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Specialty: Free Consultation (Virtual)

Courtney Jones

Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Consultant & Childbirth Educator

Courtney is a proud mother of 3 kids and wife. Born and raised in Texas she enjoys toiling in her garden and baking. Courtney’s journey into all things baby and birth began in 2020. She had her daughter April 2020 during Covid. After that experience, it kicked off her passion for helping new parents feel empowered and prepared for birthing their own babies. Whatever type of birth you desire that being, homebirth, medicated, unmedicated, induction or c-section she is well versed to support you.

Courtney is part of the team at Great Expectations Doulas, run by Maria Pokluda.

Misty Gigler

Certified Birth Doula.

Misty is a native of Texas but feels blessed to have had the experience of traveling and living in a lot of different places in the world, She loves to travel and experience different cultures. Misty had a hospital birth in 2000 and a home birth in 2003. After those experiences, she knew her passion was to support women through their pregnancy and birth journey.

Misty is part of the team at Great Expectations Doulas, run by Maria Pokluda.

Gina Occhipinti

Certified Postpartum Doula.

Gina is a certified postpartum doula with 14+ years of experience, focusing on newborns, premies, multiples, and medically complex infants. She holds a degree in Psychology and Child Development from UT Dallas, is registered to care for children in the Texas foster system, and also has a background in the hospitality industry. Outside of work, Gina enjoys yoga, weight lifting, hiking, reading, and spending time outdoors—bringing her grounded, nurturing energy into every family she supports. 

Gina is part of the team at Great Expectations Doulas, run by Maria Pokluda.

Michael Szewczyk

Michael is part of the Okkanti team, working on Product and supporting Customers. He is available to chat with if you have any questions or feedback about the platform.

You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

Maria Pokluda

Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator, Placenta Specialist
Owner of Great Expectations Birth and BEST Doula Training.

Hi, I’m Maria – doula, community builder, mother of four and all-around birth advocate.
I entered this field after my own experiences with infertility and birth where I discovered how much more support and information is needed. I’m a longtime doula, agency owner, and doula trainer with a fierce belief in informed consent and everyone’s right to make their own choices in birth.

I believe that building strong families starts at birth. That’s why I’m here—to walk alongside your family to help you find the support you need to have the best birth and postpartum experience possible. I’ll make the paperwork parts of finding and hiring your doula simple and I am committed to having an agency staffed with the best of the best doulas in DFW.
When I’m not training doulas, thinking about placentas, or running my agency, you’ll probably find me playing pickleball, racking up steps in a competitive step-counting challenge, or sipping a Diet Coke by the pool. It’s all about balance!

My approach is real, grounded, and heart-led. I believe birth is powerful, people are wise, and support should always come with a dose of humor and a whole lot of heart. I’d love to be a small part of your big day!

Here are the profiles of some members of the Great Expectations Birth Team:

Gina Occhipinti

Misty Gigler

Courtney Jones

Susan Hoefl

Joni Chmiel

Joni is a certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula at Doula Co MKE in Milwaukee, WI.

Bio:

As a mama, Postpartum Doula, Infant Care Specialist, and former Nanny, I am committed to helping parents navigate the challenges of parenthood. I believe that a nurturing community and expert guidance are essential for individuals transitioning into parenthood. ​

As a postpartum doula and Infant Care Specialist, I am dedicated to providing new parents and their families with the support and resources they need during the postpartum recovery period. My services include emotional and mental health resources, education on newborn care and feeding, and promoting self-care. I believe that parents should not face this transition alone, and I am committed to establishing deep connections with my clients to deliver highly personalized care and guidance. I would love to support you as you thrive as a parent!

Shelitha Haskell-Owens

With a background in Biology and Physiology, Shelitha blends evidence-based care with a deep respect for the natural processes of birth. Her approach bridges clinical knowledge and holistic support, grounded in personal experience and a genuine love for nurturing others.

She brings warmth, curiosity, and care to every family she works with—drawing from her interests in anatomy, herbal remedies, and whole-body wellness. Whether supporting a home birth or helping new parents feel grounded postpartum, she centers each family’s unique needs and choices.

Outside of birth work, Shelitha spends her days homeschooling her child, experimenting in the kitchen, and expanding her knowledge through practices like prenatal yoga and breathwork.

Christine Solum

With a background in nannying and household management spanning over 15 years—and as a mom of two—Christine brings a deeply intuitive understanding of life with a new baby. Her approach is warm, steady, and grounded in the belief that early parenthood deserves compassionate, hands-on support.

Christine is passionate about helping families settle into their new rhythm with confidence. Her goal is to lighten the emotional and logistical load so parents can focus on bonding, rest, and personal well-being.

When not supporting families, Christine enjoys spending time with her own, cooking delicious meals, organizing spaces, and planning social gatherings.

In her words:
“I do this work because it’s in my nature to care. Watching families grow and adapt during the first year is a privilege—and being a part of that transformation is what drives me.”

Kyla Saphir

With a background in childbirth education and experience as a prenatal and postnatal yoga instructor, Kyla brings a body-based, grounded approach to supporting new parents. She incorporates yoga, breathwork, and movement to help clients feel centered and empowered during both birth and postpartum.

Kyla was drawn to this work after her own experience with a postpartum doula helped create a more gentle, supported start to parenthood. Now, she brings that same steady care to families navigating this major life transition.

In addition to her doula practice, Kyla is a published children’s book author who enjoys gardening, crocheting, traveling, and spending time with her family and dog.

Karina Rodrigues Pascoal

Karina was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where her early exposure to caregiving began as the oldest of three sisters and daughter of a career nanny. After relocating to the U.S. and becoming a parent herself, she discovered firsthand how transformative early support can be in the parenting journey. That experience inspired her to pursue work as a doula—work she calls “a calling of the heart.”

Currently pursuing a degree in psychology, Karina is deeply interested in the emotional side of postpartum care. She brings a gentle, grounded presence to the families she supports, with a belief that the right care in early parenthood can ease emotional distress and create lasting change.

Outside of her doula work, Karina finds calm through playing piano, walking in nature, and collecting vintage treasures.

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