Hi, I’m Ari (she/they)
Certified Full Spectrum Doula
I’m a certified full spectrum doula in Philadelphia, PA (also serving Delaware County; the Main Line; and surrounding areas).
I acknowledge that the land I work and live on is the ancestral and current home of the Lenni-Lenape people.
With a background in the arts, a deep connection to embodiment practices, and a passion for research, I bring a unique blend of creativity, compassion, and evidence-based knowledge to my work as a doula.
As a devoted birth doula, my focus is on providing prenatal education that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of pregnancy and parenthood. I’m here to support you in creating a birth experience that aligns with your vision, to advocate for your needs, and to hold space for you during this transformative journey.
I am committed to uplifting and empowering birthing people of all identities, and I am passionate about accompanying you on a journey of learning to trust and embrace your body and its wisdom.
It would be an honor to be your guide and provide you with compassionate, unwavering, and affirming support.
When I’m not attending births, you can find me working on creative projects, wheel-throwing pottery, hiking, practicing yoga, or hosting dinner parties with my partner. I also work behind the scenes providing administrative support for Refuge Midwifery.
My “Why”:
Before training as a birthworker, I worked as a visual artist and artist's assistant. I see many parallels between the creative process and the act of “mothering”—both are rooted in creation, care, reflection, and nurturing growth through a labor of love. Carework feels like a natural extension of my creative passions and personal strengths.
My journey to becoming a doula was deeply personal. For several years, I navigated the complexities of chronic pain due to endometriosis, spending countless hours in and out of doctors’ offices. During this time, I developed many doula-like habits: researching medical studies, preparing notes for doctor visits, exploring holistic healing practices, and learning how to advocate for myself. These experiences sparked my desire to support others facing similar barriers to quality medical care, as well as those seeking a more holistic approach to health and healing.
I became a doula to offer compassionate care, advocacy, and empowerment to those who need it most—whether navigating the medical system, exploring holistic options, or simply needing someone to walk alongside them in their journey.
Commitments:
I understand that the bodymind is vulnerable and reactive to regimes of oppression.
My goal is to uplift the innate beauty and strength of all bodies, with a focus on supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC parents in navigating barriers to just medical care (though I work with parents of all identities).
I am sensitive to the institutions and practices that contribute to poor maternal and birth outcomes and I maintain that anti-racism is essential to holistic carework.
Philosophy:
I believe that birth and the portal to parenthood is a powerful, transformative metamorphosis that should be revered with patience and care. Nature unfolds in its own time and so do you.
I believe in the right to bodily autonomy and the right for birthing people to make informed and non-coercive decisions in their care.
Relevant experiences
Current Body Ready Method Pro Cohort 2024
Former Doula Team Member at Stork & Sprout
Moonstone: Labor & Birth Doula Training by Cornerstone Trainings
Sunstone: Postpartum Doula Training by Cornerstone Trainings
Capstone: Advanced Full Spectrum Doula Training by Cornerstone Trainings
Doula Training with Birth Coach Method
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certified through the Red Cross (recertification every two years)
Spinning Babies® Workshop