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Gracie Gambino
DONA certified Birth Doula, Postnatal Doula
BA Spanish/MAT, Proud Mama
www.birthingwithgracecville.com
A native Charlottesvillian, I grew up surrounded by babies and witnessed birth for the first time when I was in high school! I was captivated by the magic of that experience and it planted a big seed in my heart to pursue this calling.
I am also a local Spanish teacher, and while finishing my student teaching at JMU I met a colleague who is a doula. She inspired me to complete my training through DONA, and I became certified in 2020. I love to continually expand my knowledge and skills by working with different types of families and attending workshops such as Spinning Babies.
I live in the middle of town with my husband Michael and our beautiful daughter Aurelia.
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Testimonial:
"I am so grateful to have had Gracie at my side during my daughter’s birth! Gracie has a calming presence that helped me stay relaxed and focused during labor. I felt protected and could let go, because Gracie took care of everything! Gracie was a constant source of ideas for movement. She kept me moving, kept me calm, and under her monitoring, we were able to do most of my labor at home. In the hospital, we didn’t run out of ideas because Gracie was there. I was able to stay active and try different positions for further opening. She renewed my energy with snacks and aromatherapy. Gracie helped me stay focused and helped to relieve my pain with counter pressure and massages. When we reached transition and the waves of contractions became tsunamis, Gracie remained a steady force and encouraged me to the end. Gracie was an essential part of my birthing team and I can’t imagine how we could have done it without her! "
Molly Duncan
RYT, Prenatal Yoga Teacher, DONA Trained Birth Doula, Spinning Babies (2020)
Proud Mama
I have always been inspired and amazed by the journey women make through pregnancy and birth into motherhood. My own birth was transformational and called me towards a path of uplifting and supporting women during this time period of their lives.
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I have completed my doula training through DONA and I am a certified yoga instructor. I also completed my 85 hour prenatal yoga teacher training through Kelly Cox at Bend.
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As a Doula, my aim is to help facilitate a birth in which Mom feels empowered, heard and safe. Birth is an experience defined by the deepest emotions, and I am so honored to bear witness as new families are born.
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Testimonials:
"I don’t know what I would’ve done without Molly. Before birth, she listened to all of my concerns, wants, and needs and I could tell she really cared about me. She made me feel prepared and capable to give birth and I went into labor with a positive attitude because I knew Molly would take care of everything. When it came down to it, she was all that and more. I had a very long labor and she was by my side for 48+ hours doing counter pressure, massaging, providing appropriate snacks, positioning me, and creating an over-all positive environment. I felt comfortable and taken care of the entire time.
My husband was also a part of my birth team and he was so nervous. Molly helped him feel helpful and a part of the experience while taking over the parts where he didn’t know how to help. In his words, “Molly saved my life.”
I truly owe her my sanity and the ability to look back at my birth with good feelings.'
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"My husband and I cannot sing Molly's praises enough. Molly was exactly what we needed during our birth prep, labor process and support postpartum. She not only supported me through my choices but also was 100% there for my husband. Throughout the process she provided us with resources and support that we needed and met us where we were at. I so appreciated her ability to empower me through the whole process. She was informative, calm and made me feel like a super strong woman who could absolutely meet my goals. Because of Molly, I was able to have an all natural childbirth for my 9 lb baby boy. Molly was the perfect combination of kindness and helping me to push myself to meet my goals. I felt so comfortable with her and her support throughout my labor made all of the difference. I could not have met my natural birth goals without her. I cannot recommend her enough!"
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"I had my baby in mid-March 2020, in the midst of a sea of change in hospital policies (and upending of daily routines everywhere). Molly was a reliable, calm, competent presence through it all. She kept me focused on the task at hand and was in sync with me emotionally, bringing empathy and intensity and lightness as needed. I am grateful for her loving care during and after the birth and consider her a very important person in my son's history. If I had another baby I would most certainly request her presence."
Laurie
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I went into premature labor at 35 weeks. At the hospital, I felt unprepared and anxious—until Molly arrived. She dropped everything and met me at the hospital, despite my delivery being outside of her on-call window. My husband and I agree that the mood completely shifted once Molly was in the room. We both felt her presence and involvement was so helpful, supportive, and calming in an otherwise traumatic experience. My daughter ended up needing to stay in the NICU. During that time, Molly checked on us frequently and offered advice. She also visited us once we came home from the hospital, providing emotional support and validating our complicated feelings. If and when we have more children, Molly will most definitely be part of our birth team. She provides absolutely vital input and support during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.
Shannon McElroy
DONA trained Birth Doula, Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Pediatric Nurse, BSN, RN
After giving birth to three of my own children and using a birth doula as support, I fell in love with the practice. The experience I had of bringing life into this world with my husband and my doula by my side was transformative. I have had the personal experience of a C-section and two successful VBACs.
I have been practicing as a pediatric specialty nurse for 19 years, working with children and their families during challenging physical and emotional times. I value supporting people through these challenges and forming connections and relationships to lift them up. I have also been teaching various styles of yoga for over 12 years that I incorporate into both my doula and nursing practice. The breath, mind connection, and physical asana can be a strong addition to the birth experience!
My intention as a doula is to empower women and their families to deeply connect to the powerful experience of birth. I also strive to adapt to the changing needs of each mother and family as they arise throughout pregnancy and delivery. I am honored to serve in this practice and be a part of your journey.
Cecilia Flanagan
Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
I am a ToLabor professionally trained birth and postpartum doula with a foundation in evidence-based, compassionate care. My mission is simple yet powerful: to meet parents exactly where they are and to honor their unique journey into parenthood. After giving birth to my own squishy little boy, I felt deeply called to support women, help protect the sacredness of the birth space and to continue showing up for them as they navigate the tender, transformative journey of postpartum.
I believe that every birthing person deserves to feel safe, seen, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Whether you're navigating your first pregnancy or expanding your family, I am here to provide grounded, nonjudgmental support tailored to your specific needs and values. From holding space during labor to offering guidance in the postpartum period, I walk alongside you with respect, presence, and care
I trust birth. I trust you. And I’m here to help ensure your voice remains at the center of your experience, always.
Katie Dowd
DONA certified Birth Doula
I have always been amazed by the transformative process of birth and parenthood. I have been honored to witness that journey unfold for many. I am a DONA-trained Birth Doula and Film Photographer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a Doula, I am a passionate advocate for informed consent and know the power of a safe and peaceful space for birth. I use evidence-based care in my practice to inform, support, and empower mamas through pregnancy, birth, and their postpartum journey. Alongside my work as a Doula, I have loved capturing birth and parenthood on film.
“From the moment Katie and I had our first prenatal meeting, it felt like we had been friends for years. As we met a few more times leading up to the delivery of my first daughter, Katie made me feel encouraged, confident, and at peace with the birth plan she’d helped me think through and gave me guidance and education on topics of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum with which I was unfamiliar. She was so knowledgeable and was able to answer the (many) questions I had.
She was my constant source of calm, reassurance, and encouragement during a very quick and somewhat chaotic delivery. My labor process did not look like what we had planned, but she was always ready to support me in any decision I made, and she was such an invaluable comfort for both me and my husband. It was so nice feeling like we had someone there who was there solely for us and someone who could advocate for us with only our best interests in mind; I trusted her completely.
Katie was, without a doubt, meant to be a doula, and I cannot recommend her enough. My husband and I are so immensely grateful for her and will 100% be hiring her again for any future births.”
Catherine Dunn
ToLabor certified Birth Doula, Mother of 3
After attending prenatal yoga during my first pregnancy, I quickly became enamored of all things pregnancy and birth. I honestly never really thought much about the phases of pregnancy and birth until I was in a room full of pregnant moms. I loved hearing how each person was feeling and learning about the physiological and physical components, absorbing a little more background into how hard our bodies are working. I have always loved babies but moving and learning through my pregnancy with many others in the yoga community revealed a new passion of mine. Starting each class off with the number of weeks we were, along with how we were feeling, really allowed me to listen to all of the realistic variables to pregnancy, instead of what one would find in generic prenatal literature. This allowed me to understand different approaches and solutions to any aches and pains some were feeling. It was always really neat to hear stories from others who were further along, knowing I’d get to that stage one day, as well as others who were earlier in their pregnancy and being able to share tips that got me through certain body aches as my body and baby grew. The transformation through these life stages are truly fascinating and so unique…not only for each person but for each pregnancy and delivery.
After having three babies of my own with my beloved doula, I am now a professional trained birth and postpartum doula through ToLabor. You’ll probably agree that each pregnancy and birth is unique, and that everyone deserves to feel empowered and supported throughout the entire journey. Through my professional birth and postpartum training through ToLabor, I’m intentional about providing you the most current, evidence-based information so that you can make the best decision for you, your family, and your baby. All within a space that’s calm, compassionate, and free of judgement!