Dina Piccioni

I always knew I had a passion for supporting women and families through birth and life with a new baby, but it was not until the birth of my granddaughter that I knew I wanted to become a doula.

I was captivated by the way my son and daughter-in-law approached their pregnancy as a team. They attended childbirth classes, hired a doula, and prepared thoughtfully for the experience they hoped to have. Together in the same tub, they welcomed their daughter into the world. Witnessing their connection, preparation, and support left me in awe. I knew more families deserved to feel that informed, confident, and cared for during birth.

My own birth experiences unfolded very differently. My first birth ended in an operative delivery. I struggled to cope with the intensity of labor, and neither my husband nor I had the information or support we needed to consider other options. With my second and third births, I chose epidurals and experienced shorter labors that I remember positively overall.

At the time, we did not know to ask about preferences such as delayed cord clamping, immediate skin-to-skin contact, or protecting the golden hour. Looking back, I wish we had someone there to explain our options, help my husband understand how to support me, and encourage us to communicate what mattered to us.

My husband and I moved from Florida to Maryland when our children were nine years old, six years old, and three months old. We relocated for my husband’s job and to be closer to his family.

Before becoming a doula, I operated a home daycare, which allowed me to care for my family while building extensive hands-on experience with babies and young children. Now that my children are grown, I love spending time with my granddaughter and focusing my energy on supporting families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

My entire adult life has been shaped by having children, raising them, watching them grow, and seeing them begin families of their own. The memories I have created with my family are incredibly precious to me. At the same time, I have often wished that my own birth memories included the sense of empowerment and continuous support that I now know is possible.

Although I cannot change my own experiences, I can help other families create birth and postpartum memories grounded in knowledge, respect, confidence, and compassionate support. I want every client to understand the available options and feel supported in making the decisions that are right for their family.

Outside of doula work, I enjoy spending time with my family and relaxing at the lake with my husband and our friends during the warm summer months.

Women are capable of so much more than they sometimes realize. Even when you are unsure of yourself, I will believe in you—and, with the right support, you may begin to recognize that strength in yourself too.