Gentle Seed Doulas typically work in a team of two for your pregnancy, birth & postpartum. Your team is always on-call for you. We match doulas and families by personality and availability for your estimated due date. We are excited to meet you and learn your birth and postpartum goals!
Birth Doula (CD), Certified Infant Sleep Consultant
Melissa Burton is a Certified Labor Doula and has her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Cincinnati. Her training and education includes certification through CAPPA and Spinning Babies.
Melissa’s interest in birth was sparked during her first pregnancy and continued to grow after the birth of her second and third children. In addition to becoming a mother, always a listening ear and helping hand for her friends during their pregnancies and postpartum helped Melissa realize her passion for supporting moms and families through the transition to parenthood. Becoming a birth professional is something that felt natural to her.
A Cincinnati native, Melissa resides in Anderson with her husband, son and four daughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, getting together with friends, reading and running. Melissa can’t wait to support new and growing families.
Melissa Burton
Alyssa Overkamp
Birth Doula (CD), Placenta Encapsulation Specialist
Alyssa came to birth work in 2018 desiring to bring support and empowerment to all those giving birth. While getting her Bachelor’s degree in Public and Community Health from the University of Cincinnati, she realized she wanted to work in women’s health.
Seeing new parents welcome life into the world is such a joy to her. Besides being a certified birth doula through DONA, she is our certified placenta encapsulation specialist.
Alyssa loves spending time with her daughter, husband, and pup. When not at a birth, you can find her hiking, reading, or in the garden.
Postpartum Doula (CPD)
After 4 years of leading an Infant Montessori classroom at Lifespan Montessori in Athens, GA, Lauren realized that one of her biggest strengths in the classroom was communicating with parents and guiding new families.
In September of 2020 she became Postpartum Doula certified through DONA and is eager to support families while they experience their 4th Trimester. Lauren is delighted to be starting her postpartum doula career with the Gentle Seed Doula team.
As well as providing comfort to new families, Lauren is also passionate in creating Montessori spaces for little ones in the home. She enjoys cooking, has a background in singing and songwriting, and is constantly developing her Japanese culture, as she is a quarter Japanese.
Lauren is from all over, having grown up in California, Nevada, Japan, New Jersey, and spent the last 5 years in Georgia. With family close by, she is happy to be settling down in Ohio with her husband Charlie, and are certainly enjoying the newlywed bliss.
Lauren Caldwell
Supporting Your Child's Birth
We Believe In You
All Gentle Seed Doulas work in a team of two for your pregnancy, birth & postpartum. We match doulas and families by personality and availability for your estimated due date. We are excited to meet you and learn your birth and postpartum goals.
Angela D'Orazio
Postpartum Doula (CPD)
We are so excited to have Angela join us at GentleSeed Doulas. Not only is she a certified postpartum doula, what makes her extra special to us is her 19 years of experience as a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) RN. Angela is currently a neonatal/pediatric home care nurse for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, working part time for the last 4 years. She has also worked as a postpartum home care nurse at the start of her nursing career, and has dedicated her years as a nurse to nurturing and supporting the tiniest and most vulnerable members of our community. Angela holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Wright State University, which has provided a strong foundation for her work. Now, as a postpartum doula, Angela will bring her extensive knowledge and compassionate care into the homes of new families, ensuring they feel confident and supported during this important time.
Outside of her professional life, Angela has been married for 22 wonderful years and is the proud mother of two amazing daughters. Her and her family live in Liberty Township, where friends and family often call her the “baby whisperer” because of her natural ability to soothe and care for infants. Angela‘s passion extends beyond just caring for the baby; she is committed to supporting the entire family. With her high-risk experience, she can quickly assess situations and help families make the best decisions for their unique needs. Angelaoffers guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding support, and emotional well-being, ensuring that every aspect of the postpartum period is addressed with empathy and expertise.
Angela is excited to help make your “4th trimester” an amazing experience for your whole family and new baby. Her approach to family care is what fuels her dedication, and she cannot wait to work with you and help guide you through this exciting journey!
Birth Doula (CD), Doula Mentor, Birth Doula
Lisa Suttschenko is a native Cincinnatian and has three sons ages 23, 20 and 14. She lives in Loveland where she enjoys being outdoors with her active family and loves to travel. Supporting families through pregnancy, birth and parenthood is her passion. Because of the unwavering support she received during her pregnancies and births, Lisa was inspired to start a career as a birth doula. She believes that having someone there solely devoted to you makes all of the difference in your birthing experience.
Her birthwork education includes doula certification through ToLabor, Gina Kirby’s Rebozo workshop, Spinning Babies training workshop and Simplicity Parenting Coach. For the past 13 years, Lisa has been a full time birth doula assisting over 1000 families as they prepare and birth their babies. She greatly enjoys being a mentor to new doulas while encouraging them and the families they work with!
Lisa Suttschenko
Julia
Hall
Postpartum Doula (CPD)
Julia Hall is a certified postpartum doula with a wealth of experience. She began her journey working with Cincinnati families as a nanny during her teenage years and has now found fulfillment in dedicating herself to supporting families in the postpartum stage. Her passion for postpartum care was ignited when she had the privilege of assisting a family welcoming a newborn baby girl. Observing the profound bond between mothers and their infants has deeply inspired her, leading her to pursue a career as a doula to provide invaluable support to families during this significant period. Julia is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and in their down time, they enjoy leisurely strolls around Hyde Park with their beloved husky puppy.
Postpartum Doula (CPD)
Delayne Thornburg has been working with families and children for 28 years. She loves helping parents adjust to life with a new addition by supporting them through the day or night in postpartum. She enjoys supporting parents as they navigate their new normal. Baby snuggles are a bonus!
Delayne Thornburg
Courtney Stradling
Postpartum Doula (CLC)
Courtney Stradling is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), postpartum doula, and yoga teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University. She is married to her high school sweetheart. They have one little boy who is four. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and taking classes. After a difficult postpartum experience, she learned how important it is to have a village supporting you. Courtney is passionate about teaching new mothers to advocate for themselves and get the quality of care they deserve.Birth Doula mentee
Spring 2025
Eva Borho is completing her Birth and Postpartum Doula certifications through the Madriella Doula Network.
Eva
Borho
Suzanna Needham
Postpartum Doula (CPD)
Suzanna Needham is a certified postpartum doula with years of practical experience including raising her own three daughters, now grown, and enjoying the art of homemaking. Living the entire process around birthing her own children, especially the “fourth trimester,” ignited her passion for supporting other mothers, beginning with her own sister and sisters-in-law. Suzanna is honored to support parents and children in this tender transition time by providing practical and compassionate postpartum doula care. She is committed to meeting each family where they are, finding the best ways to respond to their needs so they have a positive & supportive experience. Suzanna has worked at a small private school with preschool aged children and enjoyed homeschooling her own children. When not caring for postpartum families, she enjoys the fiber arts, working with natural dyes, in particular Indigo, taking long walks, weekly trips to the farmer’s market, and sharing delicious, healthy food with her family. We’re so happy to welcome Suzanna to the Gentle Seed Team!
Birth Doula/ Childbirth Educator
Cheryl Bartone, MS, LMT, CLD
Cheryl brings a unique element to the birth world with her passion for education and her love of natural solutions. Cheryl is a CAPPA certified labor doula and a Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor. She is also a medical massage therapist and she holds a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; currently working at Clinique en Beauté and at The Lindner Research Center at The Christ Hospital.
Since beginning her labor doula journey with CAPPA in 2017, Cheryl has attended many births in the hospital, birthing center, and home birth settings. She puts her knowledge of mother-baby positioning to use in the birth setting and works with the entire birth team to improve outcomes and satisfaction. Cheryl underwent Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor training in 2021 and has worked with many couples to have a more joyful and peaceful birth experience. In teaching, she draws from the experiences of the births she has attended as well as her own personal experience with Hypnobabies for her two births (in 2008 and 2010).
When she’s not supporting a mother in birth, teaching, in a massage session, or continuing her education, you can find Cheryl alongside her chef husband helping him with a catering event. You may even find her playing video games with her teenagers, walking her dogs, or digging in the garden.
Cheryl Bartone
Ashley
Frith
Postpartum Doula (CPD) BSN, RN
Ashley is a dedicated registered nurse, mother of four, and proud dog mom to a sweet Australian Shepherd. Originally from Goshen, Ohio, Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Denver College of Nursing and is currently pursuing her master’s degree to further her impact in maternal health.
Working as a postpartum nurse, Ashley’s passion for supporting mothers stems from her own journey through pregnancy and postpartum. She is deeply committed to providing compassionate care and helping new moms feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Outside of her professional life, Ashley cherishes time outdoors with her children. Whether it’s a day at the beach, exploring local parks, or soaking up the sun, she embraces every moment spent with her family in nature.