Cathleen Benjamin

Recently Hired
Birth & Postpartum Doula
Pomona, New York
6 years of experience
4.7
About me

Greetings, my name is Cathleen. Born and raised in Rockland County NY. My background has mostly been weaved in women's wellness focusing on mind-body-spirit connectedness. My style of work is intuitive & spirit-led fusing evidence based information. I'm a full spectrum birth worker, breech without borders trainee, Postpartum Healing Specialist weaving ancient & indigenous healing modalities. I have a more holistic approach such as breath work, the use of essential oils, physical touch, and change of laboring positions. I assist home births, hospital and certified to assist at The Birthing Center of NJ. I work with you to help you have the empowered birthing experience that you desire and deserve. Although, I didn't listen to the call to this path until 2020 to become certified birth worker, my first birth that I supported and postpartum care was provided in 2006.

Certification and training

Birthing Advocacy Birth Training (2021)

Birthing Advocacy Postpartum Training (2021)

Holistic Midwifery Skills (2023)

Home Birth Doula Training (2021)

Lower Hudson Valley 20 Hr Clinical Lactation (2021)

Lower Hudson Valley 20 Hr Lactation (2022)

Lactation Counseling Training Course B 52 hr Course (2022)

Calm Birth Training (in-training) (2024)

Breech without Borders (in-training) (2024)

Birthing Advocacy Child Birth Education (in-training) (2024)

Integrative Nutrition & Wellness Coaching (2018)

Memberships and affiliations

Divine Sisterhood Circle

Credentials
CPD CD CFSD
Specialties
Abortion Doula Care Babywearing Belly Binding Birth and Lactation Birth Doula Birth Support Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Support Evidence-Based Care Herbal Postpartum Care Home Birth Labor Doula Mindfulness Positive Thinking Postpartum Care Postpartum Doula Care Self-Esteem Spirituality Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Languages

English, Haitian-Creole

Service introduction

I offer Full Spectrum Doula Support. Prenatal, Birth & Postpartum Care. Providing physical, emotional and informational support to women and their families during the prenatal, birthing and postpartum period. Aid in Birth Planning/Preparation. Lactation Support. Ability to provide comfort with pain-relief techniques including breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions. Breastfeeding Advocate. 6yrs+ of Breastfeeding support, Extended breastfeeding mother of 3. Aid to birthing person to become informed about various birth choices. Holistic Postpartum Care specialist. Postpartum Herbal Bath specialist.

Packages
Prenatal, Labor & Birth Package
Payment Plans and Scholarships May be Available to fund your Support. Please message me. All Mamas / Birthing People deserve support!! Package Includes— Prenatal Birth Labor & Support Pregnancy, birth and the early days of child rearing can sometimes be overwhelming. My role with my Birth Support service is to ensure you get the best information and care possible. No matter when you need me, I will be there offering support. A birth doula can look like a friend, a village, tribe sister who is there as a non-judgmental, non-biased confidante. She can be trauma informed trained and there to help you navigate this new journey as a first time mom, a mom of multiples or maybe you’re a mom again and just want the help you need that will support your wishes. I help you navigate as things arise and we plan and stay ahead of what we can. - Birth Planning Creation discussing Plans A, B, C to keep you empowered and informed to make decisions ahead of time based on different birth scenarios, in the event your plan doesn’t go as you wish you have back up plans and know what that would look like for you and your family - 2 Prenatal visits-virtual/in-person - more if needed - Mindfulness & Body Movement Sessions 6 sessions (private / group sessions) to keep your body moving and build strength as your body goes through necessary changes to prepare and nourish baby - Early Labor Signs & Coping Techniques - When to Contact Your Doula - Baby Registry Product Recommendations - Basics of Cesarean Birth - Comfort Measures and Coping Techniques for Labor & Birth - What to Bring to the Hospital - Labor and delivery support - Tips for Birth Partners - Methods of Induction - Newborn Care - The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin - 2 Postpartum visits -virtual/in-person with breastfeeding support Evidence Based Research & Support They say there are no more villages left to raise a child or aid a mother. This is what having a doula looks like. Birth doulas take the place of or adds the village support to empower the new mother and family. While support looks different for everyone. We can find those local resources you might need as they come up together so you not only have the support to fit your needs, you’re not doing it alone. Birthing Affirmations I have created affirmations for my birthing families as a way of encouragement, support to help you overcome the possible stress and overwhelm that comes with motherhood or parenthood. Sound healing is real. Its the soul food your mind and body needs after a stressful day or to start your day. 6 Body Movement Sessions + Sound Healing Each week we work on trimester safe body movement, and stretching, guided imagery / meditation and end with some relaxing sound bath medicine to align, calm and restore you on a cellular level. Access to join the Divine Sisterhood Circle. Join the discussion on birth to becoming. Each week a peer led conversation is curated from lactation support, infant feeding, healing child / parent wounds, to chakra alignment and child birth education. We meet virtually w/ fun, community building mother baby/child and just mommy in person events as well.
$3,000.00
USD Flat rate
20 Hrs Postpartum Healing Care
Payment Plans and Scholarships May be Available to fund your Support. Please message me. All Mamas / Birthing People deserve support!! Package Includes— Postpartum Support Pregnancy, birth and the early days of child rearing can be very scary and stressful. My role with my Postpartum Support service is to ensure you get the evidence based information and personalized care as possible. No matter when you need me, I will be there offering support. Postpartum care can look like a friend, a village, tribe sister who is there as a non-judgmental, non-biased confidante. She will handle the little tasks while you snuggle, feed, do skin-skin. She may fold your little bundles onesies and lightly organize the nursery for you. She may run you the perfect sitz or Herbal Postpartum Healing Bath. She may cook you a simple, balanced and nutritious meal, make you a juice or delicious smoothie. Pour you a hot cup of tea or coffee: Some days you’ll just need an ear to vent. Some days you just want rest. While you care for baby your doula will care for you. I help you feel at home in your new body on your new journey. 20 hrs Support Includes: (extension available if needed) 3-4 hr shifts - Postpartum Depression Screening - Infant Care - Identifying Feeding Cues - Help with baby wearing - Help with belly binding - Product Recommendations - Emotional Support - Womb Massage - Moxa - Breastfeeding / Lactation Support - Milk Pumping Assistance - Newborn/Infant Assistance - Diaper Changing Assistance - Burping Assistance - Indication of Normal Recovery & when help is necessary - Help create a meal train of friends, family and loved ones for new mom / expanding family - Help with cesarean care - Haitian Postpartum Baths - Postpartum Haitian Traditional Meals *optional - Meal preparations - *Light* housekeeping Evidence Based Research & Support They say there are no more villages left to raise a child or aid a mother. This is what postpartum care looks like. Postpartum doulas take the place of or adds the village support to empower the new mother and family. While support looks different for everyone. We can find those local resources you might need as they come up together so you not only have the support to fit your needs, you’re not doing it alone. Postpartum Affirmations I have created affirmations for my postpartum families as a way of encouragement, support to help you overcome the possible stress and overwhelm that comes with motherhood or parenthood. Sound healing is real. Its the soul food your mind and body needs after a stressful day or to start your day. Access to join the Divine Sisterhood Circle. Join the discussion on birth to becoming. Each week a peer led conversation is curated from lactation support, infant feeding, healing child / parent wounds, to chakra alignment and child birth education. We meet virtually w/ fun, community building mother baby/child and just mommy in person events as well.
$2,500.00
USD Flat rate
Virtual Support
Need a Virtual Birth Companion? How I can be your Birth Companion? Even though I can’t be present in the birthing room with you I can support you in your birthing journey. - Birth Planning Creation discussing Plans A, B, C to keep you empowered and informed to make decisions ahead of time based on different birth scenarios, in the event your plan doesn’t go as you wish you have back up plans and know what that would look like for you and your family - Creation of personal Birthing Affirmations - Four ( 4 ) Prenatal visits-virtual - Six ( 6 ) Mindfulness & Body Movement Sessions sessions (private / group sessions) to keep your body moving and build strength as your body goes through necessary changes to prepare and nourish baby - Early Labor Signs & Coping Techniques - When to Contact Your Doula - Baby Registry Product Recommendations - Basics of Cesarean Birth - VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) Support, Facts and Research Shared - Comfort Measures and Coping Techniques - What to Bring to the Hospital - Labor and delivery support - Tips for Birth Partners - Methods of Induction - Newborn Care - The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin I will assist in creating your birth plan and postpartum plan. Provide evidence based trimester pertinent resources throughout your pregnancy. I will be your virtual birth coach day of birth. Sending you ideas to create the environment you desire based on your birth preferences whether a home or hospital birth. You also get…. 10hrs of Postpartum Support Emotional Support (zoom or FaceTime) Holding space for Birth Processing as you navigate through your birthing and postpartum journey with Talk Therapy Weekly check ins for the first 3months of postpartum (during business hours) Divine Soul Juicing Recipes (e-book) Assistance in building a Support Network Body Empowerment talks Help you come up with a list of questions for your pediatrician Navigating language around having guests while newly postpartum Help you create Support Resources Help you Set Up a Meal Train Infant Feeding Support Guiding pump and nursing sessions Infant Care Basics Provides resources and virtual lactation and access to breastfeeding support group 2 Sound bath healing sessions Create personal Postpartum Affirmations Navigating New Parent Life
$777.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Average
4.7
# of Reviews
7
5.0

What a blessing it was having Cathleen by my side during prenatal and postpartum care. She's not only knowledgeable, she really cared for my well being and really focused on making sure I was comfortable in every stage of my birthing experience. I highly recommend her services.

- Ori-Ann D.

4.0

This was my 2nd pregnancy and felt like I needed an advocate well versed in the birthing experience to be there with me and my partner, especially because I wanted to achieve a VBAC in a hospital setting. I'm so glad I met Cathleen and purchased her prenatal & birth support package. It was great to have her positive energy throughout my VBAC journey. Our movement sessions were my favorite part of the prenatal journey. In the delivery room her presence alone was calming and peaceful. As I went through each contraction she was there taking the edge of the intense feeling through movement. She also encouraged me with her words and reminded me that I can achieve what I had in my birth plan. She didn't leave until the baby was born and also introduced me to a supportive group of ladies who discuss all things surrounding motherhood. In the end I successfully achieved my VBAC. Thank you Cathleen!

- Shernae S.

5.0

I am very glad to have Cathleen as my support during my pregnancy and childbirth. It was my first pregnancy and childbirth, and I was very anxious and worried all the time. Cathleen met with me online regularly to give me advice and guidance through my last part of pregnancy and early childbirth. She also came to visit in person to teach me breathing techniques in preparation for childbirth. I am very fortunate to work with her. With her care and guidance, I gained much more confidence in my last stage of pregnancy, and I felt more prepared for childbirth. It wasn’t easy for me because I didn’t have any other family or friends other than my husband, so Cathleen felt like an older sister to me and being there for me when I needed her. She also introduced me to online mom community. We met often and support one another. Cathleen is a very caring and loving person. She is also very professional and knowledgeable. I highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking for support during pregnancy or childbirth.

- Yuanyuan B.

4.0

I really looked forward to having Cathleen over offering a wide range of healing services. Her energy was so healing, from being able to vent about mommyhood to postpartum baths and meditation session. Her meals were absolutely delicious and healthy. The experience of having her during my postpartum journey was invaluable.

- Estefania M.

5.0

Imagine having to give birth to your first child at the height of a pandemic, your baby being a preemie and having to make split second decisions and not have anyone you trust to turn to. Well that was me BUT thankfully I had hired Cathleen for her doula services. Fortunately, we were able to communicate virtually and she went into action immediately with alternatives when my original birth plan had to change. Cathleen always provided above and beyond care during my pregnancy and she was always available to answer my questions and reassured me when I had concerns. She was especially helpful with my breastfeeding journey with a ton of resources and the encouragement I needed to stay positive. I can't say enough about the level of care I received from Cathleen but if you are looking for a doula who is informed, passionate, patient, and reliable than choosing to hire Cathleen will be the best decision you ever make.

- Marva L.

5.0

During the beginning of my pregnancy I had absolutely no idea what to do , didn't know what questions to ask my doctor & I had no idea what to expect during birth. Cathleen bought me so much clarity during my journey. She attended all my appointments & helped me come up with some questions to ask my doctor. She honored me with a Mother's blessing which I really enjoyed because it was the one thing that was about ME..During labor she helped me remain relaxed. I got to bring my little one into the world with some positive vibes thanks to her...and the amount of support I received from her during my breastfeeding journey helped me pull thru during the times I didn't think I could...my birth experience was truly a great experience thanks to her! Highly recommend!

- Christina N.

5.0

Cathleen provided perfect Parinatal care for me and my infant beyond the scope of our contract . She is very patient and caring as I navigated HG . Once hired Cathleen was very verse all things birthing including local resources for parent support that was evidence based . Cathleen was the best support person during my homebirth journey and respected all my birthing choices . I was so happy to find a local person who could infused my cultural birthing practices with expertise. You will not be disappointed if you choose Cathleen.

- Stephanie L.

Frequently asked questions
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