Birth Professional Mentorship Program
Blossoming Bellies is excited to offer the support and guidance of the Blossoming Bellies Birth Professional Mentorship Program! The Level One program allows aspiring and new (and new-er) birth doulas, childbirth educators, and postpartum doulas to gain knowledge, wisdom, and confidence from a seasoned doula and childbirth educator while networking and learning tricks of the trade and business skills. The Level Two program is available to those whom have already completed the Level One program or have attended at least 50 births. All services in this program are provided by Blossoming Bellies founder, Brittany McCollum, CCE(BWI), CD(DONA).
The Birth Professional Mentorship Program is available for birth doulas, childbirth educators, and postpartum doulas. Each program includes a professional binder full of handouts, resources, and guidance in topics related to building one's practice, one-on-one visits with Brittany, 24/7 telephone and email support, text support, attendance at Blossoming Bellies classes and birth professional workshops, and the opportunity for client referrals. For the full info, please contact Britt at britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com.
Blossoming Bellies is excited to offer the support and guidance of the Blossoming Bellies Birth Professional Mentorship Program! The Level One program allows aspiring and new (and new-er) birth doulas, childbirth educators, and postpartum doulas to gain knowledge, wisdom, and confidence from a seasoned doula and childbirth educator while networking and learning tricks of the trade and business skills. The Level Two program is available to those whom have already completed the Level One program or have attended at least 50 births. All services in this program are provided by Blossoming Bellies founder, Brittany McCollum, CCE(BWI), CD(DONA).
The Birth Professional Mentorship Program is available for birth doulas, childbirth educators, and postpartum doulas. Each program includes a professional binder full of handouts, resources, and guidance in topics related to building one's practice, one-on-one visits with Brittany, 24/7 telephone and email support, text support, attendance at Blossoming Bellies classes and birth professional workshops, and the opportunity for client referrals. For the full info, please contact Britt at britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com.
Thank you for all your assistance throughout these past six months. I've had a great time learning from you and feel more confident as a doula because of your mentoring program. So thank you! It's been wonderful. - Jenna M.
Meet the Birth Professionals in the Blossoming Bellies Mentorship Program!
Level One Birth Professionals
Birth professionals in the Level One Mentorship Program are working with Blossoming Bellies support for the first time in their birth work journey. They are obtaining both day and night email and phone support from Brittany, observing a birth class, and attending Brittany's "Creating Space" training for birth professionals. In addition, they participate in face to face meetings where they are provided support in developing their business, preparing and working with clients, and growing in their role as a community birth worker.
Victoria Goins
Victoria is an actor and birth doula residing in Philadelphia. Being raised in a matriarchy, Victoria always held a high level of respect for motherhood. Her family was always welcoming new members, however, it was child rearing/upbringing that dominated their conversations. It wasn’t until her adult years that she began investigating birth as a holistic process that her passion for birthwork blossomed and her respect for motherhood deepened.
Upon realization of the maternal mortality crisis plaguing the U.S., Victoria began volunteering as a doula with two Philadelphia organizations, The Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support (PALS) and the Maternity Care Coalition. It was working with these mothers that reinforced what Victoria's matriarchy had already embedded in her -"mamma knows best." No matter what circumstances surround the birth Victoria believes every mother deserves an informed pregnancy, a tailored birth plan, and continuous labor support with comfort measures adapted to her needs. Her services are centered around the belief that empowered women who are supported in trusting themselves and their bodies are able to experience the divinity in childbirth. You can learn more about Victoria and her services at dyvinedoula.com.
Hannah Brenneman
Hannah is an anthropologist, educator, yoga teacher, and aspiring birth doula who has been surrounded by a family of strong, smart, empowering women since she was born. At 14 years old, Hannah was introduced to the world of doulas when her mother hired one to attend the VBAC hospital birth of Hannah’s baby brother—her first birth since the Cesarean birth of Hannah and her twin sister, Sophie, nearly a decade and a half earlier!
Since then, Hannah’s fascination with birth and passion for educating and supporting others has followed her in her travels and studies around the globe, growing stronger every year. Hannah is in the beginning stages of shifting her long-term career goals towards the world of birth work and is currently enjoying growing as a birth doula, pre- and postnatal yoga teacher, and volunteer at Planned Parenthood.
Her yoga training, international work as an educator, interest in learning from birth practices and rituals around the world, and work in holding space combine to inform how she relates to her clients. Above all, Hannah seeks to listen sincerely, adjust her approaches to meet and support her clients where they are—physically, emotionally, spiritually—at all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, and ensure that they have as much information and time as possible to make decisions that best suit their unique preferences and needs.
Hannah’s long-term goals in the world of birth work include striving to incorporate elements of holistic nutrition, yoga and breathwork, lactation counseling, and relationship coaching into her clients’ labor, birth, and postpartum experiences.
Outside of birth work, Hannah can usually be found listening to podcasts, cooking and baking, or taking photos around Philadelphia. Hannah can be reached at alheliame@gmail.com.
Hannah is an anthropologist, educator, yoga teacher, and aspiring birth doula who has been surrounded by a family of strong, smart, empowering women since she was born. At 14 years old, Hannah was introduced to the world of doulas when her mother hired one to attend the VBAC hospital birth of Hannah’s baby brother—her first birth since the Cesarean birth of Hannah and her twin sister, Sophie, nearly a decade and a half earlier!
Since then, Hannah’s fascination with birth and passion for educating and supporting others has followed her in her travels and studies around the globe, growing stronger every year. Hannah is in the beginning stages of shifting her long-term career goals towards the world of birth work and is currently enjoying growing as a birth doula, pre- and postnatal yoga teacher, and volunteer at Planned Parenthood.
Her yoga training, international work as an educator, interest in learning from birth practices and rituals around the world, and work in holding space combine to inform how she relates to her clients. Above all, Hannah seeks to listen sincerely, adjust her approaches to meet and support her clients where they are—physically, emotionally, spiritually—at all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, and ensure that they have as much information and time as possible to make decisions that best suit their unique preferences and needs.
Hannah’s long-term goals in the world of birth work include striving to incorporate elements of holistic nutrition, yoga and breathwork, lactation counseling, and relationship coaching into her clients’ labor, birth, and postpartum experiences.
Outside of birth work, Hannah can usually be found listening to podcasts, cooking and baking, or taking photos around Philadelphia. Hannah can be reached at alheliame@gmail.com.
Hanan Abdul-Hameed
Hanan's fascination with labor and maternal wellness began 20 years ago when she witnessed her nephew's birth. Since that time her seventeen year marriage has yielded three beautiful children, now 11, 9, and 7. She was inspired by the work of the midwives who helped her deliver naturally and since has also cultivated a deep appreciation for anatomy and physiology. She pursued this passion first by helping neighbors, family, and friends through their labors and now through a labor and post-partum doula certification program which she nears the end of this coming August.
Hanan was especially affected by the loss of her twin girls at five months. This experience has motivated her to develop a holistic approach to the pregnancy and postpartum process including both the physiological aspects of mothering as well as the spiritual into her practice. She centers the experience of mothers, making sure the journey for her clients is appreciated for its texture and nuance. Not only does she enjoy meeting new people from other cultures, but she takes into account her clients' values and experiences while developing her approach to their care, including but not limited to a focus on reproductive justice.
Throughout her certification process through the renowned DONA and CAPPA training programs, she has and continues to volunteer as an Infant Cuddler at Einstein Hospital. She has further enriched her academic repertoire by attending workshops in palliative care and perinatal mood disorders. Her long-term ambition is to become certified nurse midwife. In the interim she will be working with the PALS as well as the Maternity Care Coalition. In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking, sketching, reading, and cooking Indian and African cuisine. Contact Hanan at hananabdulhameed7@gmail.com.
Hanan's fascination with labor and maternal wellness began 20 years ago when she witnessed her nephew's birth. Since that time her seventeen year marriage has yielded three beautiful children, now 11, 9, and 7. She was inspired by the work of the midwives who helped her deliver naturally and since has also cultivated a deep appreciation for anatomy and physiology. She pursued this passion first by helping neighbors, family, and friends through their labors and now through a labor and post-partum doula certification program which she nears the end of this coming August.
Hanan was especially affected by the loss of her twin girls at five months. This experience has motivated her to develop a holistic approach to the pregnancy and postpartum process including both the physiological aspects of mothering as well as the spiritual into her practice. She centers the experience of mothers, making sure the journey for her clients is appreciated for its texture and nuance. Not only does she enjoy meeting new people from other cultures, but she takes into account her clients' values and experiences while developing her approach to their care, including but not limited to a focus on reproductive justice.
Throughout her certification process through the renowned DONA and CAPPA training programs, she has and continues to volunteer as an Infant Cuddler at Einstein Hospital. She has further enriched her academic repertoire by attending workshops in palliative care and perinatal mood disorders. Her long-term ambition is to become certified nurse midwife. In the interim she will be working with the PALS as well as the Maternity Care Coalition. In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking, sketching, reading, and cooking Indian and African cuisine. Contact Hanan at hananabdulhameed7@gmail.com.
Amy Pelak Rothstein
Amy's path to birth work has grown out of the births of her own children and from listening to the birth stories of friends, neighbors, and family members. During her first pregnancy, she was shocked to learn how little she knew of the labor and birth process and of how many women emerge from birth feeling defeated rather than empowered. After she and her husband participated in an independent childbirth prep course, Amy’s curiosity for all things childbirth emerged and has grown steadily since then.
As an aspiring birth worker, Amy is currently pursuing her doula training via Birth Arts International and her childbirth educator certification through the International Childbirth Education Association. Amy also draws from the intuition, knowledge, and awareness she has gained from her own pregnancies, births, and postpartum periods. She is currently a mother of two and was able to achieve the unmedicated births she desired within two different hospitals. Birth was a transformative experience for her in learning her own physical, emotional and mental strength.
For the past ten years, she has worked as an academic advisor helping students navigate their academic paths and become informed decision makers. As her life space has shifted from being a student to being a mother, she feels drawn to helping other women figure out what they want their birth journeys to look like. She strives to help women and their partners approach labor and birth feeling empowered and educated rather than fearful and unaware. Amy can be reached at apelak@gmail.com.
Amy's path to birth work has grown out of the births of her own children and from listening to the birth stories of friends, neighbors, and family members. During her first pregnancy, she was shocked to learn how little she knew of the labor and birth process and of how many women emerge from birth feeling defeated rather than empowered. After she and her husband participated in an independent childbirth prep course, Amy’s curiosity for all things childbirth emerged and has grown steadily since then.
As an aspiring birth worker, Amy is currently pursuing her doula training via Birth Arts International and her childbirth educator certification through the International Childbirth Education Association. Amy also draws from the intuition, knowledge, and awareness she has gained from her own pregnancies, births, and postpartum periods. She is currently a mother of two and was able to achieve the unmedicated births she desired within two different hospitals. Birth was a transformative experience for her in learning her own physical, emotional and mental strength.
For the past ten years, she has worked as an academic advisor helping students navigate their academic paths and become informed decision makers. As her life space has shifted from being a student to being a mother, she feels drawn to helping other women figure out what they want their birth journeys to look like. She strives to help women and their partners approach labor and birth feeling empowered and educated rather than fearful and unaware. Amy can be reached at apelak@gmail.com.
Sophie Davis
In her work as a birth doula, Sophie Davis embraces patience and her innate listening abilities to make her clients feel heard. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and from a young age she has always adored babies. She completed her foundation training with Carriage House Birth in Brooklyn in July 2016. Upon moving to Philadelphia in October 2017, she began working with the Maternity Care Coalition as a community doula.
Sophie is motivated to help her clients feel empowered and supported in their births. She dreams about a world in which consent in labor is paramount. Her goal at every birth is for her client to understand what is going on and to help them feel powerful in any scenario. Sophie uses her prenatal yoga teacher training to get her clients moving and to prepare their bodies for labor. She has experience supporting single parents as well as partnerships.
Outside of birth work, Sophie dances Contact Improvisation and she holds a BA in photography. She works every day at maintaining a practice of kindness for her body through yoga, dance, baths, massage, and eating well; she encourages her clients to be equally kind to their bodies. Sophie can be reached at sophmdavis@gmail.com. @gmail.com.
In her work as a birth doula, Sophie Davis embraces patience and her innate listening abilities to make her clients feel heard. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and from a young age she has always adored babies. She completed her foundation training with Carriage House Birth in Brooklyn in July 2016. Upon moving to Philadelphia in October 2017, she began working with the Maternity Care Coalition as a community doula.
Sophie is motivated to help her clients feel empowered and supported in their births. She dreams about a world in which consent in labor is paramount. Her goal at every birth is for her client to understand what is going on and to help them feel powerful in any scenario. Sophie uses her prenatal yoga teacher training to get her clients moving and to prepare their bodies for labor. She has experience supporting single parents as well as partnerships.
Outside of birth work, Sophie dances Contact Improvisation and she holds a BA in photography. She works every day at maintaining a practice of kindness for her body through yoga, dance, baths, massage, and eating well; she encourages her clients to be equally kind to their bodies. Sophie can be reached at sophmdavis@gmail.com. @gmail.com.
Level Two Birth Professionals
Birth professionals in the Level Two Mentorship Program have either worked with Brittany previously to complete the Level One Mentorship Program and/or have attended at least 50 births. They are now continuing to obtain support from Blossoming Bellies in the form of night and day email and phone contact, observation of infant feeding and infant care classes, participation in Brittany's training "Creating Space" for birth professionals (most participants attend this workshop several times over the course of their work!), and attend up to six monthly webinars covering a variety of topics. Level Two participants spend their mentorship gaining insight into their birth work as their experience and skills grow, further developing the techniques beneficial to assisting clients in having positive and healthy birth experiences that they can easily integrate into their postpartum, and developing a deeper understanding of and reflection on the personal, social, and cultural forces that affect reproductive care in the current birth climate.
Birth professionals in the Level Two Mentorship Program have either worked with Brittany previously to complete the Level One Mentorship Program and/or have attended at least 50 births. They are now continuing to obtain support from Blossoming Bellies in the form of night and day email and phone contact, observation of infant feeding and infant care classes, participation in Brittany's training "Creating Space" for birth professionals (most participants attend this workshop several times over the course of their work!), and attend up to six monthly webinars covering a variety of topics. Level Two participants spend their mentorship gaining insight into their birth work as their experience and skills grow, further developing the techniques beneficial to assisting clients in having positive and healthy birth experiences that they can easily integrate into their postpartum, and developing a deeper understanding of and reflection on the personal, social, and cultural forces that affect reproductive care in the current birth climate.
Nicole Sawyers
Nicole Sawyers Todd (She/Her) is a mother of three, and a doula who offers professional, inclusive birth preparation/support and overnight postpartum care to expectant and new families in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Nicole began her journey towards birth work in the fall of 2014, after the birth of her youngest son. Her own birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding experiences lead her to the realization that there are gaps in care that must surely be filled. After a year of self-study, she completed a birth doula training program through CAPPA, (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and decided shortly thereafter that postpartum care was an integral piece of the puzzle. She continued on by taking the postpartum doula training through CAPPA, and began working with families immediately. She is constantly expanding her knowledge through literature, continuing education courses and workshops, enjoys learning from those who have come before her, and is a professional member of Evidence Based Birth. She has personal as well as professional lactation experience, is knowledgeable in acupressure for birth, pelvic biomechanics, VBAC support, birth after previous trauma/loss and postpartum twin-care. She is also a registered Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, and holds a rebozo certification.
Nicole is a firm believer in compassionate, intuitive, non-judgmental, Evidence-Based support and the positive impact it can have on an entire family. Whether it be the support she provides throughout pregnancy, labor and birth, or during the sacred postpartum transition; she prides herself on the importance of maintaining a professional relationship - and at the same time, remaining open and humbled to the possibility of connecting on a deeper level. She truly understands that “it takes a village” and believes that this approach has been an asset to her work as a doula, and the families that she has served.
Aside from her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, attending musical events, nature, art, and is a total plant-based “foodie.”
Nicole can be reached at 267-777-0815, Nicole@NorthernStarDoula.com, and her website is https://NorthernStarDoula.com
Join her on Social media!
Facebook.com/NorthernStarDoula
Instagram.com/NorthernStarDoulaPhilly
Nicole Sawyers Todd (She/Her) is a mother of three, and a doula who offers professional, inclusive birth preparation/support and overnight postpartum care to expectant and new families in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Nicole began her journey towards birth work in the fall of 2014, after the birth of her youngest son. Her own birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding experiences lead her to the realization that there are gaps in care that must surely be filled. After a year of self-study, she completed a birth doula training program through CAPPA, (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and decided shortly thereafter that postpartum care was an integral piece of the puzzle. She continued on by taking the postpartum doula training through CAPPA, and began working with families immediately. She is constantly expanding her knowledge through literature, continuing education courses and workshops, enjoys learning from those who have come before her, and is a professional member of Evidence Based Birth. She has personal as well as professional lactation experience, is knowledgeable in acupressure for birth, pelvic biomechanics, VBAC support, birth after previous trauma/loss and postpartum twin-care. She is also a registered Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, and holds a rebozo certification.
Nicole is a firm believer in compassionate, intuitive, non-judgmental, Evidence-Based support and the positive impact it can have on an entire family. Whether it be the support she provides throughout pregnancy, labor and birth, or during the sacred postpartum transition; she prides herself on the importance of maintaining a professional relationship - and at the same time, remaining open and humbled to the possibility of connecting on a deeper level. She truly understands that “it takes a village” and believes that this approach has been an asset to her work as a doula, and the families that she has served.
Aside from her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, attending musical events, nature, art, and is a total plant-based “foodie.”
Nicole can be reached at 267-777-0815, Nicole@NorthernStarDoula.com, and her website is https://NorthernStarDoula.com
Join her on Social media!
Facebook.com/NorthernStarDoula
Instagram.com/NorthernStarDoulaPhilly
Meet the Graduates of the Blossoming Bellies Level One Mentorship Program
Jodi Silberstein
Jodi Silberstein is a birth and postpartum doula and enthusiastic home cook. She came into this line of work through her job as the marketing manager for a maternity/newborn store in Brooklyn. She was drawn not only to the new parents walking in full of questions and concern, but watching other employees, most of whom were doulas, interact with compassion and patience. Jodi took a cue from her cowrkers, quit the marketing world, and pursued her passion for birth work.
After her training through DONA, Jodi got her start volunteering for the Philadelphia Alliance For Labor Support. She finds joy in creating calm, stress-free environments and believes in giving her clients all the tools they need to stay at ease and in control of their birth and the confidence to develop their unique parenting style. She is also trained in babywearing, Bengkung belly-binding, and breastfeeding.
Jodi takes a special interest in learning about her clients’ cultures and traditions and likes to incorporate this into her work either through labor support or the food she cooks for them. In Jodi’s down time, she is making meals for friends and family and planning camping trips with her brother.
Jodi can be reached at: 732-865-0750, jodi@jodiraedoula.com, @jodiraedoula
Jodi Silberstein is a birth and postpartum doula and enthusiastic home cook. She came into this line of work through her job as the marketing manager for a maternity/newborn store in Brooklyn. She was drawn not only to the new parents walking in full of questions and concern, but watching other employees, most of whom were doulas, interact with compassion and patience. Jodi took a cue from her cowrkers, quit the marketing world, and pursued her passion for birth work.
After her training through DONA, Jodi got her start volunteering for the Philadelphia Alliance For Labor Support. She finds joy in creating calm, stress-free environments and believes in giving her clients all the tools they need to stay at ease and in control of their birth and the confidence to develop their unique parenting style. She is also trained in babywearing, Bengkung belly-binding, and breastfeeding.
Jodi takes a special interest in learning about her clients’ cultures and traditions and likes to incorporate this into her work either through labor support or the food she cooks for them. In Jodi’s down time, she is making meals for friends and family and planning camping trips with her brother.
Jodi can be reached at: 732-865-0750, jodi@jodiraedoula.com, @jodiraedoula
Julia Mooney
Julia was originally inspired to doula work after experiencing the power of doula support at the birth of her second child. Her first child had a known, severe heart complication and was born via c-section at CHOP. Looking back, a doula would have been so beneficial at that stressful delivery! For Julia's second baby, she wanted more control over her birth experience, so she hired a doula to help her through an unmedicated delivery. The experience was transformative and empowering. Giving birth on her own terms inspired her to help other mothers achieve the birth that's right for them. Since then she has trained in the field of birth professionals and completed her training workshop at Shanti Uganda, a birth-house in Uganda that offered a non-western perspective on the universal experience that is birth.
Julia believes that birth is a normal, timeless milestone in a woman's life, and one that we all have a right to undergo on our own terms. A woman who has a satisfying birth blossoms with confidence and self assurance - this makes for happy families and happy women! For Julia, her role as a doula is to support that experience for moms - new moms, experienced moms, moms who want unmedicated births, planned c-sections, and everything in between.
For ten years Julia has been a public school teacher, in addition to her interest in birth work. She offers a non-judgmental, professional, down-to-earth companion for the mother and other support people who may be present at a baby's birth. Learn more about Julia at www.juliamooneybirthdoula.com or by emailing her at julia@juliaranson.com.
Julia was originally inspired to doula work after experiencing the power of doula support at the birth of her second child. Her first child had a known, severe heart complication and was born via c-section at CHOP. Looking back, a doula would have been so beneficial at that stressful delivery! For Julia's second baby, she wanted more control over her birth experience, so she hired a doula to help her through an unmedicated delivery. The experience was transformative and empowering. Giving birth on her own terms inspired her to help other mothers achieve the birth that's right for them. Since then she has trained in the field of birth professionals and completed her training workshop at Shanti Uganda, a birth-house in Uganda that offered a non-western perspective on the universal experience that is birth.
Julia believes that birth is a normal, timeless milestone in a woman's life, and one that we all have a right to undergo on our own terms. A woman who has a satisfying birth blossoms with confidence and self assurance - this makes for happy families and happy women! For Julia, her role as a doula is to support that experience for moms - new moms, experienced moms, moms who want unmedicated births, planned c-sections, and everything in between.
For ten years Julia has been a public school teacher, in addition to her interest in birth work. She offers a non-judgmental, professional, down-to-earth companion for the mother and other support people who may be present at a baby's birth. Learn more about Julia at www.juliamooneybirthdoula.com or by emailing her at julia@juliaranson.com.
Elizabeth Weinstein
Elizabeth Weinstein is a birth doula and movement artist. She believes in the power of the birthing body and supports the creation of transformative and peaceful birth experiences. She loves birth work for its centrality in many of our cultures’ most important pursuits, including honoring women’s bodies, transforming our health care systems, creating safe and connected communities, building movements for reproductive justice, and upholding traditional ways of healing.
As a doula, Elizabeth offers compassionate care, skilled physical support, and a passion for patiently sharing her knowledge of all things pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Elizabeth has spent many years as a professional dancer and movement educator, and strives to find the places where movement, improvisation, and childbirth braid together. She works with clients to find connection and wisdom in their own bodies and to safely dance their way through labor.
Elizabeth completed her doula training with Birth Arts International in 2010, and has since had the honor of studying breastfeeding support with Nikki Lee, placenta encapsulation, and working as a member of Maternity Care Coalition’s community doula program. In 2010, she traveled to Brazil to study the role of ritual in natural childbirth alongside elder midwives and maintains a deep belief in the importance of woman-centered care. Elizabeth is also an advocate for survivors of sexual trauma and aims to build a trauma informed model of care and birth support. Birth is our way into the world, and Elizabeth is grateful to offer her heart and hands to the work of joyful welcome. Elizabeth can be reached at www.elizabethweinsteinbirth.com.
Elizabeth Weinstein is a birth doula and movement artist. She believes in the power of the birthing body and supports the creation of transformative and peaceful birth experiences. She loves birth work for its centrality in many of our cultures’ most important pursuits, including honoring women’s bodies, transforming our health care systems, creating safe and connected communities, building movements for reproductive justice, and upholding traditional ways of healing.
As a doula, Elizabeth offers compassionate care, skilled physical support, and a passion for patiently sharing her knowledge of all things pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Elizabeth has spent many years as a professional dancer and movement educator, and strives to find the places where movement, improvisation, and childbirth braid together. She works with clients to find connection and wisdom in their own bodies and to safely dance their way through labor.
Elizabeth completed her doula training with Birth Arts International in 2010, and has since had the honor of studying breastfeeding support with Nikki Lee, placenta encapsulation, and working as a member of Maternity Care Coalition’s community doula program. In 2010, she traveled to Brazil to study the role of ritual in natural childbirth alongside elder midwives and maintains a deep belief in the importance of woman-centered care. Elizabeth is also an advocate for survivors of sexual trauma and aims to build a trauma informed model of care and birth support. Birth is our way into the world, and Elizabeth is grateful to offer her heart and hands to the work of joyful welcome. Elizabeth can be reached at www.elizabethweinsteinbirth.com.
Heather Renee Noren
Heather Renee, a Florida transplant, moved to Philadelphia in November of 2014. She has always known that her passion lies with being of service to families (coming from a large family herself). She started working with children from an early age, and has been a nanny for the past five years. Her introduction to the world of birth work came through a dear friend, who was a doula and aspiring midwife. Immediately, she became enthralled with the magic that is birth. In late summer of 2015, Heather Renee completed training to become a birth doula in South Philadelphia, with Birth Arts International. Since this time, she has continued to actively expand her education regarding birth, birth activistism, birth in underserved communities, trainings on birthing in LGBTQ communities, and how to be of greater service to families of all variations and backgrounds. Heather Renee feels her role, as a birth doula, is to provide a safe environment for people to give birth; to create a loving space for a birthing person’s voice in decision making; and to help birthing families feel supported throughout the duration of this transition into parenthood. Heather Renee believes that each birth is a unique, powerful, and normal process of life; that all have the right to a supported, peaceful, and dignified birth.
Aside from her work as a Birth Doula, you can find Heather Renee deepening her practice as a certified yoga instructor; volunteering with the Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support, community houses and studios; traveling, exploring nature and studying plants; volunteering in addiction and recovery outreach; and learning from various communities around the world. Going forward, Heather Renee plans to continue her education in birth and postpartum work, lactation support, placenta encapsulation, and to work towards becoming a Certified Midwife, and deepening her practice throughout her community. She feels it is the deepest honor to be of service to birthing families throughout such a precious and celebratory period in their lives, in order that they may have their best possible birthing experience. Heather Renee can be reached at hnoren1@gmail.com or HeatherReneeWellness.com .
Heather Renee, a Florida transplant, moved to Philadelphia in November of 2014. She has always known that her passion lies with being of service to families (coming from a large family herself). She started working with children from an early age, and has been a nanny for the past five years. Her introduction to the world of birth work came through a dear friend, who was a doula and aspiring midwife. Immediately, she became enthralled with the magic that is birth. In late summer of 2015, Heather Renee completed training to become a birth doula in South Philadelphia, with Birth Arts International. Since this time, she has continued to actively expand her education regarding birth, birth activistism, birth in underserved communities, trainings on birthing in LGBTQ communities, and how to be of greater service to families of all variations and backgrounds. Heather Renee feels her role, as a birth doula, is to provide a safe environment for people to give birth; to create a loving space for a birthing person’s voice in decision making; and to help birthing families feel supported throughout the duration of this transition into parenthood. Heather Renee believes that each birth is a unique, powerful, and normal process of life; that all have the right to a supported, peaceful, and dignified birth.
Aside from her work as a Birth Doula, you can find Heather Renee deepening her practice as a certified yoga instructor; volunteering with the Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support, community houses and studios; traveling, exploring nature and studying plants; volunteering in addiction and recovery outreach; and learning from various communities around the world. Going forward, Heather Renee plans to continue her education in birth and postpartum work, lactation support, placenta encapsulation, and to work towards becoming a Certified Midwife, and deepening her practice throughout her community. She feels it is the deepest honor to be of service to birthing families throughout such a precious and celebratory period in their lives, in order that they may have their best possible birthing experience. Heather Renee can be reached at hnoren1@gmail.com or HeatherReneeWellness.com .
Dara Belcher
Dara was called to begin a journey in birth work after being blessed with her daughter in 2016. She completed formal training through DONA International and is a member of Maternity Care Coalition's Community Doula Program which has allowed her to receive training in areas such as breastfeeding support and providing care in the postpartum period.
Dara strives to promote an environment where mothers are comfortable and confident enough to have the birthing experience they desire. She places value on one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Prior to becoming a doula, she gained invaluable experience as a mental health therapist. She is a graduate of Spelman College and went on to earn a Masters in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Dara has an extensive history supporting individuals dealing with substance abuse and trauma. Through her previous work as an emergency services therapist, she learned how to maintain and promote calm in unpredictable situations.
Dara currently resides in South Jersey. Her family is from Trinidad & Tobago, which is where she spent her childhood summers. Dara has been fortunate enough to travel to many countries over the years and enjoys learning about other cultures. She makes sure that the support and resources she provides to families are individualized to meet their specific wishes and needs. Dara will be working towards becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant and is focused on expanding her knowledge in birth work on an ongoing basis to always be able to best serve families. Feel free to contact her at darathebirthdoula@gmail.com and visit www.darathebirthdoula.com.
Dara was called to begin a journey in birth work after being blessed with her daughter in 2016. She completed formal training through DONA International and is a member of Maternity Care Coalition's Community Doula Program which has allowed her to receive training in areas such as breastfeeding support and providing care in the postpartum period.
Dara strives to promote an environment where mothers are comfortable and confident enough to have the birthing experience they desire. She places value on one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Prior to becoming a doula, she gained invaluable experience as a mental health therapist. She is a graduate of Spelman College and went on to earn a Masters in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Dara has an extensive history supporting individuals dealing with substance abuse and trauma. Through her previous work as an emergency services therapist, she learned how to maintain and promote calm in unpredictable situations.
Dara currently resides in South Jersey. Her family is from Trinidad & Tobago, which is where she spent her childhood summers. Dara has been fortunate enough to travel to many countries over the years and enjoys learning about other cultures. She makes sure that the support and resources she provides to families are individualized to meet their specific wishes and needs. Dara will be working towards becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant and is focused on expanding her knowledge in birth work on an ongoing basis to always be able to best serve families. Feel free to contact her at darathebirthdoula@gmail.com and visit www.darathebirthdoula.com.
Marlee Moses, Birch Tree Birth Services
Marlee works with her clients from a foundation of evidence based knowledge and compassionate service. Catering her approach to each individual or couple based upon their particilar personalities and learning styles, Marlee views her role as a doula as a place to "become like water" molding to the specific desires, aspirations, and needs of each client while supporting them as the journey of the childbearing year unfolds.
Skilled at holding space for others, she has attended workshops on peer counseling and guided meditation. She has experience as a women's health educator and menstruation workshop leader. She is a Dona trained doula with continuing education credits in working with survivors of abuse and holds a broad knowledge base of the needs of single parents in particular. As one of the first in her community to become a mother, she has supported many people on their journey into parenthood and has attended births both in a free standing birth center and hospital setting. Her approach is holistic in nature and rooted in the importance of self care.
In addition to her birthwork, she is also a published writer, musician, visual artist, mother, and human rights activist. She lives in Fishtown with her nine-year-old daughter and husband and has called Philadelphia her home for 15 years. Contact Marlee for birth doula services at moses.marlee@gmail.com and check out her website at www.marleemoses.com.
Maria Larson
"I have had many experiences in my life that brought me to pursue my “Doula Journey”. I have a long history of child-care including being an au pair in the Netherlands and as a long-term nanny for two families in Philadelphia. I have three amazing children and each one was a very different birth experience. I understand first-hand how challenging this time of transition can be
This is where my philosophies as a Doula have come to rest. Many couples are unaware of how to take control of their birth choices, and that these choices must be respected. I am dedicated to helping them find joy in the birth of a child and to assist in establishing a healthy bond, success in breastfeeding, and a satisfying postpartum recovery."
Contact Maria for birth and postpartum doula services at mamadoula3@gmail.com.
"I have had many experiences in my life that brought me to pursue my “Doula Journey”. I have a long history of child-care including being an au pair in the Netherlands and as a long-term nanny for two families in Philadelphia. I have three amazing children and each one was a very different birth experience. I understand first-hand how challenging this time of transition can be
This is where my philosophies as a Doula have come to rest. Many couples are unaware of how to take control of their birth choices, and that these choices must be respected. I am dedicated to helping them find joy in the birth of a child and to assist in establishing a healthy bond, success in breastfeeding, and a satisfying postpartum recovery."
Contact Maria for birth and postpartum doula services at mamadoula3@gmail.com.
Jenna Mihursky
As a nursing student at Drexel University, Jenna found her passion for birth during her Women's Health rotation. She discovered being a support person during such a life-changing moment to be extremely rewarding and thus pursued doula training through DONA this past October. To complement her training, she began an internship in January 2015 at Maternity Care Coalition and assists the public policy team in advocating for maternal and child health. As a doula, she plans to empower women and their partners to take control of their birthing experience to bring forth joy and love during such a wonderful time in their lives. Contact Jenna at jenna.mihursky@gmail.com and check out her website at http://www.jmdoulaservices.com. Due to a great work opportunity with families, Jenna is not currently taking on doula clients.
As a nursing student at Drexel University, Jenna found her passion for birth during her Women's Health rotation. She discovered being a support person during such a life-changing moment to be extremely rewarding and thus pursued doula training through DONA this past October. To complement her training, she began an internship in January 2015 at Maternity Care Coalition and assists the public policy team in advocating for maternal and child health. As a doula, she plans to empower women and their partners to take control of their birthing experience to bring forth joy and love during such a wonderful time in their lives. Contact Jenna at jenna.mihursky@gmail.com and check out her website at http://www.jmdoulaservices.com. Due to a great work opportunity with families, Jenna is not currently taking on doula clients.
If you are an expectant couple and are interested in learning more about the doulas being mentored by Blossoming Bellies and/or interviewing them for your birth or postpartum support, please send me an email at britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com or contact the doula directly.