Birth support rooted in confidence, connection & care

Birth doula support, placenta encapsulation & postpartum care serving families throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Maine.

MEET YOUR DOULA

HI, I’M GENNA.

Certified Birth Doula supporting families through pregnancy, birth & the transition into motherhood.

I believe birth support should feel personal, grounded and reassuring. I provide evidence-informed education, hands-on comfort, advocacy and steady support while honoring each family’s individual goals for their birth.

Training & Credentials

DONA International Certified Birth Doula (CD)

Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist

PAIL Advocate

The VBAC Link Certified

Spinning Babies® Professional Training

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine Training

Learn more about me

read client reviews

Check out my photo gallery

SUPPORT FOR PREGNANCY, BIRTH & POSTPARTUM

Care designed to meet you wherever you are in your journey.

Birth Doula Support

Pregnancy preparation, continuous labor support, advocacy, comfort measures & evidence-informed education.

Placenta Encapsulation

Professional placenta preparation with encapsulation and thoughtfully crafted add-on options.

Postpartum & Herbal Care

Handcrafted postpartum products created to support rest, recovery and the transition into motherhood

" It is such a great peace-of-mind having someone as knowledgeable and compassionate as Genna during one of the most important moments of your life. She helped make my dream of a VBAC possible and I will forever be thankful for her. If you’re even questioning hiring a doula for your birth—do it. It is worth every penny. Genna is your best choice and you will not regret it."
—Amanda Curry
" I couldn't imagine going through the process without her and we'll absolutely be going through her again if we have more!”
—Sean O’Quinn
" Genna educated my partner in how to support me as well, so he was involved in the entire day- and Genna put him at ease with his own worries and concerns. We can’t recommend Genna enough and I truly could not imagine my pregnancy and birth without her.”
—Carly O’Quinn
" She helped me with birth ball positions, counter pressure techniques, massage, calm and soothing affirmations and beyond. She and my husband worked in unison to get me through my entire labor and delivery and I couldn't have asked for a better birth experience.”
—Alexandra Ouellette
“ Thank you for sleeping upright in a chair for me, thank you for being by my side for 34 hardworking, blissful, yet excruciating hours. Thank you for not missing a beat for me even though we pushed the LIMIT with time and making sure you were able to safely and restfully make it to your sons surgery. Thank you for caring for me and for teaching me all of the tips, tricks and knowledge I can now carry with me forever. I am beyond blessed not only to have had Genna by my side for the birth of my son, but for the rest of my life as an incredible friend to confide in, look up to and create memories with! Genna, we love you more than words.”
—Talia Deputy
“ So grateful to have those photos of my newborns right as they were born! If you’re on the fence and unsure if a doula is the right fit for you, I highly recommend Genna at Rhythm and Repose Doula Services. No matter your birth plans or preferences during pregnancy, labor and delivery, Genna will be there to support, assist and advocate for you every step of the way! “
—Julie Gregory
“ During my birth, she was an incredible support. She physically held me up during contractions, advocated for my and desires that we discussed ahead of time, and worked closely with nursing staff to ensure I was as comfortable as possible during my labor. After my birth, I feel I have gained a close friend in Genna and am so thankful she was a part of my birth story. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula!”
— Josselyn Dieppa
“ She also snapped some beautiful pictures during labor that I will treasure forever. My husband had such a wonderful experience, too, compared to my other births because we had a doula this time & he was so happy that we hired Genna. It was one of the best decisions we made. If I have another baby, we will definitely plan to work with Genna again.”
— Nina Meola
“ Genna was pulled in to support my birthing journey at the eleventh hour, as I was staring down the barrel of shifting from a desired vaginal delivery towards a scheduled c-section. She was a wonderful sounding board during this transition and provided much needed information and moral support. On the day of the scheduled c-section, Genna was prepared and fully engaged. Leading into the OR, Genna did a great job chatting me up which helped keep me calm and optimistic. She was able to capture amazing photos of the first moments with our new baby. She stood by my side post-delivery, freeing up my husband to stay with the baby. For this, my husband and I are profoundly grateful. To top it all off, Genna surprised us with homemade lactation muffins. That small gesture is emblematic of the thoughtfulness Genna applies towards her doula practice.”
— Lynes Cartularo
“ She had plenty of tips and tricks and tools to aid in many ways. Having another person available to advocate, and communicating with the medical staff allows the parents to focus on each other and the task at hand. Not to mention all the photos she gently captured (with permission) without being over the top and distracting. 10/10 would recommend. “
— Keith Ouellette

Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation

The sudden drop in estrogen, progesterone, endorphins, and other hormones during women’s postpartum time, may trigger depression the same way moodiness is triggered by premenstrual changes in these hormones. it may take months for a women’s body to replenish and level out the hormones. By consuming the placenta, the mother reintroduces those important hormones back into her system in the most natural way.
Many women are iron deficient or even anemic after delivery, peaking at one week postpartum. This may lead to
fatigue, irritability, exhaustion, insufficient milk supply, and even postpartum depression. Therefore, increasing iron
levels should decrease fatigue and prevent, minimize, or eliminate postpartum depression. For this reason, many
women are choosing to encapsulate. The placenta is rich in iron, making consumption an excellent resource during
the mother’s postpartum time.
Since the placenta contains high levels of prostaglandin and oxytocin, this stimulates involution of the uterus, or
shrinking or returning to a former size, when consumed. Homebirth midwife Jennifer West states in her book, “The
Natural Healing Power of the Placenta,” that for a client of hers who had consumed her placenta, her uterus was
almost completely involuted five days post birth, which would normally feel that size around two to four weeks
postpartum. She continued to see that trend from clients of hers who consumed their placenta in some form.
The placenta contains inhibitors of urokinase, which can help reduce or stop bleeding. Oxytocin also helps to reduce
blood loss. A mother who is experiencing heavy bleeding immediately after delivery may benefit from consuming a
small chuck of her placenta to control the bleeding. This can be done by quickly breaking off a quarter size piece
from the maternal side, and having the mother place either under her tongue, or place between her cheek and gum
and keep there until the bleeding has subsided. A mother may choose to chew and swallow the piece, however not
all woman can tolerate the idea of it. This option may be done as a precaution, in lieu of uterine contracting drugs, or
in an emergent situation.
The placenta contains high levels of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone inhibit the stimulatory
effects of prolactin on milk production, then oxytocin triggers the milk let-down. There is some evidence that
placenta consumption may increase milk supply, however further research must be done.
Thyroid hormones pass through into the placenta and contribute to the baby’s development. When taken during the
postpartum phase, these hormones may assist with metabolism and energy levels. The increased iron from the
placenta also contributes to the increased energy levels.
Interferons produced by the placenta may offer protection against infections and stimulate the immune system.
Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF) is found in amniotic fluid and the placenta. This may contribute to
enhance the effectiveness of opioids, or modify endogenous opioid activity, reducing delivery-related pain. This
potential benefit could be especially helpful for mothers who have cesarean births, episiotomies, or severe tears.