Ruchi (Rachel) Cohen is a mother of two currently pursuing her DONA-certification. Having spent significant time in both Austria and Israel, she is fluent in English, German and Hebrew and has a BA in English Literature and Communications.  The VBAC-birth of her daughter inspired her to help other women by becoming a doula. Ruchi believes that women should feel secure, comfortable and in control throughout the birth process. She strives to create that nurturing environment for the laboring woman through her warmth, personal touch and support in all realms. Ruchi lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and looks forward to enhancing your birth.

Janice Muscio, originally from Connecticut and Philadelphia has settled in NY after many years of travel and a short stint as an art curator. After four years in NYC she has become a nutritional counselor, colon hydro-therapist and certified in Pilates. Janice has a commitment to exploring healthy living alternatives. She is looking forward to bringing the compassion and empathy she has been blessed with to one of the most beautiful events life has to offer, the birth of a child. 

Kat MacMillan was inspired to become a doula after the transformative experience of birthing her son in a small pueblo in Mexico in 2005.  Now, back in New York and pursuing her DONA certification, she is excited to accompany other women on this life-changing journey.  A yoga practitioner for over 10 years and a teacher as well, she brings a healthy, grounded perspective to women during pregnancy and labor.  She is a fluent Spanish speaker and lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Jordana Phokompe  decided to become a doula after having the positive experience of giving birth to her daughter at home in Brooklyn.  She strongly believes that each mom is a unique individual and tailors her nurturing and sensitive support to fit each mom’s specific desires and needs.  It is her hope to care for and empower other women and their partners so that they too will have a positive experience with childbirth.  Jordana holds an MFA in Directing and works in the performing arts.  She has lived in East and Southern Africa.  Jordana finds it a true honor to attend to a laboring mom and partner during childbirth.

Siddiqa A-Rahman, the married mother of six children, lives in Brooklyn where she owns and operates a small business.  She has attended the births of four of her five grandchildren, truly embodying the “mothering the mother” spirit of doula work. Siddiqa is a Healing Hands energy work practitioner, has a BA in psychology and has attended the DONA doula training workshop and the Hypnosis for Birth Intensive.  From her experience, Siddiqa has confirmed her belief that every birth is unique and special

Kristin DiMento is a DONA trained birth doula and a CAPPA trained postpartum doula. After many years in the New York restaurant scene, she made the jump to childcare and fell in love with it! Now, as Kristin moves into the fulfilling world of working with mothers through birth, she fully realizes that 'mothering the mother' is her obvious calling.  Kristin's goal is to approach each mother and family with openness, and support.  It is their birth and their choice, and she feels lucky to be a part of each one!

Annette Fobbs is a DONA trained doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator.  A native New Yorker and eleven-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Annette is the mother of a beautiful daughter born in 2001.  Through her experiences in the Marines she learned that every woman has the ability to discover and channel her own inner power and the right to control her own body and destiny.  Annette is dedicated to providing continuous support to the laboring mother and her family.  She is trained in pre- and post-natal fitness using the birth ball.

Rebekah Schrecengost is a DONA trained doula.  She has spent the better part of her life caring for and nurturing friends and loved ones through some of the most challenging aspects of their lives.  Her greatest joy in life so far was giving birth to her son.  Rebekah is looking forward to nurturing couples through what she considers the most beautiful and blessed event in a persons life.  Rebekah is an ordained minister and has a certificate in Pastoral Care.

Eden Bertrang is a DONA-trained doula who attended her first birth by accident!  While she was having tea in a dung hut in Kenya, her hostess went into labor and invited her to stay for the delivery.  This experience inspired her to become a birth doula.  Eden feels blessed to have been involved in the transformative experience of labor and birth and looks forward to offering support to laboring women and their partners in the New York City area.  Her compassion and insight create a safe environment for women and their partners during this intimate experience

Elizabeth Mangum, LCSW, CD(DONA) has been working as a labor support doula since 2004.  She is also a social worker and has a private practice in which she provides individual and family therapy related to issues of pregnancy and birth, as well as providing services for adolescents.  She has worked for 10 years as a social worker in the NYC foster care system; through connections she made with many of the teen moms, with whom she worked, she developed an interest in becoming a doula. As a doula, she hopes to empower mothers of all ages to use their voices to create the birth they desire!  Her warmth, calm demeanor, and sense of humor will also add to the birth experience

*Jami Nelson CD (DONA), the mother of four children, has given birth once by Cesarean section and three subsequent times un-medicated with midwives.  Jami breastfed her children and advocates for nursing mothers.  In the education field for eighteen years and now pursuing  her dream of being a doula, Jami believes it is every woman's right to have a safe and nurturing birth experience.  Jami provides postpartum doula care and is a member of the Metropolitan Doula Group.

Brooke Nesset is originally from Minnesota and has been in NYC for the last ten years during which time she has studied at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU and the Ohashi Institute which she has graduated from as a Certified Ohashiatsu Consultant.  Brooke has spent many hours babysitting, teaching dance to children and working as a family assistant.  She has completed her DONA training and certification.

Anne Marie Polak, a former EMT and Physician’s Assistant student, is the mother of six breastfed children and the grandmother of one.  A certified doula, childbirth educator, Lamaze Breastfeeding Support Specialist and Reiki Master, Anne Marie has training from Calm Birth, Birthing From Within and Hypnobirthing childbirth methods as well as DONA International doula and postpartum care instruction.   She enjoys crafting beautiful, keepsake, pregnant Belly masks for women.  Ann Marie’s calm reassuring presence has afforded many women comfort during vulnerable times.  She is an original member of The Metropolitan Doula Group - passionately serving birthing families since 1998.

Esdras Santana is an indigenous woman from the Dominican Republic. She is married and has two children, a boy and a girl.  Esdras does volunteer work as a doula and is a healthcare advocate for pregnant women having problems with insurance coverage. She has dedicated her time to helping women and their families have a better birth experience.  As a second year nursing student on her way to becoming a midwife, she enjoys her doula work fully.  Esdras provides post-partum doula care and has training in hypnosis for doulas.

*Susan Tapley, CD (DONA), LCCE - Mother of three, Susan has been providing warm and compassionate labor support since 1998.  Susan states:  “I am your guide, your emotional rudder, I will help you achieve YOUR birth plan.  I believe in the miracle of birth! I will bring two helping hands and a warm heart to the birth, along with every trick in the book to help you have a safe, comfortable and memorable experience. I will support you in whatever YOU want for this birth!” Susan, a Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, Member of the Metropolitan Doula Group, and Lamaze trained Breastfeeding Specialist, was recently featured online at www.nyc-plus.com.  Susan is on temporary leave to train for the NY marathon.  She'll be back in November. Go Susan!