I have long believed in the importance of skillful and loving parenting to the well-being of individuals and societies. I have come to understand that the transition into parenthood is multi-dimensional and deserves abundant loving care and attention. I am grateful for the chance to be a part of, and witness to, the journeys of the families I have had the honor to work with.
I completed my birth and postpartum doula training through Doulas of North America in 2012. In 2013 I became a certified lactation counselor through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. To date I have attended 162 births in hospitals, homes, and birthing centers throughout New York City, plus several births virtually (even before Covid 19!). I have support dozens more families through their postpartum journeys. From 2013-2016 I was a volunteer full-spectrum doula with the Doula Project.
I hold a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase. I was a professional dancer for 13 years. My movement practices deeply inform my whole life and have been formed by the study of qi gong and many many dance techniques and teachings.
I am the proud, devoted and imperfect mother of two forces of nature, Ellory (7.5) and Eartha (3.5).
Thank you so much for all of your support and guidance leading up to, during, and in the weeks following A’s birth. I feel so grateful that my birth experience and memories of it are laced with a sense of calm, confidence, and strength, which are direct reflections of your influence and presence. Thank you for guiding us through one of the most important and life-affirming journeys—we’ll never forget it! —C & M
I can not imagine the birth of my daughter without Anna by my side. She was a calm, serene and devoted presence throughout my labor, helping to make the process (even with a last minute transfer to the hospital) a peaceful and spiritual event for both myself and my partner. She "read" me extremely well, and seemed to anticipate what I needed at every moment, from hydration to soothing touch to soothing my partner. Giving birth was the most profound experience of my life, and Anna supported and enriched that experience from my pregnancy to holding my amazing newborn baby in my arms. —Julia
We hired Anna to be our postpartum doula after meeting a few different potential doulas, and we couldn't have made a better choice for our family. The pp doula will be with you all through those sensitive, tough and amazing early days. I can't emphasize enough how wonderful it is to look back now with gratitude at the support Anna provided. Everything from making a much needed bowl of oatmeal, to teaching us to use our Moby wrap, to talking through early bottle feeding and giving our son his first bath. Anna eased the transition into parenthood but also empowered us to become the parents we were ready to be. She is the best. —Pepper B.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of Stella’s birth. It’s hard to find the words to convey just how integral you were to the process. Much of it is foggy but we’ve got photos that remind us of your constant, calm and supportive presence. While the birth didn’t go as we had hoped, there were many moments of beauty throughout those days and so much of that is thanks to you. We feel immensely fortunate to have had your guidance and wisdom and resourcefulness to draw from as the hours (and days!) carried on as well as in the weeks leading up to and following her birth. Thank you for all of it! —L. C.
I can't imagine going through labor without Anna by my side. Anna was so calm, reassuring and available for me during the entire labor. She worked so well with my husband and the hospital staff and she was able to support me in the birth that I wanted and the birth was such a special experience. Anna has a ton of knowledge but she also has intuition and a great presence. I highly recommend Anna!! —Jessica G.
Anna Carapetyan worked with our family as a post-partum doula, and she was an immense help. Like many (most?) new parents, we were experiencing a lot of stress. Anna came into our home like a wave of calm in the midst of our stormy days. She helped tame our new chaos by cleaning up dishes and taking out trash, she assisted in solving the Ergo puzzle so that I had more confidence venturing outside with our new little one, and most of all: she listened. She was genuinely curious about our experience, how we were feeling, what we needed to share out loud. In those early days when we were feeling confused, isolated, and overwhelmed (as well as delirious from lack of sleep and new love), Anna was a huge support. I would highly recommend her. —Sarah
Anna was our doula through my vaginal birth with Midwife Rochelle Lipschutz at Beth Israel Hospital in October of 2014. My husband and I came out of the experience grateful for Anna's expert advice, kind touch, and trusting support. During the second and third trimester Anna was available with any questions or concerns we presented. We were able to be open and honest regarding sensitive topics. She handled scheduling and communication in a professional and compassionate way. She has an extensive network of support services and was helpful in choosing a childbirth Education class, acupuncturist, massage therapist, etc. During labor Anna supported the role of my husband during this intimate time while providing important guidance when decisions needed to be made. My midwife and labor nurse commented on Anna's professionalism and expertise. She held my hand through the birthing of my daughter and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It is clear that Anna is not only talented in what she does, she has a passion and love for her clients and their babies that goes well beyond the paid services she provides. —Christina
Anna was attentive and sensitive to my daughter in her postpartum time at home. She was flexible in her approach and able to respond effectively to the needs of the situation. I highly recommend her. —Jennifer D.
Choosing Anna as our birth doula was one of the best decisions we've made - she was so warm, calm and supportive. I remember saying "thank you" many times to both her and my husband during labor with my daughter - and still am very grateful. My midwives were also very impressed with how helpful she was, and told me so. I highly recommend her. —Erica P.
Anna, seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. We could not have done it without you. —A. R.
From the very first meeting until the postpartum visits, Anna was a wonderful support and resource to our family. Her calm demeanour coupled with the wealth of information about preparing for labor, possible pain, and birth were key in helping to bring our daughter into this world. Anna demonstrated a genuine interest in getting to know who we are and what type of experience we wanted to cultivate. Anna was also flexible when the time came to change our labor and birth wishes. She kept her promise to remain supportive no matter what happened. I recommend those looking for a wonderful doula to consider Anna. —Sara
Anna was our doula for my first pregnancy this past year. My fiancee and I decided to hire a doula for two reasons: this was my first birth with no clue as how to go about things and I wanted a birth as natural as possible in a hospital (which can be hard to do these days in NYC). We found Anna's assistance to be invaluable. She was with us every step of the way from providing a ton of information on how to prep the body/uterus for a natural birth to responding to texts at one in the morning when my labor started. Postpartum followup was amazing giving us space to bond as a new family and being available to visit when the time was right. I now have a beautiful and healthy baby girl that was born in the hospital, naturally, and I owe it all to Anna's expertise and professionalism throughout the entire process. I would hire Anna again...in a heartbeat! —Amy H.