Maria Mengel

Owner, Thrive Birth Services of Delmarva
Birth & Bereavement Doula
Childbirth Educator
Placenta Encapsulation Specialist

Maria began her doula career after the life-changing event of the birth of her first daughter in 2013.  Many books and hours of study later, she attended her first birth and knew that she was on the right path.  In June of 2016, she opened her first doula business, Thrive Birth Services of Delmarva. Maria’s passion is in sharing the truth about birth (hint: birth is amazing) and simply laughing with people as they navigate the process.  As a result, her classes are informative and fun, the births that she attends are intensely powerful, her placenta encapsulation services are helping new mothers thrive, and everyone that she works with becomes a lifelong friend.

Throughout her life, Maria has had a heart for helping others.  She is proud to be the first certified Stillbirthday Bereavement Doula on the Eastern Shore, supporting women through pregnancy and infant loss.  Thrive’s core values align with Maria’s ultimate life goals: help people, inspire passion, witness beauty, and always say yes to chocolate.

Maria lives in Salisbury with her husband, their two fantastic daughters, and their insanely weird dog.