doula (CPD) through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). I actively attend workshops, courses and continuing education classes on childbirth, hypnobirthing, fetal positioning, breastfeeding, postpartum, baby care basics and holding space for pregnancy loss in the Fairfield County, CT area. I am also Certified in Usui Reiki Levels I & II. ​ I am passionate about childbirth and I work incredibly hard to ensure that my clients have a positive and memorable birth experience however they may envision that to look like. My goal is for you to feel informed, respected and for your voice to be heard by your birthing team in your chosen birth environment.