WHO WE ARE…
We are a holistic birth company that integrates yoga with pregnancy, provides tailored guidance during birth, and advocates for perinatal wellness.
–
Brittany and Stephanie met at a labor doula training in October 2015, and launched Apple Birth & Wellness in 2016. As owners of a birth company, it’s critical for our team to reflect our compassionate care philosophy, commitment to health equity and anti-racism, and to have an appropriate level of snark and love of GIFs. You can rest assured that anyone you hire from our team will be an amazing support person for you and your family!
Stephanie Cruse, MA
Owner | Birth Doula |Postpartum Doula | Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Teacher | Childbirth Educator | Integrative Health & Wellness Coach
Reassuring, Sincere, Humorous
My unique vibe: Tuning into you and your partner and holding space for you to say the things you feel like you can’t say to anyone else, ask the questions you think are “silly”, and being a strong, steady, and mood-lifting presence for you during labor.
Birth happens from the brain, so we’re going to work a lot on the mental and emotional pieces for birth prep in order to help you effectively manage the intensity and discomforts of labor.
Specialties: Pregnancy and New Parent Coaching, Mindful Resilience From Trauma, Supporting Clients with Anxiety, TENS Unit Trained
Favorite podcast/TV show: Unlocking Us / Parks & Rec / Ted Lasso
Brittany Dowell, RN
Owner | Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula | Prenatal Yoga Teacher | Childbirth Educator | Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
Loyal, Warm, Brave
My unique vibe: Each client and family is unique but we all have the same need for respect, safety, and support. I come to work with each family and assess their individual needs to determine how I can best support them to have a positive experience.
There’s no one perfect way to have/parent a baby; there’s only what’s right for you and your family.
Specialties: VBAC
Favorite podcast/TV show: New Girl
Rebecca Henry
Birth Doula | Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Teacher
Generous, Empathetic, Communicative
My unique vibe: All births are good births – no matter what they look like. My job is to lead you through the experience that you want to have, not to convince you of otherwise.
We are a team – mom is the president of the team, with your partner there as the vice-president, and as the doula, I’m the CFO or financial officer – I’m there in the background with information so that you can make the most informed choices. But mom is the leader – we follow her lead.
Specialties: Spinning Babies, Pre/Postnatal Yoga Teacher, Pelvic Floor Yoga Certified, Trained in Supporting Clients with Trauma
Favorite podcast/TV show: This American Life
Shaina Moreira
Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula | Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Empathetic, Diligent, Adventurous
My unique vibe: My approach is to establish a deep and meaningful connection with clients. Building a relationship by listening, sharing, and holding space for birthers (and their partners) helps to establish the trust necessary for families to have fulfilling and meaningful experiences throughout the entire birthing process.
I am committed to providing you with a safe and comfortable environment with unbiased support, that empowers you to make the right decisions for yourself and your family.
Specialties: Spinning Babies, Rebozo Method, Feldenkrais Method, B.S. in Early Childhood Education
Favorite podcast/TV show: Seinfeld
Sharnice Senior
Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula
Vibrant, Personable, Motivated
My unique vibe: I support each client based on their needs.
Remember to stay hydrated!
Specialties: High-Risk Pregnancy, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Favorite podcast/TV show: For the past year, it’s been the BabyFirst TV Channel!
Jaely Chamberlain Turner
Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula
Authentic, Warm, Intuitive
My unique vibe: I have become increasingly passionate about helping birthing people tune into, trust, and find their voices to advocate for what their inner knowing is telling them, as they navigate a culture that can easily pull them away from their own invaluable wisdom.
Specialties: High-risk pregnancy, Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Teacher, Postpartum Peer Mentor
Favorite podcast/TV show: The Birth Hour and Caffeine for the Soul!
Ariel Rubin, CLC
Certified Lactation Counselor
Adventurous, Kind, Attentive
My unique vibe: Meeting families where they are, always checking in on their goals before offering advice.
Every parent should have support to feed their baby.
Specialties: High-risk pregnancies, Twins/multiples
Siena Butler
Birth Doula, Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula
Easygoing, Thorough, Compassionate
My unique vibe: My approach is oriented towards having a positive birth experience based on what values are important to the family that I am working with.
Birth is a microcosm of life, you encounter hard things and beautiful things and in return are gifted with that which is invaluable
Specialties: VBAC, Loss/Stillbirth, Hospital Birth Advocacy
Favorite podcast/TV show: Your Own Magic
Lisa Signorile
Birth Doula
Empathetic, Big-Hearted, Supportive
My unique vibe: Showing up with a smile and sticking by your side with empowerment, positivity and reassurance every step of the way!
You’ve got this, breathe and let your body lead.
Specialties: Spinning Babies, Pregnancy, Birth & Newborn Photography, Experienced Nanny
Favorite podcast/TV show: The Birthful Podcast
Olga A Kochergina
Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
Open, Soft, Attentive
My unique vibe: I aim to create space for folks to be generous with themselves; to deemphasize outcomes and prioritize the experience; to help understand what tools are available, their roles and limitations. I will love learning about you, and internal and external journeys you are taking.
Specialties: VBAC, releasing anxiety, parenting
Favorite podcast/TV show: Stephen Universe, Adventure Time, Bluey
Brielle Weber
Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Yoga Teacher
Resourceful, Calm, Steady
My unique vibe: I want my clients to having an empowering birth/postnatal experience based on however they define empowering for themselves.
Specialties: High-risk pregnancies, Twins/multiples, Spinning Babies, Prenatal Yoga, Pelvic Floor Yoga
Favorite podcast/TV show: Obsessed with This Podcast Will Kill You
Alison Knotek
Birth Doula
Eager, enthusiastic, empathetic (triple E!)
My unique vibe: Empathy, Support, and Education.
It doesn’t matter how or where you have your baby, I will educate you on your options and support you in any way you need.
Specialties: High-risk pregnancies, Twins/multiples, VBAC, Support after a traumatic birth
Favorite podcast/TV show:
See what we're up to...
Get the Latest
FROM THE BLOG
Get Invited
TOP 5 YOGA POSES FOR PREGNANCY
We serve the Washington, D.C. area, including the communities of
Adams Morgan, Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, Bethesda, Brightwood, Brookland, Burke, Capitol Hill, Chevy Chase, Clarendon, College Park, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, Fairfax, Falls Church, Foggy Bottom, Fort Totten, Fort Belvoir, Friendship Heights, Glover Park, Georgetown, Hyattsville, Logan Circle, Lorton, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Pleasant, Mt. Rainier, Navy Yard, Oakton, Palisades, Penn Quarter, Petworth, Reston, Rockville, Silver Spring, Springfield, Takoma Park, Tenleytown, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Woodbridge, Woodley Park, and more.