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Welcome

At The Birthstone Center, we are dedicated to supporting families across Appalachia through every step of their parenting journey. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to advance equitable, culturally responsive perinatal health care by providing services such as lactation support, doula care, birth services, physical therapy for pelvic floor and pediatrics, and more for the whole family, and specialized care like tongue tie assistance and full spectrum doula care — all tailored to the unique needs of each family.

We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for all families, and to building programs that address systemic barriers to maternal and child health in our region.

We have received our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in North Carolina and are actively raising funds to expand access to our services. Your support helps us continue this vital work and ensures that every family in Appalachia has the resources and guidance they need to thrive.

We look forward to walking alongside families, helping them navigate parenthood with confidence, knowledge, and joy.

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Who We Are

Creating Community Wellness One Family At A Time

 

Care, support, community, education.  We all need it.  In a society where isolation and barriers to support and resources are common, The Birthstone Center is a nonprofit focused on supporting the needs of your body, your baby, your mind and your heart.  Our goal is to empower your family with resources to help you through challenges related to childbearing. Prenatally as well as during lactation and postpartum, we are committed to helping you find solutions to your challenges, and comfort to lean on for information and unconditional support. We eliminate barriers to care and to help families create the village we all seek so much. We have worked thoughtfully and passionately to create a special place tailored to the needs of the ones who will grow the next generation. 

 

We specialize in the parent/infant dyad and the journey that entails, supporting the physiological process of pregnancy, birth, lactation and beyond.  Within our walls you will find skilled support for physical challenges, infant feeding problems, emotional needs and guidance through the mountains we climb on our journey as parents. 

Our Services

Our model of care will change the way our community accesses support, resources and skilled help—offering lactation services, classes, doula care, support groups of all kinds, trainings and more!

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At Birthstone, we believe that every family deserves to experience a safe and positive birthing experience. Our team of experienced professionals is here to provide the highest quality of care to pregnant women, newborns and families. We are a woman-founded nonprofit, providing lactation services, doula services, childbirth education and postpartum support in addition to other services such as pelvic floor physical therapy and more. 

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We understand that every pregnancy journey is different, and we strive to provide personalized care to meet your individual needs. Our goal is to ensure that you and your family have the best possible experience during this special time, no matter your zip code, income or insurance status.

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Brandi Harrison

Founder, Executive Director

Lactation IBCLC, Birth Doula

Providing lactation services in Sylva, NC.  

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Victoria Long

Director of Operations

Birth and Postpartum Doula

​DONA-Trained and VBAC Certified

Serving Macon, Jackson, and Swain counties and the surrounding areas.​

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Candace Anthony

Birth and Postpartum Doula, Herbalist

Providing Perinatal Support in Jackson, Macon, Swain, Haywood, and Buncombe counties

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Mikayla Nofziger

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Serving families within WNC and parts of North GA.

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Cory Graywood

Lactation

CLC

Serving Buncombe County and surrounding areas.

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Jess Kimball

Lactation

CLC

Providing Lactation Services within Ashe County.

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Marcelle Crago

Lactation

RN-IBCLC

Providing Lactation Services in Buncombe County and surrounding areas.

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Melanie Ham

Lactation/Mental Health

IBCLC, LCMHC-A 

Providing Lactation Services within Buncombe County, and Mental Health Services online.

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Dr. Maranda Soelsby

Pediatric and Pelvic Floor Therapy 

Providing Physical Therapy at The Birthstone Center in Sylva, NC.

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Rachel Timan 

Postpartum Doula

Providing Postpartum Doula services in Western, NC and parts of North GA.

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Dr. Kimberly Stillwatches

Breastfeeding Medicine 

494 W Main Street

Sylva, NC 28779

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201 Charlotte Street

Asheville, NC 28801

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828-331-1592

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© 2025 The Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience

501(c)(3) Nonprofit

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