Meet Madeleine Lodge

She/her/hers

Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I trained as a birth doula with DONA, did a 2-year birth & postpartum mentorship program with Manhattan Birth, and completed certification as a Holistic Doula through The Matrona. I passed my Certified Lactation Counselor requirements through ALPP (Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice). I’m also a native Upper West Sider, an actress, a lover of travel, and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris (aka a bonafide Julia Child wannabe). I currently live in Brooklyn with my husband, our cat, and lots of flowers (can’t keep a houseplant to save my life).

My mom gave birth to me in a hospital and to my little sister at home. When she was pregnant with my sister, I was over the moon to get to go to all her midwife appointments, help measure her belly, and listen to my sister’s heartbeat (pictured). My mom jokes that I was her mini-doula — she says that when she went into labor, I whispered in her ear during contractions and would take her hand and lead her on walks around the apartment between contractions. It was my special job to announce the sex when the baby was born (spoiler alert: I got it wrong; I was three). I was lucky enough to witness the processes of birth and breastfeeding from a very young age, and I’ve been in awe of what our bodies can do ever since. In essence, if you are on this journey, I think you’re magic.

For most of my life my plan was to become a doctor, but I ended up pursuing a career in acting. Turns out that skill set, of being completely present with another person no matter what’s happening around you, is exactly what I love bringing to birth work. The science part of my brain has always felt called to working with physiology and health; the actor in me creates deep connection through the unknown and the unexpected; and the child in me still marvels at the phenomenal process that is pregnancy, birth, and the formation of a family. It means the world to walk with parents and newborns during these profound times of transition.

Why “modern holistic” birth? My mom was a doula, childbirth educator, and acupuncturist, and my dad was a physician. So I grew up with a really interesting dynamic of both holistic and medical approaches, and I’m committed to supporting whichever path you take. Especially in birth, there can be judgement on either side of that coin, which I think comes from a lack of nuanced understanding. When we don’t understand the value of both systems, we tend to write off and judge what scares us, and that doesn’t serve anybody.

Fundamentally, most pregnant people are low-risk and could birth their babies in the middle of a forest without any medical intervention. That doesn’t mean everyone wants that experience, and that’s okay. (Obviously that’s tongue-in-cheek, but I want to also seriously acknowledge that there are plenty of folx who are high-risk and should absolutely have their babies in the hospital). No matter where you choose to give birth — under OB or midwifery care, at the hospital, birth center, or your home — you deserve agency in that experience and compassionate, respectful care in that environment.

I believe in a modern approach to holistic birth, which is to say: you do you. When I say “holistic,” I don’t mean “crunchy.” I mean taking the whole person and their whole picture into account. There is no right or best way to have a baby (nor is there a wrong or worse way). There is only your way.

I’ve seen epidurals complicate a previously smooth labor, and I’ve also seen them dramatically change someone’s experience for the better. We have far too many unnecessary inductions and C-sections in this country, and I’m also unfailingly grateful that everyone has access to them if they need (or want) them. You can have a beautiful experience with flickering candlelight in a hospital, and you can get excellent medical care at a home birth. I respect the hell out of both midwives and OBs — they have different areas of expertise, and certain avenues of care may make more or less sense for your pregnancy and the experience you want to have.

My approach is: education is empowerment. When you fully understand what happens during birth (both in your body and in the environment you choose), you can make informed decisions that best serve you. I love my prenatal time with clients, because that’s when we can really personalize this journey: exploring who you (and your partner) are, what you need, what you want, what might get in the way of those things, and how we can get you the best experience possible by taking your complete picture into account.

Whether you need pep talks and hands-on comfort techniques or someone to hold space for your own internal process, I approach each situation with openness, empathy, and the occasional well-timed joke. No one can predict how birth will go, but we can be as educated, embodied, and empowered as possible. I feel honored to bear witness to your transformation and to support your growing family.