Birthing Ways-Doula Connection

Doulas provide a range of Doula services and come from varying backgrounds.  For a list of questions to ask a doula, click here

To request more information about having Doula support during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum, please visit our "Request a Doula" page.

Barb Salminen, Certified Doula (DONA)

I have a tremendous desire to see women have unparalleled, beautiful birth experiences by lovingly supporting them, before, and during, and after their pregnancy and labor.  As I meet with my families who are expecting, I provide emotional support as well as the resources that enable them to become confident as they look forward to their labor, birth and parenting. My passion is to do all that I can do to help women view themselves as the powerful beings that they are, especially in relation to the labor and birth process. I have personally  been transformed through the births of my own five children,  and have  participated in many births before and since my certification as a doula through DONA.  I am a proud member of the birthing  community in Duluth as we continue to expand our knowledge and ability to serve women and their families. For those who would find it helpful, I speak Spanish fairly well. Serving Duluth,Mn. and the surrounding area.

Angela Schweiberger, Certified Doula (DONA)

Angela has been serving birthing women since 2002.  She is the mother of two delightful children, both born with no pain medication and the help of doulas.  Angela is also a Craniosacral Therapist and the member of multiple birth organizations.  Serving Hibbing.

 Marissa Davis, Certified Doula (DONA)

I am trained as a birth doula under DONA International guidelines. I am estatic to be able to educate expecting families on the beauty and grace of natural childbirth. I am thrilled to be a part of such a truly amazing experience. I would love to give each mother the emotional and informational support that each individual is looking for. I am open, honest and respectful in my communication of the information and extremely supportive of each mother’s decision. I can explain the benefits of having a doula with each type of childbirth, whether it be natural childbirth or a scheduled c-section, or anything in between. I will help you establish a birth plan specific to your needs but will also provide information should an unexpected situation arise.  In my free time, I am a reiki practitioner, make jewelry and love to be outdoors. I am a passionate individual who would love to help you experience an amazing child birth. Together we will make a great birthing team.     

Sadie Sigford, Certified Doula (DONA)

I started pursuing doula work after becoming captivated by women's experiences and desires through pregnancy, labor, and birth. I feel passionate that every woman should have the information and support she needs to make decisions about her pregnancy and baby's birth. I'm incredibly pleased to be able to offer that as a doula. I love meeting and getting to know women and families, and to be a part of the beautiful process of birth. Aside from being a doula I help run a community bike shop, the Bike Cave Collective, work as a vendor at art & craft fairs, and bike tour.

Sarah Bly, Certified Doula (DONA)

I am the mother of three beautiful children - two boys and a girl, all born at home, in the water, with the attendance of a doula and a midwife. My birthing experiences were life changing and powerful. Pregnancy and birth have become my passion and I hope to help every woman to have a powerful and life changing experience. As a doula, my job is not to take over in the birth room, but rather to help you and your partner have a voice in the process of your birth experience, strengthening you both and bringing you together. I also help you through massage, movement and positioning to get you as comfortable as possible. I stay with you throughout your labor and after the birth, helping with breastfeeding if that is what you plan and making sure you have all the information that you need to relax in your role as parents. I will also plan to provide postpartum visits during which we can discuss your birth experience and answer any further questions you may have. I hope that you will consider me as an important addition to your birth experience.  Website; Serving the North Shore from Grand Marais to Duluth.

Teri Kesti, Certified Doula (DONA)

I am passionate about helping women achieve a birth experience that is
healthy and safe, yet memorable and empowering.  I believe that birth is a rite of passage for women.  Every woman deserves to be allowed to have an active role in her pregnancy, labor, and post-partum care by making informed choices about the type of care she wants to receive.  As a doula, my main focus is to provide you with sources and information that can aide you in understanding your options and assist you in attaining the birth experience that fits your particular needs and desires. 

My husband and I have welcomed two children into this world in very different settings: our first through a planned hospital birth and our second through a planned home birth.  As a doula, I bring both my own experiences and the knowledge and training I have received through DONA.  I would be honored to walk with you through your birth journey.

Amanda Kerola, Birth Doula

I became interested in pregnancy, birth, and babies in 2008 while in nursing school. I became involved in the Northland Birth Network and completed DONA Birth and Post-partum doula trainings. Since then, I have supported several women during birth as a student nurse and doula. I have found that each birth is unique, just as each woman and each baby are unique. I have also experienced the amazing birth of my son at home with the support of midwives, doulas, and my husband. I would be delighted to be your doula to support you as you begin your journey during pregnancy, during the amazing and unique birth of your baby, and during the beginning of your relationship with your new baby. My hope is that every woman feels the support she needs at this special time in her life. 

Ashley Wallace, Birth Doula

I am so excited to be starting the process to become a doula. I have wanted to do this for a long time. I love being pregnant- the births of my three boys have been so empowering, yet each experience has been so different. I get pretty excited talking about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and babies- what better way to get to talk and learn about these things than being a doula! My family lives in rural Carlton County, and we do a lot of camping, hiking, and gardening in the summer and fall, and we enjoy snowshoeing and keeping each other warm in the winter months. I am really excited to bring part of the awesome birth community of Duluth into Carlton County. I look forward to meeting you and I would love to help guide you and your partner toward the wonderful birth you and your baby deserve!  

Annie Choate, Birth and Postpartum Doula

I have lived in Northeast Wisconsin and Duluth, MN over the last 30 years.  My 3 babies are all grown up now; out in the world in college, getting BA’s and PhD’s and learning to drive.  My eldest son was born up in Two Harbors with one of the first nurse midwives in the region.  My middle and youngest were born at home with a lay midwife, midwife’s assistant and a close friend for help and support.  My friend was my Doula long before there was a name for what she was doing.  I know I could not have birthed my children as I wished without my friend’s caring and support.

I am excited to begin my work as a Doula and look forward to this Summer’s Doula Training to expand my horizons.  Every family deserves the right to create the birthing environment of their choice for their baby.  The tremendous power of birth is something women are able to move through given the caring and experience of those around her.

My experience of birth is not one of pain, but astounding joy.  I look forward to sharing your adventure through birth with you.

Nicole Herubin, Birth Doula 
My name is Nicole Herubin and I am the mother to six children, three boys and three girls.  I have been very interested in childbirth ever since I had my first child, but haven't known quite how I wanted to pursue it as a career until recently.  I love to be around pregnant women and babies, so being a Doula seemed like the right choice.  I want to help women have the birth they are looking for, and empower couples to make informed choices.  I think birth should be a beautiful exciting experience, and I want to help you attain that.

Sheri Carlson, Birth Doula 

My name is Sheri and I am passionate about birth work!  I was fortunate enough to give birth to my daughter with the assistance of a doula and it was a beautiful, challenging, and life changing experience. Giving birth for me was not only an initiation into motherhood, but also an initiation to my calling and deeper purpose in this life. I believe all women and families deserve warm, respectful, consistent support throughout pregnancy, birth and the early months with a new baby.  As a doula, I offer emotional, physical and informational support as you navigate birth options and transition into your role as a new or expanded mother (and family!)   I work with birth preferences of all types - whether you plan to give birth in the hospital or at home, with a doctor or with a midwife, with medication or without. During the birth I will be a gentle presence with you continuously, helping you cope with the intensity of labor and realizing your own strength and power as a woman.  I will stay with you post-birth until you are settled and care continues with post partum visits and breastfeeding assistance if you choose. I would be honored to be of service to you and your family during your childbearing journey and help you create the birth experience you are seeking!