About Us
Mandee Kiel
Lactation Specialist, Doula in training, Childbirth Educator In Training
Hi there! My name is Mandee. I am a doula in training, lactation specialist, and aspiring childbirth educator. For nearly a decade I worked as a classroom music teacher in low-income
areas of Philadelphia. I was driven to work with underserved populations because I feel everyone deserves access to quality education, provided in a safe and loving environment by
people who care. I retired from public education in 2018, still passionate about educating, but disenchanted with the public school system.
My transition into birth work, like many, began with my transition into motherhood. My first pregnancy started with standard obstetrical care at a top tier hospital near my home in
Philadelphia. Just over halfway into the pregnancy, my family relocated to Winchester, VA. I was excited to find a freestanding birth center in town. We met the midwives, and my world
shifted. I went from being a patient in a system to a person in a room. I felt heard. I felt seen. I felt supported. My care was my choice. They educated me on all my options, every step of the
way, and we had time for questions, discussions, and feelings. By the time I was ready to give birth, I knew what to expect my body to do and I felt confident in my ability to bring my baby into this world. I went on to have the calm, peaceful, unmedicated water birth of my dreams because of a quality education, provided in a safe and loving environment by people who care.
Three years later, my family expanded again. This time, we chose a home birth with midwives and doula support. The greatest lesson I learned is that peace on earth begins at
birth and doulas make the difference! It was the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the doulas that got that labor started, kept it running, and helped move the baby through my pelvis. My doulas helped me prevent an unnecessary induction. It was then I experienced the fetal ejection reflex and my daughter was born after only one conscious push from me.
Now, I am excited and honored to be able to pay it forward. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality prenatal, childbirth, and lactation education provided in a safe environment by people who care no matter where you deliver or what kind of care you choose. This is why I am proud to join the team of Ivy Doula Birth and Lactation. I am proud to bring my background as a public educator and three years of experience in lactation support as a Leader with La Leche League into the fold. I look forward to helping you have an educated and empowered experience every time you grow your family.