Tier Five Doulas
Megan Davidson is a certified labor doula (DONA, CBI), a certified lactation counselor, a postpartum doula, and a babywearing and cloth diapering teacher. She has training in natural childbirth with Ina May Gaskin, as well as several other midwives. She holds a PhD from Binghamton University/SUNY in Cultural Anthropology based on her research into emerging social movements, the politics of sexed bodies and gender identities, and the processes of social change in the US. Prior to giving birth Megan worked as a rape crisis and domestic violence advocate in hospitals and police stations. In 2001 when she became pregnant with her first child, her research interests and personal commitments increasingly shifted to the politics of motherhood, reproduction and procreation, and parenting. She became involved in supporting new breastfeeding mothers and helped to form social networks for new parents to find peer support during their transition into parenthood. Megan is now the mother of two fabulous kids and lives with her family in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. She offers respectful, compassionate support to women and their families throughout pregnancy, child birth, breastfeeding, and the challenges of early infancy. She is also the Director of the NYC Doula Co-op and actively mentors new doulas in New York City.
Shara Frederick is a DONA Certified Birth Doula and is honored to support women and work with families during one of the most exciting period in their lives. In addition to her work as a doula, Shara teaches Childbirth Education at Realbirth and Inwood House, both in NYC. "As a doula I am here for you to have the birth you choose and to meet you where you are. I am not there to change, control or lead, but rather to support, educate and be present. It is a great privilege to witness babies and parents being born." Shara began her professional career as a documentary photographer and video editor. She is the proud mom of two children.
Annette Perel, a DONA International certified Birth Doula and trained Postpartum Doula, began attending births in 2002. Working with women in labor and the birth of her son in 2005 inspired her to focus her studies towards becoming a midwife. Growing up bilingual in two different cultures, New York and Panama City, Annette draws from a time-honored tradition in which supporting women is an integral part of community life. Annette has a respect for and interest in exploring different parenting styles and traditions. She is honored to be a new parent mentor helping new moms and dads make the transition confidently into parenthood. Annette also serves as a council member of the Metropolitan Doula Group.
Haya Brant is a DONA International certified Birth Doula and DONA trained Postpartum Doula, has been attending births since 2002. Haya brings to her work a background as a coach in competitive gymnastics and an upper level management professional in stock photography and software development. After 9/11 Haya felt drawn to doing something more meaningful. Motivated to follow in her mother's footsteps, she committed herself to supporting families through the major life transition of birth. In 2005 Haya gave birth to her daughter Zoe. This experience deepened her confidence in woman’s power to give birth consciously and in the value of having support throughout the process. Haya shares her comprehensive study and passion for the benefits of babywearing through in-home fittings and ongoing work-shops. Haya serves as a NYC mentor for Diaper Free Baby an organization devoted to helping parents explore ways of communicating with their babies about their elimination needs. Haya served as a council member of the Metropolitan Doula Group and is the DONA International area representative for NYC/Westchester/LI. Haya is currently an Intern Lactation Consultant working towards certification as an IBCLC. Haya also runs a medical billing business that services a growing number of homebirth midwives. *Currently On Leave
Cori Pleune is a DONA Certified Birth Doula, certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and trained Postpartum Doula. She has also completed the Midwifery Assistant Workshop at The Farm, and regularly assists Stacey Rees, a NYC Homebirth Midwife. She has been certified with the American Red Cross in adult/child/infant CPR, and has completed workshops to help women breastfeed successfully. Cori attended her first birth in 1996 and has been hooked ever since. Her hobbies are knitting, reading good books and playing fetch with Gerdie the dog. Cori lives in Park Slope with her husband Kodjo and two children Oliver and Ivy, both born at home.