testimonials
(Photo Credit to Evan Cobb) "Alicia is an amazing person and birth doula. My husband and I could not have found a better person to guide us up to, during and after the birth of our daughter. Alicia provided information, resources, and support prior to her birth, and went out of their way to meet our needs. During the birth, Alicia supported and advocated for our care plan. They provided tremendous encouragement, knowledge and physical support during the labor itself. Their calming presence and sense of humor, were the perfect combination. All of this helped to make this experience wonderful for both my husband and I. However, when I think of Alicia, what I believe truly sets them apart from others, and what I would call their “Doula Super Power”, is their ability to read, understand, and relate to all types of people. Alicia knows exactly what each individual needs and how to approach situations. My husband and I had different needs throughout this process and Alicia helped us both feel supported and valued along the way. Alicia also demonstrated this skill when working with other hospital staff during the birth. Without Alicia, I am certain we would not have had the natural birth we desired. " Thank you Alicia!"
K, G and A
"Alicia was an absolute life-saver. Rather than me trying to frantically remember techniques from our birth class and respond to my wife's needs (especially when she was unable to articulate them), Alicia was able to anticipate them and let me be a source of emotional comfort. Alicia's experience and gentle demeanor absolutely enhanced our birth experience and I would not hesitate to hire them again."
Matt T.
"Alicia changed our second child’s birth story and our lives. We wanted a postpartum doula to just help us get sleep and ease our transition into a family of four. We never expected the immense amount of love, rest and sense of peace that surrounded the first few weeks at home with our son. We birthed at the hospital, so having someone in our home overnight was at first intimidating - for about 5 minutes. Then it was GLORIOUS!! Alicia has an incredible way with newborns, I believe they understood him and his cues better than I did. Alicia would love him and help him sleep - then bring him to me to nurse at the perfect times. Those weeks after birth, everyone is in need of recovery, Alicia allowed all of us to get restful sleep - knowing the new baby was in such wonderful care, I was able to fall into periods of deep healing sleep. Alicia is the most nonjudgmental human I have ever met. She would inquire in how we wanted something accomplished and would give sage advice when we needed it. My oldest (2 year old) didn’t meet Alicia until the first morning as Alicia was leaving, within minutes our shy little girl crawled into their lap, wanted them to read a book and have breakfast with her. We giggled that Alicia was not only the newborn but also the child miracle worker. They just have this way about them. Later, when my husband returned to work and travel, Alicia returned to help me. Those nights saved us as a family. We were able to succeed and be stronger as a family - Alicia was our partner and supported us with wisdom and love. We wouldn’t just recommend Alicia, we would say you need them."
Mary and Ryan
"Alicia is incredible. We met them and knew they were the person we would want with us for the birth of our first child. Alicia was calm, compassionate, tender, and funny. When I was in labor, Alicia sat on the floor of our bathroom with me in the tub, our dog on their lap, for what felt like hours. Alicia rubbed my back and hips, walked the halls and stairs with me at our birthing center, and kept me going even when I thought I couldn’t anymore. Alicia made sure I kept drinking and eating even when it was the last thing I wanted to do. They were the person that picked up my phone and filmed as our baby finally came into the world. Alicia also supported my husband so he could better support me. On the evening that our baby arrived, Alicia felt like family. Hire them. Alicia's the person you don’t know you need, then can’t imagine birthing without."
Megan
"We were reluctant to have someone else be present during our birth because it is such an intimate moment. Alicia’s kindness, and calmness made our decision very easy. When we look back now, hiring Alicia as our doula was the best decision we made. We had a back labor and while birth was getting closer and the pain in my lower back was getting more and more intense, Alicia seemed to know just how, when, and where to apply pressure to release the pain. Alicia guided my husband through our birthing process, kept him and me calm, supported me with kind words or holding my hand, cooled my body down with cold wet towels and continuously handed me my drink to stay hydrated. Thanks to Alicia, we were able to have the unmedicated birth we wanted. I can not say thank you enough to our birth doula, Alicia, for a great experience during this amazing journey."
GBG
"It is so hard to describe what Alicia brings to the room because it’s not one or two or three big shining moments for our story. It’s many tiny little ones. As first time parents we had prepared for a long labor and birth at home. Alicia supported us through making a last minute change to a hospital birth and helped us feel affirmed in the choice. Our birth was also extremely fast but I, as birther, have very distinct moments I remember: a straw with cool water or juice. A honey stick between pushes. Laughter. Trading off pushing on my sacrum with my spouse. Demanding calmer music and a quick response that didn’t ask me to think any harder. Watching Alicia support Jeff as he held our baby for the first time. Even now, a year and a half later I can send Alicia a message about our first birth and they know exactly what I’m talking about. As we prepare for our second birth, Alicia both holds space for all of the unknowns (pandemic and just usual unknowns) and for all of the dreams I send - dreams about what our birth could be and for some of the known pieces."
Shea
"Without Alicia, I am certain we would not have had the unmedicated birth we hoped for. There were many moments throughout labor when we felt like we couldn't do it anymore and Alicia showed up in just the ways that we needed. Making sure both of us were well taken care of, calm, educated, and empowered throughout the entire experience. Thanks to Alicia, our birth felt right in every way possible. Alicia has perfected the "little things" like twinkly lights, aromatherapy, cold washcloths, and drinks of water. And has a whole bunch of knowledge and practice with the "big things" like massage, positive affirmations, translating medical dialogue, breathing exercises, and visualization. Alicia was amazing with all hospital staff and our care team was so impressed that they asked for their contact info for patient referrals :) Alicia's postpartum check-ins and care were the icing on the cake. Alicia is our doula for life and we cannot brag about them enough!"
Kayla and Lincoln
"Alicia was an invaluable part of our birth story and we will always be grateful for that. After unexpected changes in the birth we had imagined (including transferring from a birth center to a hospital due to prolonged rupture of membranes), Alicia helped us pause, reflect, and advocate for ourselves along each step of the process. In the end, we were able to feel good about the changes and like they were our choices versus what we “had to do.” Alicia was very generous with their time, always available and stayed with us through a several day process. They were a respectful and effective advocate for us when interacting with the medical system, which is not oriented towards truly talking through decisions with patients. We are both medical professionals, and despite having inside information, we needed and benefited from a respectful, assertive third-party advocate. When you are a patient, you are in a position of vulnerability on multiple levels, and having an advocate, a coach, a witness, who is knowledgeable is extremely beneficial. Alicia put us at ease. Alicia was very thoughtful. They really considered their responses to our questions and qualified their responses if there wasn’t an absolute answer. We really appreciated their honesty about the uncertainty in different situations. The birth was really a journey, and Alicia was the ideal guide for us."
Emmy and Josh
"My wife and I were not sure we needed or wanted a doula. We thought it would be another person to deal with and distract us in the delivery room. Alicia was just the opposite. The calm presence throughout the pregnancy and delivery. Alicia educated, enlightened, and empowered us to plan for the birth WE wanted. During labor Alicia was a seamless part of the team in working with the midwife and nursing staff. Alicia provided support to my wife in the form of massage, aromatherapy and concise communication, visualization. Alicia was always there just when a cold cloth, a drink of water, or a word of encouragement was needed. Alicia also made me a better partner, offering advice when they saw I needed it or giving me a break when I needed. Alicia was present when we needed, and became almost invisible at just the right moment to give us space and enjoy the process as a couple. Alicia was the emotional anchor that kept us present in the most transformative day of our lives. We are forever grateful"
Richard
"Alicia is truly a one-of-a-kind blessing and an incredible presence. From the moment we met them, we knew they were the missing piece we needed along our journey. Alicia supported both myself and my husband and has an uncanny ability to read people and adapt. We were fortunate to have found Alicia for the birth of our first child – they helped us navigate the unknown waters of pregnancy, birth and postpartum with compassion and confidence. Alicia advocated for us and our birth plan and helped us adapt to our changing situation. During our daughter's birth, the transition period was especially challenging and baby needed to be repositioned quickly – Alicia knew exactly what to do and calmly guided me through using different positioning techniques that helped our birth progress safely, without intervention or incident. I am certain that we would not have had the unmedicated birth we wanted without them. I cannot say enough about what a wonderful presence Alicia was and a crucial member of our birth team. Every birthing person should have someone as amazing as Alicia in their corner. "
Meredith
"My husband and I knew that we wanted a doula to support us during pregnancy and birth, but we had trouble finding someone who felt like a good fit. That changed when we met Alicia. They immediately made us feel comfortable and supported. As first time parents, we did a lot of preparation (reading, taking classes, etc) for birth. The prep was helpful, but honestly a lot of that went out the door when labor actually began. As soon as Alicia joined us, they provided us with the perfect mix of information and reassurance that my body knew exactly what it was doing. Alicia was able to get me out of my head and back into my body in order to help my labor progress. There were moments throughout labor when I felt like I couldn't do it anymore and Alicia was the best cheerleader- encouraging me not only verbally, but through gentle touch, reminding me to drink and eat and coaching me to continue to breathe through contractions. My husband struggles with queasiness and fainting and Alicia did an excellent job balancing keeping him upright while continuing to support me. He shared that there were only a few moments when he felt faint, and attributed this to Alicia helping him feel safe and cueing him to take breaks as needed. We got the unmedicated birth that we were hoping for and we could not have done it without Alicia."
Sarah
"We still turn to each other and say, "What would we have done without Alicia?" As a highly skilled and experienced doula, Alicia is an empowering encourager, an excellent listener, a thoughtful caregiver, a holder of sacred space and a bringer of beauty. Alicia supported us with their intuitive wisdom, lighthearted joy, technical know-how, and deep connection with the human body. Alicia was our advocate as we navigated a surprise hospital birth (due to medical issues) after we'd been planning to deliver at a freestanding birth center. Alicia was with us every step of the way, offering tools and support so that we could have the beautiful, empowering birthing experience we had been dreaming about."
Elaine and Jason T.
"Having a doula turned out to be one of the best decisions we made for the birth of our first child. Alicia can turn a sterile hospital room into a spa in 5 minutes. Alicia can inject motivation into the moments when motivation is running low and will be your biggest fan and advocate from start to finish. It was an honor having Alicia on our birth team and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do the same. Honestly, there were many times when I felt Alicia was more valuable to me, the father, than my incredible wife."
Matt S.
"We reached out to Alicia to be our doula when our friends recommended them after having an amazing experience. My pregnancy, our first, was uncomplicated until 20 weeks, when we discovered that our child had developed multiple heart defects, necessitating surgeries after birth. From the moment of our daughter's diagnosis in utero, Alicia remained calm and steadfast with their support as we processed this difficult news and attempted to prepare ourselves not only for the birth of our first child, but for the challenges to follow. Alicia was right there with us through all of it, and helped me tap into an inner strength I had not known I was capable of. Throughout labor and delivery, Alicia was an incredible advocate and made me feel safe and cared for, and they made sure that my husband felt the same. Alicia is an exceptional doula as well as a genuinely compassionate person; Alicia truly cares about their clients and their babies. We would recommend Alicia to anyone and everyone."
Chelsea and Colin
"My labor was a grueling 77 hours long. It was exhausting for me and a challenge on many levels for my wife. We tell people that our doula saved our lives! Alicia was there for us as soon-to-be parents as much as they were there for us as partners. Because of Alicia’s coaching, my wife was encouraging and supportive in ways I didn’t realize were possible! Alicia knew when to check in and when to hang back. The video and photos that Alicia took for us are something we adore and treasure. Alicia was hands-on when needed and hands-off when not needed. Alicia's intuition and anticipation of our needs were better than what we could articulate. I have no idea when Alicia even left after the birth because they made sure we were fed and taken care of and slipped off into the night to let us ogle our new little one."
Amey H.
"I am so thankful for sweet, caring Alicia! Alicia helped me feel comfortable and ready for the birth of my first child. My husband and I both felt cared for leading up to, during, and after the birth of our son. I was nervous to labor without a support person (someone to support both me AND my husband), and Alicia ended up being a great fit for us. Alicia is patient, calm, and took the time to understand and clarify what our goals and needs were. During labor Alicia ended up helping me flip my son into the ideal birthing position using Spinning Babies techniques which ended my back labor! For that alone I was grateful! Haha! I would recommend Alicia to families that want someone caring, supportive, attentive, calming, and passionate about their work. We love Alicia!"
Kelsey
"We interviewed a lot of doulas before we found Alicia. Alicia made us feel immediately comfortable and confident. I thought it might be a bit strange having someone else with us during the birth of our daughter, such an intimate experience in our lives, but it was more like having a best friend, a trusted companion and confidant there by our side. Alicia not only supported my wife but was also there for me. Alicia knew exactly when to step in when I needed a break but also knew when to step aside and guided me to be a better birth partner. We are so lucky to have found Alicia!"
Ben
"I originally was not going to have a doula; I didn't even know what a doula was! But I am SO happy I learned about them and met Alicia. Alicia has an amazing ability to know what you need in the moment and guide you to find the best soothing/comfort technique for you. I will never forget (in a good way!) "riding the wave" of contractions while laboring in the hospital. Alicia was a blessing to have as part of my birthing experience."
Angela
"Alicia was originally our back-up doula, our 2nd in command, our 2nd choice; next time, Alicia will be our 1st choice immediately! I talked to Alicia on the phone the night before being admitted to the hospital. During our conversation I realized that if I would end up birthing my baby with them, I would be in good hands. On the phone, Alicia did not make me feel stupid or uncomfortable. Alicia listened to my fears and symptoms and offered suggestions and most importantly kept me calm. Alicia drove over to the hospital to be with us as soon as we called. They walked with me in the hospital hallways and were always ready to offer hip squeezes and support when I was experiencing contractions. When my labor was not progressing, Alicia was happy to stay with us in the hospital – we had to convinced them to go home and rest overnight. They are loyal. The next morning, Alicia arrived with a latte for my husband as requested. One of the main reasons that we hired a doula was that my husband was unsure that he could be in the room during the birth or what his role would be. Alicia embraced his uncertainty and made it clear that they worked for the both of us. Alicia did not make him feel judged. It was a long day and Alicia was always there, assisting with birthing positions or distracting me with conversation. Alicia offered me cool compresses & was supportive when I decided to have an epidural. Alicia was also gracious with my family members who were present at the hospital. Alicia took birth photographs on our cell phones, which at the time, I was unsure that I wanted but am now grateful to own. Alicia captured a moment that we are so proud to have – our first family photo of 3. Alicia made me feel like a warrior even though I knew I had nothing to prove. Alicia fed me ice chips throughout the pushing process and offered encouragement. Alicia was the first to provide me with food after labor. They never out-stayed their welcome. In fact, that first night in the hospital with my newborn was difficult and I found myself missing Alicia’s presence. But I learned quickly that they were never that far away. I texted Alicia when I was discharged and struggling with night sweats. I texted them again when I was curious about making frozen sanitary napkins for recovery. Alicia scheduled our follow-up appointment and went out of their way to find me chocolate croissants to indulge my craving. We loved introducing Alicia to our son & having them in our home. We have never regretted hiring a doula & keep Alicia close to our hearts. As I write this, our son is 6 months old & I have already referred Alicia’s services to several expectant birthers. Without Alicia (or our midwives), I am certain that my desire of having a vaginal birth would have been unsuccessful. Even now, months later, I know that I could contact Alicia if needed. I wouldn’t even hesitate to have them babysit our son! I am proud to call Alicia our doula."
Kamalar
"We were on the fence about hiring a doula: not sure if we could afford it or if it would be worth it, but I was SO nervous about labor and delivery that I really felt I needed someone with us that had been apart of it before. So, fairly last minute we decided to hire Alicia and I have to say that it was one of THE BEST decisions we've made! Not only were they a huge support and comfort to me while I was in labor, I think my husband would say Alicia helped him even more. They even continued to offer emotional support post-partum, which made a world of difference at the time. Alicia is amazing and we love them!"
Nicole
"There are so many words to describe the miracle of childbirth, but strong, enduring, and beautiful are a few that come to mind right away. I would also apply those whole heartedly to Alicia. Alicia has been one of the most influential people in our lives, and we are forever grateful for their support and friendship. Alicia was by our side for the long 44 hours that it took to bring our first child, a son, into this world. I can honestly say I don't know if our experience would have been as positive as it was if Alicia had not been part of our birthing team. Our birth did not go as planned, which is common, yet Alicia gave us the support and guidance we needed to feel secure that we were doing everything we needed to bring our son safely into this world. Alicia not only supported me as a mother, giving me strength, but they were there as an advocate for us as a couple and especially for my husband as a coach! It's the little things in life that make the biggest impact, and I will never forget the gentle touches, the cool washcloths laid on my neck and forehead, and the essential oil's gently laid beside me as I slept. Those are just a few small gestures that will stick with me. We are forever grateful for them, and are looking forward to having them by our side when we bring our future children into this world!"
Jamie
"I am so glad that I picked Alicia to be my doula. I found great comfort in their calmness during my labor. When I needed medical intervention, I was better with the turn of events because Alicia empowered me to seek all of the alternative avenues before agreeing to it. There were no "what ifs" left on the table. We immediately clicked and I feel like I didn't just find a doula, but a friend as well."