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

Gabriell Garner

Baltimore, Maryland 16 years of experience

5.0 (10 reviews)

Gabriell Garner Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in Maryland, last 60 days

NPI verified Responds within an hour Accepts insurance

Now Accepting Maryland Medicaid! Hi there! I’m Gabriell (Gabby) Garner, a certified birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and pediatric sleep consultant. I’m also the owner of Flourishing Mama Co., a doula practice supporting growing families throughout the Washington, DC and Baltimore metro areas. Our team includes certified birth and postpartum doulas, Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), certified pediatric sleep consultants, and newborn care experts. Together, we provide personalized support throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the early months of parenthood. Whether you’re preparing for birth, looking for hands-on postpartum support, navigating feeding, or simply wanting an experienced and reassuring person in your corner, our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident along the way. We offer both in-person and virtual support and are currently accepting Maryland Medicaid, select commercial insurance plans, employer-sponsored benefits, and private-pay clients. We’d love to learn more about your growing family and how we can support you! www.flourishingmamaco.com

Recent review

We can't thank Gabrielle and Dale enough for the care we received during one of the most important moments of our lives. From the very first call, Gabrielle went above and beyond, she reached out to us personally and, even on short notice, made sure we were matched with a doula in time for our son's birth. That kind of responsiveness and care told us right away we were in good hands. We were paired with Dale, and we truly don't know what we would have done without her. Dale brings decades of experience, and it shows in every piece of advice she gives practical, brutally honest, and exactly what two nervous first-time parents needed to hear. She stayed with my wife through long overnight hours of labor, and when things shifted to a C-section, she was right there with us in the room, just as we'd hoped and planned. Having her steady presence in that moment meant more to us than words can capture. What really set Dale apart, though, was how she showed up for us even after our son was born. In the days that followed, she kept checking in on us and sending along newborn care videos from trusted specialists, little things that made a huge difference as we found our footing as new parents. She also took the time to capture photos of us during the whole process and those very first moments with our son, gifts we'll treasure forever. We will never forget the time we spent with Dale, and we're endlessly grateful to Gabrielle for connecting us with her. If you're looking for a doula practice that truly cares about your family, look no further.

- Ian Chisongela

Adrienne Bergthold

Baltimore, Maryland 20 years of experience

5.0 (13 reviews)

Adrienne Bergthold

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

Gabrielle Taylor

Frederick, Maryland 5 years of experience

5.0 (2 reviews)

Gabrielle Taylor

Accepts insurance

Hi, I’m Gabrielle Taylor. I’ve been supporting mothers and newborns since February 2022, but my passion for women’s health began in my teenage years. I’m a proud mother of two—my children were born in 2017 and 2021. **I have teamed up with Danica Day to bring quality care and support to Frederick and the surrounding areas. You can read more about Danica here: https://www.dawnandduskdoulaco.com/** My first birth, a cesarean, was emotionally traumatic and left me feeling unsupported and unheard. In contrast, the birth of my second child was an empowering VBAC, made possible by the compassionate presence of an incredible doula. That experience was truly life-changing—it showed me the profound difference that informed, empathetic support can make. Now, my mission is to offer that same kind of transformative support to other families. Whether you're navigating your first birth or welcoming another child into your home, I’m here to help you feel confident, cared for, and connected. In today’s fast-paced world, motherhood can feel isolating—but I'm here to bridge that gap so you feel supported. I’m also currently pursuing my nursing degree to deepen my knowledge and enhance the care I provide as a doula. I’m honored to walk alongside you during this pivotal journey.

Recent review

Gabby is amazing! Truly, she answered every question I had, supported our postpartum journey, explained everything throughly, had brilliant insight, talked through everything with me, and helped my little guy sleep in 4+ hour stretches every time! She is the baby sleep whisperer! Could not say nicer things about Gabby and her gentle care of not only my little guy, but my family as a whole. She truly made my whole postpartum journey so much easier!!

- Carley B.

Ashley Markey

Fredericksburg, Virginia 5 years of experience

Ashley Markey

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 4 years of experience

5.0 (2 reviews)

Juliann McLaughlin

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.

Amelia Villada

Leonardtown, Maryland 9 years of experience

5.0 (9 reviews)

Amelia Villada

Responds within an hour

Hello everyone! My name is Amelia Villada. I am a certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, Body Ready Method pro, midwife assistant, and birth doula supporting families in the Maryland counties of St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles. I am passionate about helping families (re)connect with and embrace their power as they journey through this incredible rite of passage. My philosophy centers on being a conduit for healing, serving as a guide to help reconnect you to your own power and agency. Bearing witness to self discovery and supporting individuals and families as they navigate this journey with strength, dignity, and peace is one of my greatest joys. I believe that with the right support, every birth can be a positive and memorable experience.

Recent review

Working with Amelia as our HypnoBirthing companion was truly transformative! Over the course of two months in September and October, she guided my husband and me with such kindness, humor, compassion, and grounded presence that after each in-person session, it felt as though we had known her for years. From the very beginning, Amelia created a warm, safe, and engaging space that allowed me to move from extreme fear and uncertainty about pregnancy and birth to feeling calm, confident, and genuinely excited for my birthing day. My husband looked forward to every class, as Amelia gave him tangible, meaningful ways to support me during pregnancy and to be an active, empowered partner during labor. Her teachings not only brought the two of us closer, but also helped us deepen our bond with our baby and equipped us with tools we will continue to use throughout parenthood and in many parts of our personal and professional lives. I am forever grateful to Amelia for sharing her knowledge and expertise in HypnoBirthing. She helped us prepare for the arrival of our baby boy with calm, clarity, peace, and joy and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide on this journey. I miss her dearly but will always take her spirit and teachings with me moving forward. What a gift she is to this world!

- Jenee Johnson

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