About Me

Hi! I’m Riv, and I’m so glad you’re here!

I am here to offer you grounded support through the transformation of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. I have been caring for people in intense situations for over fifteen years in my career in pre-hospital healthcare as a certified athletic trainer and former paramedic. I truly enjoy caring for people and making sure they feel seen, heard, supported, and held.

As a doula, I bring a warm, grounded, and supportive energy to your pregnancy, labor and birthing. I have advanced knowledge of the body, and provide confident and calming hands-on support, help with positioning, comfort, and helping you stay in-tune with your body and your needs. I also give logistical support as well as advocacy. I believe bodily autonomy to be an integral piece of any pregnancy and birthing journey.

In my free time, I enjoy lifting heavy weights, running, meditating, drawing, reading romantasy, and spending time with my husband, toddler, and big, fluffy dog, Glacier.

Want to learn more? Reach out to me in the form at the bottom of the page :)

A woman holding a young girl in her arms, standing on a rooftop with a city skyline and green park in the background. The woman is smiling and wearing a blue striped shirt; the girl is wearing a denim jacket and shorts.

My Philosophy

When we prepare for birth, we aren’t just preparing for one event, we are preparing for the transformation that comes from going through it. We prepare for the rite of passage and to do that, we need to look inward to understand our truest hopes, needs, fears, and barriers.

A table with five small lit candles, bottles, a plastic bag, and some wrapped items against a wooden wall, with a partial view of a bed and a red trash bag nearby.

Birth Doula Services

My Birth Doula Support Package includes:

Virtual and in-person prenatal meetings
Unlimited call/ text from time of contract signing
On-call 24/7 starting at 37 weeks gestation
Access to my network and resources
Continuous, in-person support for your labor and birthing. Will remain with you until you and baby are settled, usually 1-2 hours following birth
1 postpartum visit in the first few weeks following birth
Unlimited text and email for the first twelve weeks postpartum

Postpartum Processing Sessions

I am a trained Birth Story Listener, and would love to support you in processing if you are feeling unresolved following your birth. Birth can sit with us for a long time after - it doesn’t mean you’re broken, it just means you need some help moving it through your body and finding new meaning. Reach out if you’re interested in learning more.

Availability

Now booking birth doula clients into winter. Booking birth story processing sessions on an ongoing basis as well <3

Reach out if you’re curious!

Certifications

Certified Birth Doula, Carriage House Birth: June 2026
Trained Birth Story Listener: July 2026
Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training - SUNY Cortland, 2012
Master of Science in Exercise Science - Specialty in Sports Nutrition and Strength & Conditioning - LIU Brooklyn, 2018
Adult, Child, Infant CPR: Ongoing, certified since 2006
Carriage House Birth - Birth Doula Training and Postpartum Basics: March 2025
Board of Certification Certified Athletic Trainer: June 2012-Present
New York State Licensed Athletic Trainer: June 2012-Present
Certified Personal Trainer, NASM: September 2018-Present
NYS Advanced Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic: August 2013-2018
NYS Emergency Medical Technician-Basic: June 2009

Relevant Coursework

Birth Story Medicine Listener Training: March - July 2026
Pelvic Floor for Birth Workers with Molly Caughlan, PT, DPT: May 2025
Comforting Touch for Doulas with Yiska Obadia: June 2025
Breathwork and Meditation for Birth Workers with Lou Read: August 2025
Carriage House Birth Mentorship: Summer 2025
Individual Mentorship with Christine Gibson and Beth Scheppke: Fall 2025
Carriage House Birth - Birth Doula Training: March 2025

Client Testimonials <3

Riv was there for us every step of the way. When unexpected and stressful situations arose, she navigated them with such calm and confidence. She brought an incredible sense of peace to the room, helped us feel grounded and supported, and made an overwhelming experience feel manageable. We truly don’t know how we would have gotten through the delivery without her. Riv is an absolute rockstar and we couldn’t be more grateful for her support!

-NM, Chelsea

As I wrote to Riv after the birth- “when I was pushing and breathing, you kept saying ‘good job, exactly like that, breathe down,’ etc. and every time you said good job it made me feel like I really could do it. I couldn’t focus on anything besides the contractions, but I heard every time you said that.” Thanks to Riv’s expertise, enthusiasm, and warmth, my husband and I had the exact birth experience we hoped for. I couldn’t recommend anyone more!

-SB, UWS

The moment I saw Riv’s warm smile, I immediately felt a sense of calm. I found myself opening up to her in a way I hadn’t expected. While my birth story may not seem traumatic to others, Riv gently helped me uncover the deeper layers of why I had been carrying five years of guilt. It was incredibly eye-opening and healing. You are in wonderful hands with Riv. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to process their birth story or simply connect with someone who is as compassionate and beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

-VK, NYC

Contact Me

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you! <3

A woman in a pink hat is hugging a small child in a blue jacket at a pumpkin patch with orange pumpkins scattered on the ground. In the background, there are trees and hills under a cloudy sky.