Resources
Amniotic Fluid Index (Oligohydramnios/Polyhydramnios)
"Amniotic Fluid Index," an article from the National Library of Medicine
Birth centers
Birth Cottage Birth Center & Midwifery. Birth centers in Milford, New Hampshire, and Salem, New Hampshire.
Cambridge Birth Center. Hopefully reopening to births soon (7/18/24).
Neighborhood Birth Center. Hopefully coming in 2024-2025.
Birth doulas
Bonnie Rovics. Prenatal massage, HypnoBirthing and birth doula services. Spinning Babies childbirth educator.
Catherine Mckeown-Lindsey Stamatos of Birth and Beyond of Jamaica Plain. Birth doula and homebirth midwife.
Emma O’Brien of Lavandoula. Birth, postpartum, birth consulting/coaching, placenta services, abortion or miscarriage support, herbal consultations. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Erin Ronder Neves, CD(DONA), CD-PIC, CLC, BCCE, SpBCPE, RYT-200 of ERN Doula & Beyond Birthing. Birth doula, postpartum doula, childbirth educator, certified lactation counselor, Spinning Babies Parent Educator. Exclusively supports clients who live on the North Shore of Boston.
Jamie Joplin of Birth Vibe. Birth doula and photography services serving Cape Cod. Also gear rental, including breast pumps, car seats, strollers, beach gear and baby carrier rentals.
Jodi Utter of Utter Comfort. Birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation educator, childbirth educator.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Specializes in multiples, VBAC, high-risk.
Laura Fusari of Reproductive and Early Parenting Supports with Laura. Trauma-specialized, queer- and trans-friendly, empowerment centered, trained full spectrum doula. Birth support, birth planning, feeding, abortion, placenta encapsulation. Western Massachusetts (South Hadley, Amherst, Holyoke, Springfield).
Marissa Hathaway of Lemon Grove Doula Agency & Perinatal Wellness. Knowledgeable on Jewish perinatal practices.
Melody Cunningham Lopez of Dahomey Doula. Birth doula, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, and belly binding.
Olesia Matveeva. Primarily focused on home and birth center births. Speaks Russian. Located in Merrimack, NH. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Shannon Outchcunis of Cape Cod Baby. Birth doula, postpartum doula, placenta encapsulation, belly binding, bereavement care, adoption doula, fertility support, reiki. Serving Cape Cod, Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Shira Garber Strosberg, CD(DONA). Birth doula and postpartum doula. Knowledgeable on Jewish perinatal practices.
Breastfeeding pump and equipment suppliers (purchase and rental) and information
Lactation Care, Inc. Hospital-grade pump rental in Newton.
One with the Pump. Instagram source for pump reviews.
Breech Support
Alyssa Sylvester of Saltwater Doulas. Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator. Based in Amesbury.
Bec Conant of Om Birth. Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator. Based in Framingham.
Beth Hardiman, MD. Mount Auburn Hospital MD skilled in breech vaginal delivery.
Bonnie Rovics of Boston Hypnobirth. Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator, doula and body worker.
Christine Bradshaw of Water House Wellness. Doula, massage therapist and Spinning Babies Aware practitioner.
Davis Square Chiropractic. Somerville chiropractic care knowledgeable in the Webster Technique.
Erin Ronder Neves of ERN Doula & Beyond Birthing. Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator. Based on the North Shore.
LifeWorks Chiropractic. Somerville chiropractic care knowledgeable in the Webster Technique.
Lucy Bayer-Zwirello, MD. St. Elizabeth's MD skilled in breech vaginal delivery.
Miles Circuit. Includes a sleeping position that opens the pelvis so baby can move.
ResortPass App. App for day passes to hotels. Useful for finding heated pools.
Shari McBurney of Deep Seed Doula. Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator.
Spinning Babies Helping Your Breech Baby Turn ebook. Protocol far beyond the Daily Essentials to turn a breech baby.
Todd Shapiro, MD. Beth Israel MD skilled in breech vaginal delivery.
Bris/Brit Milah
Esther M. Hausman, CNM, MPH, and certified mohelet. Also offers home-based circumcision for non-Jewish males.
Mohel directory offered by JewishBoston.
Cesarean Support
Becky Coluntino, a rehabilitation occupational therapist with Capstone Doula Services offers a consult to improve functioning after Cesarean.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly. ICAN Cesarean Support, coming soon.
Breastfeeding after Cesarean from la leche league international.
Cesarean Birth Plan Worksheet from Holistic Birth and Beyond.
Cesarean Recovery Tips from ICAN.
Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean Section: Current and Emerging Trends from National Library of Medicine.
Evidence on: Skin-to-Skin After Cesarean, a paper from Evidence Based Birth.
Evidence on: Skin-to-Skin After Cesarean, a one-page handout from Evidence Based Birth.
Real Life Stories on Cesarean Care from Evidence Based Birth.
Child passenger safety technicians/Car seat inspections
Boston Police Department: District B-2, 2400 Washington St., Boston, 02119, 617-343-4270.
Brookline Police Department, 350 Washington St., Brookline, 617-730-2603.
Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, 02115, 617-355-7332.
Laurel Segal of The Seagull Nest. ASL proficient.
Childbirth educators/education
Alyssa Sylvester of Salt Water Doulas. BACE Certified Childbirth Educator, Evidence Based Birth Instructor, Spinning Babies Parent Educator and DONA certified Birth Doula. 12-hour evidence-based childbirth class in Amesbury.
Amber (Matteson) Zuercher of Intimate Connections. Private, eight hours, virtual. Covers physiological birth processes, interventions, medical options, comfort measures, and advocacy skills.
babies in common. Includes Spinning Babies parent education.
Bec Conant of Om Births. HypnoBirthing and Spinning Babies instruction.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Childbirth Education including virtual modules/classes, online restorative yoga, and anesthesia for childbirth.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. In-person and virtual options for Childbirth Education, Spinning Babies, Body Ready Method, Comfort Measures, Cesarean, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, perinatal workshops and Postpartum Planning.
Boston Association for Childbirth Education & Nursing Mothers' Council.
Boston Birth Village. Located in Newton.
Brigham and Women's Hospital. Virtual classes on Labor and Delivery, Multiples, Multiples Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding, Cesarean, Newborn Care, and Adolescent Prenatal Education Series. From past clients' experiences, the Labor and Delivery, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care classes are more appropriate for experienced parents who want a review than for first time parents.
Childbirth Education on Spotify. Free!
Clara O'Rourke of Clear Light Birth. Offers a blended Evidence Based Birth childbirth class.
Emily Bowler of Modern Mama Midwifery. Refresh for Number 2+.
Erin Ronder Neves of ERN Doula & Beyond Birthing. In-Person & virtual options. I've been to a training with Erin; she is brimming with energy and so knowledgeable.
Evidence Based Birth. Variety of virtual options.
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. One on one childbirth education.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Specializes in multiples, VBAC, high-risk.
Julie Brill of WellPregnancy. Vaginal, cesarean, VBAC and home childbirth virtual education classes. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Justine Leach of Resilient Birth. Virtual childbirth education and birth support planning for people with a history of trauma.
Laura DePasquale of Holistic Beginnings. Virtual.
Maria Caudle of A Glowing Birth. Homebirth preparation class.
Marissa Hathaway of The Lemon Grove. One day, in-person in Boxford, MA.
Martha Widing of Birth Baby Blessing. Certified postpartum doula, lactation educator, childbirth educator located in Brookline.
Megan Peasley of Illuminated Birth in Acton, MA. In-person childbirth education group class.
Melody Cunningham Lopez of Dahomey Doula. Birth doula, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, and belly binding.
Mount Auburn Hospital. General, HypnoBirthing, Natural, Father Boot Camp.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital Childbirth Education.
Paige Eastman Dickinson, LM (RI), CPM. Homebirth midwife and Evidence Based Birth childbirth educator. Based in Rhode Island.
Stork Ready, North Reading. One and two day options. In person and virtual options.
Teresa Vittorioso-Fortin of Entera Doula and Childbirth Education. Spanish-speaking.
Chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, reiki practitioners, EFT practitioners, Body Ready Method
Abbey Denaro, DC, CACCP, of Denaro Chiropractic. Pediatric and pregnancy care in North Reading.
Acupuncture Center for Women, LLC in downtown Boston. Treats a variety of pregnancy complications. Recommended by Bonnie Rovics.
Angela Bell of Angela Bell Acupuncture. Labor preparation treatments; several methods for turning breech babies; and postpartum recovery in Cambridge.
Arlington Chiropractic. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler, for induction care and infant chiropractic care.
Asi Texeira of Mahina Massage Studio. Prenatal and induction massage in Somerville. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. Spinning Babies and Body Ready Method.
Boston Acupuncture Project, located in Hyde Park.
Christina Bradshaw of Waterhouse Wellness. Prenatal and sciatica massage in Arlington.
Danette Siegel of A Mother is Born in North Andover. Offers instruction in Body Ready Method to optimize the pregnant body.
Davis Square Chiropractic. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler, for induction care and infant chiropractic care.
Foundations Family Chiropractic in Beverly, MA. Dr. Courtney Neill & Dr. Shivani Patel. Webster-certified, specializing in perinatal care, newborns and infants.
Green Street Massage. Prenatal massage in Jamaica Plain.
Joanne Sheridan at Beyond Birthing and Foundations Family Chiropractic in Beverly, MA. Specializes in prenatal and postnatal massage.
Karen Hilliard, Licensed Muscular Therapist. Prenatal massage in Brookline.
Kiara Segal, Lic. Ac., Dip. Om, of Olapidous Acupuncture. Treats insomnia, stress and anxiety among other ailments in Jamaica Plain.
Kristen Curtis, certified EFT practitioner. Works with mums to activate their voice in the early years of motherhood.
Lillie Marshall of Healing Touch "L" - Boston Reiki + Energy Balancing. Specializes in providing prenatal and postpartum hard-working parents with the time and space to relax and be given new energy. Jamaica Plain.
Linda Slak, DC, of Slak Chiropractic. Located in Burlington. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler, for infant chiropractic care.
Lisa Geiger of Village Family Chiropractic. Chiropractic care for pregnant people in Brookline.
Lizzie Sobel, DC, of Wholesome Healing Chiropractic. Pain relief, pelvic preparation, fetal positioning and relaxation through chiropractic care in Needham.
Nicole Brown of Inner Sage: Boston Acupuncture & Wellness, LLC. Located in West Roxbury.
Marissa Farrel of The InHara System, Wellesley. Prenatal and induction massage.
Massage Instructions Videos from Boston Doula Circle.
Melissa Angel, LMT, CMD of Synergy Wellness Center, in Hudson, and in private practice. In-home induction massage available; melissa@a-to-zbirthing.com, 617-462-1031.
Sally Friar of Birth and Beyond. Chiropractic care in Jamaica Plain.
Sharon J. Levy, LAC, of ChiroCare Associates. Acupuncture care in Arlington. Recommended by Mount Auburn Midwives.
Talia Fenoglietto, DC, of Beth Israel Deconess Speciality Group in Plymouth. Particular interest in pregnancy-related back pain, active rehabilitation and musculoskeletal pain. Has attended two-day Spinning Babies Workshop.
Closing the bones ceremony practitioners/Belly binding
Olesia Matveeva. Speaks Russian. Located in Merrimack, NH. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Shari Lesser McBurney of Deep Seed Doula.
Domestic Violence Services
Casa Myrna/SafeLink/Massachusetts Domestic Violence Hotline.
Lighthouse Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. Domestic violence support groups.
National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233.
Donor Breast Milk
eats on feets. Facebook page for donating breastmilk to parents in need.
Exercise/Yoga for prenatal/postpartum/mother and baby
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. Prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga, caregiver and baby yoga.
Bright Day Yoga. Prenatal and postnatal yoga in Wenham.
The Blissful Monkey. Prenatal yoga in Jamaica Plain.
Celeste Lemieux. Prenatal and parent and baby yoga through Boston Doula Circle.
kate wyman yoga. Private, prenatal yoga in West Roxbury.
Mama Beasts. Stress release with fitness programming, classes, coaching and community.
Om Births. Prenatal and postnatal yoga online.
External Cephalic Version
Gestational Diabetes
Danielle Shea Tan of Healthy Mamas for Happy Families. Virtual and In-Person at Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA.
Gestational Diabetes: beyond the label. A summary by Australian midwife, Dr. Rachel Reed.
Group B Strep
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' summary.
Evidence Based Birth podcast episodes: 254 - The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 1; 257 - The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 2; 261 - Mini Q&A on Group B Strep; 268 - Debunk the Myths of Premature Rupture of Membranes, GBS & Waterbirth; 275 - A PROM, GBS, and Birth Center Transfer Story
Evidence Based Birth Signature Paper
Homebirth Midwives
Birth Cottage Birth Center & Midwifery. Midwives based in Milford, New Hampshire, and Salem, New Hampshire, offering homebirth care.
Catherine Mckeown-Lindsey Stamatos of Birth and Beyond of Jamaica Plain. Birth doula and homebirth midwife.
Embrace Midwifery, serving Central Massachusetts.
Emily Bowler of Modern Mama Midwifery. Birth doula and homebirth midwife.
Maria Caudle of Glowing Birth.
Massachusetts Midwife Alliance. Local midwife map and profiles.
Paige Eastman Dickinson, LM (RI), CPM. Homebirth midwife and Evidence Based Birth childbirth educator. Based in Rhode Island.
Sarafina Kennedy and Jessica Petrone of Homebirth Matters.
Susanna Mauzy of Nightingale Midwifery. Offers holistic homebirth midwifery, birth doula, and insemination services.
Infant CPR
American Red Cross. Online courses.
babies in common. In-person class in Northborough.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid-certification available.
Emergency Response Training. In person, limited class size.
Mount Auburn Hospital. Infant CPR for Family and Friends, online and live.
Infant massage classes and services
babies in common. In-person class in Northborough.
Kate Ellsworth of JP Family Acupuncture.
The Loved Child. Virtual class.
Lactation consultants/support
Amy Winkel-Gois, IBCLC, fo Late Night Latch. Prenatal breastfeeding consultations and breastfeeding consultations. In-home, day and night appointments available.
Baby Cafe USA. Multiple sites for free support groups in the area.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. Weekly Baby Cafe, La Leche League Group, and as needed drop-in feeding support with Erin Ronder Neves, CLC, Kira Kim, IBCLC, and Sarah Gregory, IBCLC.
Boston Baby Nurse and Nanny. In-person and virtual consultations.
Boston Newborn and Parenting Support (NAPS). Virtual and in-home consults.
Christine Fischer-Rothman, IBCLC, of Birth and Beyond of Jamaica Plain.
Heather Bingham, IBCLC, of Boston Lactation, LLC. In-home and telehealth lactation care based in Arlington.
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. Breastfeeding specialist. In person support within 20 miles of Needham; virtual support anywhere.
Julie Brill, IBCLC, of WellPregnancy. Private online breastfeeding consults pre- and postnatal. Frequently works with parents with previous disappointing feeding experiences. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Kira Kim, IBCLC, of The Boston Area Lactation Connection. Virtual and prenatal consults; virtual chats for one-off questions. Located at Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA
LCHomeVisits.com. IBCLCs offering both telehealth and in-person lactation visits in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Northern Rhode Island.
Lynne Ricardo, RN, IBCLC, Professional Lactation Support on the South Shore. Home consult, office consult, prenatal breastfeeding class, back to work and breastfeeding class. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Margo Jones, CLC, of mama milk lactation support. In home lactation support in Greater Boston, and virtual support anywhere. Text support also available.
Martha Widing of Birth Baby Blessing. Certified postpartum doula, lactation educator, childbirth educator located in Brookline.
New England Mothers First. Nurse practitioners offering guidance on infant feeding challenges. Offices in Arlington, Brookline, Lakeville, Quincy, Wellesley and West Bridgewater, but primarily virtual at present.
Nursing Mothers Counsel. Counselors providing free breastfeeding support by phone, text, email or online video chat.
Olesia Matveeva. Lactation consultant working towards IBCLC. Speaks Russian. Located in Merrimack, NH. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Porshai Peters of Deep Water Latch, LLC. Lactation consultation and classes, and postpartum doula services.
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC. Virtual or in-person support located in Wayland. Lactation, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, formula feeding, and/or chestfeeding support and tools.
Sarah Gregory, IBCLC. Virtual, in-home, and in-person visits at Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA.
Shelly Taft, IBCLC. Licensed practical nurse, doula and IBCLC offering private office, in-home, and virtual lactation visits.
Teresa Coyle Airey, IBCLC, of Peaceful Birth and Beyond. Provides support in-home, office or virtual. Prenatal prepared lactation education and post birth consultations. Serving Central Mass, Metro West, Southern Central NH, North Central Mass and greater Boston. Services generally considered for reimbursement by all insurances.
Lactation support groups, clinics, classes, information
Amy Winkel-Gois, IBCLC. Addresses all varieties of breastfeeding issues and goals.
Attaching your baby at the breast. Ten minute video discussing early latching.
babies in common. Includes pumping classes.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center breastfeeding support group.
Boston Association for Childbirth Education & Nursing Mothers' Council. Free support.
Brigham and Women's Breastfeeding Class. Virtual, 3.5 hour class.
Brigham and Women's Breastfeeding and Returning to Work Class. Virtual, 1.5 hour class.
Christine Curley, IBCLC, of Lactation Maven. In home support in a large area including Dedham, Framingham, Milford, Natick, Needham, Wellesley, and Boston.
Erin Ronder Neves, CLC, of ERN Doula and Beyond Birthing. Prenatal breastfeeding class, drop-in feeding support, and lactation counseling support. Based on the North Shore
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. Postpartum doula, labor/birth/newborn educator, breastfeeding specialist, and leader of a New Parent Group. In person support within 20 miles of Needham; virtual support anywhere.
Julie Brill, IBCLC, of WellPregnancy. Private online breastfeeding consults pre- and postnatal. Frequently works with parents with previous disappointing feeding experiences. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Kira Kim, IBCLC, of The Boston Area Lactation Connection. In home lactation consults; email, virtual and prenatal consults; virtual chats for one off questions; and prenatal classes.
La Leche League breastfeeding support groups. The LLLI webpage has many resources.
Leah Wilkocki, RNC-OB and IBCLC, of Leading the Latch. In-home, postnatal consultation.
Lynne Ricardo, RN, IBCLC, Professional Lactation Support on the South Shore. Home consult, office consult, prenatal breastfeeding class, back to work and breastfeeding class. Recommended by my mentor, Emily Bowler.
Margo Jones, CLC, of mama milk lactation support. In home lactation support in Greater Boston, and virtual support anywhere. Text support also available.
Newton-Wellesley Breastfeeding Support Group and Outpatient Lactation Clinic.
Porshai Peters of Deep Water Latch, LLC. Lactation consultation and classes, and postpartum doula services.
Shelly Taft, IBCLC. Licensed practical nurse, doula and IBCLC offering private office, in-home, and virtual lactation visits.
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, Baby Cafe. Breastfeeding and general infant feeding support (not exclusively breastfed).
Teresa Coyle Airey, IBCLC, of Peaceful Birth and Beyond. Provides support in-home, office or virtual. Prenatal prepared lactation education and post birth consultations. Serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Vital Village. Includes a calendar of baby cafes at community health centers in and outside of Boston.
Lichen planus/sclerosus support
Alice J. Watson, MD. Dermatologist with Brigham and Women's, practicing in Longwood and Chestnut HIll.
Natasha R. Johnson, MD. Gynecologist with Brigham and Women's, practicing at Francis Street, Boston, and in Chestnut Hill.
Susan Burgin, MD, FAAD. Dermatologist with Brigham and Women's, practicing in Westwood and Chestnut Hill.
MassHealth Resources
My Ombudsman. Ensures all MassHealth members can access the care and services available through their plans.
Individuals with Limited English Proficiency. Access to a health care interpreter.
Filing a complaint against:
Resources for housing, food, transportation and other challenges during pregnancy
Maternal Mental Health
Deborah Issokson, Psy.D. of Reproheart. Counseling for preconception, pregnancy, birth, loss, infertility and postpartum, in Wellesley Hills.
The Leggett Group. Perinatal mental health services for women and men facing infertility, miscarriage, traumatic birth, post-partum depression, and anxiety, located in Framingham and Roslindale.
Leslie McKeough, LICSW, of Core Values, LLC. Clinical social worker offering counseling on infertility, pregnancy, infant loss and postpartum adjustment. Based in Lynnfield.
Lighthouse Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. Perinatal outpatient mental health support groups. Modified services to women who are pregnant, recently given birth, experiencing loss, or infertility. Other services: individual counseling; new mothers group; pregnancy after trauma group; mother-infant relationship psychotherapy; maternal depression, anxiety, and stress during pregnancy and child outcome; teenage pre/postnatal group, sleep disorders in perinatal women.
Lois Freedman. Counseling for women experiencing perinatal challenges.
Maria Dolorico. Maria has an M. Ed. in Mental Health Counseling and is a Board Certified Life Coach and Relationship Coach. She is also a certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist through Postpartum Support International. Maria has been trained in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (A level IPT), and she continues to study trauma-informed counseling and coaching. She incorporates techniques from cognitive behavioral, mind-body, and internal family systems approaches in working with clients.
Samantha Watson, LICSW of Cove Wellness. Specializes in prenatal and first year postpartum. Located at Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA.
Maternity and newborn photographers
Marissa Hathaway of Lemons and Labor LLC Doula Services and Photography
Nicole Marie Photography. Based in Cambridge, MA.
Maternity Brace
MamaStrut Maternity Support Brace - recommended for pubic symphysis pain.
Mother’s centers/parent and child centers
Beyond Birthing. Located in Beverly, MA, right off the North Beverly MBTA station. Provides low-cost/free prenatal and postpartum education classes, support groups, lactation support, mental health support (Mass Health Accepted), massage, doula support and support groups. Financial assistance always available.
Family Nurturing Centers. Offers free programs for families in low income neighborhoods to help parents and caregivers improve their parenting skills and enhance the cognitive and social development of their children.
Multiple birth groups/associations
Keeping Pace with Multiple Miracles. A state-wide non-profit support network for families of multiple birth children centered in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Includes weekly in-person Baby Cafe.
Massachusetts Mother of Twins Association. Organization that supports 16 local parents of multiple birth children clubs in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.
Naturopathic/homeopathic stores and clinics
Cambridge Naturals. Natural wellness products.
Emma O’Brien of Lavandoula. Supporting health holistically with herbs.
Strong Roots Counseling. In West Newton, offering acupuncture for stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, heartburn, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, muscle and skeletal pain, infertility and IVF.
New mothers/fathers/parents groups
Beyond Birthing in Beverly. Many support groups: New Baby/New Parent; Working Moms; Bros, Babies and Beef; Partner Support; Grandparents support group; postpartum stress; fertility support group; twins/multiples support group, and many more!
Boston Birth Village. For parents looking for friendship, connection and support. No topic is off limits. Includes a hot vegetarian lunch. Newton Centre.
Boston Newborn and Parenting Support (NAPS). Mom, dad and nursing virtual support groups.
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. Postpartum doula, labor/birth/newborn educator, breastfeeding specialist, and leader of a New Parent Group. In person support within 20 miles of Needham; virtual support anywhere.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Free support groups for pregnant people, adoptive parents, NICU parents, and parents experiencing postpartum depression.
Laurel Segal of The Seagull Nest. Non-gestational parent support group.
The Leggett Group. Parenting support groups in Framingham and Roslindale.
Lighthouse Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. Parenting support groups.
Lois Freedman. Virtual confidential group including meditation, time for reflection and sharing, and discussion of self-care strategies.
MSPCC. Specialized programs and support groups for parents of children with mental health concerns, new mothers, grandparents raising grandchildren; education and trainings on a range of topics of interest to all caregivers.
Mount Auburn Postpartum Support Group. Held in Waltham, this group meets weekly and is available to all, regardless of birth site. Format varies by week, but may include a guest speaker, free massage or chatting with a midwife.
Nancy Gair, offered through tinyhood. Virtual support groups for new moms.
Rachel Hess. Virtual new parenting, second time parenting, and queer parenting groups in Jamaica Plain.
Stork Ready. Free, twice monthly meet-ups for moms looking to get out of the house and commiserate. North Reading.
Newborn Care
American Academy of Pediatrics. Extensive information on all aspects of newborn and child care.
babies in common's New Baby and Postpartum Ready. One 3-hour, live online session.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly, MA. In-person and virtual options for Newborn Care and Postpartum Planning.
Brigham and Women's Newborn Care Class. Past clients found it more focused on diapering and swaddling than infant behavior.
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. Newborn educator. In person support within 20 miles of Needham; virtual support anywhere.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula and Certified Infant Feeding Specialist.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital's Getting Ready to Care for Your Newborn. Live online, via Zoom.
Newborn Care Specialists
Olesia Matveeva. Located in Merrimack, NH. Speaks Russian. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Night Nannies
Nutrition/Nutritionists
Danielle Shea Tan of Healthy Mamas for Healthy Families. Focuses on optimal nutrition status, severe nausea or vomiting, anemia, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, thyroid disorders, gut health, and strep.
Emily Kozarsky, MS, CNS, LDN of Boston Functional Medicine. An integrative and functional nutrition practice in Concord. Virtual care available.
Kim Murachver, MS, RD, LDN, CDE of greene nutrition. Nutritional counseling and grocery shopping/cooking, based in Acton.
MyPlate U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tools supporting healthy food choices.
Online resources
American Academy of Pediatrics. Extensive information on all aspects of newborn and child care.
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Produces educational materials for patients.
Ancient Current. Video tutorial on acupressure induction points.
Arlington Family Connection. Connecting children under six and those who care for them in Arlington, MA.
Childbirth Connection. Information, tools and resources to become an active member of your maternity care team and active participant in your care.
babies in common podcast. Free podcast focused on important issues related to pregnancy, birth, lactation, newborns or early parenting.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance. A Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance, centering Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
Body Ready Method. Strength training to address aches and pains and prepare the body for any kind of birth.
Boston Doula Circle. Free youtube classes on breastfeeding/chestfeeding, preparing for baby and postpartum and pregnancy massage.
Brookline Families. Local resource for everything family.
Calm Birth Meditation. Meditation for pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Colostrum Collection in Pregnancy. Nine minute video about the why and the how.
Evidence Based Birth. Independent business that works relentlessly to make research evidence on childbirth freely accessible to the public. Childbirth classes available.
JP Families. Local resource for everything family.
Healthy Traditions. Source of essential oils, fermented foods, massage oils, nontoxic cleaners, and much more.
Hyperemesis Education & Research Foundation. An organization providing support, groundbreaking research, advocacy, and education on hyperemesis.
Intentional Birth. Complete childbirth education for modern couples, offered by two doulas.
KellyMom - Parenting/Breastfeeding. Support for many aspects of breastfeeding.
La Leche League International. Webpage with many breastfeeding resources.
lowmilksupply.org. Information from IBCLCs on low milk supply and oversupply causes and solutions.
Massachusetts Birth Connections. Comprehensive, central resource website for families expecting or adopting a baby in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Midwives Alliance. Resource for finding a midwife.
Massachusetts Moms of Multiples, a private Facebook group for moms to chat, support and help one another.
MomsRising. Online multicultural organization working to increase family economic security, to end discrimination against women and mothers, and to build a nation where both businesses and families can thrive.
MotherFriendly. Questions to identify mother-friendly birthing sites.
Natal. A podcast docuseries about having a baby while Black.
The Milk Meg. Consultations and blog from an IBCLC on breastfeeding.
Postpartum Support International. Many different free support groups, including pregnancy loss. Not intended for people in crisis. Search engine for local therapists.
https://pcnguide.wordpress.com. A companion website to the book Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, the complete guide, with additional information and links to more resources, plus planning worksheets.
Prevention & Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth. Organization heightening awareness of the harmful effects of a traumatic birth experience on birthing families, communities and professionals.
“Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk,” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Single Mothers By Choice. Offers support and information to single women who are considering or have chosen motherhood.
Spinning Babies. Daily activities, body balancing techniques, and smart birth positions for a more comfortable, confident birth.
Waterbirth International. Information and reassurance about natural waterbirth.
Your Guide to Breastfeeding. PDF provided by the Office on Women's Health of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
ZipMilk. Website maintained by the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition that provides a platform for individuals and businesses that serve the breastfeeding community to share information about their services.
Parenting classes
Beyond Parenting in Beverly. Many groups to expand your parenting toolbox.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Newborn care.
Rachel Hess. Virtual new parenting, second time parenting, and queer parenting groups.
Pelvic floor therapy
Anna Burns, PT, DPT, of South Shore Pelvic Health. Physical therapist with psychology background specializing in pelvic health. Located in Weymouth.
Brittany Witherell, PT, DPT, of elliott physical therapy. Dorchester.
Brooke Reilly of She Thrives Therapy Solutions, LLC. Newton Upper Falls.
Cait Van Damm of Ritual Pelvic Health. Occupational therapist specializing in pelvic floor and chronic pain. Addresses birth injuries and pelvic organ prolapse. In home visits by request; office in Jamaica Plain. Supports birthing people with lichen sclerosus and lichen planus
Caryn Phillips, PT, DPT, of MomLife Health and Wellness. Specialized physical therapy services for regaining strength and mobility, and relieving pain through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Located in Medfield.
Embrace Pelvic Health. Helping those with pelvic pain, prenatal and postpartum pelvic issues, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and more. Located in Somerville.
Emily Heller, PT, DPT, of Personal Best Physical Therapy. Certified women's health and pelvic floor practitioner. Located in Rehoboth and Norfolk.
Flourish Physical Therapy. Pelvic and orthopedic physical therapy in Back Bay.
Foundations Pelvic Health. Specialized pelvic floor physical therapy services in Boston. Addresses lichen sclerosus as well as many aspects of pelvic health in pregnancy.
girl fit, physical therapy for girls and women. Multiple modalities including pelvic physical therapy, located in Newton.
Dr. Jennifer Vohra of Bloom Pelvic Health & Wellness. Telehealth physical therapy, prenatal and postnatal rehabilitation, stretching and cupping. Based in Chelmsford.
Kristin Kennedy, PT, DPT, at Wellest Integrative Health in Boston.
Lucia Sloane, PT, DPT, at Faulkner Hospital. Jamaica Plain.
Mirah Sand. In-home, holistic pelvic health and postpartum support. LGBTQIA+ affirming. Trauma-informed. Supports birthing people with lichen sclerosus and lichen planus
Rachael Amos, DPT, of beantown physio: orthopedic and sports physical therapy. Brookline and West Roxbury.
Rebound Physical Therapy. Natick, Wellesley, Westborough, Sudbury.
Wellest: Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Services, a leader in pelvic rehabilitation and holistic health through movement and integrative bodywork. Supports birthing people with lichen sclerosus and lichen planus.
Women's Journey Physical Therapy. My mentor particularly recommends Karlene Salguero and Diana Singleton. Located in Cambridge.
Perinatal loss support groups/bereaved families support groups
The Leggett Group. Individual therapy, couples or family therapy, in-home pre- and post-partum visits, group therapy, support groups, and workshops in Framingham and Roslindale.
Placenta Encapsulation/Services
Emma O’Brien of Lavandoula. Encapsulation.
Laura Fusari of Reproductive and Early Parenting Supports with Laura. Trauma-specialized, queer- and trans-friendly, empowerment centered, trained full spectrum doula. Placenta encapsulation. Western Massachusetts (South Hadley, Amherst, Holyoke, Springfield).
Luana Morales. Encapsulation, tinctures and smoothies. Spanish speaking.
Melody Cunningham Lopez of Dahomey Doula. Placenta encapsulation with herbs; placenta encapsulation with framed placenta print.
Olesia Matveeva. Located in Merrimack, NH. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Shannon Outchcunis of Cape Cod Baby. Birth doula, postpartum doula, placenta encapsulation, belly binding, bereavement care, adoption doula, fertility support, reiki. Serving Cape Cod, Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Teresa Vittorioso-Fortin of Entera Doula and Childbirth Education. Placenta encapsulation, prints, keepsakes, and tinctures. Spanish speaking.
Play groups
Countdown to Kindergarten Play to Learn Groups. Begins at 1 year old.
Family Nurturing Center. Free programs for families in low income neighborhoods to help parents and caregivers improve their parenting skills and enhance the cognitive and social development of their children.
Galoop. Play group for caregivers and babies under 15 months located in Chestnut Hill.
Over the Moon Parenting. Classes and groups from pregnancy to preschool located in Norwell.
Podcasts
The Birth Hour. Many examples of how birth can play out, but the interviewees are not fact-checked. Misinformed statements such as "once a cesarean, always a cesarean" are not corrected.
Evidence Based Birth. My go-to for evidence-based information.
Resilient Birth. Conversations about trauma in the perinatal period.
Positive birth stories
Evidence Based Birth podcast, episode 166. Induction. Discusses the significantly high rates of maternal mortality among Black and Brown individuals and racism in birth work.
Evidence Based Birth podcast, episode 239. Preterm water birth.
Postpartum mental health support
911 - emergency services
988 - crisis counseling hotline
Acute Psychiatry Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. Located in the MGH Emergency Department, APS is a 24-hour service that provides diagnosis and treatment of acute psychiatric and neuropsychiatric emergencies. 617-726-2994.
Beyond Birthing located in Beverly. Many resources, including Untangling Motherhood and New Parent/New Baby
Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST). 1-800-981-HELP (4357).
Dana Group Associates Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral health provider based in Needham, Hanover and Norwell, offering psychology support, psychiatric care, and medication management. Treats/addresses anxiety, depression, domestic violence, family conflicts, grief, postpartum depression and stress.
Divya Kumar, LCSW, Sc.M, CLC, PMH-C (She/Her) with And Still We Rise.
Emergency Services Program Mobile Crisis Intervention. Behavioral health crisis assessment, intervention and stabilization services. Covers every city and town in Massachusetts. 877-382-1609.
The Leggett Group. Individual therapy, couples or family therapy, in-home pre- and postpartum visits, group therapy, support groups, and workshops in Framingham and Roslindale.
Mass PPD Fund. Works to make a difference for people experiencing postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders by sharing resources, raising awareness and facilitating training and advocacy.
MGH Center for Women's Mental Health: Reproductive Psychiatry Resource & Information Center. Provides state-of-the-art evaluation and ongoing care for women who suffer from a spectrum of psychiatric disorders and to improve the lives of patients and their families.
Postpartum Support International. Many different free support groups, including pregnancy loss. Not intended for people in crisis. Search engine for local therapists.
Strong Roots Counseling. Located in West Newton, Strong Roots Counseling delivers care for anxiety, depression, sleep, pregnancy/postpartum mental health, parenting, stress, women's health, and grief, among other issues.
Timoria McQueen Saba with Postpartum Support International. maternalhealthusa@gmail.com.
Postpartum doulas
Andrea Leon of Happy Family Happy Baby. In-person postpartum doula or virtual or in-person sleep and newborn care consulting. Daytime Monday-Friday. Can be reached at inquire@happyfamilyhappybaby.com or 617-602-5494.
Becky Coluntino of Capstone Doula Services. Baby and parent care, incisional care and self-care tips, partner collaboration, daily tasks, home safety, swaddling/infant carriers, breast/formula feeding, sanitizing bottles and pumps.
Boston Birth Village. A team of postpartum doulas focused on aiding recovering offering emotional support, assisting with newborn care, and providing feeding guidance.
Boston Doula Circle. A variety of postpartum doulas offering a variety of services.
Erin Ronder Neves, CD(DONA), CD-PIC, CLC, BCCE, SpBCPE, RYT-200 of Beyond Birthing and ERN Doula.
Emma O’Brien of Lavandoula. Experience with twins, breast/chest and formula fed babies, LGBTQ families, single parents, baby reflux/allergies and elimination diets.
Eva Ray Senner. Newborn care education, feeding support, respite support, sibling support, household support, mental health screening, sleep support, parenting education, nutrition guidance, pet care.
Gill Emery of Boston Doula Services. Postpartum doula living in West Roxbury.
Hilary Witcher of New Family Needs. Postpartum doula, labor/birth/newborn educator, breastfeeding specialist, and leader of a New Parent Group. In person support within 20 miles of Needham; virtual support anywhere.
Jacqueline Laferriere, CFDS, of Falling Water Doula Services. Overnight and daytime, housework/meal support, sibling support, lactation support.
Jenna Howe of Cape CLC. Postpartum doula on the Cape.
Jenny Putnam of Nesting: birth and beyond. Daytime support.
Jodi Utter of Utter Comfort. Postpartum doula, certified sleep consultant, newborn care specialist, lactation educator.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Specializes in multiples, VBAC, high-risk.
Keyma Donadelle of Birth and Beyond of Jamaica Plain. Mother of five. Day and overnight care. Sliding scale. Contact her at mdonadellekd@gmail.com.
Laurel Segal of The Seagull Nest. ASL proficient, queer.
Martha Widing of Birth Baby Blessing. Certified postpartum doula, lactation educator, childbirth educator, based in Brookline.
Marissa Hathaway of The Lemon Grove. A doula agency.
Maryssa Dwyer of Nurturing Beyond the Nursery. Home care, newborn care, feeding support, sibling support.
My Happy Newborn. A large team of postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists.
New Family Needs. A large team of postpartum doulas, sleep consultants and newborn care specialists.
Olesia Matveeva. Ayrvedic postpartum practitioner. Speaks Russian. Located in Merrimack, NH. Can be contacted at joyfulbirthservice@gmail.com, 747-389-3004.
Porshai Peters of Deep Water Latch, LLC. Based in Hyde Park, Porshai helps you establish deep familial connections and feel confident as you navigate the early weeks of the postpartum period.
Rachel Gallagher of Parenting Confidently. Newborn care, healing support, light household assistance.
Rachel Hess. Emotional support, planning for parents' health, birth recovery, assistance with feeding, sleep/soothing. Based in Jamaica Plain.
Randi Spiller of Heart & Hand, hearthanddoula@gmail.com. Experienced with neurodivergent and Autistic children.
Shannon Outchcunis of Cape Cod Baby. Postpartum doula, placenta encapsulation, belly binding, reiki. Serving Cape Cod, Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Shira Garber Strosberg, CD(DONA). Birth doula and postpartum doula.
Susanna Mauzy of Nightingale Midwifery. Midwife and doula.
Teresa Vittorioso-Fortin of Entera Doula and Childbirth Education. Spanish speaking.
Postpartum Groups
Babes in the Woods offered by Friends of the Middlesex Fells. Hiking for new parents and caregivers who carry children. Melrose.
Beyond Birthing in Beverly. Any caregiver, mom, dad, or partner. Postpartum fitness, postpartum stress, caregiver and baby yoga, support groups of all kinds!
Boston Birth Village. Many different postpartum offerings found in Newton.
Mother Healing (Mom and Baby Group in Dorchester). Breastfeeding support, pregnancy support, conversation on how you are healing from childbirth, breastfeeding challenges and checking in.
Postpartum Meal Delivery/Nutrition
Meg Whithed, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, of Small Batch Wellness. Ayurvedic-inspired postpartum nutrition support.
Moon Kitchen. Healthy and restorative postpartum meals made specifically for the new mom. Prepared and delivered to your door daily.
Pre-eclampsia/Gestational Hypertension/Eclampsia
Low-Dose Aspirin Use During Pregnancy, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Preeclampsia and eclampsia, from Harvard Health Publishing.
What you need to know: High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy, from Boston Medical Center.
What you need to know: Prenatal Aspirin, from Boston Medical Center.
Pubic Symphysis Pain
Pelvic Girdle Pain?? 4 Labor Positions to Do During Labor from MamasteFit.
Pubic Syphysis Dysfunction, from Physiopedia. British article explaining pubic symphysis pain, diagnosis, and treatment, and positions to avoid during delivery.
Pubic Symphysis Pain During Labor and Delivery, from Dr. Lauren Keller, a chiropractor.
Queer/Trans support
Postpartum Support International - PSI. Open to all members of the queer & trans community who are expecting, adopting, and/or parenting babies up to 2 years. This group is intended for gestational, non-gestational and adoptive parents.
Scale Rental
Worldwide Surgical. Rents Medela scales.
Sibling preparation books
Baby, Come Out! by Fran Manushkin. For ages 3 to 6.
Hello Baby, by Lizzy Rockwell. For ages 3 to 7.
Hello Baby, by Jenni Overend. For ages 3 to 6. Also published as Welcome with Love. Depicts homebirth. Beautifully illustrated and lovely.
How You Were Born, by Joanna Cole. For ages 4 to 8.
I Used to Be the Baby, by Robin Ballard. For ages 4 to 8.
I'm a Big Brother/Sister, by Joanna Cole. For ages 4 to 8.
I'm a New Big Brother/Sister, by Nora Gaydos. For ages 2 to 4.
My New Baby, by Annie Kubler. For ages 2 to 4.
Tenenos un bebe/We Have a Baby, by Cathryn Falwell. For ages 2 to 6.
There's a Baby (DVD), by Penny Simkin. For ages 3 to 8.
Waiting for Baby, by Rachel Fuller. For ages 1 to 4.
We're Having a Homebirth!!, by Kelly Mochel. For ages 3 to 6.
Single Parent Support Groups
Beyond Birthing in Beverly. Single Caregiver Support, coming soon.
Single Parent Gathering. Virtual support group offered by JCC of Greater Boston.
Sleep Consultants
Kathryn Gouveia of Cloud 9 Sleep Consulting.
Laurel Segal of The Seagull Nest. ASL proficient.
Spinning Babies techniques for engaging baby (-3 station)
The Jiggle: demonstrated; full explanation.
Forward leaning inversion: demonstrated; full explanation.
Side-lying release: demonstrated, full explanation.
Standing sacral release: demonstrated, full explanation.
Psoas release: demonstrated, full explanation.
Belly hug: demonstrated.
Support groups for parents of children with special needs
Beyond Birthing in Beverly offers Unexpected Parenting: Parenting those additional needs.
Mary-Frances Garber, MS, CGC, Licensed Genetic Counselor of Listening, Reflecting, Healing. Group counseling for parents of children with birth defects or genetic conditions.
VBAC/CA support
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). Organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by reducing preventable cesareans through education, supporting cesarean recovery, and advocating for vaginal birth after cesarean.
Kathleen Stern of Boston Area Doulas. Certified VBAC specialist.
Lois Freeman. Counseling and education for women wanting a VBAC.
Tara Mould, MD of Brigham and Women’s Chestnut Hill.