Community Doula Program

What is a Community Doula?

Before the term “doula” became widely used, family and community members commonly provided the physical and emotional support that today’s doulas offer during pregnancy and birth.

Doulas have gained particular attention for their role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, as well as the experiences of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and in challenging what some see as the overmedicalization of birth in the United States. Many community members, policymakers, midwives, doulas, and other people focused on addressing the maternal health crisis are calling for expanded training of and access to community-based doulas —birth workers who are trusted members of the communities they serve and provide care responsive to the specific needs of their community, often at low or no cost.

Community-based birth workers have the unique capacity to challenge bias in the medicalized birth system and undo the exclusion of traditional, community-centered practices around pregnancy and birth.

learn more about our doula training

Doula support improves maternal and infant health outcomes.

Multiple studies have found better outcomes for birthing people who have doula support, including lower rates of maternal and infant health complications; lower rates of preterm birth and low birth weight infants; lower rates of cesarean sections (C-sections), which are associated with higher rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity,and other medical interventions; and higher rates of breastfeeding.

In addition to improved physical health outcomes, doula support is linked to reduced rates of postpartum depression and anxiety as well as increased positive feelings about the birth experience and ability to influence one’s own pregnancy outcomes .

Meet the Doulas

Altranise

Doula Services, Licensed Massage Therapist, Prenatal Massage Therapy and Myofascial Release

Meet Altranise

Altranise Harris is a full spectrum doula, graduate of Russell Sage College, University of Albany, and the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy. She practices massage therapy out of Latham and Niskayuna's Bodywork Professionals.

As a licensed massage therapist, her specialities include prenatal massage and myofascial release. You can contact her at anisemassage@gmail.com if you are interested in doula services or you can call or book online at bodyworkprofessionals.com if you are interested in bodywork.

Jayana

Full Spectrum Doula, Birth and Family Photographer and Belly Casting

Meet Jayana

Jayana is a Full Spectrum Doula trained through Ancient Songs Doula Services (ASD) - birth justice advocate located in Troy , NY and surrounding areas within the Capital District. She is studying to become a CLC so that she can help families with their feeding journeys and offers Belly Casting to those wanting to capture memories of their pregnant bellies . She is also an amazing local photographer capturing birth, newborns and families as they navigate their new roles into parenthood.

Tammy

Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Support, and Monthly Community Baby Showers

Meet Tammy

Tershia

Full Spectrum Doula and Birth / Family Educator

Meet Tershia (Shy-Ah)

Full Spectrum Doula, trained with Ancient Song Doula Services. My training has allowed me to continue to bring new souls into this world and provide safety to birthing people as a Birth/Family educator and Doula.I believe in education , compassion, and inclusive birth justice for all . Currently residing in Troy, NY, I’m a mother of 3 and enjoy reading, live music and traveling with my family/ partner. I’m a junior board member at BirthNet, and work within my community with social activism.

Amal

Birth Doula

Meet Amal

Amal is a Mama Glow certified Birth Doula, serving families throughout the Capital Region. Amal focuses on listening closely to each family’s goals, values, and preferences, in order to provide relevant information, resources and support to help clients feel informed and confident throughout their journey. As a mother and through her own experiences with loss, Amal brings deep empathy and dedication to supporting families through every birth experience. In her non-doula work, Amal supports New York State’s early childhood systems-building work.

Clyanna

Full Spectrum Doula

Meet Clyanna

Clyanna Lightbourn (she/they) is a full-spectrum doula and the founder of Lightbourn Doula Care, providing culturally grounded, trauma-informed support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She offers bilingual doula services in English and Spanish, ensuring language access and clear communication for birthing people and their families. Clyanna specializes in working with Black birthing people, LGBTQ+ families, teen parents, and those navigating high-risk or system-involved pregnancies, centering autonomy, safety, and informed choice.

With a background in psychology and forensic mental health, Clyanna brings a deep understanding of trauma, advocacy, and systems navigation into the birthing space. Her work is rooted in Black feminist values, reproductive justice, and birth equity, and she is especially committed to supporting clients who have been marginalized or harmed by medical institutions.

Clyanna serves the Capital Region of New York, offers sliding-scale services, and is committed to expanding access to doula care for all families—regardless of income or background.

Diamond

Full Spectrum Doula, Social Worker, Yoga Instructor

Meet Diamond

Diamond Quiles is a full-spectrum doula, social worker, and yoga instructor who supports people through meaningful life transitions with care that is steady, affirming, and deeply rooted in presence. Through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, loss, and other pivotal moments, she blends mindfulness, breathwork, and emotional support to help clients feel grounded in their bodies and confident in their choices. Her trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach centers dignity, advocacy, and care that meets people where they are. Diamond believes transitions are not meant to be navigated alone—and that everyone deserves support that honors their story, their body, and their becoming.

Althia

Birth Doula

Meet Althia

Althia (she/her) is a doula who brings compassionate, client-centered support to pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood. As a mother herself, she understands firsthand how a safe, healthy pregnancy and a positive birth experience can shape the postpartum journey and early parenting. Althia is deeply committed to helping birthing people and their families feel supported, informed, and advocated for, so they can focus fully on welcoming new life into the world.

Her work is rooted in community care, with a particular commitment to supporting BIPOC birthing people who often face disproportionate barriers in medical settings. Althia approaches doula work with warmth, patience, and respect, offering guidance, education, and steady presence throughout the birthing process.

Alongside her birthwork, Althia is pursuing her goal of becoming a nurse, strengthening her understanding of the medical system while continuing to support families in and out of hospital settings. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves and looks forward to supporting many growing families in her community.

Mateo

Full Spectrum Doula

Meet Mateo

Mateo Uhalde (he/him) is a full-spectrum doula with Lighthouse Doula Services, providing trauma-informed support across pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and abortion care—regardless of outcome. He also offers gender doula services, supporting trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people and their families through social and medical gender journeys. Mateo specializes in working with LGBTQ+ clients, BIPOC communities, and disabled and neurodivergent birthing people, centering autonomy, dignity, and informed choice.

An AuDHD member of the LGBTQ+ community, member of the BIPOC Doula Network, and participant in the Black Abolitionist Directive, Mateo brings lived experience and strong advocacy skills into medical and institutional settings that are often not designed to serve marginalized communities. His practice is grounded in evidence-based education and client empowerment.

Mateo also has professional experience in early childhood and disability services, including infant home care and special education preschool settings. He serves the Capital Region of New York, will soon be able to bill Medicaid, and offers sliding-scale services—no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Chris

Birth Doula

Meet Chris

While Chris felt the calling to become a doula long before experiencing pregnancy, labor, and delivery herself, it was the education, love, and steadfast support of her own doula that ultimately inspired her to step fully into birth work. That experience showed her not only the power of compassionate care, but the importance of encouragement and community, motivating Chris to pay forward what she received from her doula and so many others.

Chris holds a B.A. in Sociology from SUNY Albany and, in addition to her work as a doula, is employed by a local grassroots organization focused on improving quality of life in Albany’s historically redlined neighborhoods through engagement, education, and amplifying resident voices. She is also involved in developing opportunities for cooperative economics and housing in the Capital Region. Above all else, her favorite role is being a mama to her busy little Bee.

Chelsea

Birth Doula

Meet Chelsea

Hi, I’m Chelsea, a new doula with a heartfelt passion for caring for people and supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. I’m deeply drawn to healing, learning, and community, and family is at the center of everything I do.

I’m a proud mother to one daughter and also a foster parent, experiences that have shaped my compassion, patience, and understanding of how important it is for families to feel supported, seen, and nurtured. These roles have strengthened my desire to walk alongside others during life’s most tender and transformative moments.

As a doula, my goal is to have a positive and grounding impact by supporting, nurturing, and gently guiding you through your pregnancy and birth journey. I bring an energetic and outgoing spirit, balanced with a calm and gentle presence—always adapting to what feels most supportive for you.

Outside of doula work, I love spending time with family and friends, learning new things, and traveling whenever I can. I believe every journey—whether into parenthood or a new place—deserves care, curiosity, and connection.

BIRTHNET

Community Doula Program

What is a Community Doula?

Doula support improves maternal and infant health outcomes.

Meet the Doulas

Altranise

Doula Services, Licensed Massage Therapist, Prenatal Massage Therapy and Myofascial Release

Jayana

Full Spectrum Doula, Birth and Family Photographer and Belly Casting

Tammy

Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Support, and Monthly Community Baby Showers

Tershia

Full Spectrum Doula and Birth / Family Educator

Amal

Birth Doula

Clyanna

Full Spectrum Doula

Diamond

Full Spectrum Doula, Social Worker, Yoga Instructor

Althia

Birth Doula

Mateo

Full Spectrum Doula

Chris

Birth Doula

Chelsea

Birth Doula