LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas in Washington, DC

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

53 LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas near Washington, DC

Nikita Johnson-Wise

Columbia, Maryland

1.7 (6 reviews)

Nikita Johnson-Wise

13 years of experience

Nikita Johnson is a graduate of The National College of Midwifery and is currently preparing to sit for her Midwifery Certification Exam in Spring 2025. She has received hands-on training under the direct supervision of Certified Nurse Midwife Bayla Berkowitz at a homebirth midwifery practice in Pikesville, MD. Nikita has also studied with respected midwives Monika Karaosman at Althea Midwifery in Berlin, MD, and Maureen McIver in Westminster, MD. Nikita Johnson brings over five years of homebirth experience, including three years as a Homebirth Assistant and Student Midwife. Prior to this, she spent six years as a Certified Obstetrics Surgical Technologist, gaining extensive hospital-based labor and delivery experience before retiring from that role. Since 2019, she has been a highly regarded birth rights doula in the DMV area, known for her assertive advocacy and commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of the Western healthcare system. Nikita is dedicated to empowering her patients to achieve their desired birth experiences while ensuring safety and informed decision-making through evidence-based care. In addition to her hands-on work, she serves as a Doula Trainer and Mentor for The Black Doula Training, a Writer for Healthy Mom & Baby magazine (powered by the Nurses of AWHONN), a Doula Advisor for the Maryland Perinatal Neonatal Quality Collaborative, and a Maternal Health Task Force Advisor for Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She specializes in IVF/IUI and Infertility Conditions, Gyn Wellness, Home Births, Hospital Births, Unmedicated Births, Births with epidurals, VBAC's and High Risk Pregnancies. Individuals and couples working with Nikita benefit from her multi-skilled background and experience. She has been attending births since 2014 and has attended over 350+ births.

Recent review

Nikita has been a delight to work with. She provided us with everything we needed to make informed decisions. She offered us a host of resources for doctors and other practitioners that were able to help us along the way. We’re very appreciative.

- Randy M.

Erica Harris

Broadlands, Virginia

5.0 (1 review)

Erica Harris

12 years of experience

My newborn care philosophy focuses on delivering comprehensive and compassionate support to both newborns and parents. My primary aim is to foster a nurturing environment where families feel empowered to excel in their new roles. Ultimately, my approach provides personalized, educational, and non-judgmental guidance, emphasizing safety, emotional stability, and collaborative relationships.

Recent review

Erica was an absolute lifesaver during the first six weeks of both of my children's births. As a newborn care specialist, she didn’t just help with the day-to-day care of the babies; she also educated me as a new mother, easing my anxieties in those overwhelming early days. She taught me everything from proper swaddling techniques to understanding my babies’ feeding cues and sleep patterns, all while being incredibly patient and reassuring. What stood out most was her ability to tune into my needs as a new mom. She recognized when I needed rest, emotional support, or just a little confidence boost. Erica’s approach was gentle and non-judgmental, creating a safe space for me to ask questions and learn at my own pace. Her presence helped me feel empowered, and her guidance has continued to influence the way I care for my children. I truly can’t recommend Erica enough for any new parent. Erica quickly became more than just a newborn care specialist; she is now considered family. Her warmth, expertise, and unwavering support made those early weeks so much easier, and we couldn't imagine those moments without her. If my husband and I were to have more children, we would undoubtedly want Erica's help again. She brought so much peace of mind to our lives, and her influence continues to guide how we parent today.

- Amanda M.

Adrienne Bergthold

Baltimore, Maryland

5.0 (13 reviews)

Adrienne Bergthold

20 years of experience

I am an experienced doula and childbirth educator with over 30 years of experience in healthcare as a massage therapist and yoga teacher and Spinning Babies trained. I teach childbirth education using the Calm Birth method and can also help with breech presenting pregnancies. I work with all families and support the lbgqt community. Let me help you to have a calm birth experience.

Recent review

Working with Adrienne was a really great experience for me during my pregnancy and birth of my first child. She provided support throughout the pregnancy with frequent checkins and meetings. I feel her approach to calm birth attributed to my birth experience and my son’s joyful demeanor now. He is a very calm baby and when we feel overwhelmed we remember our practice to breathe life and calm into our bodies. During the birth Adrienne helped me get comfortable in the hospital by creating a safe space with calming music and dimmed lights. She also helped advocate for me to switch positions so that I could avoid a c-section. Once I changed positions the baby was ready to come out naturally. She also provided cool towels on my head and neck support which made a lot of difference when it feels like you’re heating up everywhere from pushing. I especially appreciated her massage therapist expertise before and after the baby. I think the massage after the baby was more invigorating and life giving for my recovery than anything else I did postpartum. We are so thankful that we met Adrienne and that she supported us during this beautiful experience!

- Rosemary Burns

Ashley Markey

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Ashley Markey

5 years of experience

My name is Ashley and I am a Professional Birth and Postpartum Doula. I am born and raised in VA and engaged to my high school sweetheart. My hobbies include running outdoors, puzzling, and lounging about with my cat, Sardo 🐈. You’ll often find my nose in a book and a seltzer water in hand. I served as a Domestic Violence Advocate within a nonprofit organization for 5 years—My role encompassed the responsibilities of a Night Resident Manager at an emergency shelter, alongside serving as the Children’s Service Coordinator. My professional duties encompassed the provision of in-person emotional support to families in distress, both on-site and via our 24/7 emergency hotline. My ongoing professional development included participation in continuous training programs, notably in areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and advocacy. My formative professional experiences include a 5 years of service as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a home health agency, where I engaged with elderly patients, many of whom faced challenges related to dementia and physical limitations. This period of work significantly contributes to my capacity for caregiving and understanding of complex care needs. Furthermore, I maintain my employment as a cook at a respected vegetarian restaurant, a role I have upheld for twelve years . My proficiency in food preparation and safety protocols plays a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of nourishing meals for individuals seeking postpartum services. Currently I am also contracted with an agency and providing postpartum care, services, and support to families. My historical inclination towards caregiving, advocacy, and the provision of comprehensive physical and emotional support underscores my enduring commitment to these essential facets of service. Reach out if you have any questions concerns or ideas! I am here for you! ♥️♥️♥️

Juliann McLaughlin

Fredericksburg, Virginia

5.0 (2 reviews)

Juliann McLaughlin

4 years of experience

My philosophy as a doula is that everyone deserves to live out their best intentions. I provide personalized services for those seeking inclusive and comprehensive pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum support. I wish to give you an uplifting experience, free from discrimination and mental health stigma. I strive to create a space that will help you feel actively listened to and emotionally supported.

Recent review

If you're in need of a doula, I highly recommend Juliann! While she wasn't technically the doula we hired, she stepped in and stepped up for her sister in ways that no one else could. She demonstrated the perfect amount of restraint and support by being the best distraction to Kat (my partner; her sister) when desperately needed....and other times, the rock I just couldn't be....the rock only a sister can be). She knew just what she needed and when, and we intuitively worked with one another to be there for her every step of the way. Going into labor, Kat was sure she didn't want any family in the room while I always felt that as soon as things got rolling, she was going to need her sister. So without any advance notice and with a fully booked schedule and child of her own, Julie dropped everything to travel hours to the hospital (and back a few times while we rested) and be there with Kat until our little one came earth-side. As a queer couple (I'm trans and my partner is non-binary), I can say that there aren't many doula's out there that even recognize that there can be birthing persons with different genders - that include those bodies in these predomenantly/societally female spaces. With Julie, you can be sure that as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, your body, wishes, partner dynamics, pronouns etc will be honored, respected, and uplifted. During our birth, I got to witness Julie as she realized this was her calling. I was moved, touched, and so honored to be able to experience this moment of hers, and I genuinely can say there isn't anyone I'd trust more with your care. While Julie is just starting out in this field, she has a drive to excel and learn, and I'm witnessing firsthand her dedication to becoming an expert in this field.

- Jude O.

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Austin, TX

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