The NOVA Birth Services TEAM
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OWNER
CD(DONA), CVD(TVL) - C-VBACS
BIRTH DOULA/V-BACSCHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR
NRP
Shannon is a compassionate birth professional with over seven years of focused study in child development, a foundation that sparked her passion for childbirth, family advocacy, and supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. Her commitment to lifelong learning and evidence-based care is reflected in the diverse training she has pursued, including childbirth education classes, DONA International doula training, Lamaze techniques, and breastfeeding education. Shannon is also a certified VBAC doula through The VBAC Link, equipping her to confidently support families pursuing vaginal birth after cesarean.
Dedicated to expanding her knowledge and strengthening her skills, Shannon actively collaborates with other local birth workers and stays current on evidence-based practices to provide informed, compassionate care to the families she serves.
Shannon’s personal experiences with her four pregnancies profoundly shaped her approach to birth work. Navigating the challenges of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and advocating for quality, respectful care taught her the vital importance of informed decision-making, flexibility, and understanding one’s rights as a patient. These experiences inspired Shannon to become a dedicated advocate for expectant mothers, ensuring each family she works with feels seen, heard, and supported throughout their pregnancy and birth.
In addition to her doula work, Shannon’s background working alongside surgeons in hospital settings provided her with valuable experience in translating complex medical terminology into clear, approachable language for her clients — empowering families to make confident, informed choices about their care.
With warmth, empathy, and a deep commitment to advocacy, Shannon is honored to walk alongside families as they navigate one of life’s most meaningful journeys.
Serving: Northern Virginia
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Birth Doula
L & D NURSE
My journey into doula support began in 2008 with the birth of my son while serving as an air traffic controller in the United States Navy. Introduced to the concept by my crew leader’s wife, Heather, a doula, I was initially unfamiliar with their role. Being far from family and fearing the unknown, having a doula on my birthing team felt like the perfect choice. Heather became a beacon of light during my childbirth journey, providing calmness that alleviated my early pregnancy fears. Informed by my doula about what to expect, I borrowed Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth during the prenatal phase, solidifying my desire for an unmedicated birth. The support of my doula allowed me to achieve my desired birthing experience.
This transformative experience led me to become a guiding presence for individuals and families in the intimate process of childbirth. Commissioned into the Navy Nurse Corps in 2013, I began my career as a maternal newborn nurse, feeling a true calling to this specialty. Despite leaving labor and delivery to prioritize my son’s life, my passion for childbirth persisted. Becoming a doula has enabled me to live my passion fully while providing the flexibility to create precious memories with those dear to my heart.
With eight years of experience in the labor and delivery and mother baby units as a registered nurse, I’ve been privileged to be a part of over fifteen-hundred beautiful and transformative maternal newborn experiences. I completed my doula training through DONA International, the oldest, largest, and most respected doula organization in the world! In addition, I’ve attended training through Premier Birth Tools and Spinning Babies as my commitment to optimize your desired birth..
Serving: Middle and Northern Virginia Areas
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POSTPARTUM DOULA
DONA(CD) Postpartum
Jessica is a certified Postpartum Doula through DONA International, bringing a unique and valuable blend of experience to the families she serves. With an extensive background in childcare and infant support, coupled with over a decade of service in emergency medical services (EMS), Jessica offers a calm, steady presence and skilled, compassionate care during the delicate postpartum period.
Jessica is passionate about supporting families as they navigate the physical, emotional, and practical adjustments of life with a newborn. She provides evidence-based postpartum care tailored to each family’s unique values, preferences, and needs — helping parents rest, recover, and build confidence in their new roles.
With her clinical experience and nurturing approach, Jessica ensures that families feel safe, supported, and empowered. Whether offering guidance on newborn care, emotional reassurance, or simply being a steady, caring presence, she is honored to be part of each family’s early parenting journey. She is CPR/AED certified.
Serving: Maryland and Northern Virginia, DC and PA
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POSTPARTUM DOULACPR/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
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CD(DONA), CVD(TVL), C-VBACS
BIRTH DOULA/VBAC DOULA
PERINATAL FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR
NRP
Catherine has been helping pregnant women and families since 2019. Giving birth to her own six children – one cesarean and five VBACs – gave Catherine a passion and respect for birth. She has been a DONA certified birth doula since 2021, and a certified VBAC doula (The VBAC Link) and VBAC specialist (Pro- Doula) since 2022. She is a CrossFit Level 2 trainer and certified Pre/Postnatal \ Fitness Instructor (MamasteFit). She has completed Spinning Babies training courses, a breastfeeding course, and is an Evidence-Based Birth professional member.
Catherine’s goal is to provide families with individualized care during the prenatal period and compassionate, in-person support and advocacy during labor. She helps with bonding and breastfeeding, if you choose, after your baby is born. She respects and values the richness of your family’s birth experience and would be honored to support you.
Serving: Maryland and Northern Virginia Clients
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CD (DONA)
Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Spinning Babies Parent EducatorAs 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
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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
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Birth Doula CVD(TVL)
Postpartum Doula
Certified Birth Educator, Prenatal Nutrition, Breastfeeding CounselingWhitney is a compassionate and experienced birth professional, dedicated to providing comfort, support, and advocacy for expectant families. She believes in meeting each family where they are, honoring their unique needs and preferences, and walking alongside them through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. Trained in a variety of comfort measures, coping strategies, and optimal positioning techniques for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, Whitney is committed to creating positive, empowering experiences for the families she serves.
Certified through the International Doula Institute, Whitney holds credentials as a Birth Educator, Prenatal Nutrition Specialist, Breastfeeding Counselor, Birth Doula, and Postpartum Doula. In addition, she is a VBAC-certified doula through The VBAC Link, equipping her with specialized skills to confidently support families planning vaginal births after cesarean. Whitney has been actively serving families as a professional doula for the past four years, building on over 15 years of experience caring for infants and young children.
Her passion for birth work was ignited by the meaningful experiences of attending the births of her nieces and nephews. Being present for those deeply personal moments, and offering care and reassurance to her siblings and their partners, sparked a lifelong calling to support others in the same way.
As a mother of three herself, Whitney believes in leading by example — teaching her daughters the importance of pursuing their passions and advocating for others. She holds a firm belief that every mother deserves to feel supported, respected, and well-informed throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery.
With warmth, empathy, and a heart for advocacy, Whitney is honored to serve the growing families in her community and considers it a privilege to be a trusted presence during such a meaningful chapter in their lives.
Serving: Maryland and Northern Virginia Clients
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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.
