Jada Shapiro and Anna Merrill are the Co-Directors of Birth Day Presence, which provides birth and postpartum support, childbirth education, and professional birth photography services to expectant and new families in the New York area. Founded in 2002 by Jada Shapiro and Terry Richmond, Birth Day Presence has assisted thousands of families in a nurturing, non-judgmental way. Birth Day Presence is also proud to have created and administered the Bellevue Hospital Birth Center Volunteer Doula Program, which, for five years, assisted over 500 underprivileged women per year through their childbearing experience.  

See our mention in Time Out New York and in Block Magazine. See Jada featured as a pregnancy expert in FitPregnancy Magazine. See our Studio featured in a NY1 piece about great snacks from the new book, Feed the Belly. And learn about how Jada taught a childbirth class in centerfield at the Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball Game.

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"Birth Day Presence gets my highest recommendation. They saved my life! I had such a difficult time during labor and the whole birthing experience. Having a doula is a MUST - and Birth Day Presence is amazing and totally worth it." - Kerri Savage

"Jada worked wonderfully with the doctor, nurse and my husband. They were a real team. Yet, I felt that she was also my personal coach, no matter who else was there. She helped me labor at home much longer than I would have without her assistance. My first pregnancy/birth was a long, hard event. I had a birthing plan but when the pain hit me, all my plans were discarded--by me. Having Jada at my second birth really helped me stick to my plan." - Laura Washington

"Anna is a phenomenal birth doula! Her comfort measures exceeded my expectations and she put me in instant relaxation mode with her calm and gentle spirit. She gave my partner and I our space when needed and she was very respectful and wonderful with my twins. Every woman expecting deserves a doula like Anna. I guarantee you will not be disappointed." -Yarelis Rivera, mother to twins Naydin and Niyla

Anna Merrill  is a certified Lamaze® childbirth educator, certified birth doula (DONA), trained postpartum doula, and mother to a 14 month old girl.   Anna has years of both counseling and teaching experience and became interested in childbirth after attending the birth of a close friend.   She holds masters degrees in psychology and health education and is currently finishing her doctorate in health education at Columbia University.

Sharlene Aitcheson is a certified (DONA) birth and postpartum doula. She first became interested in birth as a child living in Jamaica, spending long summers with her midwife grandmother.   She is currently a stay at home mom, who dabbles in holistic herbs, oils and yoga.

"As new parents who had never changed a diaper before, my husband and I turned to Meghan and Sharlene for help in all areas of newborn care as well as support with household chores. They were professional, punctual, courteous, trustworthy and extremely knowledgeable, but most importantly they were kind and loving to our little baby boy. Meghan and Sharlene were truly a godsend during a wonderful but challenging period in our lives." -Denise Dorn

"Not having much experience with newborns, we decided that having professional support would make coming home from the hospital with our first baby a less terrifying experience. We could not have been happier with the help Meghan and Sharlene gave us. Not only was their experience calming and reassuring, but they also helped us become confident in feeding, bathing, soothing, and generally caring for our son. We mixed overnight and daytime support, as we found this a good way to stay (somewhat) rested and adjust to our new lives as parents." -Heather O'Neill and Scott Coleman

Jen Buice's interest in childbirth began with the birth of her daughter five years ago, and grew into a passion with her second pregnancy and the birth of her son, now two. She was inspired to help others learn about their childbirth choices and capabilities and is now working toward her doula certification (DONA). Jen studied anthropology and education and has worked as a teacher and education researcher.

Johanna D'Aleo is a certified birth doula (DONA).   Her interest in childbirth began with the home birth of her first child and she decided to become a doula in time for the birth of her granddaughter.   She is passionate about providing doula support to women and their partners. Johanna is also trained in Hypnobirthing and certified in TENS unit use for labor. Johanna believes that birth can be a very empowering experience and that doula support greatly increases the likelihood of a positive birth experience and memory.  

"Johanna was amazing. I was in labor for 29 hours, and she was there the entire time, supporting me along with my husband. Both of us agreed, there's no way we would have lasted that long without her!
Even when emergencies arose and things didn't go according to my birth plan, Johanna was calm and assuring, reminding me that a healthy baby was the most important thing." Norene

"My birthing process would not have been the same without a doula by my side.  In the areas where my family and my husband were at a loss, Johanna was there to bring us all together by showing each person that they held an important role in helping baby journey out.  While in the delivery room, doctor's threatened I would need a C-section, my labor was induced and I was attached to fetal heart monitor and contraction monitoring machines.  At one point I even needed oxygen.  It was a far cry from the natural tub birth I had strongly desired and dreamed of for the birth of our first.  Although the coldness of the medical procedures could have stripped the beauty of this natural process, Johanna brought me back to myself and the inner strength and calm that I wanted and needed to go on with the birth in peace.  Because of her assistance, I can remember my labor experience in a positive light and my husband has learned that he has what it takes to support me in all things."  Beth

Lana DeLowe is a Birth, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Counselor and has been working as a doula since 2006.
Throughout her personal, academic, and professional life, she has continually and joyfully worked with pregnant and postpartum women. She seeks to guide women and their families through these special times, giving continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor, birth and postpartum periods.

Meghan Mahar is a DONA certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. Meghan has been around babies most of her life and her interest in women's health and childbirth led her on the doula path. In addition to her doula work Meghan is also a Certified Educator of Infant Massage and a Lactation Counselor.

-"Meghan was great, and I highly recommend her (she was also recommended to me by another friend who loved her). She was a very calm,unobtrusive presence at our birth, helped when we needed her and
stepped away when we needed space. She massaged my hands and feet in early labor when I was just nervous and walked with me when I needed to walk. There's nothing I wish she had done differently, my birth went exactly as I hoped & planned and our nearly 10 lb baby boy was born vaginally - with an epidural, but no c-section! I would definitely use her again." Natalie Nevares

Elanna Posner is a registered nurse (RN) and certified labor doula (CLD,CAPPA).   She first became interested in doula work in 1998 while volunteering in a hospital labor and delivery unit.   Elanna has worked as a birth assistant for both birthing center and homebirth practices, and has apprenticed with midwives in hospital-based practices in New York and abroad.     She is passionate about educating and empowering couples to actively participate in their births.

- "This is a long overdue note to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to you for all that you've done for me! From beginning to end, your special kindness and calm, positive attitude helped me focus as we delivered out delicious baby. Before the birth, I was still traumatized from my previous delivery in which a part of my faith and spirit really were damaged. You reframed the experience of the delivery - you helped me regain the appreciation and enthusiasm for the whole adventure! After the birth, I was left with the feeling of, if this is what a birth and labor can be, then yes, I can do it again!  You know how to be right there, helpful and "on it", without being overbearing or pushy. If only I can learn that balance in how i parent my children! There's no physical monetary amount that can pay for such an intense, soulful, expression of giving. With love and appreciation always..."

Lorelei Russ is a certified (DONA) birth and postpartum doula. Always interested in women's reproductive health, Lorelei discovered her passion for birth while exploring midwifery and nursing careers. Prior to this, she wrote about children's books, was a macrobiotic baker, and worked in women's health care.

-"Lorelei was quite simply amazing. She slipped right into our developing experience quietly, assuredly and with great sensitivity.  There was no ego.  No 'I'm here!'.  She just got on with it. She was perfectly in tune with our environment, rhythm and spirit.  Quite a feat at such a heightened and complex moment in time.  My confidence was buoyed and Adrienne seemed encouraged that she had a team with her. We have said on more than one occasion that we could not have done it without Lorelei."

Meema Spadola Meema Spadola is a DONA (Doulas of North America) trained and certified postpartum doula, a Certified Lactation Counselor and is also trained in infant CPR. She has a particular interest in providing breastfeeding support, doing infant massage, and teaching "baby wearing." Meema is also a documentary filmmaker whose films about body image and family issues have been broadcast on PBS, HBO and beyond. She is the proud mother of a son born in July 2007.

"Meema Spadola offered such great support with my second child. I was needing a "refresher course" on breastfeeding, and wanted to make sure my newborn was latching correctly. She was very patient, listened intently and was observant; her instructions were clear and advice invaluable. ... After meeting with Meema I felt better informed, empowered, and more confident in my parenting skills. I will happily and whole-heartedly recommend Meema to anyone who wants to know more
about starting off on the right foot with a new child." -April C.

"Meema helped us out for 6 full weeks after our daughter was born. She was wonderful -- I can't imagine that time without her.  Neither my partner nor I had any infant care experience and Meema helped us develop our instincts and the skills we needed to care for our daughter in a very gentle and respectful way -- she was never condescending.  She cooked nutritious, healthy & delicious food which helped bring my strength back after giving birth.  She knows so much about breast-feeding and was able to offer advice and put us in touch with others who could offer advice when we faced challenges in that
area.  She was a wise and empathetic sounding board for discussing some of the challenges of early parenthood.  She helped out in every way imaginable -- besides using her skills in the kitchen & around infant care and breast-feeding, she helped compile our papers for my partner's second-parent adoption of our daughter, and even came with us to vote in the 2008 presidential election when our daughter was 3 weeks old and fussy.  In the months after she stopped helping us out
in our home, Meema stayed in touch and offered wisdom about various issues that arose, especially around infant sleep."

Leda Ward is a certified birth doula (DONA).  She has spent many years studying the philosophy and ideology of birth companionship.  Her experience as a doula affirms her belief in the power of women and the potential for all women to have positive, empowering birth experiences. 

-"Leda was a phenomenal doula--kind, supportive, consistent, and caring.  We're so grateful to have worked with her" -A.T, 8/09.

Terry Richmond, co-founder of Birth Day Presence, is a doula and childbirth educator, and has been teaching Hatha Yoga for 8 years. Terry became interested in childbirth when pregnant with her son Emory, who is now 9 years old. Prior to that, you could find her singing and dancing on Broadway. Terry currently works independently as a labor support doula. She can be reached either through Birth Day Presence at 917-751-6579 or directly at 917-533-9872.

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Birth Day Presence - Labor and Postpartum Doulas, Childbirth Education and Birth Photography

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