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

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

Hillary (she/her) is a labor doula, and a caretaker at heart. She brings warmth and a steady, grounded presence to her work and is deeply passionate about supporting families as they navigate pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period.

After becoming a mother, Hillary felt called to care for and support women and birthing people through one of life’s most transformative experiences. She approaches birth with a holistic perspective, recognizing that every body, family, and experience is unique. She believes everyone deserves to feel respected, informed, and supported as they welcome their baby into the world. Hillary strives to provide calm, compassionate support while helping families feel confident and empowered in their choices. 

Having spent many years as a professional musician with the United States military, she performed across the country and abroad, bringing people together across languages and cultures. When she is not supporting families, Hillary enjoys performing and making music with friends, as well as spending time outdoors hiking and exploring with her family. She recently returned to Buffalo to be closer to loved ones and the community she now feels honored to serve.

Hillary Grobe

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

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

Postpartum Doula + Night Nanny

Savannah has over 10 years of experience working with children, newborns, and families as a nanny and caregiver. She is also a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator and is passionate about bringing a calm, supportive presence into the home of every family she works with.

Savannah loves supporting parents during the earliest stages of baby’s life and is known for being warm, dependable, and attentive. She enjoys helping create a peaceful environment where both parents and baby feel cared for and at ease, especially overnight when sleep is most precious! She is currently a nursing student pursuing a specialization in pediatric care. In her free time she enjoys yoga, traveling, cooking, spending time outdoors, and finding cozy moments to recharge.

Savannah Fedell

Night Nanny

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 + Night Nanny


 

Beth (she/her) has a Masters of Education in counseling as well as training in trauma therapy. She brings a sincere understanding of the importance of attachment and connection between baby and parents, and how it helps build the foundation of love, trust, and safety. Her interest in offering night nanny services stems from the desire to support that connection by allowing the parents to rest, bond, and take care of both their needs and the needs of the baby. 

Beth is a mother of four children, each of which was a very different experience with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She believes new parents are at their most vulnerable and overwhelmed state, while also feeling such intense love and devotion. Beth knows that providing support during that time can ease that transition.

Beth Garigen

Night Nanny

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