Jennifer (she/her) established Buffalo Doula Services LLC in 2014, embarking on her journey as a solo doula while just entering the postpartum phase​ herself. Driven by a profound commitment to enhancing the childbirth experience and the transition into parenthood for all ​birthing people and families, Jennifer is dedicated to ​a​iding soon-to-be parents in ​understanding their distinct pregnancy, birth, and postpartum ​c​hoices without ​judgement or bias. The pivotal moment in 2019 when she saw her vision of transforming BDS into an agency come to fruition was a realization of her deepest aspirations​.

Jennifer is a certified birth photographer ​a​nd has been the recipient of numerous accolades and acknowledgments for her ​r​aw, honest imagery. As ​a seasoned birth photographer​, she has spent over a decade refining and enriching her ​a​rt, skillfully ​capturing ​the emotions​ and intricacies of each client's unique birth story. To view a selection of her work, ​v​isit her portfolio here or ​f​ollow her on Instagram @buffalodoula.

A lifelong resident of Western New York, Jennifer grew up in the hills of the southern tier and still feels most at home in forests and mountains. Her children are the greatest joys of her life and inherited her deep love of nature and animals. She enjoys hiking, planning and experiencing vacations with her family, a cold beer on a sun-filled patio during the Buffalo summer, and is an avid reader.

Jennifer Lombardo

Owner, Birth Photographer

Danielle (she/her) is a labor doula, certified through DONA International. She is also a childbirth educator and a certified placenta specialist, and has a Master’s degree in Biological Anthropology. This cumulative knowledge has led her to truly appreciate the incredible ways in which our bodies are built to grow, carry, birth, and nourish our babies. 

Upon witnessing the birth of her eldest nephew, Danielle was immediately struck by the transformational power of the process, and knew that she belonged in the birth world. Danielle believes that every birthing person deserves to be fully supported, informed, and celebrated in their journey, regardless of their background, identity, or choices in birth. As a doula, Danielle aims to embolden her clients to advocate for what they want and need, to enhance the quality of their birth experiences, and to increase positive birth outcomes in WNY and beyond.

Danielle lives in Pendleton with her family.  She is a homebirth mom of one, as well as a retired breastfeeder. When she’s not at a birth, Danielle enjoys visiting local breweries, creating art, spending time at her cabin in the Adirondacks, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Danielle Foti

Labor Doula

Rhiannon (she/her) Is a full spectrum doula who has been working with families and offering support since 2019. She supports families through fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, loss, and everything in between. Rhiannon has completed her full spectrum training with Cornerstone in addition to labor and postpartum certification programs. These trainings have equipped her with inclusive resources to work with all individuals through reproductive stages in a comfortable and judgement-free way.

Rhiannon is currently completing her doctoral studies to become a Clinical Psychologist with a focus on perinatal and postpartum mental health and intimacy support for partners. She began supporting friends through pregnancy and training as a doula felt like a natural progression. Since her training, she has seen the absolute need for education and support in reproductive, birthing, and postpartum spaces.

Originally from Central New York, Rhiannon currently lives in the southtowns with her husband and two cats. Aside from working as a doula, she is an artist and crafter of all sorts. She also loves to cook, make homemade applesauce, listen to true crime podcasts, and watch (tons of) horror movies.

Rhiannon Needham

Labor + Postpartum Doula

Kaitlyn (she/her) is a labor doula, trained through DONA International. Kaitlyn was inspired by her own doula to serve others during pregnancy, labor, and beyond and considers this work to be her true passion. Kaitlyn believes a doula’s presence alone can change the course of a birth. She maintains that every birthing person, regardless of sexual orientation/identification, race, or socioeconomic status, deserves the support needed to achieve the birth they desire. Kaitlyn is passionate about learning and plans to continue her education and expand her services to include postpartum services, childbirth education, and lactation support.

Originally from the Southern Tier, Kaitlyn now resides in the southtowns with her husband, two children, dog, and cat. Kaitlyn has a plethora of hobbies including trying new teahouses, gardening, crocheting, reading, writing, playing games, and exploring the outdoors.

Kaitlyn Gardner-Capriotto

Labor Doula

Meghan (she/her) is a certified birth doula, with special training in VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Meghan became a doula after her own empowering births and felt a calling to support families throughout birth and breastfeeding. Meghan believes that birth is a unique, individual experience that deserves presence, encouragement, and support. Being a guide as one navigates the unknowns and weighs the decisions of birth is one of her greatest honors, next to being a mother. She believes that doulas can change the world by inspiring calm and confidence in birthing parents. She loves the power of birth to connect couples and delights in helping them work as a team. Birth is a deeply transformative experience and one that Meghan will guide you through with compassion and enduring support.

Meghan loves spending time with her three little boys and husband, going on nature walks, reading or journaling, and digging in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Meghan Warner

Labor Doula

Heather (she/her) is a trained labor and postpartum doula with DONA International, and has a deep passion for supporting birthing individuals. Her journey into this field began with the home births of her two children, where she experienced firsthand the incredible support and confidence a doula can provide. That experience inspired her to share that same level of care with others.

Heather believes every birthing person deserves fair care, respect, and unwavering support. Her approach is calming and comforting, and she makes sure to inform, advocate, and connect with everyone she works with-no matter their background. Heather is thrilled to be part of the Buffalo Doula Services team, where she can continue to support the birthing community of Buffalo alongside other amazing birth professionals.

When she is not supporting families, you’ll likely find her in Niagara County along the Erie Canal, where she lives with her family. She is a proud chicken farmer, a passionate gardener, and loves to immerse herself in nature on a good hike. Her love for birth extends beyond her work as a doula-she enjoys reading novels written by midwives and has experience working as an administrative assistant in a birth center. If you are looking for a doula who will be a strong advocate, a source of information, and a calming presence during your birth journey, she would be honored to work with you.

Heather Slowey

Labor + Postpartum Doula

Maria (she/her) is a passionate birth and postpartum doula, newborn specialist, night nanny, wife, and proud mother of four. Born and raised in Western New York, she is deeply committed to supporting families through the life-changing journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With personal experience as a NICU mom, and a professional background in newborn care, Maria specializes in working with families of multiples and preemies. As a night nanny and infant care expert, she offers guidance, support, and nurturing care so families can thrive. Her mission is to provide compassionate, personalized support to help her clients feel confident and cared for, every step of the way.

In her free time, Maria loves to cook, watch football (especially the Bills,) and spend time with her family.

Maria Hunter

Labor + Postpartum Doula

Marissa (she/her) is an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), certified breastfeeding educator, and postpartum doula. She is also certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Aromatherapy for infertility, pregnancy and postpartum.

Marissa is passionate about making sure moms and families have adequate, timely and comforting care in the fourth trimester. She believes this care is so important to set everyone up for a healthy future. For those who are planning to breastfeed their baby for any amount of time, early education and immediate support after birth are key to a successful breastfeeding relationship.

Born and raised in the Buffalo area, Marissa currently resides in the southtowns with her family and golden retriever. She and her family are avid hikers and spend much of their free time outdoors.

Marissa Bierl

IBCLC

Rachel (she/her) was drawn to postpartum doula work after watching many of her friends and family members bring new little ones into their lives and witnessing firsthand what “it takes a village” really means when it comes to raising children. After serving as a babysitter and nanny since 2013, she noticed that parents were in need of just as much support and care as they were giving to their children.

Rachel is passionate about community health as well as positive maternal and child health outcomes. While earning her Master's degree in community health and health behavior, Rachel realized there was a great connection waiting to happen between doula work and supporting parents in the immediate postpartum period. Rachel hopes to serve as that extra branch of judgement free support to all family structures while they get into the swing of things.

Rachel was raised in the city of Buffalo and in her free time enjoys trying out new recipes, crocheting, film photography, and listening to live music.

Rachel Meyerowitz

Postpartum Doula

Erika (she/her) is a dedicated nanny with a passion for nurturing and supporting families during crucial nighttime hours. With a background as a former teacher and nanny, she brings a wealth of experience in child development and personalized care. As a proud mother of one, Erika understands the challenges and joys of parenting, making her uniquely empathetic to the needs of both children and their families.

Erika was raised in Buffalo and currently resides in North Buffalo with her family. Erika enjoys spending time with her daughter, camping, and reading.

Erika Sammarco

Night Nanny

Brittney (she/her) has always been fascinated with the birthing process. Having graduated with a CNA license and studying childhood development, and after hearing about her step- mother’s positive experience during birth with a doula by her side, Brittney chose to become one herself. After a recent move to Buffalo, Brittney found our doula training at Buffalo Doula Services. With her nurturing nature and years of childcare experience, Brittney hopes to benefit the postpartum transition by bringing warmth and comfort to the people and babies she works with. 

Brittney loves spending time being creative with her camera, making films and home videos for family members, and plans to offer birth videography soon as well. She also enjoys being in nature, camping and hiking. 

Brittney Van Mil

Night Nanny

Bio coming soon!

Beth Garigen

Night Nanny

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