Jan S. Mallak, 2LAS, ICCE-CD-CPD-IAT, CD-PCD-BDT(DONA), CPD(CAPPA)

Jan has over 31 years of experience in childbirth education, labor support, breastfeeding and related fields. She is a Certified Childbirth Educator through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and has certification as a Birth Doula through both ICEA and DONA (Doulas of North America). Jan is an ICEA Approved Trainer and is a DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer. She is also a Certified Postpartum Doula through ICEA, DONA and CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). Jan served as an initial faculty member for the ICEA Birth Doula Certification Program and is currently initiating their Postpartum Doula Certification program. She has been published many times (including Doulas’ Guide to Birthing Your Way, March 2010), is a consultant and has presented topics locally, nationally and internationally at professional conventions and workshops. Jan is lovingly supported by her husband of 38 years, Frank, and their grown children Frank, Jr., Heather, her husband, Dror and their son Zeev. Jan is thrilled to be ZV’s “Baba!”

In the 3 decades I have been in service to women, I have seen many changes. They include advances in our knowledge about pregnancy and birth, what research has revealed about interventions and how bringing back some of the tried and true attitudes can really improve outcomes. Through all of this, I have stayed focused on my one true passion and that is helping women to achieve the birth they envision. Beyond a doubt, birth is a ‘Rite of Passage’ for the mother and guiding her along that path as she meets her baby is a privilege and honor. Birth to me is still a miracle and a life changing event that nothing else compares to. Witnessing the creation of a family right before my eyes is something I cherish even after 30+ years in the baby business. As I plan my retirement in a few more years, I only hope that I can continue to instill in doulas that I train and mentor these fundamental philosophies of care and support. The HUMAN environment at birth really is the basis of a wonderful beginning for the families we serve and I feel blessed to have been a part of that for so many wonderful years.

Teresa Bailey, CD, IBCLC

Website: teresadoula.com

I’ve been a doula with “Heart & Hands” Doula Service since 2000. In that time I’ve attended thousands of hours of labor for more than a hundred births. Each birth a is unique and joyful event. I’ve been a certified doula through DONA international since 2001. I also do postpartum work, especially with mothers who need help with breastfeeding. I’m also a board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a La Leche League Leader. My group is Strip District La Leche League.

Helping moms prepare for and have successful VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) is one of my specialties. It’s your birth—that’s my philosophy. I want to help you have the birth that you envision. I want you to have a supportive birth team. I want your birth to be a beautiful and empowering memory you will always cherish. Together with Jan Mallak, I’ve written a book called Doulas’ Guide to Birthing Your Way. Our book is a helpful guide for mothers who want to have a lovely birth experience.

As for my personal life, I’m happily married to renowned Pittsburgh author Christopher Bailey. We have a son, Simon, born in 2001. (And of course I had a doula attend my birth.)

Kathy Chiaramonte, CD

I am 47 years old, married 27 years to Glenn, the love of my life.I have two amazing daughters, Brianne age 23(married just this past summer 2009 to Ben) and Kacy age 17.I also have a really neat foster son, Morgan age 12 .I gave birth to both of my daughters unmedicated and with no interventions. An accomplishment I am very proud of (Oh, how I wish I had known about doulas then!).

I've been working as a birth doula for 4 years and have been certified for three of those years. I am also trained as a post partum doula. I began this whole wonderful adventure after attending the birth of a very good friend, where I met Jan (who was working as their doula!). She called me 2 weeks after to ask if I'd be interested in joining her group, less than a month later I was in training! I've attended births of all kinds at most of Pittsburghs hospitals, including the Midwife Center on Penn Avenue.

I consider it both an honor and an absolute priveledge to be invited to play a part in one of the most intimate and important days in your life, and will do everything I can do to help make it the best experience possible for you and your loved ones.
I wish you all the best on your birthing day.

Jami Conn, CD

I am 35 years old and gave birth in September 2009 to a beautiful healthy boy. I have an adopted 4 year-old son. I strive to help every woman I know have the birth experience she desires. Each birth is different and exciting, and I look forward to each baby's arrival. I trained to be a doula with Jan after assisting a friend in her birth, and because I love empowering, educating and supporting women, and nothing is better than welcoming a new life into the world. I have only been with H&H's since the beginning of 2009, but it has already been the most rewarding work I have ever done. I have experienced a pregnancy loss and a difficult labor, and feel that my experiences give me great compassion and understanding for women having a more difficult time with pregnancy and delivery.

Shirley Conti

I am the mother of three adult children and I have four grandchildren. I am in the process of becoming a certified doula because giving birth is far too important to be handled as a routine medical event.  Women need the support of other caring, knowledgeable women so that they can use their God-given abilities to give birth in the way they were designed to.  I would like to help women and their babies have the most meaningful, enjoyable birth possible because it is their sacred birthright.   

Karen Crow

I have always been fascinated by birth, and bought my first birth book when I was twelve years old. Many years later, I had an incredible, empowering, natural birth with my first and, I was lucky enough to have Jan Mallak, the doula of doulas, as my doula for my second and third babies. I am so blessed with my three, very cool children and my loving spouse, without whom my doula career would not be possible. I became a Bradley Natural Childbirth Teacher in 2002 and have been very happy to share birth classes with hundreds of couples. My dream, however, was not only to teach, but also to provide new moms and dads with support and information throughout the birthing processes and those precious postpartum days and weeks. Once my littlest one was in school, I was lucky enough to train with Jan to become a doula and am honored to be a part of “Heart and Hands.”

Ellen Huffmyer, CD,CPD

I have been a doula for fourteen years, and have been with "Heart & Hands" for the past thirteen years. I am a certified birth doula with DONA, and have attended many births over the years, including home births, hopsital births, and birth center births. I am also a certified postpartum doula with CAPPA. I have over ten years of experience in postpartum work, and I was the second doula in western PA to be certified as a PP doula.

I love my job, being able to help women. I became a doula after the birth of my first child, in order to be able to offer caring support to women in the birth year. I am married to a wonderful man, and we have four children. I feel that my job makes me a better mom, and that, as a mom, I have more to offer the women with whom I work. I was recently accepted into the Bradley teacher training program for chirldbirth education, and that this will continue to help me serve women in this very important time of life.

Rene Marasco

Joined the group in March 2008. Married 7 years with two beautiful, bright and sweet little girls. Birth and postpartum work - mostly overnights for families with twin. Prior to working with the group I worked as a social worker and doula for a social service agency that performs doula work for women with disabilities - funded by grants - the scope of the work included prenatal, birth, postpartum, case management and child development - my "specialty" was young moms with mental health issues/recovering addictions - I also worked in a maternity home for a number of years.

Events effecting my journey to become a doula:.

* a long-standing love for working with children and families.

* my desire for an unmedicated birth where I ended up having an epidural, my daughter had respiratory distress and we almost needed an emergency cesarean - I felt responsible because of my decision to use pain medication! (I wasn't!).

* my oldest daughter cried for seven months and was what I like to describe as a spirited, sensitive child who was in her fourth trimester (and fifth ) - I cried with her! I don't want any mom to go through this anxiety and depression without encouragement and support, and enjoy being able to help during such an important time! (FYI - she is the loveliest, sweetest and most easy going child now ).

* our decision to have a midwife and doula for our second birth - resulting in an unmedicated delivery - and, still, respiratory distress. It was a wonderful experience having had each girl differently - one with an epidural and one without - I feel like this is helpful in my role as a birth doula as I have personal experience with both choices! * my success with breastfeeding, having nursed each girl for 2 years - this was especially helpful for our youngest daughter who has eczema, numerous food allergies and a predisposition to asthma..

I believe that we are never more open to growth and change as during birth and postpartum. I believe that the process of becoming parents has, not only it's blessings but, it's struggles; and that society too often speaks of this time as solely positive. This leaves parents feeling like something is wrong with them if they are anything but completely thrilled or if they are unable to know exactly what their child needs at all times. I want parents to know that it's okay to be learning about their baby and their baby about them, to be adjusting to their new roles and how that fits with each parent as individuals and as a couple. Change is never easy, not even positive, wanted change. It can be stressful, especially exacerbated by sleep deprivation. Everyone could use a little extra help embracing the ride! I wish all of you great luck and love in your journey to become parents!

Karen Sharif

I believe that birth is a normal, natural, process that can be aided by emotional, physical, and informational support.  Whether a birth is medicated or non-medicated, the birth of a child is without question a sacred event and the experience will be more empowering and positive when a woman makes decisions in an informed manner and with the support of those around her. 

I am a mom of three and I am a DONA certified doula.  I am especially passionate about VBAC, breastfeeding, and postpartum mood disorders.  I joined "Heart & Hands" in September 2007.

Katie Williams

For me, assisting women through their childbearing year is both a passion and a calling. The nurturing I received from my own doula during the birth of my two children has blessed me in ways that I never could have imagined – and still does five years later! I cannot help but desire to share this same gift with other women and families. I believe in the holistic nature of life, and birth is a very significant part of this journey. It is a tremendous joy and honor to come alongside families during this transformative event.

I am a DONA trained birth doula, in training as a childbirth educator with Lamaze Int. and will soon be trained as a postpartum doula. I live with my loving and supportive husband, Grimes, and our delightfully busy children, Susannah (4) and Evan (2).

Pat Wolfgang, CPD

I am a Certified Postpartum Doula and a Registered Nurse. I have been with Heart & Hands Doula Service since 2003, when my job at Magee-Womens Hospital was eliminated.  I had worked there as a nurse and Consumer Educator for 35 years.  I bring to you my teaching background, so a lot of advice and wisdom come with that.  I love to come into your home to care for you and your baby in order to take the burden of running the household off of your shoulders so you can rest, and learn to care for your baby with confidence.  I have two grown children of my own, whom I breastfed, no grandchildren, yet. I live in Export with my husband, Glenn.