Meet the Richmond Birth & Postpartum Doula
Hi Friend! I'm Jessica,
She/Her/They
I am a dedicated and passionate gentle sleep coach, childbirth educator, and certified birth and postpartum doula based in Richmond, Virginia. I was originally certified through DONA Int. in 2023 for both birth and postpartum doula support and have recently completed my re-certification in both areas. I have also completed specialized home birth doula training through Cardinal Birth Midwifery, expanding my ability to support families planning physiologic and out of hospital births.
In addition to my doula training, I am CPR/AED, and First Aid certified through the American Red Cross, with certifications completed in both 2023 and 2025. I am also a certified Birth and Women’s Advocate and have completed trauma and grief informed care training with Safe Harbor to better support families navigating complex, emotional, or vulnerable experiences during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
I take immense honor in this work because birth and the postpartum period are not just medical events. They are life defining transitions for individuals and families. To be invited into that space is something I never take lightly. My passion for this role comes from a deep respect for mothers, parents, and the strength that lives within them, even during moments when they may feel uncertain or overwhelmed.
Dou·la [doo-la]: (n)
1960s: Modern Greek, from Greek doulē 'female slave; female helper; paid servant; mothering the mother'
The word doula comes from the Greek word meaning “a woman who serves.”
When I first learned about the profession, it felt less like discovering a new career and more like recognizing something I had already been doing my entire life. Supporting others, holding space during emotional moments, advocating for women, and helping people find confidence in themselves were all values that had been deeply rooted in me through my upbringing. Becoming a doula allowed me to turn those instincts into a profession grounded in training, experience, and evidence based care.
I believe I am particularly well suited to this work because of the way I combine compassion with attentiveness and education. Families deserve more than someone who simply shows up. They deserve someone who listens carefully, anticipates their needs, respects their values, and advocates for their well being. I approach every family with patience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to helping them feel capable, supported, and confident as they welcome their baby.
Honoring the Women before Us
My journey into the world of doula support has been shaped by my rich heritage, rooted in the strong traditions of my Italian American family.
The lessons I learned from the women in my family continue to guide me every day in my work as a doula.
Generations of strong, independent Italian women, each with her story of triumph, inspired me to dream big and work hard. Their accomplishments, both in the professional sphere and within our family, showcased the power of resilience and determination.
Their influence continued to ignite my passion for empowering women, especially those navigating the transformative journey of motherhood. It was their wisdom that helped lead me to become a certified birth & postpartum doula, a role I cherish deeply.
Guided by their examples, I am committed to offering unwavering support to fellow women, helping them embrace their innate strength during one of life's most profound experiences.
Growing up in the nurturing embrace of my family, I embodied the values of compassion, empathy, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every individual.
Supporting parents through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is not just my profession. It is a calling I carry with deep pride, responsibility, and passion.