Lactation Consultants that Accept UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in New Jersey

From the start of my career as a Physician Assistant, I was drawn to pediatrics and the mother-baby dyad. My PA journey kicked off on the pediatric ward at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY, where I was completely captivated by caring for children and families. Then, life brought me to Central NJ, where I had the opportunity to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, caring for some of the tiniest, most vulnerable patients. I became a board-certified lactation consultant and was thrilled to offer lactation consultations and make a real difference for new parents and babies. Bringing together my neonatal and pediatric medical experience with lactation and breastfeeding medicine has been incredibly rewarding! I’m proud to be board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. But I didn’t stop there—I went on to get a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland, and I’ve continued to push myself to learn and grow in every way possible. I’ve trained in advanced bodywork techniques, including craniosacral therapy (CST) through the Upledger Institute and the Barnes Myofascial Release method. I’ve also attended the Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad course three times! Continuing education is a constant for me because I believe there’s always more to learn when it comes to helping families. I have 2 locations, in Edison and Brick, NJ and have focused on creating a collaborative practice which includes other specialists as well. Whether it’s kayaking, biking, or tending to our organic and medicinal garden, my family and I like finding new ways to stay active and connected with nature.

If you wish to contact me and schedule an appointment, please visit my website https://thelaborlounge.org/contact/ Ines Serna is a mother, childbirth educator, and doula with a Master of Health Sciences in Public Health. She became interested in pregnancy and the birth process after having her first child in 2010. Shortly after, Ines started working for the childbirth education department at a prestigious Bergen County hospital, where she gained a great deal of knowledge about maternity services. After the birth of her second child in 2014, she decided to become a childbirth educator. Through her two birth experiences, she realized that the power of knowledge can have a positive impact on birth outcomes. While working as a childbirth educator at the hospital, Ines saw the necessity of giving additional support to her clients. She has trained with DONA International to obtain all the required skills to assist mothers during the birth process. Ines is dedicated to expanding her knowledge by attending maternal and child health conferences, seminars, and networking with health professionals in the community. Ines’s extensive hospital experience has allowed her to see and understand the need to continue advocating for patient-centered care. She believes a patient’s personal preferences, such as values, cultural traditions, family support, and lifestyles, must be taken into consideration. Ines is passionate about supporting expectant parents by making sure they understand that they have options before, during, and after birth. She firmly believes that EVERY woman deserves a good support network. A network that consists of health professionals, along with family, friends, and, of course, the support of a doula, is the greatest gift parents can experience in their lifetime. If you wish to contact me and schedule an appointment, please visit my website https://thelaborlounge.org/contact/

I’m Kayla, founder of The Melanated Apple, and I believe mothers deserve to be mothered, too. ✨ As a full-spectrum doula and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, I offer birth support, feeding guidance, newborn care, and daytime and overnight postpartum support. I also bring a softer touch to your fourth trimester through belly binding, herbal baths and foot soaks, gentle relaxation massage, and calming sound experiences. Imagine having someone help you settle your baby, bring you a warm foot soak, and make space for you to exhale. That’s the kind of thoughtful, personal care I love to give. From your first questions to your quietest postpartum moments, you deserve care that feels as good as it is supportive. 🌺