Meet the Team

A team of experienced birth and postpartum doulas and lactation consultants (IBCLCs), providing comprehensive, family-centered support throughout the DC Metro and Baltimore Area.

Gabriell Garner, Founder and Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Newborn Care Specalist

Gabriell Garner

Founder & Director of Operations
Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator & Pediatric Sleep Consultant

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Dale

Dale Kaplan

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator

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Martie

Martie Vinson

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator

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Nicole White

Nicole White

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator

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Screenshot

Portia Washington

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula

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Flokstra_Bianca_784-0603

Bianca Flockstra

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

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Jocelyn Farmer

Jocelyn Farmer

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula

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Lebo

Lebo Letsie

Certified Postpartum Doula

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Amy Owen

Amy Ownen

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

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Melissa

Melissa Wiedel

Certified Postpartum Doula

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Inclusion Statement

inclusive, welcoming environment

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where every family feels seen, valued, and supported. We recognize and honor the diverse identities, backgrounds, and
experiences of all individuals, understanding that every parent’s journey is unique. Our services are designed to be accessible and responsive to the needs of all families, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or cultural background.

We believe that true support comes from listening, learning, and adapting to the diverse needs of our community, and we are dedicated to providing compassionate, equitable care that empowers every mother and family we serve.

Dale is a certified birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator with more than 22 years of experience supporting growing families. Since attending the birth of her first grandson in 2003, she has been passionate about helping parents navigate pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period with confidence and support. Over the course of her career, Dale has attended more than 600 births and has built a reputation for providing compassionate, personalized care while fostering strong relationships with both expectant mothers and their partners.

Dale believes every family deserves to feel informed, empowered, and supported throughout their journey. She takes great pride in helping families prepare for birth, understand their options, and advocate for their preferences while creating a calm and reassuring presence during labor and delivery. Approximately 96% of the births she attends result in vaginal births, both medicated and unmedicated.

Her extensive training includes CAPPA birth doula certification, postpartum doula training, childbirth education, Spinning Babies®, acupressure for labor support, Reiki Level II, 4-7-8 meditation and breathing techniques, and Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) training. By combining evidence-based education with holistic comfort measures, Dale helps families feel supported physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Martie’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) 

Nicole is a proud mother of nine amazing children and a blessed grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren. For more than 26 years, caring for and supporting children and families has been a meaningful part of her life. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the many joys, challenges, and transitions families experience along the way.

For the past seven years, Nicole has had the privilege of supporting mothers and families as a doula. What began as a passion quickly grew into a true calling. She fell in love with the beauty of birth and the opportunity to help families feel supported, informed, and empowered during one of the most important times in their lives.

Nicole’s heart is to help families feel heard, informed, confident, empowered, and cared for throughout pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and the postpartum period. She believes every family deserves individualized support that honors their needs, values, preferences, and unique experience.

It is truly an honor for Nicole to walk alongside families during such a transformative season. Whether a family is preparing to welcome their first baby or adding another little one, she is committed to providing encouragement, education, reassurance, and compassionate support every step of the way.

Qualifications:

  • International Childbirth Education Association Birth Doula Certification
  • International Childbirth Education Association Postpartum Doula Certification
  • International Childbirth Education Association Childbirth Educator Certification
  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Portia 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 & Childbirth Educator

  • Lactation Education Resources Certified Lactation Specialist

  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Jocelyn 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

Amy is a true family advocate.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in human lactation. She began her career supporting families as a doula in the Philadelphia metro area, attending hospital, home, and birth center births.

Her personal breastfeeding journey was deeply rewarding and quickly grew into a passion for supporting others in their own feeding journeys.

Amy owned and operated a state-registered daycare in Vermont for six years before moving to Maryland in 2021. She completed her internship at Metropolitan Breastfeeding in Fall 2022 and has since enjoyed serving families in the area, helping them meet their feeding goals.

She is passionate about improving breastfeeding outcomes both locally and globally and is committed to being part of a strong, supportive community that uplifts families throughout the childbearing years.

Qualifications

  • Board Certified Lactation Consultant
  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology
  • Master’s degree in human lactation
  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Melissa brings over 25 years of experience supporting families and caring for children across a wide range of settings, including homes, child care centers, medical clinics, classrooms, and churches. Her work has spanned public, private, religious, and military sectors, giving her a deeply rooted understanding of family systems, child development, and compassionate care.

With comprehensive training in child development, early intervention, and postpartum doula support through DONA, Melissa is passionate about ensuring families feel nurtured, supported, and truly seen throughout the postpartum transition. She believes every member of the family deserves compassionate care during this transformative season and feels honored to walk alongside families as they adjust to life with a new baby.

Melissa’s approach is warm, grounded, and heart-centered. Drawing from her extensive background as a postpartum doula, longtime nanny, and child development specialist, she offers gentle guidance, emotional reassurance, and practical support while creating a safe space where families feel heard, cared for, and never alone.

Outside of supporting families, Melissa enjoys interior design, baking, and spending time with her two beloved fur babies, Ellie and Trina.


Qualifications

  • DONA International Postpartum 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