Meet Your Doulas
Tracy MacGregor, Labor and Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and DOBC Founder
Tracy is a Labor and Postpartum Doula certified through both ProDoula and DONA International, an ALPP Certified Lactation Counselor, and a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist. She aims to provide an encouraging and comforting environment for all of her clients, both in and out of the hospital or birthing center. She is very passionate about breastfeeding, so supporting new moms along this journey is very fulling work for her. She forms close connections with her clients which often extend past the postpartum period, as her experience as a single mother highlighted the importance of connection during parenthood.
She is a mother to one amazing daughter and three fur babies. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, and reading with her book club.
Shelby Rutherford, Postpartum Doula
Shelby has worked for several years as a professional nanny. It was this work that drew her to Postpartum Doula work. Providing emotional and a judgement-free support are her ultimate goals as new moms navigate bringing baby home and introducing them into the family. Not only will she will be there to answer any infant care questions, but she will focus on moms needs as well. She will ensure that not only baby, but mom is well taken care of.
Shelby has five years of experience working closely with children on the spectrum. As a result she has learned to navigate life with children in a way that makes them feel safe and secure. Listening to a child and their needs, even while nonverbal, is like second nature to her. In her work with children she has leaned heavily on Occupational, Behavioral and Speech Therapy. Patience is key and so are boundaries. She has loved learning how to help children feel safe and confident while they begin their own journey through life.
In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family and her cats. She also has a passion for the outdoors, writing, baking and gardening.
Lauren Cordon, Birth and Postpartum Doula
Lauren is both a Birth and Postpartum Doula certified through Childbirth International. She comes from a large, multicultural family and values her faith, honesty, information and natural instinct. She has a bachelors degree in Professional Studies from Purdue University. Lauren likes to focus on educating and supporting all people, especially those of color, that believe they are limited in choices during labor, delivery and the postpartum period. She loves being able to provide individualized support to families and has enjoyed watching her career supporting new moms and their families blossom.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her friends and family, backing, cooking and gardening.
Grace Kovitch, Postpartum Doula
Grace is a naturally-minded, Christian Doula who lives in Barto. She grew up with a large family and has always understood the important of family, babies, and a mother’s presence in the home. It was that understanding that brought a deep longing to be there for and support parents in the postpartum period. After shadowing a lovely and skilled doula mentor, she had truly found her God given calling. Grace became certified soon after with the ultimate goal of being an advocate and pillar of support for moms and dads in the community.
When Grace is not supporting new moms, she enjoys hiking, weightlifting and camping her free time..
Casey Carroll, Birth and Postpartum Doula
As a mother of four, Casey is dedicated to empowering and supporting women from pregnancy through postpartum. Her mission is to ensure every woman, regardless of circumstances, has access to the best possible birthing experience, providing education, evidence-based information and unwavering advocacy.
Her commitment extends beyond the birthing room, aiming to make the entire journey of pregnancy, labor and motherhood a positive and empowering experience for every individual and family she has the privilege to support.
Melissa Owens, Certified Lactation Counselor
Melissa trained to be a Postpartum Doula through CAPPA and has recently received her Lactation Counselor certification. She has experience working with many families, including moms of multiples. She knows the struggles faced during the postpartum period for all moms, not just first time moms. It was her own experience struggling through the postpartum period and her breastfeeding journey which has drawn her to this work. She understands how vital it is for moms to have support, knowledge and comfort during this time and is honored to provide this for the clients with whom she works.
Melissa has 4 children of her own, ages 8,6,4 and 2. When she’s not supporting new moms, she likes to spend time with her family, enjoys cooking and being outdoors.
Sandy Petriccione, Postpartum Doula
Sandy is a Postpartum Doula certified through Childbirth International. She has a large extended family and is no stranger to being around and working with children. For 3 years she worked as a child and school photographer traveling school to school in the tristate area. With all of this, Sandy felt that she could best support families in a different way and decided to become certified as a Postpartum Doula. She finds comfort is supporting families in a comprehensive and holistic way. She looks forward to opportunities to support all types of families in the community.
When Sandy is supporting new moms she enjoys backpacking, photography, and spending time with family.
Anika Vanim,
Birth Doula
Anika is a Certified Birth Doula, Reiki practitioner, Prenatal Yoga instructor and placenta artist who is dedicated to empowering mothers through their most authentic birthing vision. She has personal experience in both preterm and home births - having her first child three weeks prematurely and free-birthing her second child at home - Anika connects deeply with the home-birthing community as well as those facing preterm births. She provides comprehensive support to mother, whether they are navigating natural labor or preparing for cesareans, ensuring they feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Beyond birth work, Anika enjoys studying, family photography and adventures with her children.
Elena Benfer, Postpartum Doula
Elena is a Postpartum Doula trained through Birth Arts International. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2017, and developed her passion for pregnancy and birth from prenatal and postpartum massage sessions. Elena’s vision in her doula journey is to provide comfort, guidance, and educational support to every new mother.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs in recreational parks, riding bicycles, skiing, cooking, and reading books. She looks forward to bringing encouragement and supportive care to your expanding family!
Nayanka Paul, Postpartum Doula, Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator
Nayanka is a full-spectrum doula with a deep passion for birth, postpartum and childbirth education. Rooted in her Haitian heritage and community values, she takes a holistic, culturally informed approach to her work, believing that care extends far beyond birth. Committed to supporting birthing folks, especially Black birthing folks in their healing & pleasure journeys.
With a background in birthwork, community care, herbalism and youth advocacy, Nayanka is a dynamic force for change, especially when it comes to the well-being of people in her community. Certified by CDOSJ, she’s also the founder of Bloody Btches, a menstrual health organization she led for four years, created to spread awareness, education and free menstrual health products.
Whether Nayanka’s laughing with friends, charming someone, tending to her herbs, cooking up a storm, or diving into her love of Pinterest and giving food critiques, Nayanka approaches life with everything she has to offer. She’s intentional about everything she does, always seeking to foster connection, uplift her community, and create a strong impact through the work she loves.
Justine Mortimer, Labor and Postpartum Doula
Justine is a faith-based, holistic birth and postpartum doula located in Collegeville. She is a huge advocate for physiological birth, but understands that modern medicine is also there as an option. Her main goal is to make sure families are informed, empowered and overall supported. She trained under her former doula and mentor at Transcend Maternal Services and continues to expand her knowledge with a cross certification under Faith Driven Doulas. She feels blessed to be a stay-at-home mom which allows her the opportunity to pursue her calling as a birth and postpartum doula.
Justine is a mother of two wonderful boys and has been married to her husband for 9 years. Her family also includes dogs, chickens, hermit crabs and a bearded dragon!