Practice overview
As a postpartum doula with over 16 years of experience, I provide non-medical physical and emotional support, evidence-based information about newborns and postpartum parents, and practical household assistance. And as a Certified Lactation Counselor, I have additional training in supporting parents who choose to nurse/pump. I also teach private lactation, pumping, back to work, weaning, newborn care and postpartum planning classes. I've been lucky to work with a diverse range of families, including single, adoptive, and LGBTQ+ parents. I'm a former documentary maker and my films about body image and family issues have been broadcast on PBS, HBO and beyond; my short radio pieces can be heard on This American Life; and an autobiographical essay of mine was included in the anthology Out of the Ordinary: Growing Up with Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Parents. I left my documentary career and became a postpartum doula after seeing a dear friend go through a severe postpartum depression. That experience convinced me that more support is essential for all parents-- whether it's their first baby or not.
Anastasia
November 15, 2022 at 11:43 am | Client reviewI truly cannot sing Meema’s praises enough. She was my postpartum doula after the birth my son in March, and was instrumental in my husband and myself remaining relatively calm and sane in those overwhelming first days and weeks as parents. Her presence is warm, knowledgeable, confident, but also relaxing and not at all intrusive. The early postpartum period is such a fraught and vulnerable time, but having Meema in our home did not feel like a stranger – rather, like a saving grace of a magical family member/expert/absolute angel figure. We all – the cat included! – felt so safe and comfortable with her, and overall a lot more comfortable whenever she was here! It is no exaggeration to say that she basically taught me how to breastfeed, which was so intimidating and challenging initially, but with her help and guidance it is now, almost eight months later, one of the most rewarding aspects of parenthood for me. I’ve joked to my husband that Meema must have been a little bit psychic in anticipating my needs; from placing a pillow in exactly the right place under my elbow to facilitate a good breastfeeding latch to knowing exactly what household chore I needed help with that day without my even saying it…and of course she also taught us how to bathe, feed, soothe, dress, wear in a carrier, diaper, etc our new baby with patience and confidence; those hours that she spent in our home during our baby’s first weeks were the times we ourselves felt most capable and confident.
Meema
December 3, 2022 at 6:34 pmIt was such a pleasure & an honor to be a part of your postpartum journey and I loved working with you 3! <3