Extended Caregivers
(FCA/TLC)

Mabel Achiaw
Jill Baugh-Burroughs
Christie Beehler
Susanne Carigo
Patrice A. Curtis
Hanan El'Amin
Terri Erwin-Fitz
Ruth Hall
Herma
Wendy Higgins
Virlean H. Mack
Donna Mateer
Royan Miller Morgan 
Jacquece Moss
Shiro Nirmal
Tonya Scott
Jaime Seay
Donna Winsor
Renee Woody

Magali Barbaran
Susanne Carigo
Terri Erwin-Fitz
Donna Winsor

Leslie Axelrod
Nancy Sherwood

Mabel Achiaw
Postpartum Doula

Overnights only in DC & Maryland

I have three children, and have worked in public health all of my adult life. I enjoy providing help, care and support. I am reliable, patient and flexible - all qualities that are extremely important for a new mother and newborn. Parents can be extremely anxious during the first weeks of an infant's life and my job is to provide a sense of calm and peace to the whole family! My role is also to allow new parents time to relax at night while knowing that their baby is in safe, loving and competent hands. A good night's sleep makes for a good day with baby, allowing parents to bond and enjoy the first few weeks of excitement that come with the birth of a child.

I joined Mother and baby Matters in 2009 and I love what I do!

Leslie Axelrod MS, RD, IBCLC
Certified Dietician & Certified Lactation Consultant
Virginia, Maryland & DC

I have been a Lactation Consultant for 5 years and a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years. I have worked in Pediatricians offices and with the Fairfax County Health Department in the Women, Infants and Children Program. While Nutrition Education for Moms and babies is my specialty, Lactation Consulting is my great passion. I would love to provide Lactation support for any woman that would like to try breastfeeding. We have had many successful breastfeeding experiences with our clients at Mother & baby Matters and it is always such joy for all involved.

Jill Baugh-Burroughs
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Overnights in Central Florida

I have worked with Mother & baby Matters for over ten years (on and off since 1993) as an RN/Doula.  I am a mother of six (and grandmother of one!) and have a background in Maternal Child Health nursing.  I specialize in multiples, preemies and feeding & sleep schedules.

I became a doula to meet the need for more in-depth teaching, soothing and general care of the postpartum mother that doesn't even get touched on in the short hospital stay after delivery.  Drawing on my experience as a postpartum and nursery nurse, I can offer quality care and resource information to my clients.  Flexible hours working for Mother & baby Matters allows me to balance work and family.

Christie Beehler
Novice II Postpartum Doula
Overnights only in Maryland & DC (some Northern VA)

I am a mother of four children and have always loved babies (and have cared for them since I was a young girl).  I am a DONA-trained Postpartum Doula and am especially interested in the emotional well-being of the postpartum mother.  I am also very interested in helping in situations with birth trauma and high/special needs infants.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2011 because of the welcoming and loving work environment that it offers.  Our society has shortchanged women, babies and families and I would like to help!

Susanne Carigo
Experienced Labor Support Doula

Northern Virginia

I have one grown daughter and am very involved with my two Godchildren (young girls).

I worked with Mother & baby Matters several years ago and left to concentrate on my massage practice. I have worked with mothers, expecting mothers and their children in a massage/Acupressure setting (as a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu & Shiatsu practitioner) for three years. Jin Shin Jyutsu is a form of very light acupressure which can be of great help to mothers and babies during and after birth.

I returned to Mother & baby Matters in February 2011 because I wanted to work more intensely with new mothers and their children again and I’m thrilled to be back!

Patrice A. Curtis B.A.,CNA, LPN
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Overnights only in Maryland, DC and some parts of Northern Virginia

I am the mother of five children, all of which were natural births assisted by midwives at the Maternity Center in Bethesda. I am a coordinator for Gabriel Project, helping new mothers with unplanned pregnancies, and am currently pursuing my RN/MSN (midwifery) degree. I am an advocate of minimal intervention during the birth process, as well as letting moms bond with their babies as soon as possible after birth.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in April 1999 to gain experience in my area of interest while pursuing my Nursing Degree (which I recently received). Nothing has given me greater satisfaction than working with expectant families and assisting them in caring for their newborns. I have worked with many families ranging from single births to triplets. I enjoy watching new families bonding and assisting mothers with breastfeeding and newborn care.

Hanan El’Amin
Postpartum Doula-in-Training
Days only in Virginia, Maryland & DC

I have six children and twin grandchildren.  I have eleven siblings and a host of nieces and nephews and have assisted with many newborns in my family circle.  I have worked with singles, twins, premature and full term babies.

I enjoy assisting mothers and families in adjusting and bonding with the new addition in their lives and understand that to assist mothers and their babies it is essential to be comfortable, relax and know that there is always an answer or a solution, no matter what the problem.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2011 to share my knowledge and understanding in working with mothers and babies and to learn from our clients.

Terri Erwin-Fitz
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Overnights in VA

I am a mother of two school-age children, a former teacher for Fauquier County Schools and the former Managing Director of a sports and dance center. After fulfilling my commitment as a teacher, I decided to stay at home after having my first son and taught teenaged mothers. This allowed me the opportunity to help them with the care of their babies. To answer their questions and help them with their difficulties, I did a lot of research into newborn care and issues for mom and baby.

I have always been interested in the care of mothers and babies. I started a MOMS Club in my area to help mothers network with other mothers. I am very caring and "laid back". I am very calm and patient with babies, children and adults. I love holding and rocking babies! I nursed both my children and have done considerable research and studying on the topic of breastfeeding. I know a lot about various methods of caring for, disciplining and educating children, but am open to other people's ideas and methods.

I joined Mother & baby Matters April 2007 because I wanted to work with an organization which would connect me with newborns and their moms!

Ruth Hall, RN
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Days only in Northern VA & DC

I have always loved babies! Before our children, a son and daughter now grown, were born, I worked as a pediatric nurse, both in a newborn nursery in the Navy and also with very sick children at a cancer center in New York City. The greatest job I've ever had, though, is being a mother. Both of my children were breastfed and I loved being at home with them.  I recently became a grandmother for the first time and love being "Grandma Ruth"!

I've enjoyed being around young families and was able to help a friend who had twins. She had complications from the birth and was hospitalized twice in the first month. With her family far away, I was available to help with the babies and three older siblings. It was a wonderful experience! I've also helped several other families from my community with twins.

When I heard about the work done at Mother and baby Matters, I was impressed by the importance given to the whole family. The early days, weeks and months of a newborn are wonderful, exciting and often stressful. I joined Mother and baby Matters in 2009 and look forward to helping families in this new chapter in their lives.

Herma
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Days only in Maryland & DC

I have been a stay at home mother with my two children since they were born and I breastfed both of my children. I have a special interest in helping mothers who may have experienced infertility or had premature births, since I have personal experience in both these areas. My birth experiences were very positive, although with both pregnancies I had serious complications. Now that my children are in school full time, I would like to give new mothers the positive and encouraging support that is so needed in the first weeks after childbirth. I have been with Mother & baby Matters since May 2003.

Wendy Higgins
Experienced/Certified Postpartum Doula
Days only in Maryland & DC (some Northern VA)

My own personal birth experiences were the most incredible and miraculous events of my life.  I will never forget the overwhelming feelings of joy and euphoria when I gave birth to my sons.  At the birth of my first grandson, I became a doula.  At that time, I discovered the incredible benefits that a caring and compassionate woman contributes to a laboring mother and her partner.  I consider it a tremendous honor to assist pregnant women at the most joyous and intense time of womanhood into the exciting new role of becoming a mother.  I believe that birth is the most empowering and blessed event in a woman's life.  I am particularly interested in helping families juggle the demanding roles and responsibilities that come with a new baby and am especially interested in assisting new mothers with breastfeeding and providing a nurturing atmosphere where mother and baby can bond and get to know one another.  I am also interested in providing emotional and moral support throughout the trying first few days, weeks and months with a newborn.

I have a blended family that consists of two sons, three step-sons, seven step grandchildren and a beautiful new granddaughter.  I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2004 to work with other doulas, who like myself, are interested in providing a loving and caring atmosphere for new mothers, partners and their infants.  I also wanted to work with a reputable and successful organization that has consistently provided professional and reliable services for many years.  After about two years, I left Mother & baby Matters in order to help my aging parents, but am back working here again (in 2011) because I love the camaraderie and helpful nature of Mother & baby Matters' staff and doulas.

Donna Mateer
Novice II Postpartum Doula
Days only in Northern VA

I am the mother of four children (some grown!) and breastfed them all.  I consider myself a very patient, loyal and compassionate person.  I have worked with children most of my life and while I have taught many children many different things, I have also learned some wonderful things!  I love babies!  I feel that each new little life is precious and a gift from God.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2011 because I feel that, while I have had classes, I can best help moms with my experience and am looking forward to sharing my experience with other moms.

Royan Miller Morgan
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Overnights & some days in Maryland, DC & some parts of Northern Virginia

I have been an "official" doula since August 1995, predominately working overnights. Before that I was an "unofficial" doula for ten years. I have been an adoptive parent for 11 years and am a proud aunt!

I am lovingly called the "Doula Fairy". Since overnights have been my focus, I have developed some expertise in sleep/wake patterns in newborns. I work with newborns to stretch their sleep time gradually. Most of the babies I care for are sleeping at least 5-6 hours straight per night by one month of age. I joined Mother & baby Matters because I have always wanted to specialize in mother/baby issues. Moms are really angels.

Jacquece Moss
Novice Postpartum Doula
Overnights in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia

I have a delightful grown daughter who reminds me that I have been her best joy in life and think that that with my years of experience as a mom, I can be of service to other moms. I have a very calm temperament, which is helpful during the stressful times surrounding bringing a new baby home.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in October 2005 but have a lot of experience with newborns, twins and siblings, including serving as an independent doula for many moms.

Shiro Nirmal
Postpartum Doula
Overnights in Maryland

Shiro has a two year degree in Elementary Education and ran her own Day Care facility in Maryland.  She has two adult daughters and has taken care of lots and lots of newborns and infants, including twins and preemies.

Shiro has worked for Mother & Baby Matters in the past (from 1996 to 2004) and has come back to work with us again!  Shiro previously worked as a TLC, but had promoted to Novice Doula just before she left us.  We’re glad she’s back!

Tanya Scott
Postpartum Doula-in-Training
Days only in Northern VA

I am the mother of five children, all of whom were breastfed.  I’m a very outgoing, kind person that has a true love for children.  My experience with caring for children started at a young age and has continued through caring for my own children and my nephews.  I am very patient and have a strong knowledge of infant/child behavior.  I have helped two of my friends through labor and delivery and during their postpartum care of their newborns.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2011.

Jaime Seay
Labor Support Doula
Novice Postpartum Doula
Days only in Northern VA

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science (minor in Nutrition) and a Masters Degree in Public Health (Maternal & Child Health Concentration) and have worked in various Public Health positions for over ten years.  My interest in pregnancy and birth began after accepting a position with WIC in 2004, after which I began reading and studying many books and sources on these topics.

I am a very understanding, passionate and nurturing person who is a good listener!  I hope to offer support and comfort to women so that they may tap into an inner strength to have the joyous labor (and beyond) that they desire.  I joined Mother & baby Matters in 2005, then took a leave of absence for the birth of my daughter and came back to Mother & baby Matters in 2009.

Since having my own daughter, I realize even greater the joys and challenges of motherhood and love helping others get a good start with their newborns.

Nancy Sherwood B.A., LLLL, IBCLC
Certified Lactation Consultant

I am the mother of five children, including a premature, failure to thrive baby. My children were born in four different countries! All of my children, including my preemie, were successfully breastfed, and breastfeeding was an intrinsic part of my early parenting. I have been a LaLeche Leader for 25 years and a Lactation Consultant for 11 years.

I particularly enjoy helping new mothers and babies overcome early difficulties. Seeing a new mother find comfort and confidence in her ability to care for her baby is my goal. With Mother & baby Matters since October 2004, I am able to work directly with mothers and babies and help them bond as a nursing "couple".

Donna Winsor
Certified Labor Support Doula, Experienced Postpartum Doula
Days only in Northern Virginia, DC & some parts of Maryland

I have two grown children and four grandchildren. I joined Mother & baby Matters in November 2004 as a Labor Support Doula and Postpartum Doula because of the available training and education, as well as Gerri Levrini's experience and mentoring.

While I was studying for my doctorate in Sociology, my niece asked me to be with her for the birth of her first child. I had an "epiphany" and decided my calling was to be a "mothers servant" as a Labor Support Doula. I love comforting the mom, allowing the dad to take a break and watching the birth of a new life.

I also love helping new parents and their precious babies as a Postpartum Doula. I have a lot of patience, compassion and flexibility. My biggest desire is to allow the mom to be the best mom she can be by teaching her what she needs to know, taking care of her and the baby and giving her a break when needed. This is where the term, "mother's servant" really becomes defined as wanting to serve the mother in love.

Renee Woody
Experienced Postpartum Doula
Overnights only in MD & DC

I have an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and have almost completed my Bachelor Degree in Social Work. I have over 18 years experience as a Social Worker and taught as a head teacher in a pre-school.

I have two grown daughters and was their primary caregiver while working full time. I valued the importance of giving my children my time and attention, as parents are the first and most important teachers. I am very interested in infant and early childhood development.

I joined Mother & baby Matters in May 2007 because I believe in the importance of parents bonding with their newborns in a stress-free environment. I realize that a life lived to help others is the only one that matters.