Our Team

Doulas of CNY strive to provide you and your family with the best care and believe that offering you this bio section is a unique part of our agency. 
At Doulas of CNY we believe that a doula's role is to support the Mom and her partner through THEIR labor, THEIR birth and THEIR experience, not to impose any personal beliefs or opinions on them.  We supply a woman and her partner with information in which they can make the best personal decisions for them.  We support the partner so that he/she is able to participate at his/her own comfort level.  We believe a Doula's nonjudgmental, supportive role is extremely influential to the labor, birth and postpartum outcome.  
 Doulas of CNY offer extraordinary Doula services and look forward to meeting you!

Christine Goldman

Doulas of CNY, Owner

FERTILITY, PRENATAL, BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA, CONSULTING BIRTH DOULA, CHILDBIRTH & LACTATION EDUCATOR, PRENATAL CONSULTANT, MENTOR

Offering all as consults as well.

I am so blessed myself be a mother of five wonderful children, two boys and three girls, ages 24-35, AND one beautiful grandbaby! My family is my true inspiration for pursuing my life as a Birth and Postpartum Doula. They have grown with me in my Doula career since 2000, and have been a wonderful support - they have been my 'doulas'! My decision to become a Doula came from the love of my own pregnancies and births. Prior to becoming a Doula, I had been involved in obstetrics as a medical secretary, family practice, my own daycare business and mothering, gaining strong knowledge in pregnancy, babies and family health. While raising my own children, I began networking with other mothers in my church and community encouraging each other throughout our daily encounters with our children and finding local resources to assist us as needed.

The Lord has prepared me for this role, to compassionately support expectant mothers and partners through their journey. Over the beginning years as a doula, I quickly realized that a main focus and effort is about the work I do prior to the birth. If you don’t know what your choices are, you don’t have any. Women are choosing to become more active in their healthcare role, knowledgeable in pregnancy and birthing-- their own advocates, so that their birth can be the experience they choose. I am truly blessed to be a part of your miraculous, joyous, blessed event.

Assisting families after the birth of their baby is another beautiful part of my Doula experience. As a "seasoned" Christian Mom and Postpartum Doula, it is an honor to share not only my educational knowledge, but also my life experience as a mother of five aiding with little tips, emotional support and both professional, practical advice and empowering a family to adjust and welcome their new baby.

I was blessed to also work with CNY Fertility in Syracuse as their Fertility & PreNatal Doula and would be happy to meet with you for consultation. **Fertility consults available to assist in your plans, goals and navigating through your own personal journey all the way to delivery**
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**OFFERING BIRTH DOULA and VIRTUAL consulting. Often for various reasons, Moms may feel that they only need support in early labor at home. A consulting birth doula can add peace offering pros and cons of laboring choices, alternative for labor, stress relief for partner enhancing their ability to press in and help mom at their comfort level. Working with mom and her partner up until the time she is ready to go to her place of delivery, the added benefit of this type of support is evidently seen as mom can relax and get into her 'birthing zone' quicker, and creating a shorter hospital stay, and better postpartum outcomes. Mom may continue consulting as needed when arriving at hospital if chooses. Consulting birth doula package is offered with 1 postpartum visit including lactation support. if requested. Call me for more INFO.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
1 Peter 4:1 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its many forms.

Cindy Yale

Certified Birth Doula

My name is Cindy Yale and I began working with Doulas of CNY five years ago.  In those years, I have stood beside 30 women as they met their babies!  I have supported vaginal, c-section and VBAC births, first time moms and fourth timers; my role being to helpwomen educate themselves about their choices and to support them during this emotional, yet joyous event!  

I am certified through DONA (Doulas of North America) where I gained knowledge and understanding of the stages of labor, pain relief, comfort measures, breastfeeding and postpartum care. I am prepared to listen to you as together we create a birth plan that ensures your wishes are heard and strived for. I promise to massage, feed, nuruture, walk with, support and comfort you along the entire journey. I promise to show you that every woman’s journey is different, special and unique. I promise to honor your trust in me as we work together to grow your family.

I am very excited to announce that I am in the beginning stages of opening my own doula practice, Your Birth, Your Way - catering to the Southern Tier of CNY. I will continue caring for moms at the Syracuse hospitals, but I will also take clients who will deliver in Geneva, Ithaca, Auburn and Cortland hospitals. If you are planning a birth center delivery or a home birth, I can also support the certified midwife you hire~

I am a Christian woman who truly believes that every baby is a gift from God. I would welcome the opportunity to answer your questions, talk about what you see as essential in your birth plan and begin to support you through your pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period! Together we can welcome your little one into this world in a gentle, calm, beautiful way.

Karen Archibee

Certified Birth Doula

Giving birth should be your greatest achievement, not your greatest fear.”—Jane Weideman

My name is Karen Archibee, and I am a DONA (Doulas of North America) Certified Birth Doula. I am so glad you are interested in having support during your birth! Since having my own children (and having support from my own doula through Doulas of CNY), I found a passion for pregnancy and childbirth. Thanks to my doula, I truly enjoyed both my labors and viewed them as some of the most powerful moments of my life. I believe that our bodies are incredible and that we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for.

There is so much to learn about labor and birth, and I want to help encourage you as the pregnant person, by guiding you with emotional and physical support. I can also provide evidence based resources, so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your baby. I believe in supporting not only the birthing person, but the partner as well. Birth matters, and I want to be able to assist you in the birth you wish for. If you have no idea what you want, I can help you articulate that. If those plans don't go as hoped, I want to be able to support and assist you through the next steps. Every birthing person should feel empowered and supported.

I am thrilled to join the same organization that supported me throughout my pregnancies. I can't wait to give back to our community through supporting our local families, and I hope to assist you during this overwhelming and exciting time!

OSWEGO, ONEIDA, ONONDAGA & JEFFERSON COUNTIES

Kristin Biondi

Certified Postpartum Doula

I am a NYS Licensed massage therapist since 2001. I attended Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage. I have been working at CNY Healing Arts, part of CNY Fertility, for the last 6 years. I work with clients during the fertility journey as well as clients during their pregnancies. I am also mom of two children. I am a survivor of post partum depression and anxiety experienced after both births. I have worked with the support group at Crouse Hospital in the past providing massage services to new parents. I have taken continuing education for postpartum depression and anxiety as it relates to massage. This has led to my desire to continue my role of support for post partum parents regarding all obstacles during this transitional period. I am currently studying and almost completed my postpartum Doula training and am very excited to be a part of Doulas of CNY. I look forward to utilizing my professional training but also my personal experiences to help clients with the journey into parenthood.

Lacey Ortiz

Certified Birth Doula

“If a woman doesn’t look like a Goddess during labor, then someone isn’t treating her right. -Ina May Gaskin “

Hi, I’m Lacey and I’m so glad you are here! I’m proud of you for already taking charge of attaining your wants and needs for your birth and postpartum journey. Of course most births do not go exactly as planned, but I want to ensure you that I would do everything in my doula power to give you the ideal birth you have been dreaming of as well as a healthy foundation for breastfeeding and physical and mental postpartum care. I understand what it is like to have a birth go a bit sideways from what was hoped for as well as a birth that goes almost perfectly to plan. I’m also no stranger to the breastfeeding struggles.

I’m a bit granola, so even with my first birth I was hoping to do it unmedicated. The sense of empowerment and naturalness that comes with accomplishing an unmedicated birth is what I was after, however I was induced with my first baby at 41 weeks. With a lot of Pitocin and patience she came almost 3 days later. It was rough because my baby simply was not ready to come out, but the birth of Penelope was still amazing and beautiful.

The birth of my second baby, Emilio, went much more according to my birth plan. I went into labor during my 40th week and after about 12 hours of active labor, deep internal focus, grit, and lets be honest, some anger during my 4 hours of transition due to an unbudging cervical lip, he was born. All the mental prep work that I had done during my pregnancy to have an unmedicated birth finally paid off and the secret that I learned is that WOMEN ARE STRONG and SO ARE YOU.

So now having done my education through New Beginnings Doula Training and being welcomed into an amazing team with Doulas of CNY, I am able to offer my services to you. It is your right to be supported in your decisions about your body and your baby.

Jenna Hayes

Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographer

Jenna is well known in the local community for her spunky flare and personal touch. Whether it's snapping maternity, newborn or family photos in your home or place of your choice, Jenna has a unique sense of style that captures everyone's personality. Maternity, newborn, and family photos available.

Call her for your consultation at (315) 679-3361, visit her Facebook Page, Website or Email the office for more info.