Diana Sullivan
Diana (she/her) joined Birthways in 2016 as a postpartum doula with a passion for supporting new families. She brings great care and professionalism to this work, as she earned her child development associate certification and is currently in the process of obtaining her DONA certification.
A graduate of Columbia College with a long professional career in production management, Diana brings sensitivity to balancing personal, family, and professional roles within a growing family. Having worked in Patient Services at Loyola University and volunteered at Rush University in their newborn nursery as an Infant “Cuddler” Diana works well as a part of your care team and will help you bring in your health care providers or additional referrals when needed as you settle in at home.
Since 2017, alongside postpartum doula work, Diana has worked part-time as an educator at an early education center and preschool, where she works with infants through Pre-K, encouraging language and reading, fine motor skills, math, art, dramatic play, science, and outdoor learning.
Diana has been a support person for pregnant friends and family, especially since the birth of her son in 2011. She was moved by the importance of her own support network and has made a commitment ever-since to be of service to others during the childbearing year. Diana is knowledgeable and experienced with fussy and colicky babies, support for the baby blues and perinatal mood disorders, and has worked with twin families. She is happy to meet the practical needs of the family, knowing that a nap, a clean kitchen, or delicious meal are just as important as the reassurance or guidance she has to offer.
Diana has been married to her amazing husband since 2005, and is a busy mom driving her son to baseball, basketball, and track. She enjoys yoga, meditation, exercising, traveling, fostering animals, being a senior caregiver, and trying new foods! References spoke to Diana’s sense of humor, how reliable she is as a friend and colleague, as well as her organization skills and clear communication.
Diana believes in creating an environment of honesty and trust by communicating openly and authentically while respecting the opinions of others. She values listening to the needs and concerns of families she serves and responding with a sense of urgency and compassion, striving to always respect individuality and embrace diversity and inclusion.
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I’ve grown to truly enjoy helping women. I grew to see that it truly does “take a village” to not only raise a child, but help the mother get back to normal as well. Babies bring me a sense of calm and absolute joy. I truly cherish the opportunity to be a part of an infant’s development and help families manage through such a special period in their lives.
Testimonials
“She is warm, kind-hearted, and understanding. She gives you her full attention. Her goal is to make your life easier!”
“Diana was a tremendous support—moral, emotional, physical—prior to the birth of my twins. She’s been one of the top people to help out since their birth and during my return to work, she has gladly pitched in and helped watch them. She’s one of the first people I reach out to.”
Training + Education
- Birthways Core Doula Training Program: 11/16
- Pre-Certified Doula Postpartum with ProDoula 9/16
- WisdomWay First Steps Commitment Training 9/18
- Infant CPR: American Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
- Child Development Associate
- DONA Certification: in progress
Experience
- Postpartum doula
- Knowledgeable and experienced with fussy and colicky babies, support for the baby blues and perinatal mood disorders, and has worked with twin families.
- Educator at an early education center and preschool (infants through Pre-K)
Information
- National criminal background check completed with no adverse information
Birthways Reference Checks: - Completed four references with no adverse information and excellent feedback