Jen Vokopola

1/22/2023

Vanya was the most wonderful, supportive and calming presence for the birth of my first child. She put myself and partner at ease from our very first meeting and helped us feel empowered and ready for labor. Vanya was professional and personal, providing education and resources while staying present to my desires and needs. She was incredibly responsive leading up to baby's arrival and guided me through the many doctor checkups at the end of pregnancy. She was invaluable during labor and delivery, as essential as the midwife and nurses. She coached me through the pain, was a trusted advocate when decisions needed to be made, and a joyful champion for me, my partner and baby. My birth story was beautiful experience and a large part of that is thanks to Vanya. I literally cannot imagine having done it without her.  

Thaleigha Swain

1/18/2023

Hiring a Doula was the best decision and money spent for my family, hiring Vanya specifically is undescribeable! 

During the interview I felt a sense of calmness and security with Vanya so I knew she was the one to guide me through this pregnancy. 

I attended many prenatal yoga sessions with Vanya which to my surprise included mental and physical wellbeing checks and time to ask for what you needed and support from not only Vanya but a community of other pregnant women. This was such a value week after week as you move through pregnancy and all that comes with it and all the changes and challenges you face. 

Each prenatal visit added value and knowledge to me and my husband in preparation for the journey ahead. Vanya provided many resources to include: written and visual resources, other professionals, recorded resources, and asked that we do homework after each session which again added more value for us. 

Vanya was always available and responded quickly and throughly  each time. 

My labor and delivery was nothing like I'd planned bur because Vanya and I had discussed being flexible I was prepared for all changes and challenges faced with labor and delivery and had her with me each step of the way. 

Vanya stayed with me even when I said it was okay for her to leave and come back. She never seemed to have anything else of importance than us during the time she was with us, which makes you feel even more at ease. 

Vanya was just as important as my husband during labor and delivery her affection and attentiveness to what was going on was invaluable and could never be forgotten. 

I would HIGHLY AND ALWAYS recommend Vanya, anyone is lucky to work with her! 

Whitney

7/29/2022

As a Black woman, it can be very difficult to trust in medical professionals who even when Black are largely trained in western practices. During my pregnancy, I experienced some challenges + often felt like I wasn’t getting the best care/ attn from my medical providers. Vanya encouraged me to reach out to Nile Women’s Healthcare + I am so grateful that she did!! The only regret that I have is I wish I would have connected w/her even earlier in my pregnancy and that I made it to more of her prenatal yoga classes!! Even after Cypress was home from the NICU, Vanya came over + poured into us. As my partner used to often say, “don’t just get you a doula, get Vanya.” Thank you Vanya for sharing your love, light, and gifts with our family.

Whitney

7/29/2022

Vanya was the BEST doula we could have asked for. I’m not even sure where to start with her level of detail, attention, empathy, and genuine concern as my partner and I prepared to become new parents. Most of my family lives out of town and due to COVID, we knew that we wouldn’t be able to have a lot of our “cheerleaders” physically in the room. Vanya’s presence made up for that and then some. She helped prepare my room into a sacred space for delivering. I wanted the music, the string lights, the electric candles, the essential oils, etc and she was here for all of it.

When we decided to make our way to the hospital, she was actually supporting another birth so we thought we might have to do the delivery without her. Nope. She came afterward and stayed until baby girl was born many many many hours later!!
Vanya also patiently supported my partner Dontrece with ways to keep me comfortable as I labored. Honestly I labored a long time and it wasn’t easy for me to get past my anxiety of previous surgeries to treat endometriosis. Vanya was our rock of calm even when we had to make the tough decision after over 20 hours of laboring to have a c section because Cypress was having trouble breathing. We cried and she held my hand. She encouraged me to ask questions. She offered laughter at appropriate times in order to help lighten the intensity of the unknown.

Gabriela Atsepoyi

6/27/2022

Vanya played a pivotal role in supporting myself and the entire birth team.  She grounded us all through a long and at times dysfunctional labor. But what I appreciate most about Vanya was that the preparation for my labor included opportunities for us to train. Originally Vanya was our health coach, she walked us through healthy eating, thinking and living objectives catered to pregnancy and our lifestyle. Her guided meditations, tasty teas and understanding of nutrition fueled me during what’s supposed to be the most tiring period of pregnancy. So when our labor changed from homebirth to hosptial birth and we needed to channel energy I had a reserve of resoruces Vanya shared with my husband and I. I’m thankful for that and I'm so thankful for Vanya. In labor I learned that a doula is not just for the mom, she’s for the family and Vanya supported us all. At moments she’d support my partner or provide relief when he needed to breathe or process it all. Birth is messy and unpredictable — Vanya’s role as our doula helped us to focus on the power we possessed in shaping birth irregardless to its unpredictabilities. Now when I think about birth I see glimpses of my amazing birth team, I see Vanya bringing me warmed rice packs and guiding my breath and I see an unfolding of synchronized support. The only thing I would have done differently is attend more of her prenatal classes and I would have signed up for her services earlier in my pregnancy.  -Gabbie A.

Arah Adams

6/23/2022

Vanya was highly recommended by a dear friend and I am so thankful for her! I delivered during the peak of COVID so unfortunately Vanya wasn’t able to be at the hospital physically but even having her virtual presence made all the difference. She was on FaceTime with us overnight - from the moment I texted her my water broke until shortly after delivery. She was coaching us through contractions, instructing the nurses what I needed and being affirmative the entire time! Even prior to labor, Vanya was very present. We were fortunate enough to have our first meeting in person and I instantly knew we’d made the right decision by choosing Vanya to be our doula. I will continue to suggest Vanya to expecting mothers!