VBAC Birth Doula Support in Utica & Central New York
If your first birth didn’t go the way you’ve imagined, you’re definitely not alone – and you can take charge and have a redemptive, beautiful experience this time around.
Supporting families through VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) is work we hold especially close. Many parents who find us are carrying a traumatic birth story: a cesarean that felt rushed, a labor where they didn’t feel heard, a recovery that stole those first precious weeks. If that’s you, we want you to hear this: your body didn’t fail you. And your story isn’t finished.
Whether you’re planning to deliver at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, Oneida Health, St. Joseph’s Birthplace, Upstate Family Birth Center, Rome Health, Wynn Hospital in Utica, or in the comfort of your own home, we know these birth spaces well – the providers, the routines, the questions worth asking – and we help you feel at home in whichever one you choose.
And yes, we absolutely love home births. Supporting families through home birth is one of the great joys of our work, and our doulas partner closely with local midwives to help your birth unfold the way you’ve envisioned it.
We don't just support VBAC – we've lived it
Our doula Erica Ciccone came to this work through her own journey: a traumatic first cesarean, followed by three empowering VBACs of her own. She wrote about it honestly here: Finding My Voice in the Delivery Room →
That lived experience shapes how our whole team walks with VBAC families. In recent months, Erica has supported four families through successful VBAC births – healthy mamas, healthy babies, and rooms full of the kind of joy that only comes with a redemptive birth.
We can never promise an outcome — birth doesn’t work that way, and anyone who promises otherwise isn’t being honest with you. What we can promise is that you will never walk into your birth alone, unheard, or unprepared.
Meet our Birth Doulas
Click to learn more about them
Birth Doula & Certified Lactation Counselor. A VBAC mama three times over, Erica brings hard-won wisdom and fierce, gentle advocacy to every birth.
Birth Doula & Certified Lactation Counselor. From home births to twins, Brittney is the calm in the room – and wants to bring back the village
Birth & Postpartum Doula. Steady, nurturing support through birth and the first weeks home.
Birth & Postpartum Doula and Medicaid-enrolled provider. Birth support, newborn and postpartum care brought to you with warmth, skill, and calm.
Birth & postpartum doula and mental health therapist offering calm, trauma-informed support through birth and beyond.
Anastasia Kot, RN, Midwifery Student, Birth Doula
She bring a wealth of knowladge, passion and positive energy to every encounter ensuring parents are ready for every birth scenerio.
If you are a birth or postpartum Doula interested in joining our team, please email us at an**@*******************on.com
What VBAC support with us looks like
Comprehensive VBAC Support Package - $1300
- Processing your previous birth – before we plan forward, we make space for what happened before
- Finding truly VBAC-supportive care – we know which local providers and hospitals genuinely welcome VBAC (and which policies to ask about), and we help you find your people
- Evidence-based preparation – real numbers on VBAC success rates and risks, so your decisions come from knowledge, not fear
- Comfort measures and positioning for labor, practiced together before the big day
- Advocacy by your side – when you’re deep in labor, we help make sure your voice stays in the room
“Before I met Erica, I honestly never believed a VBAC could be part of my story… My VBAC was successful, but more than that – it was healing.” – Lex, VBAC mama
Your next birth can be the one that heals. Let’s talk about it — no pressure, no commitment.
What our clients say about care they received
Brittney was my birth doula and I could not have done it without her! With a very long induction there were many hard decisions that Brittney helped my husband and I make. She provided unbiased information about pros and cons and supported whatever decision we made.
Once I was in active labor Brittney became my voice and advocated for me with hospital staff communicating with them on my goals so I could focus on labor.
She also provided me with multiple different pain management techniques that helped me through so many contractions as well as being one of the biggest cheerleaders in the room giving me the confidence boost I needed as a first time mom!
Brittney is so knowledgeable, kind, and compassionate!”
Kallie
I was matched with Brit through a doula program offered by our county, at first I was skeptical figuring she would be less experienced than what I was looking for considering I was pregnant with twins and really needed someone in my corner to help me achieve the natural birth I was looking for, but upon meeting her for the first time I felt very at ease and confident that she was the doula for me.
Through the whole process she was supportive and excited as I navigated the waters to have a home birth and even agreed to travel a longer distance for the birth so that I could have the midwife that I chose. When the time came for my twins to arrive she was a comforting presence, took some amazing photos, and helped both my girls to latch instantly!
It was an epic experience for all involved! After she supported me through breastfeeding and gave me confidence when I was struggling by suggesting different positions and just ensuring me that I was doing a great job by her encouraging words. She is a tender and loving soul and if I were to have another child I would 110% want to have Britt by my side again.
Natasha
When my primary doula was unable to attend my birth, Britt filled in. My labor was the first time we had met, but I couldn’t imagine my birth without her.
She was so calm, warm, comforting and encouraging. Not only did she support me, but she also looked out for my husband’s wellbeing. Her presence truly helped me feel more calm, and as someone who struggles with anxiety, I’m so grateful that I had her support.
Britt validated that everything I was going through as I moved through the stages of labor was completely normal and okay. Her experience as a lactation counselor was also great to have as a first time breastfeeding mother who needed help with the initial latch and feed. I already know I’ll be turning to her for support in any future pregnancies and births.”
— Nicole
Erica has been so wonderful and supportive on my breastfeeding and new mom journey! Our little ones are only a month apart and she was able to understand what I’m going through and offer excellent guidance and reassurance. She came over to do an individualized session with me and afterwards I felt much more confident I was doing right by my new baby. She was a wealth of new information and so sweet with my son who was just post frenectomy. Her commitment to lactation is so admirable and she has always been quick to share she is just a text away. 
Allison
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to expressing my gratitude. Before I met Erica, I honestly never believed a VBAC could be part of my story.
Her passion, knowledge, and unwavering belief in women’s strength changed everything for me. Through her guidance and encouragement, I found the confidence to trust my body, my intuition, and the birth process in a way I never had before.
She held space for me with such compassion – reminding me that birth can be empowering, not fearful. Because of her inspiration, I went into my second birth not just prepared, but truly believing in myself. And that belief made all the difference.
My VBAC was successful, but more than that. it was healing and I owe so much of that to her heart and dedication. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me see what was possible. I will forever be grateful for your presence on this journey.
-Lex
I couldn’t recommend Brittney enough to anyone searching for a doula to support them. I found Brittney late in my pregnancy and am so grateful I reached out.
She was everything I didn’t know I would need during my VBAC home birth! I instantly felt calmed and supported by her and feel she was an instrumental part in making my birth experience everything I hoped it’d be.
You can tell this is her calling! I’m forever grateful!
Jordyn
I’d like to share my amazing experience with Erica as my support doula through my VBAC and her breastfeeding support after.
Erica provided me so much education on my options for induction and really helped me to advocate for myself. She reminded me the power I have in my choices for the birth of my baby.
I don’t think I would’ve been as confident and comfortable with my choices if I didn’t have Erica as support.
Erica continued to support me as a lactation specialist, giving me tips and tricks, and assuring me it was okay to keep trying. We went from supplementing with formula multiple times a day to barely at all now within only a couple weeks.
I am beyond grateful for Erica, for her knowledge, her support and encouragement through my entire journey. I highly recommend her for any momma needing that support or even just someone to reassure them that they’re doing a great job.
Bekah