Soft Ground Doula Services
Hi, I’m Ilana.
Welcome to Soft Ground Doula Services.
About me
Birth has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Long before I became a doula, I was the middle-schooler ditching homework to watch TLC marathons of Bringing Home Baby, mesmerized by the raw power, intensity, and beauty of childbirth.
I’m a retired professional dancer with a dual BFA in Acting and Dance, and I spent years performing on cruise ships and a Broadway national tour before following my real calling: teaching and supporting people through transformative moments. For the past five years, I’ve taught yoga across the New York metropolitan area and hold certifications as a 200-hour RYT, an 85-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT), and in Restorative Yoga. I also lead Yin Yoga and meditation workshops in Brooklyn and Queens.
I completed my doula training under DONA-approved educator Debra Pascali-Bonaro, founder of Orgasmic Birth. I bring the same presence, strength, and intuition that shaped my performing career into the birth space — offering informed, embodied, and unwavering support as you meet one of the most powerful moments of your life.
I look forward to working with you, and helping you bring your birth vision to life.
My services
Birth Doula Services
I walk beside you from pregnancy through your baby’s arrival earth-side, offering grounded, compassionate support rooted in trust, presence, and deep listening. In two prenatal visits (60–90 minutes), we work on the creation of your birth preferences list, practice breathwork for labor and birth, go over comfort/pain management techniques and prenatal yoga-based intuitive movement for labor, and develop tools for releasing fear around birth and parenthood. During the birth, I provide you with continuous, unwavering support through labor and birth, honoring your intuition and amplifying your wishes within the birth space. Post-birth, there will be one in-home postnatal visit (60 minutes) to reflect, integrate, and honor your birth story
Building Your Dream Birth Session
In this offering, I sit down with you and your partner to discuss your boundaries and preferences for birth. We cover pain management, environmental enhancements for the birthing space, optimal laboring and birthing positions, and tools to face fears around birth. This private session is for those who are not totally committed to having a doula present at birth, but want the preparation tools from a doula’s perspective.
Prenatal or Postnatal Private Yoga Session
During a pre/post-natal yoga session, I provide a safe space to address the powerful changes happening in your body. Through breathwork and yoga that is appropriate for the pregnant or postpartum body, we will work therapeutically to release any tension or imbalance.
Soft Support.
Strong Births.
Grounded in care.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Many states (like NY, NJ) have added doula care as a covered benefit, often through Medicaid/FamilyCare. Coverage depends on your specific plan. Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask specifically about doula benefits.
For private insurance & other options, call your insurer and directly ask your private insurance provider if doula services are covered or if you can use an HSA/FSA.
-
Our consultation is free of charge. If we find that we are a compatible client-doula fit, we will discuss your budget and other logistics which may affect cost. Soft Ground Doula Services range from $1,500-$2,000.
-
Absolutely. A doula can be an invaluable asset to your birth, as many birth preferences and comfort measures can be taken into account when delivering via cesarean. Additionally, a doula can help by providing grounded mental and emotional support for surgery as well as situational NICU/hospital stays.
-
I’m an inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming practitioner. My practice is inclusive and affirming for everyone, and I welcome you to share as much or as little as you want with me in order to help you feel comfortable in your birth.
