DC-Area Maternal Health Expert Kimberly Marie Helps First-Time Mothers Prepare for Birth, Postpartum & Newborn Care

WASHINGTON , DC, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — For many first-time mothers, pregnancy comes with an overwhelming amount of information—but having information is not always the same as feeling prepared.

Kimberly Marie, Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Pediatric Sleep Specialist, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Maternal Health Consultant and Childbirth Educator, is helping families bridge that gap through Vela Haven – Sleep Consulting & Maternal Services.

Founded in 2020, Vela Haven provides birth and postpartum doula support, newborn care, lactation support, and baby and toddler sleep services. The practice is designed particularly to support busy and anxious first-time mothers who want clear guidance, compassionate care, and greater confidence as they prepare for birth and early parenthood.

“Families don’t just need someone present during birth,” says Kimberly Marie. “They need support, education, and reassurance throughout the transition into parenthood.”

Kimberly’s own path into maternal health began unexpectedly. She had naturally found herself supporting women in her family through pregnancy and postpartum. After a friend pointed out that the work she was doing was essentially that of a doula, Kimberly began researching the profession, pursued formal training, and continued expanding her education in maternal health, breastfeeding, childbirth education, and pediatric sleep.

What began as a natural desire to support the women around her became a professional calling to educate and advocate for families during some of the most transformative moments of their lives.

Vela Haven services include prenatal preparation, partner coaching, labor preparedness, postpartum care, newborn support, and sleep education.
The practice also provides continued follow-up after a service package ends, reflecting Kimberly’s belief that families often need guidance beyond the traditional boundaries of a single appointment or birth experience. They also host community events such as fertility and maternal health conferences.

Among Vela Haven’s distinctive offerings are:
VIP Birth Planning Experience with multiple prenatal visits focused on labor, delivery, and postpartum preparation.
Custom Labor Preparedness Toolkit with affirmations, comfort tools, and a hospital-ready checklist.
Partner Coaching to help partners confidently support labor, postpartum recovery, and bonding.
Post-Birth Transition Support including an in-home visit and ongoing text follow-ups.
Nursery & Supply Audit to help families create a safe and functional environment for babies.
Pregnancy Milestone Roadmap providing guidance throughout pregnancy.
Fourth Trimester Care focused on recovery, reassurance, and the transition into life with a newborn.
Newborn Sleep Shaping to introduce healthy sleep foundations from the beginning.
Six-Week Postpartum Roadmap addressing healing, infant care, mental health check-ins, partner connection, return-to-work planning, and family rhythms.

Beyond her work with individual families, Kimberly is a maternal health advocate and community educator. She hosts childbirth and sleep education classes, participates in community initiatives, and facilitates conversations about maternal safety, informed consent, birth advocacy, and equitable care, particularly for Black and underserved families.

She also founded and hosts Womb & Word, a podcast launched in Spring 2026 that explores maternal health, birth advocacy, faith, education, and authentic conversations surrounding the experiences of women and families.
Kimberly is the founder of The Academy of Pediatric Sleep Care, which provides education, training, and advising for perinatal and wellness professionals, and co-founder of the Birthing Bridges DMV Coalition, a collaborative initiative supporting perinatal care professionals throughout the region.
Vela Haven was recognized by Lux Life Magazine in 2024 as “Best Sleep Consultancy in the Washington DC Metro Area.”

About Kimberly Marie
Kimberly Marie is the CEO and Founder of Vela Haven – Sleep Consulting & Maternal Services. With nearly a decade of experience in perinatal and maternal health, she is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Certified Maternal Health Consultant, Maternal Health Advocate, and Childbirth Educator.

She is also the author of My Pregnancy Haven, a pregnancy and postpartum support journal designed to help families prepare, advocate for themselves, and approach pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with greater confidence.

Media Contact:
Email: kim@velahaven.com
Phone: (240) 940-8117
Website: www.velahaven.com
Womb & Word Podcast: https://velahaven.com/wombandwordpodcast/

Media interviews: Kimberly is available for broadcast, podcast, print, and online interviews focused on maternal health, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care, infant sleep, and birth advocacy.

Kim Marie
Vela Haven
email us here

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