Jen, our founder. She is smiling, sitting on a rattan chair. She has a yellow headwrap, glasses, a gray shirt and jeans.

Hi, I’m Jennifer molina.

(she/they)

I’m the founder of United in Birth. I am a kid of the “ni de aqui, ni de alla” era. A first-generation Dominican American, who never quite felt like enough of either. I also happen to be Queer. Being a middle child defines much of who I am. I am an expert on the middle ground/gray areas, a keeper of peace, and a compassionate child/sister/friend.

Birthwork has led me on a journey back home to myself by connecting me to my ancestors and our traditions. I am on a mission to continue to heal myself and other children of the diaspora from the grief and disconnection we experience through birthwork, food, and herbs.

I have a B.S. in Public Health from Syracuse University and worked for the federal government for about 8 years before transitioning to full-time doula work. As a former Perinatal Health Education for the Peace Corps in Guatemala, I learned about traditional midwifery practices, hosted pregnancy support groups, facilitated workshops on curriculum development and adult learning strategies with health staff, and conducted postpartum house visits with new parents. In my role as an emergency manager, I supported government relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. These roles have shown me the power of community and their resistance against the active disenfranchisement of the people by government bodies. My work centers on resilience and the power present in our communities.

When not doula-ing you can find me mixing tea blends while blasting some Bad Bunny or pretending to be a sportsbian by playing second base in my Queer softball league. I am supported by my formerly mean cat, Pablo, my always affectionate dog, Charlie, and my life partner, Goose. 

Gratitude

I’d like to take a minute to thank all the wonderful teachers who I have learned from and the capacities in which I know them. Who I am as a doula is shaped by them.

  • Empress Karen Rose & Damita Polanco- Sacred Vibes, Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism Apprenticeship

  • king yaa- Birthing Beyond the Binary, Decolonizing Facilitation

  • Emilie Rodriguez, Myla Flores, Aida Alfonzo, Evelyn Alvarez, Naima Beckles, Nicole JeanBaptiste- Conscious Birth Collective Mentorship Program

  • Mayte, The Womb Doula- Intro to Sobada Care

  • Montse Olmos- Cultural Appropriation & the Rebozo, The Ceremony of Birth

  • Tanya Wills, Sarah Lovell, Jenny Langhben, Sophia O’Shaughnessy- Manhattan Birth Mentorship Program Year 1 & 2

  • Morgane Richardson- Woven Bodies, Supporting Queer Families in Birth & Postpartum

  • Juli & Nicki Tilsner- Cornerstone Birthwork Training, Advanced Full Spectrum Doula Training

  • Chanel Porchia- Ancient Song, The Reasoning Doula Mentorship Program

  • Latham Thomas- Mama Glow, Level 1 Doula Immersion

  • Griselda & Miguelina- Brujas of Brooklyn, kundalini yoga

  • Gladys Pena- my grandma