Mary Haseltine

As the mother to seven children on earth and one in eternity, I have a passion for helping women experience their feminine genius through the beautiful, divinely designed rite of birth. I believe that every single woman and baby deserve to have the best possible birth through informed choices, evidence-based care, and through complete physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support. I am passionate about honoring God's physiologic design for birth, informed consent, and recognizing birth as the transformative event it was created to be.

I was blessed to have had six of my babies at home and two in the hospital, one a vaginal breech. I became certified as a birth doula in 2011 when I realized that too many women were not being given adequate information, informed consent, or true support for the beautiful, healthy, and empowering birth experience they deserved. In 2018 I expanded my birth work and published the now best selling book Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth. I love bringing the richness and beauty of the Catholic Faith into the experience of birth and motherhood and it infuses everything I do. However, I am hired by and have served women of many backgrounds and faiths.

I have attended births as a doula at all of the greater Buffalo area hospitals, Strong Memorial, UMMC Batavia, as well as Coit House, other birth centers, and home. I am well acquainted with the local birth options, various protocols, and outcomes. I have experience in natural birth, medicated birth, water birth, VBAC, cesarean birth, induction, and complete physiological birth as well as miscarriage and stillbirth. Some of my training includes LifeCycles Center certification, Spinning Babies training, and Neonatal Resuscitation training through Karen Strange.

Because of my experiences and what I have witnessed in the local system, I have chosen to limit the amount of hospital births I am willing to take. My current work is focused primarily on birth center, community, and home birth, though I do continue to work in the hospital on a case by case basis especially if a mother has genuine risk factors that make it the preferable option in her situation.

In addition to my personal birth experience I also have over fifteen years of breastfeeding experience and am able to help you navigate the breastfeeding journey as well as overcome many problems that might arise. I can assist with questions about newborn care, motherhood, postpartum issues, and more.

Please note that due to my family obligations, I currently take about 1-2 birth doula clients per month. If you are interested in booking me for your due time, please contact me as soon as possible. I look forward to meeting you and sharing in this important and joyful time for you and your family!