Helen Perea

Greenbelt, Maryland

Helen Perea

7 years of experience

I am here to use the knowledge and experience that I have to support and empower new parents through this journey, whatever that may look like. My goal is to give parents confidence when feeding their baby but also caring for their mental health. Let’s work together to personalize a plan that best matches your goals and needs.

Tiara Caldwell

Springdale, Maryland

Tiara Caldwell

11 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Tiara is the owner of Crowned & Crowned. She founded the company following a traumatic birth experience in an effort to heal and give back to women like her. She is a licensed nurse, trained doula and fertility coach, and board certified lactation consultant. She is a self proclaimed "book worm", and constantly is found reading books or listening to podcasts that challenge her to dig deeper and learn more. This has opened doors for her in the arenas of public speaking, advocacy, and business coaching. Tiara values her life experiences and uses them as reference points to better serve her clients. As a mother of five children, her "on the job" experience has allowed her to meet her clients where they are, and give them a honest and transparent perspective of what to expect. Some of her specialities are supporting families with NICU journeys, multiples, and various other multifaceted cases. As of follower of Christ, Tiara understands that she not only works for the families she serves, but has a higher calling that she humbly accepts.

Christina Sainato

Rockville, Maryland

Christina Sainato

23 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Lactation home visits throughout Montgomery County and parts of DC and Northern Virginia.

Shannon Papoulias

Fairfax, Virginia

Shannon Papoulias

22 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Welcome to Goddess Lactation! I'm here to provide you with the compassionate and experienced care you need. With over 20 years as a highly-skilled Registered Nurse, I understand the support and guidance you deserve and will ensure you have it every step of the way. ​ As a wife and mother of a eight-year-old daughter, I developed a passion for breastfeeding and lactation consulting during my own postpartum journey. I faced many challenges and received mixed advice from healthcare professionals during this period, which led me to realize the importance of having access to knowledgeable and supportive resources. This realization fueled my dedication to infant nutrition and helping new families thrive. ​ I provide education, feeding plans, and other assistance to breastfeeding mothers, and I am a strong advocate for the benefits of infant nutrition, both physically and emotionally.

Cat Halek IBCLC

North Potomac, Maryland

Cat Halek IBCLC

15 years of experience
Accepts insurances

HI my name is Cat, and I'm all about helping families reduce stress when it comes to lactation, infant feeding, and sleep. With over 13 years of experience in breastfeeding support, I'm deeply passionate about helping families navigate these crucial areas with confidence and ease. My background in mental health has taught me the importance of sleep for both parents and babies. I prioritize creating routines that support overall well-being. It's truly an honor for me every time a family puts their trust in my support. I understand that every family is unique, and I'm excited about the opportunity to tailor my assistance to your specific needs. Looking forward to being there for you on your parenting journey!

Paulina BSN-RN, IBCLC

Herndon, Virginia

Paulina BSN-RN, IBCLC

10 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I have dedicated my career to the well-being of mothers and newborns. I hold a bachelors in nursing and specialized in maternal newborn nursing throughout my career. I hold the title of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, guiding mothers through the intricacies of breastfeeding and lactation, I bring a compassionate touch to my private practice. I bring a blend of warmth and expertise to every interaction, making the breastfeeding journey both informative and enjoyable for my clients. With a foundation of empathy and years of clinical experience, I prioritize building trust and rapport, ensuring clients feel comfortable and supported in their breastfeeding goals.

Kelly Kendall

Crofton, Maryland

Kelly Kendall

19 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi! I’m Kelly Kendall, RN, IBCLC, the founder of The Balanced Boob. I’m a registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant who helps families navigate breastfeeding with less stress, more confidence, and a whole lot of support. I specialize in everything from latching challenges and nipple pain to pumping plans, oral ties, and low supply. Every visit includes two weeks of access to my signature online program, Boob School, so you can keep learning and troubleshooting at your own pace between sessions. Whether you’re preparing for birth or deep in postpartum life, my goal is to help you feel calm, capable, and supported every step of the way.

Nikita Johnson-Wise

Columbia, Maryland

5.0 (1 review)

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.

Karen Kelly

Ellicott City, Maryland

Karen Kelly

9 years of experience

Hello! My name is Karen Kelly and I am proud to be DONA certified postpartum doula and certified lactation consultant located in Ellicott City, Maryland. I am passionate about supporting families during the fourth trimester. I have been providing professional postpartum support since 2018 and have had the privilege of supporting over 75 families. I specialize in daytime support in order to have the greatest impact on helping new parents gain skills and confidence in their new role. I provide the emotional and practical support that new parents need in order to lighten their load and meet their parenting goals.

Judith Christine Stirn

Pasadena, Maryland

5.0 (1 review)

Judith Christine Stirn

4 years of experience

Hi there, I am a wife and mother to 3 children. I spend my days staying current on evidence based information about prenatal, peri and postnatal care. I enjoy playing soccer with my kids, cooking, decorating my home for each season and holiday as well as baking and arts and crafts with my kids after school. I have always been enamored with Labor and Delivery! My most favorite thing is to hear others that talk about their birthing experience. Whether it was positive or not, this most intimate time in their lives will always be memorable. As a birth and post partum doula with several other certifications, I make it my mission to help soon to be and returning parents have a positive birth outcome even during unpredictable situations.

Recent review

I had the honor of walking alongside Christine's journey. She is a bright, loving, encouraging light in this world and a gift to birthing people before and after delivery. She is full of knowledge, experience, ongoing education, mindfulness. She is a lifelong learner seeking to bring the best to others, while practicing the tools she brings to others. She practices with humility, gentleness and inclusivity. She and the services she provides are a gift to families who have just brought new life into this world. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend Judith Christine Stirn!

- Lara T.

Brittany Martin

Pasadena, Maryland

5.0 (1 review)

Brittany Martin

10 years of experience
Accepts insurances

***FOR INQUIRIES EMAIL***: Hello@mothersisterfriend.org Site:https://www.MotherSisterFriend.org When Brittany became a mom at 19, she recalls feeling afraid, unprepared, and disconnected from herself. She lacked a strong support system, and self-advocacy was a foreign concept to her. All she knew was to follow doctors' orders. So, she suffered through her first HG pregnancy without treatment, showed up at the hospital at the first sign of contractions, and birthed her baby via cesarean for reasons unknown. When she became pregnant with her second child a few years later, she was more intentional in finding a care team to support her in achieving her birth goals. She hired doula-midwives from whom she received all of her prenatal care. Despite Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and other stressors negatively impacting that pregnancy as well, having an attentive and supportive care team that centered her needs and respected her bodily autonomy influenced a more positive and empowering experience. Inspired by her journey, Brittany felt compelled to pay it forward. She believes everyone deserves a safe, informed and empowering birthing experience. Recognizing the implications of birthing while Black in America, she actively challenges coercive healthcare practices and, alongside many dedicated birth workers, strives to improve the state of Black maternal and infant healthcare.

Recent review

So many good things I could say but my experience with Brittany was nothing short of amazing!!!! My birth didn't go as planned so instead of a vaginal unmedicated birth I had to have a cesarean. However Brittany explained everything step by step which made me relax a bit. She also helped me prepare a birthing plan for a vaginal as well as a cesarean birth. I've never felt so empowered. One of the very few people that I would entrust with my son while I showered and took some much needed rest with my door shut! No worries at all. A meal prepared and a clean house. As Moms we need our village!!! Thank you for everything! 💙💚 Round 2 lol

- Shiquita N.

Kimberly Knight

Arnold, Maryland

Kimberly Knight

28 years of experience

Hello! I am a former NICU nurse and current International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with 26 years of helping families meet their breastfeeding goals. I have a private practice in the Annapolis, MD area and have taught breastfeeding classes and lead support groups for thousands of beautiful families. It continues to be my pleasure to be a part of their journey!

Nikki Williams

Mount Airy, Maryland

Nikki Williams

16 years of experience

Nikki Williams is a Certified Professional Midwife licensed to practice in the states of Maryland and Virginia, specializing in the management of normal, low-risk pregnancy and birth in both the home and birth center setting. Nikki Williams strongly supports parents in their right to true informed consent and refusal for all decisions. It is Nikki’s expectation that her clients research all of their pregnancy and birth choices and take responsibility for educating themselves, and for communicating with Nikki whenever there are questions or concerns. Nikki will take the time to make sure that clients are clear and comfortable with all the decisions they are being asked to make during their experience in her care. Nikki respects your ultimate authority over your pregnancy, labor and birth, and baby, and strives to create family-centered birth experiences. During birth, partners or support people will be encouraged and supported to participate as much or as little as they desire. The role of Nikki as a midwife is to monitor fetal growth and development, support the mother to grow a healthy baby and to stay physically and mentally healthy themselves, provide as much or as little information as the family needs, and get to know the entire family in order to foster a positive and optimistic attitude toward birth. At birth, the midwife’s role is to assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta, monitor mother and baby vitals, support a normal neonatal transition to extrauterine life, repair any lacerations, facilitate bonding and breastfeeding, transfer to higher levels of care if needed, and clean up. Nikki’s postpartum support focuses on ensuring a healthy newborn who is feeding effectively, rest and healing of the newly postpartum mother, and integration of the baby into the whole family. Nikki Williams provides care that supports pregnancy and birth as a natural process, which minimizes but does not exclude medical intervention. Nikki carries emergency medications and equipment to manage postpartum hemorrhage, GBS prophylaxis, shock, dehydration, minor perineal repair and neonatal resuscitation at home. Nikki is unable to provide medical induction or pharmacological pain relief at home, but is knowledgeable in the use of herbs and homeopathics to encourage healthy labor and relieve pain. Nikki strongly encourages the use of water in labor and birth (hydrotherapy) and will provide all of the client education and supplies needed to allow water labor and waterbirth. Overall, Nikki Williams became a homebirth midwife after the birth of her only child, after experiencing the profound positive change in her outlook on life and new respect for herself after receiving midwifery care that allowed her to realize her power and capability for the first time. Nikki is now working her dream job that has always been waiting within her, after dedicating her early adulthood to other careers and other college degrees. She is dedicated to helping others achieve their own individual hopes and dreams for their births and themselves, so they can also realize their full power as humans and parents.

NiSheerer Colbert-Pinckney

Baltimore, Maryland

NiSheerer Colbert-Pinckney

6 years of experience

Hey there, I’m Ni’Sheerer! I’m the kind of doula who believes birth isn’t just about bringing a baby into the world—it’s about honoring the whole journey, from the first little flutter to those sweet (and sometimes sleepy) postpartum snuggles. My philosophy is simple: every family deserves support that’s both knowledgeable and heart-centered. I combine evidence-based care with a sprinkle of intuition, a lot of listening, and the belief that your birth story should feel empowering, not overwhelming. I’m here to be your cheerleader, your extra set of hands, and sometimes even your snack-fetching, water-refilling, “you’ve got this” voice when things get real. I see birth as a partnership—your body, your baby, your choices—my role is to support and protect that space. Whether it’s helping you find your breath during labor, keeping you company in those quiet postpartum hours, or making sure you get that much-needed nap, I’m all about creating an environment where you feel safe, heard, and cared for. Birth is powerful, parenting is brave, and I’m honored to walk beside you in it all.

Leah Hairston

Baltimore, Maryland

Leah Hairston

11 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Leah Hairston (she/her) is a full-spectrum doula, perinatal social worker, lactation counselor and advocate. She educates and empowers women with female reproductive systems, reminding them of their inherent power. Her dedication to facilitating spaces for healing, equal access, and justice stems from her deep commitment to addressing the systemic reproductive injustices against Black women. She is the founder of Sweet Bee Services, a Baltimore-based doula agency that provides justice-focused, trauma-informed, family-centered care throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. When not working, Leah enjoys trying new recipes while listening to audiobooks, walking her pup T’Challa, and savoring moments with loved ones. She is passionate about all things related to babies, reproductive wholeness, and social justice. Learn more and support her work by visiting www.sweetbeedoula.com.

Bethany Gallagher

Baltimore, Maryland

Bethany Gallagher

22 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello! I am an IBCLC and Speech-Language Pathologist located in the Baltimore area. Ive worked in NICUs and well-baby nurseries for the past 20+ years and have loved every second of it. I am now meeting parents and babies in their homes to provide in home lactation and overall feeding help.

Aishah Saeed

Stafford, Virginia

Aishah Saeed

4 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I am an international board certified lactation consultant. I help families make informed decisions about feeding their baby that includes pumping their breast milk, breastfeeding and/or formula feeding.

Caroline Hall IBCLC

Westminster, Maryland

Caroline Hall IBCLC

5 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Inspired by the sweetness of nature, Milk & Honey Maryland is here to support all things lactation, breastfeeding and infant feeding. Caroline Hall is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant thrilled to serve the Maryland and surrounding community. She is passionate about supporting families and helping people meet their lactation goals- whatever that may look like! Milkandhoneymaryland.com

Erica Green

Bel Air, Maryland

5.0 (4 reviews)

Erica Green

8 years of experience

Hello, I'm Erica, the proud owner of "Loving Hands Doula." I am located in Harford County, MD, and service the DMV, DE, PA, and NJ areas. I am thrilled to be on this path to assist families in the beautiful process of childbirth, offering my unwavering support to mothers and fathers during pregnancy and, most importantly, in the postpartum period. I am also certified in CPR, First Aid, and NRP, ensuring the safety and well-being of the families I work with—I am also a student Midwife. An experienced professional dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, and memorable birthing experience for you and your family. Lovinhandsdoula.org

Recent review

I had Erica as my doula for my first birth which was an at home water birth and she was the best doula anybody could ask for. The most supportive and caring person during this experience. Her vibe is unmatched and genuinely cares about your well being during this time. Beyond grateful that I found her and definitely would recommend her to anybody that needs a doula.

- Desiree T.