“Friends of the Collective”
Community Doula Directory
The Mohawk Valley Doula Collective believes that families benefit when birth professionals work together. Our Community Doula Directory features independent doulas who have chosen to stay connected through networking, collaboration, and a shared commitment to strengthening birth support throughout our region. Each doula listed here (other than Lindsey Nugent and Kayleigh Marosek, LLC owners) owns and operates their own independent practice. The are not employees, contractors, agents, partners, or representatives of the Mohawk Valley Doula Collective, LLC. Our goal is to help families explore local birth support options while fostering a collaborative birth community where doulas can learn from one another, build relationships, and support better outcomes for families. Families are encouraged to contact each doula directly to determine whether their services are the right for them!
Heidi Chrisman
DONA-trained Birth Doula
Heidi is a birth doula based in Mohawk, NY, serving families throughout the region. A semi-retired healthcare worker, she is grateful to continue her passion for caring for others through birth work. A mother of three and an “Ama” to nine beautiful grandchildren—her greatest blessings—Heidi brings calm, compassionate energy to every family she supports. She would love to support you on your journey. Please reach out!
Contact: chrismanheidi@gmail.com
(315) 794-7873
Erica Ciccone
CBD, CLC
(Certified Birth Doula through DNT Network)
Serving Utica, Rome, Oneida, Cooperstown & Syracuse
From Teacher to Birth Worker
Before birth work, I was a teacher. But everything shifted after having my own 4 beautiful children. They opened my eyes to how deeply mothers need support the kind I wish I’d had.
My Birth Story → My Passion
My first birth was nothing like I wanted. It ended in an “emergency” c-section that, looking back, wasn’t truly an emergency. I kept thinking: If I had known more, or had someone like a doula by my side, maybe it would have been different. That traumatic first experience became my turning point. It led me to 3 beautiful, natural VBACs. Those births healed me and ignited a passion: helping women come to birth with excitement and empowerment instead of fear.
Why I Do This Work
I absolutely love watching clients experience that same joy holding their baby for the first time with that Wow, I did this. I am so strong” moment. Every birth is unique. Whether you want an unmedicated birth, epidural, VBAC, or scheduled cesarean you deserve to feel supported, informed, and respected. My job is to help you make informed decisions, provide resources when the unknown pops up, and protect your space.
My Philosophy
I want every client to feel like they have their very best friend in the room. We laugh, we connect, we get close. I’m not just there for your birth day. I truly love building lifelong friendships and doing motherhood alongside you. I’d be honored to support you — Because you deserve to have a positive, empowering and beautiful Birth experience!
Ashley Engram
Birth Doula,
Certified Lactation Counselor,
President of the Mohawk Valley Breastfeeding Network
President of Mohawk Valley Prenatal and Maternity Services
Jill Fallon
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Certified Childbirth Educator
Certified Body Ready Method Pro®
“Hi, I’m Jill. I am a wife to an incredible husband and mom of five amazing children. My first birth was a c-section and then I had four unmedicated VBACS. From my very first pregnancy I knew I wanted to have a job supporting pregnant mamas. But being a doula isn’t just my job, it’s my passion.”
I enjoy learning about all things pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and am always on the lookout for new training and certifications to expand my knowledge and allow me to better help my clients. It is an honor to work with families in the most miraculous times in their lives. As a birth doula, my goal is to help you feel supported (physically, emotionally, and educationally) and empowered so you can make the best decisions for you and your baby. Having five children, I know firsthand the ups and downs of the postpartum period. As a postpartum doula, I will be there to “lighten your load” while your household adjusts to the wonderful addition of having a new baby. I truly enjoy providing warm, professional support for pregnant women and their families.”
Jill lives in Canastota and supports mamas in Utica, Rome, Oneida, Syracuse and surrounding areas.
Contact:
Website:Birth Blessings Doula Services
Birthblessingsjill@gmail.com
(315) 380-2270
Kayleigh Marosek,
DONA-trained Birth Doula,
Certified Lactation Counselor,
Certified Hypnotist,
Founding Mother of the Mohawk Valley Doula Collective, LLC
“I first became a Birth Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor in 2015. I was inspired to help women through their birth and miscarriage experiences, by my own first child’s birth, and a subsequent miscarriage 1 year later. I quickly put my career aside after the birth of my second child, and then third, to focus on raising my own family. I’ve had 2 homebirths of my own, so I’m very passionate about treating birth as a normal, natural human event, but I also deeply respect science and technology, and the life-saving birth interventions offered at hospitals.
I jumped back into the birth and lactation field as my 3 kids were all starting school, in 2025; I joined the Herkimer and Oneida/Madison County Doula Partnership Programs, started taking private-pay clients and building my private Doula business, “Lionheart Doula & Lactation”, and am currently going through the process to be able to take Medicaid for Doula services. I live by the DONA mission, “A Doula for everyone who wants one”. I believe Birth Support is a Human Right - not a luxury, and should be a service everyone has access to.
In getting back into the Birth Worker field, I quickly realized how many gaps exist - disconnect between doulas, disconnect between doulas and the hospital staff, professional development and training gaps for Birth Workers, and a lack of free/low-cost Doula services for people in the ALICE population in the Mohawk Valley (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed), and I decided that I wanted to try to change these things. So, my fellow Doula friend, Lindsey Nugent, and I created the Mohawk Valley Doula Collective - a mission-focused LLC devoted to strengthening our Birth Worker field through education and networking, and providing more attainable, gold-standard Birth Support for pregnant and parenting families in the Mohawk Valley.
Lindsey Nugent,
Birth Doula,
Founding Mother of the Mohawk Valley Doula Collective, LLC
Lindsey is a licensed nurse, Reiki practitioner, pelvic steaming consultant, and DONA trained birth doula who has been trained to support VBAC, breech, and twin births. As a mother of one, and with years of experience in women's health, family planning, and pediatrics, she is dedicated to supporting you and your family throughout the childbearing year. Her goal is to partner with families by providing support, education, planning, and resources that affirm and protect your values and decisions-while amplifying your voice. Lindsey is committed to helping you achieve a safe, informed, and empowering birth experience on your terms.
Bridget Parke, CNY Born
Certified Birth Doula (CBD)
Childbirth Educator
“I’m a Certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International (CBI). My business is CNY Born, where I practice as a birth doula and childbirth educator. My approach to birth is natural, practical, and rooted in evidence-based care for the modern mother. I became a doula after experiencing firsthand the powerful impact of supportive, informed care during my own birth—an experience that ignited my passion for helping others feel confident and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
I provide unbiased, nonjudgmental educational, emotional, and physical support for all birth types and settings. My goal is to help you understand your options, trust your intuition, and feel fully supported as you bring your baby into the world. I believe birth responds best to trust, respect, and compassionate care, and I strive to be a calm, steady presence you can rely on during this deeply personal experience. I would love to chat more with you about your birth and support goals to see if we could be a good fit!”
Contact: bridget@cnyborn.com
(315) 404-6771
Website: www.cnyborn.com
Elizabeth L. Pratt
Certified Birth, VBAC, and Postpartum Doula
Certified Childbirth Educator
Birth Doula Trainer
Certified Midwifery Assistant
“I am honored to be able to assist families in some of the most transformative times in their lives. My approach when working with women and their families is to offer education and encouragement, which in turn helps them to feel confident as they approach and experience their baby’s birth. I provide evidence-based information and listen to what matters to my clients, and then we work together toward achieving their goals. Throughout pregnancy and especially during labor, I provide consistent, calm reassurance and guidance.
I began my doula career in 2012 and have continued learning over the years. We can all always learn more! I have been privileged to have some of the best clients, and their trust means the world to me. Your labor and childbirth will stay with you your whole life — so I help give you the tools, guidance, and reassurance so you are at ease and feel respected.
With a wide variety of doula experience — including medicated and unmedicated labors, spontaneous and induced labors, hospital birth and homebirth — my knowledge and understanding is put to use to help reduce my clients’ anxiety and increase their confidence. I have a special place in my heart for women suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) during their pregnancies, as I myself have personally experienced it five times.
I believe the best pregnancies, births, and postpartum experiences happen when women and their families feel supported, and I would be honored to do that for your family.
Contact: Blessed Birth Doula of CNY, LLC
(315) 761-3643
Website:www.BlessedBirthDoula.com
Anastasiia Starukhina
Birth & Postpartum Doula
Anastasiia is a professional birth and postpartum doula, supporting women during labor & postpartum recovery. She is a mother of 6 and the author of Pocket Doula. Anastasiia combines modern scientific knowledge with traditional approaches, including aromatherapy, rebozo techniques, natural pain relief methods, swaddling, and traditional rituals for body and soul after birth.
Contact: anastasiiaholima@gmail.com
(908) 873-5333
Website: www.holima.org
Lizette Waters
DONA Certified Birth Doula
Serving Cooperstown, NY and Otsego
& surrounding Counties
“As a mother myself, I understand how deeply meaningful a positive birth experience can be. I am passionate about supporting families as they prepare for birth, helping them create a calm, informed, and empowering environment. My role as a birth doula is to offer support so you feel confident, heard, and respected throughout your journey. I believe every family deserves to feel supported and empowered as they welcome their baby into the world.” - Lizette
Contact: Lizette.t.waters@gmail.com
(607) 353-0373
Brittney Watkins, Mohawk Valley Lactation
& Herkimer County Public Health Doula Partnership
Birth Doula
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Brittney Watkins is a DONA-trained birth doula and Certified Lactation Counselor serving families throughout the Mohawk Valley. In addition to her private practice, she is proudly affiliated with Mohawk Valley Lactation and
Herkimer County Public Health’s Doula Partnership.
She supports all types of births, with a deep passion for physiological and home birth. Brittney’s work is grounded in calm, compassionate care and a strong belief that no family should navigate pregnancy, birth, or postpartum without a village.
Contact: Brittney@bwbirthsupport.com
Website: www.bwbirthsupport.com