Alexis a fertility, birth, postpartum and bereavement doula, She is also a placenta encapsulator and certified childbirth educator. Alexis has a deep passion for helping others and empowering women at any stage of life, especially as they are bringing new life into the world. She has been changing lives as a social worker for several years working with teenagers and now has moved on to manifesting greatness as a doula. She offers her clinical experience to assist in the strengthening of mental health and social functioning in pregnancy and postpartum as well her physical, emotional and spiritual support. She works facilitating trauma healings and occupying space so women and families can bring forth life in all their glory. Alexis is excited to use her creative energy and passion to help guide families into their journey to parenthood.

Amanda is originally from Roswell, Georgia, but has lived in Nashville for the past 4 years. She is a birth doula and (soon to be!) childbirth educator. Amanda has worked with youth in some capacity for the past 9 years as a tutor, Junior High Math teacher, and volunteer with her church. She is passionate about both education and birth work. Everyone deserves the empowerment that comes from both education and adequate support! Amanda is married to her husband, Adam, and has a 4 year old son named David. When she is not doing work with Sunnyside Up Youth, you can find her hanging out with her family, enjoying a good book, or serving in the Young Women’s organization of her local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Catherine (Cat) Durland believes that pregnancy and birth are a sacred time to be cherished, and every mother deserves to feel cared for, empowered, and confident in their new role. During this time of transition, she offers compassionate, non-judgmental, and evidence-based support to help navigate options and resources. As a certified birth doula with a holistic approach, Cat provides continuous emotional and physical support. She helps prepare a birth plan, offers comfort measures, advocates for wishes, and inspires trust in a birthing woman’s ability to stand in their power. As a postpartum doula, she provides non-medical support in the first weeks after the baby is born, assisting with newborn care, household tasks, bonding, and self-care. Supporting women and families during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period is Cat’s passion and calling. It would be her honor to empower families to take control of their birth plan and have a positive and spiritually fulfilling experience as you welcome your new baby into the world.

Desirée is a new postpartum doula, stay-at-home mom to a fun-loving, adventure-seeking two-year-old and wife to Kerr. Having my son during the pandemic 2 years ago we had very little village present and both my husband and I worked together to take care of my son and learned A LOT. I developed this new passion for motherhood, postpartum and lactation during that time. Some of the things I learned on this journey but not limited to are teaching myself to breastfeed, learning all about cloth diapering, baby wearing and even learning how to care for and nourish myself. I have learned it all and want to make sure I help as many mamas as I can. I became a nurse in 2009 and have worked in pediatrics for the majority of my career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I love kids, but I’m ready to focus on the care of mothers. I’m originally from northern Virginia, but moved to Tennessee on a whim and now have established my own family and life here. I love trying new recipes and honestly, it may sound cliche but, I love being a mom and wife and spending time with my family. It brings me joy.

Dezaray moved to Nashville two years ago from Washington, D.C. She is currently a birth doula, infant nanny and infant care specialist! She has 5 years experience in infant care, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Psychology. In addition, Dezaray has studied the psychology of pregnancy and birth at an advanced level. She is incredibly passionate about parental autonomy during birth, as well as ensuring everyone has the emotional support needed to bring new life into the world. She hopes to one day teach doctors, parents and birth professionals about maternal and infant mental health.

In her free time you will likely find her cooking a new dish or hanging out with friends! She also loves to care for her “jungle” of plants.

Kerry Cavanaugh is a former Peace Corps Volunteer with a passion for global and maternal and child health. After receiving her Master’s in Public Health from the University of London, she discovered the need to improve maternal health education in Ecuador, so she became a certified Childbirth Educator and trained Lactation Counselor. Kerry loves working with youth and has spent the past eleven years providing health education to teens in many different settings. Kerry lives in Ecuador and has two young boys. She uses both her personal experiences and professional studies to guide and educate mothers during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Lindsay is a birth & postpartum doula and lactation counselor. She is a Nashville native and an identical twin. Lindsay is also a registered dental assistant since 2008 and currently works at Vanderbilt with the Pediatric Dentist and Cleft team. She is so excited to be part of the Sunnyside Up team and extend a helping hand to her community. Every woman deserves a doula, partner, and friend!

Regan Naumovski has called Nashville home for the past 17 years and is thrilled with the opportunity to serve young women with a variety of birth support. She is 25 years old and just had her first baby in April 2023. Regan’s passion for birth education and services began when her two best friends had their own babies. It got her curious about how our bodies are made to give birth. She read books and listened to hours of podcasts for her enjoyment where learning how empowering a positive birth experience can be. After having her own unmedicated birth with an amazing birth team, she knew she wanted to help others have their own beautiful experience.

Tanesha’s passion for doula care began with her first pregnancy. It was not the ultimate experience, but she learned about the beautifully, intricate design of pregnancy and birth. Since then, she has given birth twice more and the desire to assist others with this amazing experience has grown. She truly believes she has the best job in the world as a doula1

Each time she drives home after the close of a birth, she is filled with gratitude to have been allowed to do this beautiful work. To witness the fierce power and intuition a woman possesses to bring her baby into this world, followed by the soft moments of wonder as parents meet their brand new baby…there’s really nothing else in the world like it. Every mom deserves to feel educated, empowered and most of all, loved during her birth and it is her desire to execute such.

Vanity Bonner is a Nashville, TN native raising 4 beautiful children and an energetic cat named Salem. She is a Postpartum Doula,PAIL Advocate, Nicu Unit mom and postpartum depression survivor. Her passion is caring for moms and babies. She enjoys educating, supporting and giving knowledge to families for them to make informed decisions.Vanity’s goal is to have a supportive healing place for families suffering from any postpartum challenges. Vanity has a background in nonprofit philanthropy and fundraising.

Zaly Maldonado is from Puerto Rico. She moved to Nashville, TN almost 2 years ago and is the mom of 3 ages 26, 14, and 11, and has been blessed to have them. They are the ones responsible for Zaly to follow her purpose to support other moms in their process of pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding. She is a Certified Lactation Educator and has supported many moms with their breastfeeding journeys for the past 10 years.

Zaly has worked in hospitals, NICU, PICU and Maternity wards supporting families in the breastfeeding process. She teaches breastfeeding classes in person and online at no cost. Zaly loves art, speaks fluent Spanish and English, and enjoys supporting moms in need.