Common Birth Doula Questions:

What is a birth doula?

A birth doula is a non-medical trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing individual before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. (Curious about the history of doulas and their long-standing place in welcoming humanity? Check out this article here.)

What does a birth doula do?

A doula provides encouragement, comfort, support, and advocacy help as needed or desired by the birthing individual. This may look like providing assistance with navigating pregnancy questions and challenges, connecting with local resources, clarifying birth goals, learning comfort techniques and labor positions, preparing for the postpartum time, and more!

Does a birth doula replace a partner’s support?

In short, NO! A common worry when it comes to having a doula at your birth is that the doula will take over all the duties that a partner wants to do and be a part of. We love and support how and when partners want to be involved. As a doula, one of our top goals is to empower you both to have the pregnancy, labor, and birth you desire as a family. This could look like the doula taking on tasks that the partner is too busy to do because they are offering support to their laboring partner or taking on activities the partner doesn't desire or feel comfortable doing.

Is a doula the same as a midwife?

Nope! Midwives provide medical care during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. This means they can assist you during all stages of your pregnancy and postpartum time with complete health care. Midwives commonly work in a variety of settings including hospitals, birth centers, and in the homes of those their clients. Doulas can also work in a variety of settings, alongside of both midwives and OBGYNs, and can provide you and your family with non-medical support — emotional, informational, and physical care — during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.

What is the cost of working with a birth doula?

There is no out-of-pocket cost for pregnant individuals to work with a doula through The Doula Partnership.

Common postpartum Doula Questions:

What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides support after the birth of a baby. Postpartum doulas aim to help families transition into their new roles, ensuring they have the resources and support they need during the initial weeks and months after birth.

What does a postpartum doula do?

A postpartum doula provides practical, and evidence-based support. This may look like helping new parents with infant care, offering emotional support, assisting with household tasks, and providing educational resources on topics like breastfeeding, infant soothing techniques, newborn care, and the sibling adjustment period.

What is the cost of working with a postpartum doula?

There is no out-of-pocket cost for postpartum individuals to work with a doula through The Doula Partnership.

Do postpartum doulas take over the care that would be provided by a partner or family member?

A postpartum doula will work with you to establish the best way to support you, your partner, and your family without taking over tasks that are important to each individual. You can think of a postpartum doula as a gap filler — often taking care of needs or providing support in areas that may need extra attention or feel challenging to accomplish.

Does working with a postpartum doula replace my midwife or doctor?

Doulas provide non-medical support to you and your family and working with a doula does not replace your need for a medical provider during this period of time. A doula can and may often help you navigate connecting with the right kind of medical care if needed — such as a pelvic floor physical therapist, etc. — or help you advocate for proper care with your current midwife or doctor.

The Doulas

Julie Allen
she/her
Birth + Postpartum Doula

Hi, my name is Julie Allen and I am a mother of three awesome children, with the hopes of having a few more. I am a DONA trained doula, working toward my full certification. I am completely obsessed with all things birth, baby, and after. My role as a doula is to provide support and education so that you can make decisions about YOUR birth. I am passionate about preparing the body for birth and would love the opportunity to guide you through that process. I want you to feel empowered, strong, and beautiful during your birthing experience.

Victoria Benson
she/her
Birth + Postpartum Doula

Originally from NYC, I have been a transplant in the area for over 25 years. I was a public school science teacher for nearly a decade but now homeschool our 8 kids on our homestead.  I have assisted my husband, a large animal veterinarian, with obstetric care and births in his practice and on his family’s dairy farm for over two decades. As a Latina, I am a native Spanish speaker and happy to provide culturally competent doula services that draw from both my hospital midwife and home births experiences. I am honored to support families physically and emotionally but especially spiritually as in birth we witness the awe inducing strength women possess. 

Calina Mayo
she/her
Birth + Postpartum Doula

I believe that birth is a transformative experience. It can be so empowering, and we can find stores of strength we weren’t aware that we had.  I am very interested in pregnancy and birth, and the body’s and mind’s amazing abilities. I find it to be very meaningful work, and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be invited into a sacred and intimate space with those giving birth and the families that are welcoming a new life into their world. I know firsthand what a difference it can make to have people you feel safe with and who you trust, be present at your birth, and love helping to create that environment for others.

Kate Downes
they/she
Birth + Postpartum Doula

Originally from Northern NY, I grew up on our small dairy farm surrounded by animals and family. Having studied and worked in agriculture my whole life I’ve experienced all types of births - from animals on the farm, to my own two children, to supporting friends and family members as a doula, I’ve seen how incredible and powerful birth experiences can be. Pregnancy, birth, and the adventure of parenting is a time of shifts, transformations, and new chapters. It’s an honor to meet folx where they’re at in their journey and empower them in this new season of life. I am here to guide, educate, empower, and advocate for you during your pregnancy, birth, and journey into parenting.

Aaliyah Reid
she/her
Postpartum Doula

Hi, I’m Aaliyah! I’m a Project Coordinator, Health Educator, and Media Specialist with Seven Valleys Health Coalition. I’m deeply passionate about fostering community and equity in care in all areas of my life and work. As a Black queer woman, I’m committed to bridging the gaps in perinatal care, especially for queer and BIPOC birthing people and their partners.

I offer postpartum support, including meal prepping and emotional care, to help families navigate this transformative time with nourishment and compassion. My passions extend to photography, advocacy, activism, and using food as a tool to bring people together.

I live in Cortland with my husband and our three beloved fur babies, where I’m inspired daily by the power of community and connection. I’d be honored to support your family on this incredible journey.

Amy White
she/her
Birth Doula

Hi, my name is Amy White. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother of 3 and grandmother of one. I am a nurse by profession and a doula by desire. I am excited to get to know you and become a part of your birth team and I am ready to meet you wherever you are on this journey. Whether this is your first child or your last child, whether you have a partner or are independent, whether you choose to be home or at a hospital, having a baby is a very personal experience. I can’t wait to hear your story and accompany you on this journey.

We as women are interconnected and have been through the centuries — from the generations that have come before us to the generations that will follow. We are all part of the same fabric, the same tribe, the same sacred wisdom. I believe there is forgotten wisdom that our bodies and minds possess without our knowing, the wisdom of our grandmothers’ grandmothers. I believe there is a need for all of us to listen to our inner wisdom and feel supported and honored as we go through the birthing process. My goal is to ensure that you feel empowered, confident, relaxed, and supported and that you and your baby are off to a happy and healthy start as you begin to or continue to take your place.

John DiDomenico

As a trained birth doula, it is a privilege to play a role in the emotional support of a family or individual, during one of the most significant and beautiful moments life has to offer. Training and education, combined with experience and personal attributes, have equipped me well to bring a measure of comfort, calmness, and strength to challenging situations. Primarily, I see myself working in tandem with a secondary doula to serve the needs of a birthing family or individual. Often times the best way I can do that is by supporting the caregiver so they can better support the person giving birth. I'd love to have the opportunity to serve you on this incredible journey. Blessings on the adventure ahead!

John focuses primarily on supporting the birthing partner (husband/partner). You can specify if you and/or your support partner would like to work with John in this capacity as an addition to a primary doula which focuses on the birthing individual.

**Please note, John is on sabbatical at this time.

Gabrielle (Gabe) DiDomenico
she/her
Birth doula

My love for maternal health and wellness began when I had the experience of supporting my sister through the labor of my first niece almost twelve years ago. After four more birth-side experiences with my sister and several stints in Malawi (Africa) working in villages and starting a women's empowerment project, my desire to work in women's health / the birth world, both locally and globally, bloomed. I currently hold a background in Medical Anthropology and am certified as a Lactation Counselor and Functional Medicine Health Coach. I believe it is this knowledge-base of culture, medicine, and holistic wellness that can provide a unique and compassionate approach to your maternal journey. My goal as a birth doula is to help you feel assured of your body's infinite wisdom, to provide support as you embrace and successfully navigate the joys and challenges of your pregnancy, and to make sure you and your family are empowered with knowledge to make confident, journey-affirming decisions for you and your wee one.

Please note, Gabe is on sabbatical at this time.