Veronika is a pediatric sleep consultant, mom of two, and owner of Whispering Willow Pediatric Sleep Consulting. She supports families with newborn and infant sleep by offering personalized, practical guidance on routines, sleep foundations, and teaching babies to fall asleep independently. Her approach is warm, supportive, and tailored to each family so parents feel confident, reassured, and never alone in the process.
Childbirth
Jennifer Zeitler
Birth advocacy and empowerment are my jam. I strive to encourage birthing families to gain practical knowledge and amplify intuitive body knowledge. Doulas’ work is more to me than back rubs and ice chips. It’s about creating a team to increase the likelihood of a beautiful birth memory and a smooth transition into the fourth trimester (postpartum).
I am the mother of seven amazing humans and a Mom-mom to three sweet grandsons.
My journey into birth work was rooted in my unique experiences with my own seven pregnancies, labors, and births. I also attended the births of my closest friends, acting as their “doula” before I knew this was an actual profession.
In 2008 I participated in a Doulas of North America (DONA) doula training. I completed my certification process in 2009 and have attended 82 plus and counting births. I obtained my Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) in 2014 and truly enjoy informing and educating birthing families.
In 2021 I obtained a When Survivors Give Birth workshop facilitator certification. I am launching this one-day workshop in 2025 with Momease. I currently teach Weekend Childbirth, Childbirth 123, Baby care, and Breastfeeding at Momease.
I also teach Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding 101 and offer birth doula services at my local pregnancy center. Serving the underserved is a true passion of mine.
Shante Ferguson
Shanté is a mother of 5 sons, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. I was a pediatric medical assistant for 14 years, and before that, I was a caregiver for an elderly couple. So my call to serve and support people was recognized early in my life. Being a mother and caring for others has always made my heart smile, and that’s just one of the many reasons I know I was meant to do this work.
I come from a big family; my grandmother on my father’s side had ten children and 33 grandchildren, and the list grew. She is the one that raised me, so I was always around lots of families. She fed the neighborhood homeless people and would get blankets, hats, gloves, and socks whenever she could go for them. For holiday meals and even Sunday dinner, sometimes it was very usual for us to have extra heads at our table. I share that information with you because the caring gene is deeply rooted in me.
It was a difficult decision for me to walk away from medical assistant work to try my own thing, but, I’ve got to be honest, it was the best thing I’ve ever done next to having children and marrying my soulmate. When I’m supporting families through my doula work, breastfeeding assistance, or placenta encapsulation, it is a feeling that I can only describe as genuine happiness for me and for whomever I am supporting because I know that I am giving them my all.
My work doesn’t feel like work, I get butterflies every time the phone rings, and I know it’s time to support a family no matter what time it is. I don’t know if that magical feeling will fade once I’ve been doing this work full-time for a while, but I certainly hope not. My hobbies are plants, meditation, and caring for/supporting others.
When I took the doula training, I remember thinking, “Great, I’m about to be in a room full of tree huggers”. It was nothing I expected, and two years later, I hugged a tree for the first time, and my soul knew that I had been missing this magical gift from nature. I encourage people always to embrace trees, especially if they’re into nature.
Shante is available by appointment on any of the following Doula Services/Packages:
- Private Baby Care Basics Class
- Doula on Demand
- Personalized Full Services Labor Doula Services
- Team Labor Doula Services
- Planned C-Section
- Welcome Baby Home Package
- Baby Care Basics at Home
For Labor or Postpartum services, please select the location as “VIRTUAL.”
You can enter your Estimated Delivery Date in the calendar to view Doula’s availability.
Then complete Momease’s client intake form, and a Momease Representative will contact you to confirm Doula’s schedule and set up an interview.
Janna Martin
My passion for birth work began early, inspired by my mother, who was a childbirth educator. When my husband and I were expecting our first child in 2002, we prepared with Bradley Method classes. The knowledge and confidence we gained through that experience shaped my desire to help others navigate the transformative transition into parenthood.
In 2011, I became a certified Bradley Method instructor and birth doula, and in 2019, I added postpartum doula certification through DONA International to support families beyond birth. My goal is always to empower parents, helping them build confidence in their choices and their ability to care for their newborn.
As of 2025, I’ve had the privilege of supporting nearly 70 families through labor and/or postpartum care, and teaching well over 100 families in childbirth education classes. In 2024, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Mason University, and I look forward to continuing my work in maternal and infant health as a registered nurse.
Private Childbirth Class (In-Person or Virtual/Home)
Doula on Demand
Team Labor Doula Services
Welcome Baby Home Package
Baby Care Basics at Home
Akilah Witherspoon
I provide prenatal, labor, and postpartum support and bring unique skills and experience to my work. I started my journey as a birth worker in 2016 after completing the Perinatal Community Health Worker Training Program with Mamatoto Village in Washington, DC. I went on to certify as a Perinatal Family Support Worker and helped mothers and families navigate pregnancy while addressing issues such as domestic violence, housing instability, and food insecurity. Through that work, I learned how to help families create realistic family goal plans, locate and access community resources and advocate for themselves. As of May 2024, I have completed over 35 births.
In addition to labor and postpartum support, I offer anticipatory lactation guidance and breastfeeding support, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation and tincture services, and birth photography. I have years of experience working with families with multiple children and toddlers and have worked with families to monitor child development and strengthen parent/child interactions.
I serve families because I was called to. Before entering birth work, I was pre-med and intended to become a medical doctor specializing in women’s reproductive health. However, after giving birth to my daughter, I was led to become a birth worker and doula. Through my own experience and the experiences of the families she served, I have learned essential things for a peaceful and uncomplicated birth experience. I believe a positive birth and postpartum experience is a right, not a privilege, and I know how to empower families to advocate for themselves.
Akilah is available by appointment on any of the following Doula Services/Packages:
- Private Baby Care Basics Class
- Doula on Demand
- Personalize Labor Doula Service
- Sibling Doula Package
For Labor or Postpartum services, please select the location as “VIRTUAL.”
You can enter your Estimated Delivery Date in the calendar to view Doula’s availability.
Then complete Momease’s client intake form, and a Momease Representative will contact you to confirm Doula’s schedule and set up an interview.
Vanessa Hanible
I have been a Birth & Postpartum Doula since December 2015. My experience working with women dealing with domestic and sexual violence allowed me to see the importance of educating and empowering women throughout many stages of life. Many families are unprepared for the adjustment to parenthood. I enjoy helping parents to navigate the emotional, physical, and relational changes that occur after the birth of their baby. I have trained in Perinatal Mood Disorders & Anxiety to assist clients in identifying normal or concerning hormonal and emotional changes during the postpartum period. In 2021, I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultation (IBCLC). I have experience supporting birthing folks during birth, infant care, breastfeeding, parenting education, self-care, and postpartum recovery. I have helped almost 60 families in their homes in the DC metro area in the past six years.
I am an IBCLC, Birth & Postpartum Doula. My first experience with childbirth was in 2013, helping my cousin labor until 9cm before she had an unplanned cesarean section. I felt my cousin was not given the time or the support needed throughout her pregnancy and birth. That experience taught me the importance of women having proper education and support to feel empowered during pregnancy and birth. I believe that childbirth is a powerful and transformative experience. I enjoy watching mothers become empowered by birthing their babies.
I graduated from Tennessee State University with a Degree in Public Health. I trained through Mamatoto Village in the Fall of 2015 as a labor/postpartum doula and breastfeeding coach. I have assisted clients who have planned & unplanned cesareans and medicated and unmedicated vaginal births. Since becoming a doula, I have trained on Spinning Babies, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Healthy Parent-Child Interactions, and Lactation. In addition, I have led childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes, educating hundreds of families in the past six years.
Vanessa is available by appointment on any of the following Doula Services/Packages:
- Private Childbirth Class (In-Person or Virtual/Home)
- Doula on Demand
- Personalized Labor Doula Program
- Personalized Full Services Labor Doula Services
- Planned C-Section
For Labor or Postpartum services, please select the location as “VIRTUAL.”
You can enter your Estimated Delivery Date in the calendar to view Doula’s availability.
Then complete Momease’s client intake form, and a Momease Representative will contact you to confirm Doula’s schedule and set up an interview.
Tisha McFarland
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Veronika Miliner
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Veronika is a pediatric sleep consultant, mom of two, and owner of Whispering Willow Pediatric Sleep Consulting. She supports families with newborn and infant sleep by offering personalized, practical guidance […]
Melinda Montgomery-Jones
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Melinda Montgomery-Jones is a dedicated Postpartum and Sibling Doula with a background in perinatal health. She has been a postpartum doula for over two years. She holds a Master’s degree […]
Brianna Jones
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As a mother of two, I’ve personally experienced the incredible power of natural water births with midwives who supported me every step of the way. Those transformative moments not only […]
Callie Hodge
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My name is Callie Hodge. I’m now a Senior doula working with Momease. I’m a certified doula, completing my certification with CocoLife in March 2023. I have had the privilege […]
Samuel Rodriguez III
April 4, 2023
Samuel “Sam” Rodriguez III is a CPR instructor for Momease. He uses his experience as an EMT in DC, Emergency Room Technician at Providence Hospital, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital […]
