Labor Assistants/Doulas in the Rochester Area
A Doula is a trained professional birth assistant whose focus is on the informational, emotional, and comfort needs of the woman and her partner before, during and immediately following birth.
It is the hope of Healthy Birth of Rochester that this list will help you find a Doula who is right for you. Experience and training, services offered, and fees vary widely, as do personalities. It’s important that you feel comfortable with your Doula (that’s her job!), so we suggest that you contact a few of the Doulas listed here to find the best match for you.
The Doulas on this list are individuals who are professional members of Rochester Area Birth Network. However, Rochester Area Birth Network makes no claims or guarantees regarding the services, skills, or qualifications of the individuals listed here. Any recommendations concerning the use of doulas, including this list, do not constitute medical advice, Likewise, doulas are not medical care providers and any recommendations made by doulas do not constitute medical advice.
(You can also find a doula at www.FindaDoulaToday.com , or The Doula Cooperative of Rochester (585) 234-0164 www.doulacooperative.org )
A New Life Acupuncture, Patrick Boswell L.Ac, LMT, birth doula, 2139 North Union st suite 7 Spencerport, NY 14559 and 125 Lattimore road suite 200 Rochester, NY 14620 , (585-746-2187), (anewlifeacupuncture.com) Specializing in women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, labor/delivery, and postpartum care. I am the only acupuncturist in Rochester with credentials and inpatient privileges with the University of Rochester OB/GYN department. This allows me to treat using acupuncture during active labor at Strong and Highland hospitals right in your room. Available for house calls, home births and hospital visits anytime of day and night. My phone is always on.
Dr. Nicole Clemente, CACCP @ Rochester Chiropractic & Pregnancy, 2139 North Union Street, Suite 7A, Spencerport, New York 14559, 585-617-3494, Fax: 585-617-3496, clemente.dc@hotmail.com , www.chiropracticandpregnancy.com , Dr. Clemente is first a Doctor of Chiropractic trained to treat pregnant women throughout their pregnancy but also has trained as a Birth Doula and does go to births.
Mary “Molly” Deutschbein, LMT, CST, C-ATMAT ; CST of Rochester/Spirit Organic,99 Cathaway Park, Rochester, NY,14601. (585)746-4682 www.spiritorganic.net. Molly works with clients with fertility challenges, pregnant moms, and newborns as part of her all ages and stages wellness practice. Molly is a doula, NYS licensed massage therapist, certified Craniosacral therapist, Certified Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy Practitioner with advanced pregnancy training,and Spinning Babies training. She has more than two decades of experience helping families. Since 1990 Molly has studied traditional healing: making herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, flower essences, and Craniosacral therapy part of her practice focusing on the body’s spiritual and physical well-being. Molly has experience as an independent childbirth educator and a breastfeeding peer counselor. molly@spiritorganic.net.
The Doula Cooperative of Rochester – www.doulacooperative.org 585-234-0164 info@doulacooperative.com A birth doula is a woman who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. A postpartum doula helps a family make a smooth transition into parenthood by providing assistance with newborn care, breastfeeding, household duties and valuable emotional support during the postpartum period. The Doula Cooperative will provide you with names of local doulas available to support your family with your birth and postpartum experience.
The Doula Duo Rebecca Dilley CLC, Morgan Moy M.S., CCC-SLP/L TSSLD CLC birth and postpartum doulas Thedouladuo2@gmail.com
Kirsten Lynn Elting, BA, CD(DONA), LCCE, CLEC, CLC, SBD, CVD(TVL); 585-750-4549, 585-387-8054 (fax); believedoulas@gmail.com , Kirsten believes in supporting women and their families during their entire journey through pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Believing that women are powerful when they understand their own innate ability to give birth and that pregnancy and birth are NORMAL. She has attended and supported first births to second and third births, natural and medicated births, and provided early post-partum and breastfeeding support. Kirsten provides evidence-based, factual, information and continuous emotional and physical support. By doing so, she hopes to help guide women and their families in making informed choices and decisions during pregnancy, birth, and early post-partum. She is also a Stillbirth and Bereavement doula and a VBAC Doula. (Familiar with Bradley)
Flower City Doula Services, LLC – LaKeisha Washington, MPA, CD(DONA), IBCLC , offering birth doula, birth photography, and placenta encapsulation services to families in the Rochester, NY area. Will be certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant as of January of 2024. Contact info: https://www.flowercitydoula.com 585-340-7574 theflowercity.doula@gmail.com
Gaila Harriff, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), CLC, BSRN I have a calm, patient nature to assist you in labor; helping you with your goals (help writing your birth plan) for your birth experience. Certified for both birth and postpartum through DONA, serving families for 8 + years. Access to my library of books, DVD’s and slings. Breastfeeding assistance also available. “I feel so honored to step into your family’s beginnings. You will look back on these days the rest of your lives.”
Breeanna Hughes, CD. Breeanna.hughes@gmail.com My name is Breeanna and I am a mother of two girls and two dogs! I am a lover of animals, books, and kayaking! I have lived in many states but am originally from Oklahoma. I am the oldest of 11 which is what stemmed my love for birthing families! I am a DONA Trained Doula who’s goal is to help inform families about pregnancy birth and postpartum. I want to help empower any birthing family with their birth choices while providing support on their amazing journey. I am in the process of becoming certified through DONA!
Jenni Kula CD(DONA), PICD, CE – I provide birth and postpartum doula services across Western New York. mindfulmamabirthservices@gmail.com www.mindfulmamabirthing.com
Adriana Lozada, AdvCD(DONA) (Also fluent in Spanish.) www.birthful.com (585) 454-9898, adriana@birthful.com
Congratulations! Having a baby is wonderfully transforming and empowering! My mission as a doula is to help you have a satisfying birth experience, as you define it. I’m there to support you as a family, and will also work with your partner and those present at your birth, so that they are able to participate at their comfort level. Since 2007 I have supported women and their partners through vaginal births, cesarean births, VBACs, premature births, post-date births and back labor (posterior baby presentations). There are many ways to give birth, but all moms need caring support! I’m a DONA certified birth doula, and also offer Postpartum Preparation Services, and healthy sleep consultations.
Danielle Major – 808-268-3973 Doula_Danielle@yahoo.com I am a trained Birth Doula, seeking DONA certification. I believe a Doula is an essential role in a women’s birth and that women should have the best birth possible with the circumstances that are provided for them at that time. I am familiar with the Bradley Childbirth Method and support natural childbirth and breastfeeding mommas. I had a natural labor with my son in 2011. I look forward to working with you on your journey into motherhood.
Tree Marino, LMT, Birth doula – Mommamoonmassage@gmail.com, (585)441-0945, 829 South ave Rochester, NY 14620
Naomi McMullen – Phone: (585) 750 – 4894 joyajewel2031@gmail.com
Christy Muscato, CD(DONA), LCCE, CNHP, ND – Beautiful Birth Choices
www.bbcroc.com(cell: 576-0665) christy@bbcroc.com I have been supporting women and their partners since 2004. Women are amazing, and being present on one of the most powerful days of their life is truly an honor. Experiencing a cesarean & VBAC myself, I know the extra support it takes to make that happen. I have supported vaginal birth, cesarean birth, high-risk birth, twins and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Even VBAC Twins! I have worked with single mother, multiple types of couples, and older maternal ages. My hope is that women feel informed empowered and supported! I am a certified birth doula with DONA, International and teach Lamaze Childbirth Classes.
New Moon Healing – Kara Karaoguz, CD, , is a Registered Nurse and is also certified as a Doula, Childbirth Educator, HypnoBirthing® Instructor, Yoga instructor and Energy Healer. Highly qualified to share her knowledge, Kara brings many years of invaluable experience to your pregnancy and labor/birth. As your doula, Kara is with you to listen, comfort, support, educate and empower you and your birth partner as you prepare for the biggest event of your life. Since 2010, families have looked to Kara for her guidance, expertise and loving presence to help ensure their positive vision of birth. Three packages to choose from. Please visit www.newmoonhealing.com for more information. Email: info@newmoonhealing.com Call/text: (585) 820-6085
Elizabeth Prokopienko; Rochester Doulas; Spencerport, NY, 14559; 585-703-7639; prokopienkos@gmail.com doulasroc.com Elizabeth is a certified labor doula and a trained postpartum doula. She brings her compassion, knowledge, and expertise to you, offering exceptional, unconditional support whenever you need it. Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting you and your family in all your pregnancy, birth and postpartum needs.
ROC Doula rocdoula@gmail.com, 585-503-0358, ROC Doula is a team of doulas trained by DONA to provide support to you and your partner throughout your labor and birth. We offer birth planning, education, evidence-based resources, and postpartum guidance. Services include Postpartum Doula, Placenta Encapsulation, Certified Lactation Counselor, Belly Binding, and Breastmilk Jewelry. Contact: Petra Letter.
Sherry S. Smith – S2d3rd@yahoo.com 585-358-8443 – Having served women in the Rochester Community for more than 35 years, Sherry is a mother of 5 , and the most experienced Doula in our area. She is well versed in the Bradley Method, and is a favorite among students.
Julia M. Sittig, MSW, AdvCD(DONA), LCCE 585-613-1051, julia@bbcroc.com , www.bbcroc.com I have had the joy of supporting women and their partners since 2004, rewarding years of experience! My belief is that women have been designed to participate in natural, normal birth, not just experience it. As a doula, I offer continuous support, birth planning and education, assistance with comfort measures and emotional support in labor, and immediate post partum guidance. A mother of five with a terrific husband, I am a DONA certified doula (2005), a Lamaze certified educator (2005), an assistant doula trainer with Birth Matters, and a back-up home birth midwifery assistant with Seasons of Life Midwifery.
Kara Snyder, , CPES, CD(DONA), CCE – Birth Doula and Placenta Encapsulator, Rochester, NY, 14617. 585-784-0537, karaandsam@yahoo.com Offering placenta encapsulation services to the greater Rochester, NY area www.ksnyderplacenta.com
Alison Spath, CD(DONA), RYT, IBCLC – alison@bbcroc.com, 585-451-9968 http://bbcroc.com I believe that birth is a transformational journey, one that will change your life forever. Historically, women have been surrounded by experienced mothers during their pregnancies and births for support, guidance and reassurance. As your doula I offer prenatal support to help you plan, work through fears and concerns and understand your options. I will be with you and your partner throughout your entire labor and birth. I also offer breastfeeding support in the hours, days and weeks after your baby has arrived.I have three children, my daughters born via unplanned cesarean and my son was born naturally after two cesareans. (VBA2C) I teach prenatal yoga and have been working with breastfeeding mothers in the community since 2008.
Bridget Strub; Wildflower Birth Support; Rochester, NY, 14609; 585-880-5387, b.rose.strub@gmail.com; I am a Certified Birth Doula (CD(DONA)) and am working toward certification as a placenta encapsulation specialist with APPA.
Three Sisters Doula Care http://threesistersdoulacare.com (585)454-9625, 62 Market Street
Brockport, NY 14420, Three sisters; Jane, Joy and Jenessa, offering (DONA certified) birth doula services, a variety of classes, placenta encapsulation and more!
Emily Thompson, Trained Birth Doula, (585) 764-7361, Eathompson612@gmail.com I have had a love for pregnancy, birth and babies for as long as I can remember. The desire to become a doula came after my own birth experience in 2021 when I had the first-hand experience of what it was like to birth with a supportive and tender doula…the most incredible experience and one every mother deserves. I completed the DONA birth training in the fall of 2022 and am currently pursuing certification as a Birth Doula though DONA International. My goal as a doula is to help empower and educate women to allow them to have the birth experience they envision.
Alexa Weeks, CD, LMSW, RN-CLC – Alexa@birthful.com, (585) 568.7806 birthful.com/alexa Alexa provides non-judgmental support and evidence-based resources; working closely to identify the specific needs and priorities of each client. She approaches doula work with an open-heart, an open-mind, and a dedication to helping women and families transition from pregnancy to parenthood in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to them. Alexa is certified through Birth Arts International. She has additional training as a certified lactation counselor, and is also a social worker. Her experience as a nurse, in a hospital-based birthing center, gave her an appreciation for the diverse range of childbirth options and a respect for the process of birth.
Community Doula Program – http://www.healthconnectone.org/pages/press_release___7_29_2014/368.php
Many Doulas listed mention the following organizations and credentials; here’s what they stand for:
ALACE – Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators http://www.alace.org/
BAI – Birth Arts International www.birtharts.com
BCCE – Bradley Certified Childbirth Educator & Labor Support www.bradleybirth.com
CCA –Certified Childbirth Assistant
CCE – Certified Childbirth Educator
DONA – Doulas of North America http://www.dona.org/
IBCLC – Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant
ICCE – Internationally Certified Childbirth Educator
ICEA – International Childbirth Education Association http://www.icea.org/doulas.htm
CI – Childbirth International www.childbirthinternational.com
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