Madeline Peikes is a DONA certified birth doula, a certified Lactation Counselor, and is certified in Neonatal Resuscitation. She was inspired to become a doula after the profound and unexpectedly empowering experience of giving birth to her daughter 4 years ago. In her years of working as a doula, Madeline has found that while every woman births differently – whether she births at home or a hospital, with medication or without – every woman is equipped with the powerful instincts that can guide her through birth. As a doula it is her aim to aid mothers in following those instincts in a way that feels right to them. In her work as a doula, Madeline draws on a diversity of interests, from her passion for cooking and community, to her love of swimming as an outlet for both body and mind. She brings with her a strong sense of compassion, a calming presence, and unflinching support.
Madeline has experience in hospitals, birthing centers and at homebirths and works with clients who are planning a natural birth as well as with those planning on the use of epidural. She also has experience with high risk pregnancies, multiples, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and breech presentation. In addition to her training as a doula, she has completed workshops with Gail Tully of Spinning Babies, with Gena Kirby on the use of the rebozo in labor, and is planning to begin training as a Childbirth Educator in March. Madeline is a native New Yorker and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and 4 year old daughter.