FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Flourishing Mama Co. offers comprehensive support for growing families, including birth doula support, postpartum doula support, childbirth education, lactation support, pediatric sleep consulting, placenta encapsulation services, and breastfeeding and maternal support groups. Our services are designed to provide evidence-based education, compassionate guidance, and personalized care from pregnancy through the postpartum period.

We serve Washington, DC, Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, McLean, Falls Church), Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Carroll County and parts of Frederick County,

The certifications our providers hold depend on their role within our practice. We require all of our doulas to maintain a valid certification from a training organization approved by the State of Maryland. This ensures they have completed comprehensive training and have demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, evidence-based, and compassionate support to families.

Our lactation consultants are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)—the highest internationally recognized credential in the field of lactation. Earning the IBCLC credential requires extensive education, hundreds of supervised clinical hours, and successful completion of a rigorous board examination.

Many of our providers also hold additional certifications and specialized training, including childbirth education, newborn care, pediatric sleep consulting, and placenta encapsulation. We are committed to ongoing continuing education so our team can provide families with the most current, evidence-based care throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early parenthood.

There’s no right or wrong time to book! You can reach out to us at any point during your pregnancy or even once you’ve had your baby. However, we recommend contacting us as early as possible to ensure availability. We also do our best to accommodate last-minute due dates when possible.

After submitting an inquiry, you’ll receive an email with the appropriate link to schedule a consultation. Following your consultation, we’ll verify your insurance eligibility, if applicable, and match you with a doula whose availability aligns with your estimated due date. You’ll then have the opportunity to schedule a virtual Meet Your Doula call to connect with your doula, ask questions, and get to know one another before moving forward.

Yes, we accept Maryland Medicaid.

Once a family decides to move forward with doula support, we’ll pair you with a doula whose availability and schedule align with your due date and support needs. You’ll then have the opportunity to schedule a 20-minute virtual Meet Your Doula call to get acquainted, share your preferences, ask questions, and learn more about the doula who may be supporting you throughout your birth experience.

The best way to verify if your insurance plan covers doula support is to contact the number on the back of your insurance card. 

Yes! We accept HSA and FSA payments, as well as eligible employer fertility and family-building benefits. Flourishing Mama Co. is also listed in the Carrot Fertility Benefits Directory. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan, so we recommend confirming your individual benefits before booking.

 

Currently, we are in-network with Cigna for lactation support services. If you have Cigna coverage, we’ll verify your benefits before your appointment to determine your eligibility.

If you have a different insurance provider, payment is due at the time of service. After your visit, we will provide you with a detailed superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your individual insurance plan and benefits.

If your assigned doula is unexpectedly unavailable when you go into labor, we will make every effort to provide an experienced backup doula from our team. If we are unable to provide backup support, you will receive a refund for the birth support services that were not provided. Fees for services already rendered are non-refundable.

Our support begins well before your on-call period. From the time you begin services with us, families receive weekly or biweekly check-ins, regardless of the birth package selected, and our team is available seven days a week for questions and concerns. Your birth doula’s official on-call period begins two weeks before your estimated due date and continues through two weeks after your due date.

 

Jocelyn Farmer is a DMV native currently based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula and a loving mother to her 7-year-old son. Inspired by her own birth experience, Jocelyn developed a passion for supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey.

At the heart of Jocelyn’s work is a desire to create a nonjudgmental, safe, and empowering space where mothers feel heard, respected, and supported. She believes every family deserves compassionate care that honors their individual needs, preferences, and experiences.

Jocelyn’s philosophy surrounding birth and postpartum care centers on three core values: empowerment, education, and healing. Whether a family is preparing for a medicated birth, an unmedicated birth, or a cesarean birth, Jocelyn provides steady, compassionate support while helping parents feel informed and confident in their decisions.

With what she describes as a bit of a “modern-day hippie” personality, Jocelyn brings warmth, positivity, and a down-to-earth presence to her work. Families can expect her to be welcoming, caring, honest, and professional—with a little humor, plenty of smiles, and a calm, reassuring energy.

Above all, Jocelyn is committed to meeting families where they are, respecting their choices, and providing compassionate support throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.

Qualifications

  • ProDoula Labor Doula Certification
  • ProDoula Postpartum and Infant Care Doula Certification
  • CPR & First Aid

Danielle is dedicated to educating and empowering parents through the newborn stage and helping them navigate infant and toddler sleep challenges. With 15 years of experience working closely with families, she understands the unique struggles and joys of early parenthood and aims to provide the guidance and support parents need during this critical time. Danielle’s approach is rooted in compassion, offering customized solutions that respect each family’s needs and parenting style.

Through her expertise as a certified pediatric sleep consultant and newborn care specialist, Danielle helps parents establish healthy sleep habits for their babies and toddlers, ensuring that everyone in the family gets the rest they need. Her goal is to equip parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to create a peaceful, restful environment in their homes, allowing them to fully enjoy the precious early years with their children

Qualifications 

  • Newborn Care Training Academy Newborn Care Specialist 
  • Center for Pediatric Sleep Management Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant 
  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Portia Washington is a passionate advocate for maternal empowerment and birth advocacy. With a deep commitment to supporting mothers and their families, she works tirelessly to provide the tools, knowledge, and emotional support needed to make informed decisions about childbirth. Portia believes that every mother deserves to feel confident, informed, and in control of her birth experience, regardless of the circumstances.

Through personalized guidance, educational resources, and a compassionate approach, she helps families navigate the complexities of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care. With years of experience and a heart dedicated to nurturing both mothers and families, Portia empowers women to trust in their bodies, make choices that feel right for them, and foster positive birth memories that last a lifetime

Qualifications 

  • International Doulas Institute Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula 

  • Lactation Education Resources Certified Lactation Specialist

  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Martie Vinson’s  journey into birth work began at 18 when she became a certified birth and postpartum doula. For more than a decade, she’s had the privilege of supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, helping them feel informed, empowered, and cared for during some of life’s most transformative moments.

Over the years, Martie has trained closely alongside community birth professionals and gained extensive hands-on experience supporting clients in home, birth center, and hospital settings. These experiences have deepened her commitment to evidence-based care, informed consent, and honoring each family’s unique values and goals. Martie believes birth exists on a spectrum of normal and that every person deserves compassionate, nonjudgmental support as they navigate their own path.

Martie is especially passionate about supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families and helping address the disparities that continue to impact maternal and infant health outcomes. Creating inclusive, affirming spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and respected is at the heart of her work.

Qualifications 

  • Balanced Birth Support Birth  Doula Certification 
  • Balanced Birth Support Postpartum Doula Certification 
  • CPR & First Aid Certified
  • Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)