VBAC Doulas in Washington, DC

Planning a vaginal birth after cesarean? These providers list VBAC support as a specialty, from preparing for labor to helping you talk through your options with your care team.

57 VBAC 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.

Ashley Janey

Parkville, Maryland

5.0 (4 reviews)

Ashley Janey

7 years of experience

I believe birth deserves a positive, steady space—one where you feel peaceful, informed, and confident as you prepare to meet your baby. My goal is to support your inherent wisdom and help you feel grounded through planning, labor, and the early postpartum days. I’m known for being deeply empathetic, calm, and steady. I love naps, dark chocolate, and quiet time (I’m a self-proclaimed introvert, despite what people assume!). I was called to birth work after experiencing traumatic births, postpartum depression, and profound loss with little support. Through healing and therapy, I realized I wanted to be the kind of support I once needed—so families don’t have to go through hard seasons alone. I’m a “forever student” with an active mind, and I love bringing my trainings and tools into a supportive, practical approach that helps clients feel held and empowered. When I’m not supporting families, you can find me listening to audiobooks and podcasts, gardening, making art, and laughing at dad jokes.

Recent review

Ashley was one of the best parts of my pregnancy and birth experience, and I cannot recommend her enough! From the very beginning, she was incredibly communicative, supportive, and reassuring throughout my entire pregnancy. She shared so many helpful resources including texts, videos, movies, and educational materials that made me feel informed, prepared, and empowered every step of the way. During labor and delivery, Ashley was an absolute rock. She supported me through every moment with such calm, confidence, and compassion. She helped guide me through different labor positions that truly helped my labor progress, and she always made me feel safe, heard, and supported. She was my biggest advocate in the room! Even when my birth plan changed when I ultimately needed to get an epidural, Ashley fully supported my decision without judgment and helped me feel confident in what I needed in that moment. She held me while I cried about it and celebrated my journey so far and what was to come. Ashley brought such a wonderful energy into the room. She is genuinely one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and she happens to have has an awesome sense of humor. She knew exactly when to keep things lighthearted and help us laugh, and she also knew when to help me focus and channel my energy during the toughest moments. One of the things I appreciated most was how supportive she was of my husband, too. She helped guide him in how to support me during labor when neither of us really knew what to do. She made him feel confident and included, and he absolutely loved Ashley as much as I did. I am eternally grateful for her support, kindness, knowledge, and presence during one of the most important experiences of my life. She is truly incredible! Mila couldn’t have been born without her help :)

- Zhenya G.

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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