Hello! My name is Nicole.
I’m a Birth Doula at heart — but also offer overnight postpartum and newborn care to tired new parents. Whether you live in South Jersey, Philly, Delaware, or the surrounding areas, we can help. I’m a mom of 3 and many years later, I can still recall the seemingly never-ending sleep deprivation cycle and the nagging feeling that I was “doing it wrong.” I was sure of it at times. But I leaned into my intuition and trusted that it would all work itself out and — it did. We did. Ya know, we’re not meant to do this alone. Isolated. Lonely. Tired. We deserve a level of support than most don’t even know is possible. This is where the Doula steps in.
For those who choose to work with me as their Birth Doula, I’m a fierce and strategic advocate, an educator, an empowered birth support partner, a guide, a reminder, a companion, an intuit, and even to some — I’ve been called a sister. What an honor. Depending on what the moment calls for… I can be a source of calm energy or hype you up when you need it most. I can be a quiet, steadfast presence or talk you through ALL of the challenging parts, step-by-step. I can sit on my hands and hold space or be an active and dynamic source of physical comfort alongside your partner. I believe in your innate wisdom & strength, and your ability to tune into your body and birth boldly. I’ve seen it time and time again. That’s why I’m a believer.
It is a gift to be able to make a difference in the way people feel supported and cared for throughout their birthing experiences. It’s the main reason I became a Doula. To provide the support that we ALL deserve. I personally understand (and remember vividly) what it feels like to be supported vs not. I feel extremely fortunate and honored to have been trusted and invited into many birth spaces over the years. My goal is to do everything I can to leave birth better than I found it. It is a mission that I continue to take very seriously.
More about me
I began my journey towards birth work in the fall of 2014, after the birth of my youngest son. My own birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding experiences lead me to the realization that in today’s society, there is a very apparent and unfortunate lack of support. Women are not receiving continuity of care. After more than a year of self-study, I completed a formal birth doula training program through CAPPA, (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association.) At the advice of my instructor, I continued on by taking the postpartum doula training, and began supporting families immediately.
I’m constantly expanding my knowledge through literature, continuing education courses and workshops as well as learning from those who have come before me . I am a professional member of Evidence Based Birth, Birth Monopoly & VBAC FACTS. I’m knowledgeable in the use of acupressure for birth, trained and certified in advanced VBAC support, a pelvic biomechanics enthusiast, and skilled in the art of effective communication and strategy. I’m committed, dedicated, and steadfast. I’m a believer in your rights to bodily autonomy, personal freedom, and self-agency.
After attending several hypno-births, I became a believer in peaceful birthing through the use of hypnosis for childbirth, and then trained and registered as a Hypno-Doula through Hypnobabies. I continue to recommend Hypnobirth for all of the benefits it has for relaxation and comfort. Through my role as a traditional birth doula, I mostly use trust, relaxation, focus, breathing, movement, and intuition. A bag of tricks is great, and I certainly have one, but I use my voice, energy, heart, and hands the most.
I’m a firm believer in intuitive, holistic support and know the lasting, positive impact it can have on an entire family. I’m what some would consider pretty “crunchy” but I’m also a huge nerd and love science. Not the kind of blindly trusted science that we are told to believe just because “science”. The good stuff. I especially love when science actually agrees with my crunchy/naturalistic methods. And if you do enough digging, you might find that most of it does!
I also mentor newer doulas to continue to pass along the knowledge, skill, and experience that was passed down to me. I firmly believe that my mentors (Britt M. and Crystal S.) were an essential part of my journey early on and still — are the reason I am who I am today. As doulas are very much self-learners, I am also a big believer in the mentor/apprentice model of learning. I work closely with newer doulas as they support families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They are a beloved aspect of my practice and families ADORE them.
In the fall of 2018, I began my academic studies in the art and science of midwifery. It was the next logical step for me, as I had found myself in a place where I gravitated toward the wisdom and safety of the midwives model of care, and naturally began providing a level of support that felt above and beyond the Doula’s realm, diving deeply into health promotion and complication prevention. Over the past couple of years, as I continue to move through didactic work with The National College of Midwifery, I have apprenticed and gained experience practicing basic clinical skills with a local homebirth midwife, as well as two licensed midwives attending births in two busy birth centers. The student journey has been exciting and challenging, and it continues to unfold in the way that I believe it is meant to. There is no rush, and this is an important profession as old as time.
Aside from birth & postpartum work, you’re likely to find me spending quality time with my husband Matt, my 21, 18, and 9-year-old kids, (yeah, I still cannot believe I have adult children!), and my dogs Reba (Heeler mix) and Nipsey (Plott Hound/Beagle), gardening, traveling, studying midwifery, nutrition, and herbalism.
ADVANCED VBAC TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
TRAUMA-INFORMED
To get a better feel of the support I provide, check out what families are saying! If you’d like to chat, or have any questions at all, please send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you!
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My Family
Here’s a peak at my amazing family. Probably one of the only pics we’ve managed to get together where everyone was in a great mood. And yet, two of my kiddos weren’t even looking at the camera. HA!
We’re sad to have left Philly, but excited to be new residents of Cherry Hill, in Camden County New Jersey, living in the house my husband was raised in.
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Media, Lima, Glen Mills, Malvern, Paoli, Wayne, Bala Cynwyd, Merion Station, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, West Chester, King of Prussia, Conshohocken, Manayunk, Rydal, Jenkintown, Abington, Willow Grove, New Hope, Newtown, Yardley, Doylestown, Buckingham, Holland, Horsham, Bryn Athyn, Solebury.
New Jersey : Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Merchantville, Haddonfield, Haddon Township, Haddon Heights, Westmont, Audubon, Barrington, Burlington, Marlton, Mt Laurel, Moorestown, Medford, Cinnaminson, Pensauken, Delran, Hainesport, Mt Holly, Pemberton, Evesham, Mullica Hill, Berlin, Voorhees, Clementon, Shamong, Hammonton, Vineland, Williamstown, Clayton, Glassboro, Gloucester, Turnersville, Deptford, Blackwood.