Tier One Doulas

Brigitte Arlé (RYT) is a DONA trained birth Doula working towards her certification. As a child her mother told her stories of her own birth with a Midwife in NYC. For this reason she has always felt that birth was a beautiful and natural experience that the woman's body is fully equipped for. Brigitte has a professional background in dance, since 1997 and has performed and toured with several companies in the US, Canada, and Europe. Her choreography has been performed in NYC, Spain, and Israel. She received a BFA in Dance from Alvin Ailey/ Fordham University in 2003. One week after graduation she flew to Port au Prince Haiti to volunteer at a children's hospital run by the missionaries of Charity. Brigitte was subsequently certified as a teaching artist in the Martha Graham technique and taught in NYC Public Schools. In 2005 she headed the movement project "Dancers in Exile" for young girls and cloistered women at Al Azzeh Refugee Camp. She was later interviewed on UN radio for International Women's Day about her "Dancers in Exile" project. Brigitte's dedication to dance and movement arts led her to become a health and fitness professional. In 1995 Brigitte began to train in Pilates and has studied with first and second generation Pilates Elders. She was certified by the Kane School of Core Integration and Half Moon Pilates and is a member of the PMA. She received her pre/postnatal training at Erika Bloom Pilates Plus. In addition Brigitte is Certified in Integral Yoga Hatha, Therapeutic Yoga, Yin Yoga and Thai Yoga Massage. In 2008 she began teaching  prenatal and postpartum women Pilates and yoga. It has been an extremely rewarding experience to watch and guide mothers through such a memorable transition in their lives. This led Brigitte to an insightful workshop on natural childbirth with Ina Mae Gaskin. After the workshop Brigitte knew she wanted to work with laboring women. Brigitte took her childbirth education and birth Doula courses with the inspiring Debra Pascali-Bonaro (co-author of Orgasmic Birth). In addition to her prenatal & postpartum experience Brigitte has three years experience teaching rehabilitation exercise in physical therapy offices in Manhattan. Brigitte's movement, yoga, and healing arts background can add to your birth experience offering soothing touch and comfort measures for pain management. *Provisional Member

Elsa Asher completed her DONA birth doula training with Penny Simkin at The Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University in 2010. She studied women’s health and creative writing at Eugene Lang College and Antioch University, earning her BA in Healing and Humanities. She comes from a medical family and grew up around the birth community in Seattle. In addition to her formal study and training, her personal experiences have inspired her in providing deeply empathic care to women across the full spectrum of reproductive experiences. She has been profoundly impacted by the work of Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. and Rita Charon, M.D., Ph.D., and is pursuing a MS in Narrative Medicine. She is also working towards additional training in postpartum and full-spectrum doula care. When she is not working as a doula, Elsa is writing poetry, painting, and enjoying life in Brooklyn. *Provisional Member

Jordan Christopher is a DONA International trained doula, Lamaze trained childbirth educator, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Lifestyle Consultant. Having studied naturopathic health and nutrition, and also teaching and working as a lifestyle coach in health institutions in Central America, Asia, and within the Continental U.S., Jordan has now made the transition into Maternal Child Health and Lactation in pursuit of her IBCLC. Deeply moved by the birth of her niece, she now uses her various talents to aid women and their families before, during, and after their labor. Her belief is that every woman deserves a safe and empowering birth experience, and therefore provides information, support, and a wealth of compassion and sensitivity to each of her families. Every woman deserves a doula and Jordan is always humbled and honored to be apart of each her families birth experience. *Provisional Member

Tymaree Cook began her journey as a birth doula in January 2010 and is working towards her certification. She has been fascinated by birth since she first picked up "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin in 1994. An avid traveler, she has lived, worked, and wandered in 34 countries. She marvels at synthesizing all these experiences and being present; appreciating the uniqueness and universal in every moment. Tymaree is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. She trained at Swedish institute in NYC in 2002 and with Susan Rachel Condon for her Pre/Post Natal certification in 2006. In 2009, she did her 200-hour yoga teacher certification at the Nosara Institute in Costa Rica. She is continuing her yoga studies with the Prenatal Yoga Center. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from California College of the Arts in Printmaking and also has a deep love for photography. Her next adventure in education will be pursuing certification as a childbirth educator. She is deeply interested in women's health, nutrition, movement, and rite-of-passages. Her experience with touch and movement, can help you to have a more comfortable and empowering birth experience.

Aisha Domingue is a Certified Lactation Counselor and is pursuing certification as a DONA trained birth doula. She began the process of becoming a doula in 2007 when she trained with Ilana Stein and then attended her first birth on New Year's Day 2008. That year Aisha also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Teacher's College at Columbia University to become a Holistic Health Coach.  Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Aisha graduated from Smith College and has been a resident of Brooklyn for 8 years. During that time, she has worked in non-profits supporting young women in New York City through education and social justice advocacy, most recently at Brooklyn Young Mothers' Collective. She brings this history of educating and advocating for women to her work as a doula through non-judgmental continuous support in labor and the early postpartum period Aisha believes that every woman, family, and birth is unique and should be supported and approached with the deepest respect and compassion for all involved. The birth of her own son in January 2009 solidified this belief and her passion for supporting other women and families through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. She strives to bring a great sense of calm, harmony, creativity, and compassion to every birth she attends. In addition to doula work, Aisha can often be found performing throughout the city with the dance company Something Positive or spending time with her husband and 2 year old son. 

 

Jo Greep is a birth doula and childbirth educator living in Brooklyn, NY. Long interested in reproductive health, she finally found the courage to leave her day job and pursue this work after the birth of her daughter, Penelope, in late 2009. Jo is passionate about pregnancy, birth, & breastfeeding and aspires to help mothers achieve healthy, satisfying births. She completed DONA training in 2008 and a Lamaze seminar in 2010. She is currently seeking certification with both organizations and hopes to begin offering private and group childbirth classes in coming months. Jo is an active member of the Choices in Childbirth Advocacy Committee and La Leche League International and holds a BA in writing and a MPA in health policy analysis. *Currently on Maternity Leave 

Milon Nagi trained as a birth doula with Natashia Fuksman in the fall of 2008. She holds an MA in Gender Studies and a background in academic publishing, the British Civil Service and as a writer and campaign manager at the Women’s Media Center. Milon combines her passion for women’s rights and health with a lifelong fascination, wonder and respect for the birth process. Most recently, she has been working with Choices in Childbirth on their monthly meetings for expectant parents and as a writer and editor for the annual Guide to a Healthy Birth. Milon believes that an educated woman is an empowered woman. She is passionately committed to helping women and families gain the knowledge they need to make truly informed decisions about the birth options which are right for them. Originally from the UK, Milon lives with her partner and little boy in Brooklyn.

Randi Reed has always been called "the mother hen," taking care of others has always been second nature to her. And with the suggestion of a good friend to be a Doula, Randi discovered a whole new exciting world. Since January 2010 she has been working toward her certification with DONA International as a birth Doula. Originally from Oregon and now residing in Washington Heights Randi is willing to travel all over Manhattan along with areas of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Randi works closely with the pregnancy support and networking groups at the LGBTQ Community Center in the West Village. With a BFA in acting and a passion for moms and babies Randi will always bring a little laugh and a lot of love to your birth.