ABOUT US- We are THE premier Doula agency in CNY! Serving mothers for 16 years! Trained and mentored 
Emilie, Erin, Sarah C, Deb, Holly, Malinda, Michele, Cristina, Heather, Bobbi, Julie, Chris, Sarah M Missing: Julie N, Cristan V and Kristie F
What is a doula? A doula is a trusted woman that provides continuous care from the prenatal to the post partum period.
Prenatal Doulas - Personalize our meetings with you prenatally to understand you, educate on your birthing options, discuss your feelings about labor, birth and parenthood. Birth Doula - Understand the physiology of birth and emotional needs of a woman in labor; Assist the woman and her partner in preparing for, and carrying out their plans for the birth; Stay by the side of the woman through the entire labor, providing emotional support, physical comfort measures (through massage, guided relaxation, positions to enhance the efficiency of labor), and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions; Facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers; Perceive her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience; Do not replace the woman's partner, loved ones, or clinical care provider. Postpartum Doula - The birth of a baby represents a profound and permanent life change for the parents and other family members. After nine months of pregnancy and the stresses of labor and birth, a family is born or enlarged. For new parents, the challenges are numerous; recovery from childbirth, total responsibility for a tiny dependent newborn, sleeplessness, emotional adjustment, mastery of infant feeding and care, understanding of and adjustment to the unique personality of their baby, and household organization. Sometimes parents need more help at home than they expected. You, your baby, and your family do not need to undergo unnecessary stress. We are here to help. It is our goal to facilitate the transition to parenthood by supplying reliable and factual information, reassurance, and hands-on support with children and household organization. We provide nonjudgmental support and an extra set of hands to help you as you discover your intuitive ability to nurture and develop your own parenting style. In this way, your baby may be integrated into the family in a loving, gently manner. We invite you to contact us ANY time. It will be our pleasure to assist you. And again, Congratulations as you embark on the most challenging, and rewarding adventure of parenthood! We have a dream of providing Doula service to ALL women that would like one, even if they can not afford it. That is why we accept donations to help with scholarships to help pay for Doula services for families and mothers in need. ........................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................ MEET THE DOULAS |
||||
Julie Crosby Doulas of CNY Founder
I have been a Doula since 1994, having had the privilege of assisting more than 200 families in welcoming their babies into the world. I believe that birth is a transformational event in the life of the woman, the couple, and the family. I believe every birth can be a wonderful experience, regardless of the specific circumstances, so long as there is adequate support provided. My goal is to enhance the birth experience rather than simply helping a woman or couple "get through it;" allowing them to recognize the value of the process and to experience it fully with awareness, honoring its enormity and sacredness. I am also a certified trainer, having trained many women to become Doulas throughout the United States . I have worked with a wide diversity of women and couples of all ages over the last decade. My personal style is one of compassionate nurturing blended with my background of rich experience. Certainly no one can provide loving support like your friends and family who have shared your life, but often these individuals lack the knowledge, experience, and objectivity that can be so crucial to a woman in labor. And your care provider, no matter how much they'd like to, just do not have the time to "labor sit" with patients and provide continuous attentive emotional support. That's where the doula comes in. Like pebbles on a dirt road, Doulas fill all the little gaps that exist in childbirth. We provide a unique balance of having gotten close enough to you that we can provide comfortable, loving support, while remaining objective and calm. Many families have expressed their appreciation of the fact that they have had the opportunity to get to know their doula prior to the labor and birth, which creates a warm relationship. Many also really like the fact that their doula does not work for the doctor or hospital, therefore allowing them to pay complete attention just to them. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a participant in your birth process. I am renewed at each birth I attend, keenly aware that I am witnessing this new person's arrival and the taking of their first breath. I am grateful for the opportunity to welcome your child with kind tenderness and appreciate the miraculous wonder of life, and the priceless gift it is to each of us. In addition to my work as a birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator, I am also a DONA-certified doula trainer, having trained hundreds of women to become Doulas throughout the United States . I am also interested in working with families who have experienced fertility issues, perinatal loss, and adoptive families. I have done extensive work in the area of childbirth related fear and its impact on the process. I am the mother of one, and have also worked in a pediatric office serving special needs children for 26 years. Julie Crosby , MA, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA),CBE, LE Currently not accepting new clients
|
Christine Goldman Doulas of CNY Co-Founder/Executive Director
My goal is for the mother to feel that she can work with her body, finding her inner strength to birth her baby and have a memorable birth experience, no matter what the steps are along the way. Through encouragement, massage, relaxation, touch, listening to her body, guiding her partner and helping him enjoy the birth, I have been honored to have witnessed a beauty in observing two people working through the most intimate part of their lives. It is so amazing and beautiful and something to be treasured. Every pregnancy is different; every birth is unique with unique circumstances. Teen moms, single moms, homebirthing, hypnobirthing, blended families, VBAC's...each is special its own way. As with my own births, each situation needs to be encountered with nurturing guidance and individualized support, creating a sense of fulfillment in both Mom and her partner. Birthing and seeing your child come in to this world are moments you will never forget. Honored to have supported over 275 birthing families, it has been a blessing to meet with families during their pregnancy, sharing our lives with each other. As we intertwine and begin working together, all of our lives are blessed by the birth of your child. Assisting families after the birth of their baby is another beautiful part of my Doula experience. As a "seasoned" Mom, it is an honor to share my life experience as a mother of five aiding with little tips, emotional support and both professional, practical advice and empowering a family adjust and welcome their new baby.
Chris Goldman, CD(DONA), CPD(CAPPA), CBE, LE
|
|||
........................................................................................................................................................................................
Heather Haywood, Certifed Birth Doula, Lactation Educator
I am a Wife, Mother, Doula and Daughter of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been assisting women and their families in my church community since 2001. I then became acquainted with the term “ Doula ” in 2003. Right away I knew I wanted to support women and their families as a Doula. I began working toward my Doula certification. I received my Birth Doula Certification in February 2006. As a Birth Doula I educate mothers and partners through the pregnancy, labor / birth process and postpartum period. My desire is for every woman to feel empowered in her birth. Trust her body and find inner strength to birth her baby and help make this a positive experience. I consider every birth I attend a true honor. I want to thank all of the mothers, partners and their families for allowing me to support you on the most wonderful day of your lives! http://www.heavensdoula.blogspot.com/ Syracuse area
Michele Bronsziewski, Certified Birth Doula, Lactation Educator
Nurture mothers and their babies. That is what I have been blessed to do. Everyone that was pregnant, I had always asked if they had support. If not, I wanted them to know I would be there if they chose. A few years back, I was a birth coach for one of my friends. When I walked out of her room, I heard another laboring mom in a room down the hall...moaning and crying out...she was alone.... my heart just broke for her and I found myself wanting to rush to her side. No one or no couple should have to go thru this experience alone. Shortly after that, I told God that 'someday I would be helping moms in labor' The answer came quickly as I immediately felt Him say, "What makes you think you are not already doing that?!" Throughout the last couple of years, I have been blessed with being the labor coach for young moms, single moms, moms/dads together. It is my privilege and honor to now be a Certified Birth Doula and available to be by your side. Syracuse, Rome, Oneida, Utica area
Sarah Eiley Cowherd, Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Educator
My name is Sarah Eiley Cowherd, and I am so excited to be joining The Doulas of CNY after 6 years of serving families in the Capital Region. I grew up in Hamilton, NY and left the area to study Creative Arts in Therapy and Music at Russell Sage College for Women in Troy, NY. I trained as a doula through DONA and ALACE and have travelled extensively attending breastfeeding, doula and midwifery conferences and workshops. I gained experience as a new doula by working with teen mothers through their pregnancies and births and teaching childbirth, breastfeeding and infant care classes, and I continue to have a heart for working with young moms and their precious babies. I attended several births before having my own children, and discovered that helping women on the journy into motherhood was a life-calling and a passion! Today I am a wife and mother of two young children, both born naturally with doulas and midwives by my side. I think pregnancy and birth is a powerful, transormative experience for women, and it is a time when wisdom, guidance and encouragment is desperately needed. I am so blessed to be able to assist families as they welcome new life into the world. Syracuse area
Debra Alt, Certified Birth Doula
I am a christian homeschooling mother to four children. I am a certifying Doula and am currently enrolled in a childbirth education class. This will be completed at the end of May 2010. Being a mother and nurse has given me great experience in many areas. Each of my own births were different including cesareans and VBAC, so I know and understand the ups and downs associated with these. Birth and pregnancy have always been a passion for me. Even while in high school I spent a whole year mentoring at local hospital in the maternity ward, loving every moment of it. That passion has not changed or gone away, in fact I believe it has grown even more. Through attending birth with family and friends I look forward to helping you with your birth experience. I feel any one of us CNY Doula's who you find fits your personality and preference is only going to enhance your birth experience. I am honored to be part of CNY Doula's! I look forward to come along side of you to help make your birth experience the best, and most enjoyable it can be. With the coping mechanisms I have learned to help relieve pain and encourage full involvement of you the laboring mom and partner, I will be there to support and encourage you. Norwich, Cortland, Oneida, Syracuse areas ........................................................................................................................................................................................
Emilie Martin, Certifying Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
I am a 22-year old certifying doula. My husband Dan and I have been married for two years, and have a little girl born in 2009! We both hope to have a bunch someday. I am becoming a doula first and foremost because I feel that pregnancy and childbirth can be a beautiful, amazing experience for a woman, not a medical procedure that happens to them. I have had 2-3 years experience working with babies and toddlers as well. My ultimate goal is to be a birth and postpartum doula and a stay-at-home mom. Syracuse, Rome, Oneida area
Erin McNamara, LMT, Certifying Birth Doula
My name is Erin. I am married to my soulmate and the proud mom of a rambunctious two year old, Declan Christopher and a little baby girl, Aislinn. While I have been interested in birth and pregnancy for a long time, I really started finding focus when I became a massage therapist this past year. I have studied and practiced prenatal massage and in May will be taking a continuing education course on it. During my research for massage I found out about Doulas and what they do for women throughout the course of their pregnancy and it was exactly what I was looking for. It gave me a way to be even more involved in a process that I think is the most amazing thing a woman will ever experience. I am very passionate about what I do - both the massage and being a doula. I know that I can help you to find as much joy and awe in your pregnancy as I do. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful chapter of your life! Utica, Oneida, Rome, Syracuse area. Maternity leave til July 2010♥ Julie Norman, Certifying Birth Doula
My name is Julie and I am a 26-year old certifying to become a doula. While considering becoming a midwife, I learned about doulas and decided it was something I wanted to do. As a doula, I want to help mothers feel empowered in their birth experience and give birth in a loving, comfortable environment. Birth is such an amazing and joyful event and I am honored to be able to take part in it! I work with refugees and have worked overseas; ultimately I would like to work in Maternal-Child Health in developing countries. Currently accepting refugee clients and back up doula only.
Holly Steffen, Certifying Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
"Birth is not only about making babies. It's about making mothers~
strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and believe in
their inner strength." (Barbara Katz Rothman)
Cristina Reed, Certifying Birth Doula
I am Cristina Reed, a wife and mother of two beautiful children. I am an elementary teacher and a certifying Birth Doula as well. I have always been drawn to pregnant women and new moms, wanting to hear about their pregnancy and birth experience. Pregnancy and the birth of a child are life-changing events that all women should feel supported through. Birth is an empowering event and every woman should feel proud of this accomplishment. I believe that women need other women, especially during pregnancy and birth, to support them physically and emotionally, to know that what they are feeling is normal, and to appreciate the journey that they are on. As a doula, I will support, encourage and believe in the mother and her partner. Together, we can work to make the birth a positive and powerful experience. “We have a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong.” ~L. Stavoe Harm. Syracuse area
Malinda Davis, Certifying Birth Doula
I'm a wife to my childhood sweetheart and mother. I chose to become a doula after my own childbirth experiences. My daughter was a cesarean section I felt could have been avoided had I known more, after which I educated myself about childbirth. My son was a drug free VBAC, who I carried knowing he would die shortly after birth. In helping other women, I honor his memory. Because of him I learned about natural childbirth, VBAC, and doulas. Because of him I was able to have a positive birth experience, even though I knew he would not come home. I want every family to have a positive birth, a satisfying experience that can be looked back on and remembered with joy. In doing so I honor my son's life. Syracuse, Watertown, Oswego areas
Kristie Finochio, Postpartum Doula
Growing up, I helped my parents take care of foster
children for 11 years. As a teenager, I babysat my Linetta Lindsey, Postpartum Doula
Returning after a couple years' leave to help care for her youngest grandchildren, Linetta is a
........................................................................................................................................................................................
To verify a doula's availability and experience level, please contact Doulas of CNY at 315-455-6MOM ........................................................................................................................................................................................
.
|
||||
© Doulas of Central New York 2002 |