Julie Crosby

Doulas of CNY Director
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator
DONA Doula Trainer

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
(315) 450-2229

Christine Goldman

Doulas of CNY Coordinator
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator --DONA Certification Committee
Northeastern Regional Representative Operation Special Delivery

I am a wife and experienced Christian mother of five wonderful children.  They are my true inspiration for pursuing my life as a Birth and Postpartum Doula.  My decision to become a Doula came from the love of my own pregnancies and births.  In my previous 22 years medical assisting jobs in obstetrics, family practice, my own daycare business and mothering, I have gained knowledge in pregnancy, babies and family health.   It is with a strong sense of pride that I wish to help expectant mothers and partners become educated and knowledgeable in birthing, so that their birth can be experience as they choose , and as a miraculous, positive, joyous, life-enhancing event.

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 200 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.

I am now offering labor and birth photographs, as you wish.  Whether photographing your strength in labor, or capturing those special moments when your baby is born...I can take pictures to include your husband, or birthing coach, so they will be in the photos as well.  Choice of photos on CD or hard copies.

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
(315) 455-3265

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Our Associates

Heather Haywood, Certifed Birth Doula, Lactation Educator

I am a Wife, Mother, Doula and Daughter of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I married the love of my life in 1998, and together we have two amazing boys. When I was giving birth to my children, I didn't know what a Doula was but could have really used the support! My husband was great throughout the process, but I had two very different births and we could have used more support... FOR both of us! 

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! 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.

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Certifying Doulas

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 are currently expecting our first child in September! 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, WestMoreland, Oneida, Rome area. Maternity leave til July 2010♥

Cristan Vineis, Certifying Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula

I am a 30 year old mother of one toddler. I am a trained Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher on hiatus- having traded my classroom of 20 in for a living room for one. I believe in children and I believe in women. I have always seen myself as a women's advocate (I worked in a battered women's shelter during college) and have always been interested in and fascinated by the birth process. It wasn't until I gave birth to Fox Parker last year that I felt I was ready to help other women (and their partners) through this life changing threshold experience.   Stepping through this threshold and becoming a mother is a momentous occasion that unites each woman with every woman the world over. I see myself as an aid for birthing women to turn to and lean on during this sacred time. "Laborland" need not be scary or lonely. I feel I can help maintain a birthing woman's dignity, help her cope with the pain and encourage her to relish in the sense of accomplishment. 

Erin Stebbins, Certifying Birth Doula

I have lived in the Syracuse area for most of my life. Some of my favorite things include hiking, reading, dogs, and nature. I look forward to having children sometime in the not-too-distant future. As a doula I want to support women in achieving their best possible births. I believe it is important for women to have the opportunity to be fully informed when making decisions regarding their pregnancy and birth. I also want women to recognize their own strength and ability during labor

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.

To verify a doula's availability and experience level, please contact Doulas of CNY at 315-455-6MOM

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