Birth support, rooted in trust, guided by evidence.

I'm Susan Donovan, a birth doula dedicated to serving families and individuals throughout NYC.

I came to birth work through a career with a single through-line: meeting people at significant and vulnerable moments, building relationships rooted in trust, and helping them navigate complex, often intimidating systems with information, confidence, and support. As a New York City public school teacher, I built the kind of relationships with children and families that made learning possible. As a high school college counselor and post-secondary persistence counselor, I guided first-generation college students through unfamiliar systems, making sure they had what they needed not just to get there but to stay. As a volunteer with the Parole Preparation Project, I sit with incarcerated people as they prepare for one of the most high-stakes moments of their lives, helping them find their voice and tell their story. In each of these roles, the work has been the same: relationship building, information sharing, and space holding.

Becoming a birth doula was a natural extension of that work, and a deeply personal response to a crisis I couldn't ignore: the devastating maternal mortality rate in the United States and its disproportionate impact on Black and brown birthing people. I believe that having an informed, steady presence in the birth room—someone who knows you, understands what matters to you, and helps make sure your voice is heard—can make a profound difference in both the experience and the outcome. I also believe this kind of support should be available to everyone, regardless of financial situation.

My approach is calm, grounded, and evidence-based. I invest deeply in the prenatal relationship, getting to know your fears, hopes, and wishes long before labor begins, so that by the time we're in that room together, we feel like a team. I can't guarantee outcomes, but I can promise that you'll feel supported and heard every step of the way. I'll help you understand your options, clarify your priorities, and stay at the center of every conversation with your healthcare team.

I'm a born-and-bred New Yorker and the mother of three adult daughters. I've given birth myself, and I bring the steadiness and perspective of someone who has lived through many of life's defining moments. If this sounds like the kind of support you're looking for, I'd love to hear from you