MEET OUR TEAM OF ROCHESTER DOULAS & CHILDBIRTH EDUCATORS
Founded in 2009, we are the most experienced group of birth and postpartum doulas and educators in Rochester, NY and the surrounding area.
At Beautiful Birth Choices we offer a comprehensive platform of support for families during pregnancy as they prepare for their birth and first year of parenting. Our BBC Team includes birth and postpartum doulas, lactation consultants and in house educators that are here to provide a unique and personalized experience as families prepare to welcome their baby into the world.
We promise...
Our Active Doulas
BBC’s Active Birth and Postpartum Doulas are our doulas who are available for many clients each year.
All of our doulas are fully trained through BBC and through our certifying organization, DONA International. You are welcome to specifically request any of our doulas from our Owner, Active or Associate teams as your primary doula. We will be happy to connect you to them as their availability allows.
JULIA SITTIG
ALISON SPATH
IBCLC, CD(DONA), RYT 200, BODY READY METHOD PRO
CHRISTY MUSCATO
MINDY CLASS
Mindy began her doula career in 2016 after the birth of her fourth child. She has always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth and knew she wanted to continue that passion to help others. Mindy believes every woman should have the opportunity to have an empowering and fulfilling birth experience.
Mindy attends both hospital and home births. She also has a special interest in breastfeeding which led her on the path to becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor. When Mindy is not running after her five kids she enjoys movies, crafting, baking and reading. She is also very involved in volunteering in her community.
Mindy is currently accepting birth and postpartum doula clients.
JENNA KARNS
Jenna Karns is a Certified Child and Family Development teacher at BOCES. Jenna uses these skills to teach and support families at BBC. Jenna teaches our Baby Basics class as well as our Infant First Aid and CPR course. She is proud mom of a crazy, energetic little girl that loves to tell people her mom helps women give birth. She is here to help support your birth plan no matter what that birth plan is, and loves to bring positive energy and warmth to every birth she attends.
Jenna is currently accepting birth and postpartum doula clients.
KIRSTEN ELTING
Kirsten has been supporting families during their entire journey through pregnancy, labor, and delivery since 2003. Believing that birthing people are powerful when they understand their own innate ability to give birth, and that pregnancy and birth are NORMAL. Because she is constantly researching and educating herself on all things pregnancy and birth related, she provides evidence-based, factual information and continuous emotional and physical support. Kirsten aims to guide families in making informed choices and decisions during pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early postpartum.
Kirsten teaches Childbirth Education and Comfort Measures classes, she is also a Lactation Counselor and Stillbirth and Bereavement Doula.
Kirsten is currently accepting birth doula clients.
MELISSA EBNER
Melissa first discovered the amazing world of birthwork after her second child was born almost 18 years ago. She was immediately drawn to learning more about a birth that was her own. Melissa is certified birth and postpartum doula. Melissa has trained as a lactation counselor and has supported many births in a variety of settings and scenarios. She has attended medicated and unmedicated births, VBACs and cesareans. Melissa believes in women and their power.
Melissa is currently accepting birth doula clients.
KELLIE WOODRUFF
Kellie’s journey into birth work began during her first pregnancy when she found a passion in preparing her own mind, body and soul for pregnancy, labor and birth. Kellie has a Bachelors in Social Work with a minor in Psychology that has equipped her to be attentive and compassionate for others. As a Birth Doula, Kellie intends to educate, support and empower families through their individualized experience. She hopes to help you bring your birth vision to life. Kellie is a mother to two children and a wife to a supportive husband.
Kellie is currently accepting birth doula clients.
TANYA VELAZQUEZ
Tanya is a loving mother of two daughters and has been married to her kindhearted husband for 31 years. She has recently retired as a 911 operator after 25 years of service. Tanya has taken thousands of emergency calls, including delivering babies over the phone. Tanya is known for her calm and patient demeanor while under stress. Tanya aims to be a continuous presence to provide support and comfort during labor and birth.
Tanya is currently accepting birth and postpartum doula clients.
SARA DEMPSEY
Sara is a dedicated doula with over ten years of hospital nursing experience and several healthcare leadership roles. She encourages clients to trust their instincts during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and provides informed support for each decision. Certified by DONA International, Sara has supported medical and nonmedical births, including cesareans, and offers lactation education. She shares her motherhood experiences as a mother of two.
Sara is currently accepting birth doula clients.
HEATHER HERSHELMAN
Heather Hershelman is a postpartum doula, RN and and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Heather has worked as a RN since 2008 wife and homeschooling mother of three. A patient once told Heather, "You must do this work for the babies." Heather does love babies, but she especially loves to support new mothers and families as they find their way in caring for their new baby.
Heather is accepting postpartum doula clients.
DEANNA PALUMBO
Deanna is a Postpartum Doula who brings calm, steady support to families during the fourth trimester. When Deanna's daughter was born, the postpartum period was filled with love and excitement, but also anxiety and overwhelm. That experience shaped her understanding of how crucial compassionate, non-judgmental support is during this time, inspiring her work with families today.
Deanna is currently accepting postpartum doula clients.
Our Associate Doulas
BBC’s Associate Birth and Postpartum Doulas are those who take less clients each year, but are available for back up support if/when needed or to step in when births go long and if your primary doula needs to step out to rest.
All of our doulas are fully trained through BBC and through our certifying organization, DONA International. You are welcome to specifically request any of our doulas from our Owner, Active or Associate teams as your primary doula. We will be happy to connect you to them as their availability allows.
JENNIE KIEFFER
Jennie Kieffer is a dedicated doula and lactation counselor with many years of experience in supporting families through their unique birth journeys. She specializes in assisting with Cesarean births and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), focusing on creating a safe and empowering environment for parents as they navigate these experiences.
Jennie believes that there is no one right way to birth; rather, the best plan is the one that feels right for each client. She is passionate about helping families overcome previous birth trauma, ensuring that they enter their next pregnancy with renewed confidence and peace of mind. At BBC, she facilitates the Life with Baby and Cesarean/VBAC Support groups, providing a space for families to connect, share and heal together.
In addition to her support group work, Jennie teaches Intro to Breastfeeding and VBAC Prep for Parents, equipping families with the knowledge and skills they need for a positive experience. She believes that every parent deserves compassionate support and the tools to advocate for themselves during their birthing journey.
Jennie looks forward to supporting families as they embark on this incredible path to parenthood.
Jennie is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
NELLA GOHO
After the birth of her first child in 2008, Nella’s interest in birth started to grow. Her personal journey lead her to have a beautiful homebirth with her second (2011) and gentle hospital birth with her third (2013). Nella soon decided to turn her passion into a profession and went on to become a DONA Birth Doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator and a Certificated Lactation Counselor.
Nella is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
JULIE ROBERT
Julie is a birth doula, support expecting families since 2018. As a mother of two, with two completely opposite birth experiences, Julie is passionate about creating a positive birth experience for her clients through empowerment and a safe space for creating informed choices throughout the process of pregnancy, labor and postpartum. As a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, her passion for childbirth was born to help other families have better experiences. Her goal is to make sure families know that a positive birth experience can come from being informed and well supported.
Julie is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
OLIVIA DONOVAN
Olivia is a birth and postpartum doula, and a prenatal yoga and Pilates instructor. She believes that engaging with our bodies is our greatest tool in staying present. Since her start in 2021, Olivia has helped many parents find their inner strength while navigating the unknowns of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. In her role as a doula, she aims to help you prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for whatever lies ahead.
Olivia is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
NICOLE TRAYLOR
A planner by nature, Nicole’s goal is to provide an intentional and holistic approach to pregnancy and birth for families. Professionally, in her ‘day job’ Nicole owns a successful financial company.
Nicole is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
EILEEN CASEY CAMPBELL
Eileen Casey-Campbell (she, her, hers) is a birth doula and yoga instructor. Eileen brings a fascination with physiology and a love for the wonder of the human body to birth work and teaching our Baby & Me yoga class. Eileen is a Unitarian Universalist minister and has served as a healthcare chaplain in maternal special care and neonatal intensive care, holding many families through difficult pregnancies, births, and postpartum recoveries. She has a soft spot in her heart for families handling pregnancy or infant loss. Eileen shares a life with her partner, their two children, and two goofy dogs.
Eileen is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
BERT KIEHLE
Bert is a DONA Certified Birth Doula, trained Postpartum doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor. She’s had birthwork in her heart since childhood and when she learned about doulas, she knew this was her ultimate calling! Aside from birth, Bert’s interests include spirituality, wellness, and spending time in nature.
Bert is on maternity leave and is not currently accepting birth or postpartum doula clients.
MARGO FOX
Margo has a passion for helping others help themselves; through education, empathy, and empowerment. She strongly believes in protecting the birth space and the impact of your birth story memory. It is her goal to provide support and assist parents in building confidence in pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Margo has additional training in pregnancy after loss.
Margo is on maternity leave until 2026.
LAUREN DEARMAN
Lauren (she/her/hers) works full-time as a sign language interpreter and is fluent in American Sign Language. She believes in supporting birthing people in whatever way will help them best to have a positive, empowering birth experience, and with an aim to remove barriers in communication. Lauren is a wife and mother and looks forward to the honor of working with birthing people and their support people in this capacity.
Lauren is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.
KATHRYN FRANKE
Kathryn is a mother of three boys and a military spouse from Georgia. She has provided doula support to families since 2020. Kathryn is grateful to be a part of BBC and honored to walk alongside you during the transformative season of pregnancy and childbirth.
Kathryn is accepting birth doula clients on a limited basis.