Connecticut Doula
and Birth Photographer

What makes Within Motherhood different from other doulas?

I am a holistic birth doula and birth photographer/photojournalist — and one of the few birth workers in Connecticut who offers both doula support and photography together. With twenty years of experience in the wedding and portrait industry, I bring a professional photographer's eye to a wide range of lighting conditions and deeply emotional settings.

As a birth doula, I am dedicated to holding space and helping birth families "turn within" — to recognize the inner voice of their body as guidance. I support clients through breathwork, mindfulness, meditation, intention setting, communication, and loving awareness.

Just as every birth is unique, every doula brings different gifts and strengths. I always encourage families to choose someone they truly connect with, because your doula will be present during some of the most vulnerable and intimate moments of your life. The right doula should make you feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard.

Yes, absolutely! In fact, most of the births I've supported have been in the hospital. For first-time parents especially, there are so many good reasons to choose a hospital birth. Having an epidural and pain management close at hand is often a big part of that decision.

Even families hoping for an unmedicated birth sometimes feel more at ease in a hospital setting, especially if they've never given birth before and aren't quite sure what to expect. Just knowing that pain relief is available if things feel like too much can be a real comfort, physically and emotionally.

Your own health and pregnancy history matter here too. Depending on things like gestational diabetes or other concerns, having NICU resources close by can be an important safety net. And of course, I've walked alongside many families through cesarean births as well, whether planned ahead of time or because labor took an unexpected turn.

I've also had the honor of supporting a home birth, and I'm absolutely open to supporting more families who choose to birth at home. Wherever and however you give birth, I'm here to support you through it.

Do you support both hospital and home births?

How early in my pregnancy should I hire a doula? 

I serve clients throughout Connecticut, with a strong local presence along the shoreline and in the Greater New Haven area. Many of my clients come from Guilford, Madison, Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Hamden, and New Haven — largely through my association with Mother Luna in Guilford, where I serve as Prenatal Support Facilitator.

I also support births across the state and have attended births at hospitals including Hartford Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital (York Street Campus), Lawrence & Memorial in New London, Stamford Hospital, Danbury Hospital Birthing Center, and Manchester Memorial Hospital.

what areas of connecticut do you serve?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer support for C-sections and medicated births? 

Yes, absolutely! I support families through medicated births, unmedicated births, cesareans, inductions, home births, and planned cesareans. My role as a doula is to support you through the whole journey — pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Whatever that looks like for you, I'm here to meet you where you are and find what's the best fit for you and your family.

In fact, about 80% of the births I've supported have been medicated births, and all three of my own births were medicated too! No matter the birthing scenario, families can lean on a doula for the emotional, physical, and planning support that comes with giving birth, as well as preparing your home and your life for a new arrival.

For cesareans and planned cesareans, I make myself available to clients in the time leading up to birth to help navigate the nerves and emotions that come with it. The same goes for inductions — I'm there to help you feel safe, supported, and comfortable in what can feel like a very unfamiliar hospital environment.

Yes! This is one of Within Motherhood's most popular packages. I'm one of the few Connecticut doula providers who offers both birth doula support and professional photography in one. I've been a birth doula since March 2022, and a professional wedding and portrait photographer since 1999.

Having one trusted person fill both roles means seamless support — I already know your birth plan, your preferences, and your family. The result is authentic, documentary-style images alongside the hands-on care you need, without a stranger in the room.

You also have full discretion over how much of your birth is photographed. I'll document labor as it progresses and your birth unfolds, but if you'd rather not have images captured of your baby emerging, I'll simply set my camera down and wait until they're fully born before photographing them. The choice is entirely yours.

I also offer the option to be hired as your birth photographer only.

Can I hire you as both my doula and birth photographer?