About Us
The Memphis Birth Collective is a group of independent birth professionals who are passionate about supporting women and their families across the spectrum of pregnancy and postpartum. Since 2013, we have provided Memphis and the surrounding communities with accessible education on birth related options based on the wellness model of maternity care.
We are an entity for birth professionals to come together as a community and volunteer their time and talent, enhancing the birth experience of local families.
Our membership is made up of labor and postpartum doulas, childbirth educators, personal trainers, fitness instructors, lactation counselors, placenta encapsulators, photographers, midwives, midwife assistants, chiropractors, social workers, massage therapists and counselors.
Meet our members.
Please scroll to read about our members and their services.
Kimberly Alston - CPM-TN
Services Offered: Midwifery, Monitrice
Member Since 2013
Website: www.abundantlifemidwifery.com, www.memphisdoula.com
Email: kimberly@abundantlifemidwifery.com, kimberly@memphisdoula.com
Phone: 901-315-0835
I am a wife and mother of six children. After receiving my BA from Crichton College in 1998, I took time to start my precious family before beginning birth work.
My motivation in becoming a midwife and monitrice began with the personal desire to serve women and to enhance my own education of birth. I grew up surrounded by a family of loving, strong women and I saw how important it is to come alongside and support one another during life-changing moments. Pregnancy, childbirth and the bonding between mother and baby are some of the most transformational times in life. I believe strongly in the power and normalcy of birth, and I find incredible joy watching this miracle unfold with each family I serve.
I am a licensed midwife with Abundant Life Midwifery serving in Tennessee and Mississippi. As a midwife, I enjoy equipping families as they walk through the pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care in the comfort of their own home.
For my clients who choose a hospital delivery, yet desire support while laboring at home and access to the Midwifery model of care, I offer monitrice services.
My desire for each family is to serve alongside them as they choose their own birth experience. I want to equip each family with knowledge, confidence, techniques, education and support while we walk through this unique journey together.
In my free time I enjoy studying about herbs and essential oil‘s, gardening and having fun with my family.
Dr. Sonal Chavda Barad, PT, DPT, PRPC, PCES, Cert. DN
Services Offered: C-section Scar Treatment, Post Surgical Program, Visceral Mobilization, Advanced Dry Needling, Postpartum Core Rehab, Diastasis Recti Treatment, Post Tummy Tuck Program, Pain Free Intimacy Path, Bladder + Bowel Retraining, 2- visit Tailbone Correction, Painless Pregnancy Cupping for Pain Release, Birth Prep Education, Menopause support
Website: www.beyondcorewellness.com
Email: DrSonal@BeyondCoreWellness.com
Phone: 901-610-1245
Member Since 2023
Imagine a world where women boldly embrace their bodies, unencumbered by the limitations society places upon them for the simple act of creating life. Dr. Sonal shares this vision and has dedicated her career as a physical therapist to help women achieve this goal.
With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Sonal has worked with women of all ages and backgrounds. Throughout her career, she has tackled both the big and small challenges that women face on their unique journeys. But it's not just women who benefit from her expertise. Men also turn to her for guidance on the physical challenges they encounter in life.
As the first Certified Pelvic Rehab Practitioner in the Memphis area, Dr. Sonal has helped countless women find relief and regain control of their bodies. She also holds certifications in Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise, Visceral Manipulation, and Dry Needling, making her a versatile and effective therapist.
Her passion for helping women and men inspired her to create the level of pelvic + core rehab that she couldn't find for herself after having her third child at the age of 40 in Memphis. Her desire to help others drives her every day.
When she's not helping her clients, Dr. Sonal can be found exploring new flavors in her kitchen, cooking up new dishes, and sharing them with her loved ones. She's also an avid photographer, often capturing precious moments with her daughters, who are always happy to correct her spelling and grammar.
Martha Bengtson
Services Offered: Birth Doula
Beautiful Birth Doula Service
Phone: 662-882-2099
Email: martharivercitydoulas@gmail.com
Member Since 2023
Martha Bengtson is a ProDoula certified birth doula serving the North Mississippi and Memphis areas. She has been learning and growing in knowledge of birthwork since 2019 and has developed a deep love for her profession and the families she serves. She used the ProDoula program to become certified in early 2023.
Martha acknowledges that birth is beautiful, however the new life comes into the world. She believes in the incredible strength of women to give birth using their instincts & intuition and looks to support and encourage that beautiful reality in each family she has the privilege to serve.
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Kimathi Coleman - CLC
Services Offered: Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Midwife Assistant, Lactation Counselor, Birth Pool Rentals, Bengkung Belly Binding, Essential Oil Rollers, Kinesio Taping, Fertility, Babywearing, Bereavement Doula
Member Since 2020
Kimathi D. Street Coleman Perinatal Health Services
Email: Kimathicoleman@gmail.com
Website: www.calendly.com/kimathicoleman
Phone: (901) 310-5372
Kimathi D. Street Coleman has been married for 10 years and is the mother of two little girls and a boy. She is a doula who is passionate about breastfeeding. She was the organizer for Latch On Memphis for 4 years, and is a part of lots of breastfeeding support groups, including BSTARS and Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition. Kimathi is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere Community Transformer trained as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. She is very excited to serve moms in her community through prenatal support and education, labor support, and postpartum services. She has served over 50 families so far!
Amy Coontz - CD (BEST)
Services Offered: Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Education
Member Since 2013
Website: www.memphisdoula1.com
Email: acoontz@gmail.com
Phone: 901-834-7310
I have always had a love for childbirth. I attended my first birth when I was just 17. After having five children of my own, and supporting many friends through their labors, I knew it was where I belonged.
I did my training with DONA in November 2010, and attended my first "official" birth in June of 2011. I attended a second training through BEST Doula training for doula and childbirth educaiton in 2019. Even after the time that has passed, and the numerous births I've attended, I still LOVE birth, and strive for a positive, fulfilling birth for every client no matter what!
Zara Cross- CLC
Services Offered: Birth Doula, Lactation Counseling
Member Since 2021
Business: Autumn Days Nurtured Births
Email: autumndaysnurturingbirths@gmail.com
Phone: (662) 856-2461
I am Zara Cross, mom of 3. I live in MS with my family whom I love spending time with as much as I can. I am currently a student for midwifery and doing an apprenticeship. I am a birth doula and a certified lactation counselor. I also work full-time as a Branch Manager for a home health agency in Memphis, TN. My hobbies include crafting, going to the park with my kids, and shopping.
Tracey Haentzler
Services Offered: Certified Labor Doula
Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula
Bachelors Preschool Administration
Member Since 2024
Business: Joyful Motherhood Doulas, LLC
Email: tracey.haentzler@gmail.com
Phone: (901) 218-9922
The journey that led me to becoming a doula has been filled with amazing experiences, tough challenges, and a lifetime of learning. I have served in preschool and mothers’ ministries, in different capacities, over the past 37 years and have a bachelors in Preschool Administration. My husband and I have been married for 30 years. We have three incredible children and one beautiful grandson…so far. Loving children and families is my passion! We all need a friend, a support system, someone to share knowledge with us and build confidence. Serving mothers through pregnancy, birth and postpartum is a gift that I feel blessed to be a part of. It is my hope to help families prepare both emotionally and physically for a joyful birth and new baby.
Holly Hamby
Services Offered: Night Nurse, Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth and Newborn Educator
Member Since 2021
Website: www.beholdingbirth.com
Email: beholdingbirthdoula@gmail.com
Phone: 901- 356-8703
After the birth of my first daughter, my passion for pregnancy and birth was ignited. I loved the power and capability of the female body and mind to bring new life into the world. I began my certification shortly after my first daughter was born. After having my second daughter at home and experiencing the differences and pros and cons between the hospital and home birth environments, I felt a calling to help mothers strive for their ideal births. All women deserve to look back on their birth stories and feel empowered.
As a birth doula it is my job to make expectant moms feel prepared for labor and delivery as well as adjusting to life with a new baby by providing resources, coaching, and emotional support. I am passionate about the journey of pregnancy, birth, and beyond, and I want every mom to feel in control and confident leading into birth and postpartum.
Alexis Hutchison, PT, DPT, OCS
Services offered: Pregnancy care, prenatal education and prep, postpartum rehabilitation, return to exercise postpartum, c-section scar management, and perineal scar management. Treatment for orthopedic pain (head to toe), SI joint pain, hip pain, and low back pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, urinary leaking, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, sexual pain or dysfunction, painful periods, and any other pelvic health condition.
Member Since 2023
Website: https://www.absolutekineticspt.com
Email: alexis@absolutekineticspt.com
Phone: (901) 499-5718
Alexis is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist. After several years working in fast paced clinics and seeing the frustrations many patients faced with traditional physical therapy, Alexis founded Absolute Kinetics to provide a higher level and more personalized physical therapy experience to the Cincinnati, Ohio community. In 2021, Alexis relocated to Memphis, Tennessee and expanded Absolute Kinetics to serve the Memphis community in 2022.
Alexis has always been passionate about assessing patients as a "whole", not just a symptom or body part. She has advanced training in visceral manipulation and pelvic health, which has allowed Alexis to further expand both her assessment and treatment skills. She loves working with expecting moms to educate and empower them as they prepare for labor and delivery, as well as working with postpartum women to reconnect to their bodies and get back to the activities they love without leaking, pain, or limitations. Besides visceral techniques, Alexis also utilizes other manual techniques including Dry Needling, IASTM, and Myofascial Cupping, along with patient education and therapeutic exercises, to help her patients reach their personal goals.
Michelle Lee- CD, CLC
Services Offered: Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counseling
Member Since 2020
Website: www.lightandlovebirths.com
Email: lightandlovebirths@gmail.com
Phone: (901) 596-9159
I have been accompanying birthing people in my community for more than 9 years. My formal training as a birth doula and lactation counselor has only solidified my passion for supporting families during such a transformative time in their lives. I love to serve birthing people during pregnancy and birth as they move through their experience with confidence and peace.
My lactation services include one on one lactation education, latch assessments and feeding support.
MOJO Pelvic Health
Services Offered: Fertility care, Pregnancy Care, Post Partum recovery, Scar Tissue Remediation for Cesarean and Perineal Scars, Treatment for: Incontinence, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Pain, Symphysis Pubis Pain, SI Pain, Sciatica, Pain with tampons, sex, Ob/Gyn exams, Period or Ovulation Pain, pelvic floor weakness, bowel and bladder issues.
Member Since: 2020
Website: www.mojoph.com/
Phone: 901-244-3800
MOJO Pelvic Health provides pelvic health physical therapy for fertility care, pregnancy care, support, and birth prep. We also aim to provide post partum care for every mother for every birth for both vaginal and Cesarean births. We offer 1:1 care to women in 3 locations: Midtown (Sundara Wellness), Cordova/Germantown (Midsouth Ortho Rehab), Southaven (Moye PT), and Jonesboro AR. We also see patients of Engbretson Center for Women, Martin, Lee & Page OBGYN, and Women's Health Specialists in their offices.
We believe every woman needs and deserves this care and are working to normalize pregnancy and postpartum care in the Memphis area. Pelvic PT is covered under your physical therapy benefits if you have health insurance and you do not need a doctor's referral to start care. Contact us below to come see one of our highly trained pelvic health physical therapists or to learn more about what we offer.
Katie McKinney
Services Offered: Maternity, Birth, Newbrn & Family Photography, Labor Doula
Member Since 2019
Website: www.katiemckinneyphotography.net
Email: katiemckinneyphotography@gmail.com
Phone: 901-371-6389
I am birth and newborn photographer. I have always had a love for photographing the things I love. It was after the birth of my second child that I realized birth and newborn photography was where I was meant to be. I think every momma should have beautiful images of her little one. My goal with all the images I take is to freeze time for you. I want you to look back at the photos and feel like you did the moment it was taken. They are only little for a bit so you better capture it. I am a momma to two rowdy amazingly perfect little boys. I am a Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. I have a Bachelors and a Masters in Early Childhood Development and Education. I taught Kindergarten for 7 years before starting my own little family. I enjoy spending time with my family, dogs, and friends in my free time. I offer maternity, birth, newborn, baby and child photography. Birth is my favorite!
Terry Mecklin
Services Offered: Fertility Coach, Essential Oil Coach, Personal Trainer, Kinesio Taping Practitioner
Member Since 2019
Website: TerryMecklin.com
Email: Hello@TerryMecklin.com
Phone: (901) 250-4647
I have been blessed to work with women from infertility to postpartum teaching healthy and natural solutions in each phase of the journey. With the Memphis Birth Collective I help women make the transition to pregnancy and through each trimester and postpartum with ease. Together we work on decreasing nausea and discomfort in the first trimester all the way to combatting stretch marks in the third and emotional support through postpartum. There are a lot of changes that a women’s body goes through during pregnancy and I am there to help each step of the way.
Don’t hesitate to reach out so that I can design a happy and healthy pregnancy for you! For my Memphis Birth Collective Mom’s I offer a free 30 min consultation. Just mention MBC when you call.
Emily Mulqueen - PCD, BCD, CLC®, RPYT®, RYT® 500
Services Offered: Postpartum Doula - PCD Birth Doula - BEST Certified Lactation Counselor- CLC ® Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher - RPYT® Registered Yoga Teacher - RYT® 500
Member Since 2019
Website: www.mymamabody.com
Email: emily@mymamabody.com
Phone: (917) 331-9643
Emily has practiced yoga since 2002 and attended teacher training at the White Lotus Foundation in 2005 followed by Advanced Teacher Training in 2007. She enjoyed her yoga practice through two pregnancies in Memphis in 2012 and 2014 and began to specialize in teaching yoga to bodies in the childbearing year in 2018 after a 85-hour RPYT training at Sanctuary for Yoga in Nashville. She is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT® 500) and Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT®). Emily is a BEST Certified Birth Doula, a Certified Postpartum Doula PCD(DONA), and a Certified Lactation Counselor®.
Susan Rook - PT, CD(DONA), CLC, CPST, Spinning Babies®️ Certified Parent Educator
Services Offered: Birth Doula, Childbirth Education, Lactation Counseling
Member since 2017
Website: www.cebirth.com
Email: cebirth901@gmail.com
Phone: (901) 602-4460
I began my career as a physical therapist immediately following college. My unexpectedly complicated first pregnancy prompted me to train as a childbirth educator and a breastfeeding peer counselor in 2001. I earned birth doula certification from DONA, International in April 2019 and became a CLC in 2020. Always learning, in 2022, I earned my certification to teach the Spinning Babies®️ Parent Class that highlights how to “make room for baby” during pregnancy and labor. As a Child Passenger Safety Technician, I volunteer in the community to educate parents about child safety in and around vehicles. My goal is to educate and empower expectant parents for the miraculous experience of birth and their transition to parenthood.
Personally, I am a wife of 30 years to an incredible husband and mother to two amazing adults who both spent their first days in the NICU.
Chanielle Talbird - CD(DONA), CLC, CLS
Services Offered: Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor
Member Since 2021
Website: jochebedsbirthservices.com
Email: jochebedsbirthservices@gmail.com
Phone: 901-907-5036
I currently serve as a birth & postpartum doula in the Tennessee, Mississippi, & Arkansas tri-state area. I am a Certified Lactation Counselor and provide services to assist growing families. I am a proud member of MALCA (Memphis Area Lactation Consultant Association), the Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition, and DONA International. I also volunteer my time at LeBonheur Children's Hospital in the Maternal Child department and with my non-profit, Revitalize Memphis, Community Develop Corporation. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science of Healthcare Management, and am now pursuing my Master's of Science in Hospitality & Resort Management. I am married with two children and enjoy spending time with my family.
Cammie Warren - CBD, CBE, CLC, CMA, CPE, GBE
Services Offered: Birth Doula, Child Birth Classes, Lactation Consultation, Placenta Encapsulation, Gentle Birth Education, Hypnobabies Doula
Member Since 2016
Website: www.affordablememphisdoula.com
Email: The9warrens@bellsouth.net
Phone: 901-500-0773
Hello! My name is Cammie Warren and I am a certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Birth Educator, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, midwife assistant and certified personal trainer. After completing my BA in family and child development/education at Auburn University, I began my journey as a mom of 7 children and a military wife. I have always been thrilled with birth and often assisted other military wife’s during their births. After 10 years of being a preschool teacher, I decided to follow my passion and pursue birth work full time. I began the process of certifying and getting the skills I needed to inform, support and empower women to have the birth they desire! As God leads, I hope to continue working as a doula, birth educator, placenta encapsulation specialist and pursue my midwifery certification. Every child is a gift from God and I’m so very blessed to be a small part of this special event! It’s my desire to help families reach their birth experience desires.
Darrian Yancey
Services Offered: Postpartum Doula, Mother/Baby RN
Member Since 2024
Website: Blissfulbabysupport.com
Email: darianharrisonrn@gmail.com
Phone: (901) 487-6951
My name is Darian Yancey I am a wife and mom of 3 (1 daughter and two sons) and I have been a nurse for 15 years mostly in the maternal and infant specialty. During this time, I have helped many women with their transition into motherhood. I am passionate about creating a space for mothers to feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered in their new or expanding roles. I love answering questions about pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, infant growth and development, and motherhood in general.
Sally Zebrick
Services Offered: Birthing From Within Childbirth Educator in Training (anticipate completion 2024), Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Registered Nurse
Member Since 2024
Website: https://holisticchildbirthprep.my.canva.site/
Email: sallytz@gmail.com
Phone: (504) 491-6369
I am a Birthing From Within childbirth educator in training, a certified breastfeeding specialist, and a registered nurse with five years of experience in labor and delivery. I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but I have lived in Memphis for several years now and am proud to call Bluff City my home. As a labor and delivery nurse, I have found that parents are often shocked and overwhelmed by the intense sensations and emotions of childbirth. As a mother, I know that the experience of having and caring for a baby can be frightening and frustrating as much as it is joyful and inspiring. I am passionate about helping families to access their inner resources and prepare for childbirth and parenthood as the transformative rites of passage that they are.