Krista Sullivan-Owner, Birth & Postpartum Doula
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Krista Sullivan-Owner,
Birth & Postpartum Doula Krista started Monumental Beginnings as a solo adventure, and since developed it into a busy practice that provides services throughout pregnancy, birth and into postpartum. Krista graduated in 2014 from Keene State College with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Women & Gender Studies. She went on to teach for several years in Boston Public Schools before founding Monumental Beginnings. A natural educator, she connected deeply with families and realized that her calling was helping families in their own homes. Krista specializes in working with first-time parents, single parent families, military families, high-risk pregnancies, infertility complications, immigrant families, adoption, LGBTQ community & Advanced Maternal Age. Krista maintains great working relationships with families and professionals throughout Rhode Island, South Shore Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Greater Boston. When not working with families, Krista enjoys time at the beach, walks and runs outside, essential oils, and day trips to new places. |
Birth Doula, Erinn Bray
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Erinn Bray- Birth & Postpartum Doula
With a passion for family and childcare Erinn originally pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. She attended her first birth in 2002, being the primary support for a young mother. Through attending family and friends births and the birth of her own children, Erinn’s passion shifted more to the pregnancy, birth and postpartum aspects of family. Her goal is to give you and your family the attention and knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy and labor process as well as your postpartum experience. Erinn provides non-judgmental support providing individualized care based on your choices and preferences. She wants families to always feel respected and cared for and wants to leave them feeling heard and confident. Erinn is a DONA certified Birth Doula, a CAPPA trained Postpartum Doula and a Placenta Training Company Placenta Encapsulator. She lives on Cape Cod with her husband and their two teenage children. She loves spending time with her family. She enjoys nature, kayaking, walking, yoga, knitting and cooking/baking. She loves supporting families and is always happy to help in anywayshe can. |
Suzan Scharr- RN, IBCLC, Childbirth Educator
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Suzan Scharr, RN, IBCLC, CCCE
Suzan is an RN, Lactation Consultant & Childbirth Educator for Monumental Beginnings Doula Services. Although she is new to us-her expertise is not new at all! Suzan worked at Falmouth Hospital for 40+ years in various roles including- Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and Childbirth Educator. Suzan also currently works as an RN/IBCLC at Newton Wellesley Hospital. Supporting women and their families has always felt like the path she was meant to be on. It’s been a privilege to support families with evidenced based information as they go through the childbirth process and grow into a new family. Those relationships often form in prenatal classes, and provide a natural bridge to breastfeeding, and postpartum support. When not working, Suzan enjoys spending time with her husband, George and other family here on Cape Cod. She can often be found walking or biking along Shining Sea Bikepath! |
Testimonials for Suzan
"Once you meet Suzan you feel as though you’ve known her for ages or that you’ve found the puzzle piece you need to move forward. If you’re lucky to have her as part of your birthing team she’ll become a treasured member of your tribe and enhance each phase of your life as you travel through as a mom. Suzan is truly a treasure and we are all lucky she practices her calling for mothers and babes alike.
Suzan is a fierce advocate for maternal health, prenatal care, pre and postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and so much more. For many years Suzan’s been the epicenter of the most caring community of mothers and new families on Cape Cod. She’s dedicated herself to help so many through diverse experiences and I trust that each and every mother she has connected with would be proud to recommend her to others."
-Karen C., Falmouth, MA
"Suzan Scharr is an incredibly kind, supportive, compassionate and reassuring nurse and lactation consultant. Her vast experience, wealth of knowledge and sense of empathy was instantly calming for me as a new mother. She helped guide me through 3 deliveries and breastfeeding journeys. With her support I was able to successfully exclusively breastfeed my babies for the first 6 months of their lives and continued after introducing food for a total of 22 months, 30 months, and 21 months. Despite extreme hardships along the way, all 3 were very hearty and made it through their whole infancies without formula supplementation. I attribute much of my confidence development as a new mother and success in breastfeeding to Suzan’s everlasting support and friendship, and I will always be forever grateful!"
Suzan is a fierce advocate for maternal health, prenatal care, pre and postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and so much more. For many years Suzan’s been the epicenter of the most caring community of mothers and new families on Cape Cod. She’s dedicated herself to help so many through diverse experiences and I trust that each and every mother she has connected with would be proud to recommend her to others."
-Karen C., Falmouth, MA
"Suzan Scharr is an incredibly kind, supportive, compassionate and reassuring nurse and lactation consultant. Her vast experience, wealth of knowledge and sense of empathy was instantly calming for me as a new mother. She helped guide me through 3 deliveries and breastfeeding journeys. With her support I was able to successfully exclusively breastfeed my babies for the first 6 months of their lives and continued after introducing food for a total of 22 months, 30 months, and 21 months. Despite extreme hardships along the way, all 3 were very hearty and made it through their whole infancies without formula supplementation. I attribute much of my confidence development as a new mother and success in breastfeeding to Suzan’s everlasting support and friendship, and I will always be forever grateful!"
Katie Kelly, Birth & Postpartum Doula
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Katie Kelly-Birth & Postpartum Doula
Katie has always had a passion for women’s health and wellness. Her love for caregiving began when she was very young, assisting mothers in her neighborhood as a child, to becoming a nanny. Her love of supporting families developed into a desire to enter birth work. Katie completed her Associates Degree at Cape Cod Community College in 2017. She earned her certification as a labor and postpartum doula, as well as an Epidoula (epidural educator) through Maternity Wise Institute in 2020. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree in History and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Bridgewater State University. Katie has worked closely with families during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period. Offering attention and care, Katie is dedicated and will support and respect her clients in their choices and decisions. Katie is a radical intersectional doula who has a strong passion for women’s reproductive rights, sexual trauma education, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and ending the black maternal mortality rate. She believes there is a lot of work to do in the birth world and wants to contribute in a positive way one family at a time. Katie lives on Cape Cod and enjoys roller-skating, meditation, blending her own essential oils, spending time with her dog, and all things holistic healing. |
Tessa Vasiliadis- Birth & Postpartum Doula
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Tessa Vasiliadis- Birth & Postpartum Doula
Tessa(she/hers) is the founder of Hygieia Doula Care! Tessa is a birth and postpartum doula in the greater Boston area. Her years of nannying experience - specializing in preemies, high risk pregnancies, and lgbtqa+ families - plus her passion for advocacy make her a well rounded birth worker. She holds two bachelors in Human Development & Human Services, as well as Religious and Theological Studies from Merrimack College. Tessa trained under midwife Michelle L’Esperance at Warm Welcomes Doula Services. Tessa is passionate about reproductive rights and education, as well as creating a healthy and successful birthing experience for all birthers regardless of gender identity, race, or socioeconomic status. |
Andrea Luzitano- Postpartum Doula
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Andrea Luzitano- Postpartum Doula
Andrea Luzitano is a trained post-birth maternal care specialist (a.k.a: postpartum doula), infant sleep solutions coach, Bengkung-style bellybind artist, mindfulness facilitator, and a mother of four young children. Andrea was previously an educator for many years, though once she had her children she decided to stay home with them while they grew. A year or so later, she took her training in the postpartum doula field and fell in love with the work! She has been a postpartum doula for nearly 4 years, having trained with CAPPA and Newborn Mothers Collective. She is also currently a student in the Sacred Window Studies Conscious Postpartum Caregiver program. |