OWNER

CD(DONA), CVD(TVL) - C-VBACS
BIRTH DOULA/V-BACS

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR

NRP

Shannon Mathews is a compassionate birth professional, community leader, and advocate who has dedicated more than nine years to supporting growing families throughout Northern Virginia. Since joining the Nova Birth Services team in 2018, Shannon has played an integral role in serving the local birth community through doula support, educational programs, and community support groups. In 2024, she became the owner of Nova Birth Services, continuing its mission of providing evidence-based, family-centered care to expectant and new parents.

Over the course of her career, Shannon has supported more than 250 families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. Her passion for birth work grew from over seven years of focused study in child development and a deep commitment to empowering families through education, advocacy, and compassionate support.

Shannon has completed extensive training in childbirth education, DONA International doula training, Lamaze techniques, breastfeeding education, and neonatal resuscitation. She is certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and is a VBAC Link Certified VBAC Doula, equipping her to confidently support families pursuing vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Her commitment to lifelong learning and evidence-based care drives her to continually expand her knowledge and collaborate with other birth professionals to ensure families receive informed, up-to-date support.

Her personal experiences with four pregnancies profoundly shaped her approach to birth work. Navigating Hyperemesis Gravidarum and learning to advocate for respectful, quality care reinforced the importance of informed decision-making, flexibility, and understanding patient rights. These experiences inspired her dedication to ensuring every family feels seen, heard, and empowered throughout their pregnancy and birth experience.

In addition to her work as a doula, Shannon's experience working alongside surgeons in hospital settings provided valuable insight into medical systems and strengthened her ability to translate complex medical information into clear, approachable language. This skill helps families better understand their options and make confident decisions about their care.

Known for her warmth, empathy, and unwavering commitment to advocacy, Shannon is honored to walk alongside families during one of life's most transformative journeys. Through Nova Birth Services, she remains dedicated to strengthening the local birth community and helping families build positive, supported birth experiences.

Serving: Northern Virginia

CD(DONA) Birth

LMT- Licensed Massage Therapist

CPR Certified/ Background Checked

Christine has a special heart for pregnant mammas.

She serves women and their families during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. As a doula, her goal is to empower mothers through education and advocacy toachieve the birth they desire. She brings her training, research, personal birthexperiences, and giftings to the table to support and walk beside mom and dad, in one of the most defining moments of a mother’s life, the birth of her child. She specializes in VBAC and VBAmC.

As a certified massage therapist with 20-years’ experience, Christine provides a variety of professional and personally tailored bodywork services, including prenatal and postnatal massage. Often asked which is her favorite modality, she responds that, “blending them to meet individual goals and making positive changes within the body is my favorite.” “I also enjoy bringing massage into the birth journey by using techniques or teaching self-care techniques for mom and baby.

She holds a Birth Doula certification through DONA International, a current CPR certification, 18 massage certifications, and licensure in two states. Christine recognizes that it is an honor to walk with a mother in her birth experience, and she would be delighted to support and serve in your next birth journey.

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth and Maternity Photographer

CD(DONA)

CPR

CLC

With more than 11 years of experience, Phelicia has supported families as a birth and postpartum doula, photographer, and certified lactation counselor/infant feeding specialist. She is passionate about meeting families where they are and offering calm, compassionate, and informed support during some of life’s most transformative moments. Whether she is providing hands-on postpartum care, feeding support, or documenting a family’s story through photography, her goal is to create a space where parents feel seen, respected, and confident in their choices.

CD (DONA)
Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Spinning Babies Parent Educator

As she learned from teaching for more than 30 years, there is more than one way to solve a problem, and the best way is the way that works for you! It’s no different in childbirth. There are so many options in childbirth, and it can be overwhelming. It starts with knowledge! Beth’s superpower is helping you find what works best for you in an inclusive, nonjudgmental way.

Every birthing person deserves to have an advocate there to guide and assist them in making educated choices about their pregnancy and remind them that they can trust the strength of their bodies during this time. As a certified DONA International doula, and Spinning Babies trained birth worker, Beth will inform clients with facts, provide resources, and listen with empathy to help them curate a safe, healthy, and beautiful childbirth memory.

As a postpartum doula and lactation consultant (training by Childbirth International), Beth loves to help families transition to life with a newborn. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, this new little life will dramatically change the dynamics of your family. Helping with household logistics, feeding your baby by breast or bottle, bathing and cord care, and watching the baby so the new parent(s) can rest are some of the ways she can help you. Feeling safe, nurtured, and cared for is as important for the new parents as it is for your baby.

Beth is a mother of 4 adult children. She enjoys walking her two dogs (both rescues) and having deep discussions with her African Gray Parrot. She recently retired from Loudoun County Public Schools to doula full time! Her greatest wish is to be a grandmother.

Serving: Northern Virginia and some Maryland clients

Birth & Postpartum Doula (MaternityWise)

CPR/AED

Rachael is a birth and postpartum doula serving families throughout Northern Virginia.

With professional training and a heart for supporting growing families, she brings both knowledge and lived experience to her work. As a mother of three and former gestational carrier for three families, Rachael understands that every family’s journey is different and takes special care in supporting families who have experienced fertility struggles or have conceived through IVF and other fertility treatments.

Life as a military spouse has deepened her belief in the importance of connection and community, especially during seasons of change. Trained through MaternityWise, she provides evidence-based support focused on helping families feel confident and supported.

In her free time, Rachael enjoys spending time with her husband and children, gardening, baking, practicing yoga, and crocheting. She also gives back through volunteer work supporting women and families in her community. These activities nurture her and inspire the thoughtful care she brings to the families she serves.

Serving: Northern Virginia

POSTPARTUM DOULA

CPR/AED

Certified Doula

Amanda is a highly experienced, certified Postpartum Doula with a special focus on overnight newborn care. With a nurturing heart and a calm, reassuring presence, she is passionate about supporting families as they grow and adjust to life with a new baby. As a mother of four, Amanda understands firsthand the joys and challenges of those early days and nights — and she considers it a true honor to walk alongside families during such a tender, important time.

Amanda is dedicated to offering compassionate, nonjudgmental care, while providing families with evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, newborn care, infant soothing techniques, mother-baby bonding, and more. Above all, she believes every new parent deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported — and she is always there to listen, encourage, and uplift.

In addition to her doula certification, Amanda is trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED, and has completed specialized training in the care of twins and multiples. She strives to nurture not just the newborn, but the entire family unit, helping ease the transition into parenthood with warmth, expertise, and steady overnight support.

Whether offering a restful night’s sleep, practical newborn care, or a listening ear, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and heartfelt care to every family she serves.

Serving: Nighttime Clients

WV/Northern Virginia Clients

VA State-Certified Doula 

Birth and Postpartum Doula 

trained through Birth in Color & Whole Body Pregnancy (Postpartum)

Birth Story Listener 

Currently completing EBB Childbirth Educator training 

Serving Northern Virginia, Rappahannock  region, Richmond, and DC

Tonya is a compassionate doula dedicated to providing inclusive, and judgment-free support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She believes every parent deserves to feel informed, empowered, and truly seen—no matter their background, identity, or path to parenthood.

She strives to create a nurturing space where families can trust their intuition, make confident choices, and feel fully supported. As a trained birth story listener, Tonya honors the emotional depth of each person’s experience, offering space for reflection, healing, and connection.

As a proud member of both the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, Tonya is committed to culturally competent, affirming care. She centers representation and respect, ensuring families of color and queer families feel understood, welcomed, and honored in their unique identities and traditions.

Tonya is also dedicated to continuous learning and community support. She is currently training as a childbirth educator and is actively involved in work supporting individuals and families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, Tonya is honored to walk beside you—celebrating, supporting, and advocating for you every step of the way.

CD- Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula

CVD(TVL), C-VBACS

Debbie is a dedicated birth, postpartum, and sibling doula with a professional background spanning over two decades in holistic and perinatal care. Her journey into birth work began more than 20 years ago when she became a certified massage therapist, infant massage instructor, and Reiki master. Throughout her massage therapy career, she worked with a diverse range of clients, though she found her greatest fulfillment in supporting expectant and new mothers through prenatal and postpartum massage. It was during these sessions that she discovered the profound connection between mother and child, often sensing the baby’s movements and responses — moments she describes as deeply meaningful and transformative.

In 2022, Debbie retired from massage therapy and transitioned into doula work to continue serving and supporting families within the birthing community. She completed her birth doula training with The Matrona Foundation, whose philosophy of creating a supportive, non-interventive environment deeply aligned with her own values — emphasizing the importance of witnessing birth rather than managing it, and empowering families to shape their own birthing experiences.

Additionally, Debbie is a VBAC-certified doula through The VBAC Link, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to confidently support families planning vaginal births after cesarean. She has also completed training in Spinning Babies®, enhancing her ability to assist in promoting optimal fetal positioning and supporting physiological birth. Debbie pursued her postpartum doula certification with DONA International, further expanding her ability to nurture, educate, and provide essential care to families during the vital early postpartum period.

Today, Debbie brings warmth, wisdom, and a holistic, client-centered approach to every family she serves, honoring each unique journey through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Serving: Maryland and Northern Virginia Clients

Certified Doula Birth and Postpartum- Maternity Wise

Nikkea Anderson is a birth and postpartum doula serving families throughout the DMV area. With over a decade of experience supporting children and families from birth through early childhood, she brings a calm, nurturing, and family-centered approach to every space she enters.

Nikkea has a strong passion for supporting families during the transition into life with a new baby. She provides emotional support, practical hands-on care, and reassurance that helps parents feel more confident and supported throughout both the birth and postpartum experience.

Her background in early childhood development gives her a unique perspective when supporting the entire family unit, especially older siblings adjusting to a new baby. She is passionate about helping families create smoother, more connected transitions during the postpartum period.

Families often describe Nikkea as warm, grounding, attentive, and easy to talk to. She strives to create a supportive environment where parents feel heard, cared for, and empowered.

Certified Postpartum Doula

CLC- Certified Lactation Counselor

Mary Lucas Ghyabi has been supporting DMV families as a postpartum doula since 2020, but has been caring for infants her whole life. In the past six years, she has worked with dozens of local families. She particularly enjoys working with first-time parents and helping them learn how to care for their babies confidently and competently. Mary is also a certified lactation consultant and enjoys working with families to create and support a sustainable feeding plan, whether they choose to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or both. She loves to cook and is always eager to provide new parents with homemade meals throughout the fourth trimester. Mary is presently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University and looks forward to working as a therapist to further support perinatal mental health following her graduation.