Sela Patrice Doula Services
Providing support in Westchester, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
meet sela patrice.
Hello, my name is Sela (say-la) and I’m a NY-based doula, certified with the National Black Doula Association ( https://www.blackdoulas.org/ ). A doula is a trained professional that provides emotional and physical support to pregnant/postpartum women and their partners. I am an advocate, coach, and resource for the community. I am also a certified lactation support counselor through Birth Day Presence ( https://birthdaypresence.com/ ), a trained herbal therapist ( https://hoodherbalism.com/ ), a member of NYC Birth Village ( https://www.nycbirthvillage.com/ ), and a Childbirth Educator with CB International ( https://childbirthinternational.com/ ).
I started my career exclusively doing birth work, but the more I was exposed to postpartum care and lactation education, I fell deeply in love. My work at the Boram’s ( https://boramcare.com/ ) postnatal retreat center in Manhattan then catapulted me into postpartum work and built my confidence through hands-on experience with lactation issues. Meeting with dozens of mothers per shift, it kept me quick on my feet in a way that I thought only being an on-call birth doula could feed. And yet kept me grounded and adaptable to switch between different realms of energy seamlessly within seconds.
Now, as a full-fledged postpartum doula and lactation consultant, I dedicate my work to guiding families through a whole new season of life with warm hands and listening ears. My goal is to meet you where you are so that each unique union feel supported, confident, and cared for every step of the way.
my philosophy.
Every family gets a doula for a different reason—sometimes because they have no other physical support, because they want more education, or they want a specialized ear to hold space for their emotions. My main concern in every moment is how to care for the individuals standing in front of me. There is no concrete schedule or to-do list. There is empathy, relationships, communication, and adaptability.
My philosophy is simply that I believe mothers steer their own experience and whomever is on their team needs to be attentive and respectful of their wishes and decisions. I do not ever make decisions for them nor do I allow my personal opinions to affect my professional care for my clients. I am there as not only a resource, but a guide in what can feel like the tunnel of postpartum. Somedays this means quietly washing pump parts, meal prepping, or belly binding. Other days it's sitting down with you to educate you on your new breast pump or on best perineal care practices.
I adapt to each household, becoming a chameleon within their unique rhythm, and in the process, I often build lifelong relationships.
