LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas in Philadelphia, PA

These providers list LGBTQ+ families as a specialty. Read their profiles and reviews, and message the ones who feel right for your family.

39 LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas near Philadelphia, PA

Kamilla Matos

East Norriton Township, Pennsylvania

5.0 (5 reviews)

Kamilla Matos

5 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Responds within an hour

Meet Kamilla Kamilla is a Full Spectrum Doula through Cornerstone Birthwork Training, as well as a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) trained through Newborn Care Solutions. With over 5 years of international experience, she is passionate about providing compassionate, knowledgeable, and individualized support to families during the postpartum and newborn period. Born and raised in Brazil in a large, loving family, Kamilla grew up surrounded by caregiving. Inspired by her grandmother, a traditional midwife, she developed a deep connection to newborn care, maternal support, and nurturing practices from an early age. Her passion for postpartum care became even more personal after supporting her own mother through postpartum depression. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of how vulnerable, emotional, and overwhelming the postpartum transition can be. Through her professional experience, she has also supported families navigating baby blues and postpartum depression, always providing compassionate, nonjudgmental support while recognizing when additional professional care may be needed. Kamilla has additional training in Montessori Education, Sleep Training through Summer Secret, and Early Childhood Development. She is currently continuing her education in Breastfeeding Education through CAPPA and pursuing her nursing education to further expand her knowledge of maternal and newborn care. With a background in law and extensive hands-on experience caring for newborns and supporting families, Kamilla brings together professional education, practical experience, and genuine compassion. She understands that postpartum is not always the beautiful, effortless experience portrayed online. It can be exhausting, emotional, unpredictable, and overwhelming. Her goal is to create a calm and supportive environment where parents can rest, recover, bond with their baby, and feel confident in their new role. Kamilla provides individualized support based on each family’s unique needs, with a focus on newborn care, postpartum recovery, sleep support, feeding support, and the emotional well-being of the family. Her philosophy is simple: When we care for the mother, we care for the entire family.

Recent review

Kamilla was an incredible postpartum doula for our family. Her calm, compassionate support gave us the confidence to navigate those first few weeks with our newborn while also allowing us to get much-needed rest. She cared for our son Dylan with so much love and attention. We are so grateful for everything she did, and we can't recommend her highly enough.

- Shea B.

Chelsea McShane

Stafford Township, New Jersey

5.0 (3 reviews)

Chelsea McShane

7 years of experience
Responds within a few hours

Welcome! I'm Chelsea, a mom of 2, and owner of Moonlight Maternity, where I practice as a Full Spectrum Doula, Lamaze International trained Childbirth Educator, and Newborn Care Specialist! I truly feel my purpose is to spend my life trying to make a positive impact on motherbaby health and wellness, and to help foster thriving families from the start. Changing things for the better in the maternal healthcare field is a monster to tackle, but I know that being able to positively impact even just one family at a time will lead to a generational ripple effect, and there's nothing more beautiful to me than to imagine a future like that. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be in the world of birthwork! My favorite show as a kid was "a baby story", (I know... I was a weird kid lol) a show that followed pregnant people through their journey and birth experience, and by the time I was a teenager I knew I wanted to become a Midwife. I was enrolled in a Midwifery program for over a year and on the way to making my dreams come true. Then, when I was 19, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant and everything came to a temporary halt while I spent time focusing on raising my son as a single mother, and working full time to support us. The birth of my son was an incredibly traumatic experience unfortunately, but inspired within me an even greater drive and passion to make a difference. I knew more than ever how important information, advocacy, autonomy and empowerment are during pregnancy and birth experiences. Having those things directly relates to how confidently you begin your motherhood journey, the way you trust your intuition, and the way you raise your babies. I realized on a more personal level exactly how important it is to try to prevent negative outcomes and experiences in the birth space...something which I knew before, but deeply understood now. Over the years, I spent my free time educating myself more, reading anything I could get my hands on, watching birth vlogs on YouTube- still always deeply passionate about birthwork, and longing to find my way back to it. I found my wonderful husband along the way when my son was 2 years old, and we got married a few years later. He has always supported my love of birthwork and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I helped friends and family through pregnancies, birth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding using everything I had learned, and loved any opportunity I had to talk to people about the subject. The idea of becoming a doula was something I talked about frequently, but didn't feel it was possible for me to act on timing wise. The people in my life who love me always encouraged me and believed I could do it, and one day, a conversation with an amazing friend flipped that switch for me to take the leap, and the stars finally aligned! That same day, I immediately started researching training organizations and what type of doula I could become, spent a while finding the program I felt was best for me, went to start the application, and it just so happened they had a scholarship opportunity available that closed the very next day. The requirements were to write an essay about why I wanted to become a doula, any issues or hardships that have kept me from doing so, a bit about my life story, and to share how I dreamed I could impact my community through my work. To me, this seemed like a no brainer and the easiest, most exciting thing I had ever written...my dreams becoming reality were on the other side of that essay. I got it done quickly and submitted my application for the scholarship before dinner time that night. I nervously waited to hear back, and a week later, I received an email congratulating me with a full scholarship opportunity! The most beautiful and affirming part of all of this to me, is that the day it all happened- the conversation, taking the leap, the scholarship opportunity... just so happened to be my birthday...a sign I took to be the universe confirming & guiding me on the path to my life's purpose. I still get chills thinking about how it all fell into place perfectly, and am so grateful it did. Once training began a few weeks later, it affirmed further everything I felt about my passion for this work... I finally felt aligned with my dreams, and a sense of knowing that this is how it was all supposed to happen- all in the right timing for me. In 2022, I had now been a Full Spectrum Doula for over a year, and my husband and I were elated to find out we were pregnant with a baby girl! I felt so much more confident throughout my pregnancy, knowing that this birth was going to be fulfilling, redeeming, and everything I had always hoped for. My experience was truly something incredible...I was able to see the beauty of knowledge, empowerment, and healing come full circle. I gave birth on my own terms, my body and my choices were respected and held with care, I was surrounded by support and love, and my soul was healed as my daughter was born- a re-birth of me as well. A beautiful opportunity to step into a new phase of motherhood and womanhood confidently! Experiencing pregnancy and birth again myself through new perspective was cathartic, eye-opening, and truly life changing for me. I will forever hold that in my heart, and an experience like that is ALWAYS my goal for my clients. In practicing birthwork, I offer a holistic and practical approach, ensuring that in the balanced approach I take, my clients feel confident in themselves and in my support. I take pride in being able to support the entire reproductive journey and have a personal connection to each modality of care that I offer, so my heart is in it all. Whether you're with me for pregnancy & birth, fertility, postpartum, loss support, or anything else, I will give you an unmatched level of attention and care- something I hold with the utmost importance. I will always offer quality time and opportunity for real connection. I don't believe in being surface level with each other, because birthwork is intimate and sacred. Connection is comfort and a nervous system at ease. I want you to feel safe, nurtured, and at-home in my presence. I want to hold space for your thoughts, feelings, needs, and comfort. I'm always a safe space, a non-judgmental listening ear, and shoulder to lean on when you need it most. All of it matters to me, and the way it impacts your experience is important. During your pregnancy, we will spend plenty of time on evidence-based education, so you feel confident and empowered in informed decision making, and more clear on what you may experience during your birth. We will craft your ideal birth plan together so we can prepare to make it attainable. I'll make sure you understand the "why" behind birth experiences changing (as they always will), and that in creating that birth plan, what we're really doing is creating a woman who feels confident in standing strong in her choices, and in control of her own birth. I will never judge you for changing your choices or doing what you feel is best for you in the moment, and will continue to make sure you feel confident and supported no matter what. I will always be authentic and forthcoming, because I don't believe in infantilizing women when you deserve transparent information. Inauthenticity is not the kind of person I am anyway lol, and I hope that encourages you to be yourself around me too! Authenticity builds trust, comfort, and a feeling of safety in communication. I want to build on that connection with you, learn about you, have conversations that make you feel seen and held, and allow you to get to know me as well. As I said above, It means everything to me if you feel safe, nurtured, and at-home in my presence. Birth is intimate, raw, humbling, and empowering- honoring that for you is an honor to me. By extension, fertility beforehand, the postpartum period afterwards, your lactation journey, newborn care, and every part of the path to and through parenthood is intertwined. That's why I chose the path of Full Spectrum work, to be able to support you through any and every part of your journey should you want me to. I will dedicate myself to you, respect you, hold space for you, be a friend to you, and help you see that YOU are the most powerful and important part of it all. I'm excited to be a part of your journey- we're in this together ❤️

Recent review

I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it was having Chelsea as our doula for the pregnancy and birth of our baby girl. Being that this was our first baby, we were looking for guidance when it came to almost everything birth and labor related. Chelsea was so genuine, sweet, caring, knowledgeable, and considerate from the start. She was there for me via text/call and in person throughout my pregnancy, and her presence during my (long) labor and delivery was so invaluable. She was a calming wealth of knowledge when it came to labor techniques and advocating for me all the way through to baby girl’s arrival, and even postpartum. I’m so thankful to have had her with us and to have made a lifelong friend! I would highly highly recommend her to anyone and everyone in their birthing journey.

- Nikonia G.

Xiomara Gittens

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5.0 (5 reviews)

Xiomara Gittens

7 years of experience

Peace and blessings! My name is Xiomara, I am a mother of a beautiful girl. I am from the very small town of Pemberton, located in Southern New Jersey. I take pride and I am inspired by my (Afro Caribbean-Latina) Panamanian roots and culture. I believe in holistic and wholistic healing and practices, and the balance between the two. I am 2x certified full spectrum doula, (through Doula Trainings International and the state of NJ via NJMIHIA), Reiki Master, and Placenta Specialist. I became a doula because of my own birthing experience, which led me to my passion for birth-work. Helping families by educating, advocating, and providing a safe space for a meaningful and purposeful birth. No birth is the same, no pregnancy is the same. However, by providing a safe space, and exceptional services, we can shift the narrative so that more families are aware of birth-workers within and outside of the healthcare system, with a focus on culturally competent care. Our mission at The Purple Purpose LLC is to inspire our clients to become the highest most confident versions of themselves, while embracing their journey, from the beginning until the end. We aim to bring forth a new way to assist families in maintaining their health and wellness, before, during, and after birth. We want to bring a deeper level of holistic and wholistic practice that will allow personal and professional growth, but most importantly, a safe, successful, and purposeful birth .

Recent review

I had the pleasure of working with Xiomara for prenatal, birth, and postpartum support, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. She is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate about her work, and truly attentive to the needs of her clients. From the very beginning, she was professional and supportive, helping me create a birth plan that reflected my wishes and values. During labor, she was a strong advocate for me and played a key role in making the experience smooth and empowering. Thanks to her support, I was able to have an unmedicated birth, which was a significantly better experience compared to my first. Her care didn’t stop at birth—she continued to check in during the postpartum period and even recommended excellent services, like a lymphatic drainage massage, that really helped with recovery. She’s very well-connected and a great resource all around. If you’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate doula, Xio is absolutely the one to call.

- Cassandra M.

Toni Rose

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

5.0 (12 reviews)

Toni Rose

32 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Responds within a day

I truly am a lifelong caregiver: RN, certified postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, lactation counselor, baby nurse, nanny specializing in infants/toddlers & mother. I almost have 30 years experience caring for children. I love the newborns, infants and toddlers! I love assisting them reach their milestones. In the past 9 years, I have immersed myself in these age groups, as well as, learning about assisting families after a new addition and lactation support. I have previous reviews and references. Prices vary with location, and number of children. https://doulamatch.net/profile/15067/toni-rose

Recent review

We are so grateful for Toni and cannot recommend her highly enough. She supported our family as a night doula for our son Wes from birth through eight weeks, and her impact was truly life-changing. Toni brought expertise, calm, and warmth into our home during a time that can feel overwhelming, helping us establish healthy sleep routines, understand cues, and build confidence as new parents. We trusted her completely, and she cared for Wes with such love and attentiveness. Beyond caring for our newborn, Toni helped us organize our lives, create structure, and make our days feel manageable and supported. Because of her guidance, our nights were peaceful, our days ran more smoothly, and we were able to enjoy the early weeks instead of just surviving them. She is exceptional at what she does, and our family will always be grateful for her.

- Ted & Jill Piper

Iyonia (i-Yah-Na) Guinyard

Burlington, New Jersey

5.0 (3 reviews)

Iyonia (i-Yah-Na) Guinyard

7 years of experience
Accepts insurance

Greetings All My name is Iyonia Shavon. I have been a Certified Perinatal Doula, Uzazi Village, 2019, Certified Labor Doula, CAPPA 2023, & NJDLC Doula Mentor. In 2021 I became a NJ Medicaid Doula contract provider with all New Jersey Managed Care organizations and founded my private doula practice Kind Comforting Births LLC. In January of 2023 I contracted with Commercial Horizon BCBS NJ Omnia self pay plans . In August 2024 I expanded to offer services to Horizon BCBS Federal Employee Pilot Program for doula care! As of December 2025 I can now accept Carrot Insurance! I have a passion to serve my community and all birthing persons especially those in BIPOC communities in efforts to decrease infant & maternal mortality rates. I will honor your, voice, and ensure your are provided you with the birth experience you’ve dreamt of. My mission is to decrease the terrible disparities in maternal black health by serving birth by birth and mentoring future doulas.

Recent review

Iyonia was such a blessing as my doula. She was so informative, made us feel comfortable and confident about going into labor with a plan (and a plan b, c , d… and so on) to have the labor experience me and my husband wanted while also managing our expectations (very important)! I felt alone and lost during the birth of my first born. I felt like we were isolated and kind of “rushed” through the experience. But Iyonia made sure I, (and my support team) knew my RIGHTS as a patient, the birthing options available to us, and a plan to avoid the things that I was unhappy about with my first birth. You don’t know what you don’t know, so she made sure we knew what ask for. One experience I will always hold close to my heart was after my husband went to be with the baby after my c-section, she stayed with me, held my hand and continued to give me encouraging words at a time when emotions (and hormones) were about to get the best of me! I will always appreciate her for that. It made a huge difference.

- Brittany C.

Seana Percy

Brick Township, New Jersey

5.0 (4 reviews)

Seana Percy

7 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Responds within a day

Hi, I’m Seana (like Shauna!) I’m a Certified Labor Doula, Certified DONA Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Support Educator (CLSE), and Perinatal Mental Health–Certified (PMH-C) provider, and a mom of three. I support families in Monmouth and Ocean County, New Jersey through pregnancy, birth, and the tender early weeks postpartum. My care is calm, nurturing, and non-judgmental, shaped by both my professional training and my own lived experience of motherhood. Whether I’m supporting you through labor or helping you adjust to life with a new baby, I’m here to offer a steady, reassuring presence. From hands-on comfort during birth to feeding support, newborn care, emotional reassurance, and practical help postpartum, my goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and more confident throughout the transition into parenthood.

Recent review

I absolutely LOVED working with Seana and having her support after I had my son. She helped me in so many ways, whether it be emotionally, psychically around the house, and just being there for me in tough moments and transitions. As a new mom, she taught me things I wasn't comfortable with yet, like setting up my pumps and showing me how to use them and also bathing my newborn. We had so many great laughs and she really brightened my postpardum experience. I know with each month as he gets older, new challenges arise, and I can see us needing her again down the road! It's never too early or too late to have her support!

- Michelle Richard

Larissa Melo Pienkowski

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5.0 (2 reviews)

Larissa Melo Pienkowski

2 years of experience

I’m Larissa (she/ela/ella), a birth and postpartum doula based in Philadelphia, PA. My practice is rooted in the beliefs that birth is a sacred act of transformation, that birthing people hold innate wisdom in their bodies, and that we all deserve safe, affirming, size-inclusive reproductive healthcare. As a birthworker, I offer a compassionate and comforting presence, intuitive and evidence-based information, physical support, fierce advocacy, and space for birthing people of all identities to move through pregnancy and labor peacefully and confidently. I myself identify as queer and Latina. Eu falo português e adoraria trabalhar com famílias brasileiras. 🇧🇷 In my free time, I love to cook, read, journal, play volleyball, practice Pilates, and make pottery, and I’m passionate about weaving mindfulness, movement, and nourishment into birthwork in ways that uplift radiant, full-body joy. I’m lucky to live with my wife and our Siberian husky, Olaf, in Germantown, Philadelphia.

Recent review

Have you ever experienced the joy of working with someone who is so clearly doing what they were meant to do? Such is the radiant experience of working with Larissa as a doula. From our first conversation, I connected with her unique combination if confidence, optimism, and groundedness. She always listened with true intention, never trying to push me any which way but instead helping me figure out my own needs and wants for my pregnancy and delivery. She helped fill in gaps in my knowledge and, most importantly, guided me through tough decisions and helped me feel confident in those decisions. She was equally supportive of my partner and their experience. During labor, delivery, and birth, Larissa was my steadfast advocate, and I delivered a healthy baby. Thank you Larissa!

- Frankie

Lorrae Bradbury

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5.0 (1 review)

Lorrae Bradbury

11 years of experience

Trauma-Informed Birth & Postpartum Doula + Mind-Body Birth Support Specialist - serving sensitive souls, trauma survivors & diverse families with holistic, inclusive care. Virtual support worldwide | In-person in Philadelphia, Florida & travel throughout US I believe in care that meets you exactly where you are - honoring both the profound transformation and messy reality of reproductive experiences. As a Somatic Experiencing (SE) student with a psychology background, I offer trauma-informed doula care that integrates nervous system regulation and mind-body birth support. I go beyond logistics to support the emotional complexity, relationship dynamics, and identity shifts that accompany life-changing transitions. After navigating my own pregnancy experiences with minimal support and feeling dismissed by medical systems that couldn't hold the complexity of mind/body connection, I became passionate about offering the embodied, compassionate support I needed, but couldn't find. My approach centers on the emotional and relational complexities of becoming parents - drawing from over a decade of somatic-based, trauma-informed intimacy and relationship coaching to focus on the psychological and somatic shifts that come with growing a family. I specialize in supporting empaths, sensitive souls, cycle-breakers, LGBTQIA+ and non-traditional families, and those seeking heart-centered, evidence-based, identity-affirming care that honors their full humanity. Whether you're seeking birth doula support, postpartum care, pregnancy loss support, or prenatal preparation, I provide grounding support through nervous system regulation, practical advocacy, body-based somatic tools, and steady, non-judgmental presence that helps you stay connected to your identity and agency while navigating medical systems and profound personal transformation.

Recent review

From the moment we connected, Lorrae created a space where I felt genuinely seen, affirmed, and supported in ways that are unfortunately rare in healthcare settings. During my pregnancy, she consistently prioritized my needs, choices, and comfort over any agenda, and did not push me toward any particular protocol or outcome. Lorrae is exactly the kind of practitioner our community needs. She combines professional skill with authentic compassion, and her nervous system regulation tools became invaluable during both labor and postpartum. She has a gift for creating calm in moments of intensity. Beyond her clinical skills, Lorrae embodies genuine care and integrity and I cannot recommend her highly enough to other parents seeking support.

- Manisha P.

Zoe Jasper

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5.0 (5 reviews)

Zoe Jasper

Hello! I'm Zoe Jasper (she/her), a certified birth, postpartum, and community doula living in Philly. My path to birth work started with attending an abortion doula training as a college student, which led me to realize my passion for supporting people through the entire spectrum of pregnancy outcomes. After going on to work as a teacher, nanny, and union organizer, I completed my birth and postpartum training through Maternity Care Coalition’s Community Doula and Lactation Program. My training gave me a strong foundation in community centered and culturally responsive practices. As a queer woman and a doula, I am committed to supporting all kinds of pregnant people and family structures in their unique journeys to becoming parents. I see this work as a necessary intervention in a medical system that all too often dehumanizes birthing parents and neglects the process of informed consent. All parents deserve to feel safe, respected, and affirmed. My goal is always to instill in my clients a sense of their own agency and power. I offer guidance in creating a birth experience that aligns with your vision and unconditional compassion as you navigate the perinatal period. Through evidence-based prenatal education, continuous, hands-on support during labor, and encouragement as you adjust to life with a newborn, I am in your corner every step of the way. Outside of birth work, you can find me spending time with my cat, organizing with the Philadelphia Tenants Union, singing badly at karaoke bars, and bopping around West Philly.

Recent review

Zoe is incredible. From prenatal to postpartum, Zoe makes sure you are informed, safe, and taken care of. She helped us advocate for ourselves during our induction. When it came time for delivery, she took control of the room, keeping us calm and focused. Zoe is knowledgeable, confident, and deeply compassionate. We could not have done this without her. We would work with her again and again and again.

- Izzy

FAQs

What does LGBTQ+ affirming care mean?

What should I ask a provider before hiring them?

How much does it cost to use Bornbir?

Keep looking

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.”

Alice W.
Orlando, FL