Brenda Finn
As a birth doula, Brenda is passionate and inspired to empower other women to have the birth of their dreams without judgement or coercion – with unconditional love and support. She brings a wealth of experience and unerring kindness to every situation. Brenda believes with all her heart that it is both an honor and a privilege to be invited into the life of a family and to share in some of their most precious moments.
Brenda’s journey to becoming a doula started with the birth of her daughter, born via cesarean section. This birth experience, so different from what she had envisioned, inspired her to learn more and find a way to do it differently for her next two births. She went on to have a vaginal birth after cesarean with the help of a doula and finally a home birth with her 3rd child. These experiences altered her life and led her to doula service.
After her children arrived, Brenda became heavily involved in the parenting community. She served as a leader in the local Attachment Parenting International (API) group, and an active member of both ICAN (Internal Cesarean Awareness Network) and LLL (La Leche League). She also became a DONA certified birth doula and began her practice. Brenda and her doula partner attended 50 births between 2007 and 2010. Brenda then left the doula world for a few years as the needs of her family and software development career took over. She has now resumed her work as a doula (this time certifying with Somatic Arts & Sciences Institute - Madriella) and finds herself more nourished than ever by it.
Brenda has also had a successful career in IT. She grew up in Columbia Maryland and then moved to Virginia to attend James Madison University, where she studied Math and Computer Science. Brenda currently lives in Bristow VA with her three children, her husband Paul, his three children and their four furry felines. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies or playing games with her family, practicing yoga, and cooking healthy meals. She describes herself as a certified health food and yoga nut.
Whitney Reitz
Whitney brings her training and experience as a birth doula, mother of three, and grandmother of one to each client, when tending to a mom in labor. She says the magic of pregnancy, birth and infant development never ceases to amaze and fascinate her. Whenever she supports a new mom, Whitney feels honored to participate and offer her loving heart and hands to those who need her service. Whitney came to doula work as a second career, and no matter how many births she attends, she finds it miraculous each time.
Previously, she worked in the Federal Government for 23 years, focusing on humanitarian work involving refugees, asylum-seekers, and maternal and child health. She brings to doula work all of the wisdom and understanding gained from that earlier experience as well as her unconditional, warm, and focused support to your family unit. Whitney’s hope for each of her clients is that they go through pregnancy, birth and the early days afterwards creating experiences and memories that they will treasure forever. So often the birthing process becomes clinical and medicalized, leaving the new mother struggling with disappointment and a sense of loss. Whitney is dedicated to working with each client to protect her experience of birth and help her realize her dream for how it will unfold. For new babies, Whitney wants to facilitate the best, gentlest possible transition to the outside world that fully honors the bond between mother and baby. Whitney says, “My life experience has taught me the strength of loving acceptance, empathy, and true connection, especially in times of trial and transformation. We are meant to come alongside each other in those times with patience and grace and lift each other up.”
A lover of languages, Whitney speaks English, Russian, French, Norwegian, Swedish, and a bit of Spanish and German. She is also a licensed massage therapist who focuses on prenatal and post-partum massage as well as using massage techniques to help ease labor. Whitney lives in Fairfax, VA, with her three children and granddaughter, in a house full of the laughter and love of three generations. When she isn’t at work, you can find her reading, hiking, rowing, practicing Tae Kwon Do (she has a black belt), contra-dancing, crocheting, or playing the piano and singing badly while the rest of the family carries the tune.
We connected with Brenda and so the bond and trust established was a huge benefit. We still consider family.
Regina
Whitney was wonderful -- such a calming presence. She implemented many different techniques to make the birthing process as smooth as possible. I would highly recommend her.