Nikki Graham, CLE, CMT, CD(DONA) Doula Profile

We hired Nikki about 5 weeks before my due date. The doula package she offered included two prenatal visits and 1 postnatal visit. Given the fast approaching due date, she was kind enough to offer 1 prenatal visit for a reduced price. In the end, my baby boy came 3 weeks early, which was a few days before the scheduled prenatal visit.

The day I went into labor Nikki was very responsive by phone and text. At the time, I thought it was prelabor and could last for many days, but I went into early then active labor that same day. My husband called Nikki just before midnight to tell her it was time. She would have driven the hour to our house, but by the time we called her, it made sense just to meet at the Birth Center.
She is such a warm and kind person. Although I had met with her only once, I felt reassured by her presence in the room. I labored at the Birth Center for about 7 hours. And for most of that time, Nikki provided me with the strong pressure massage to my lower back/pelvic area that I badly needed to alleviate some labor pain.

Since I gave birth much earlier than expected, Nikki suggested that we have 2 postnatal visits instead. During these visits, she listened to my concerns just like a close friend would, but then was able to give advice that only a doula and certified lactation consultant could. Also, she offers in-home postnatal massages, and I can attest that they are amazing.

In the weeks after the birth, I have remained in touch with Nikki by e-mail, and she continues to offer words of encouragement and clear-headed advice that I have found invaluable.

In the not-too-distant future, I plan on having a second child and would not hesitate to hire Nikki again.

To summarize, I wholeheartedly recommend her as a doula.

This birth was everything we wanted because of Nikki.

From the time we first met, we could tell she had a really calming, knowledgeable air about her. She educated us well beforehand, but having gone through birth, I can tell you that a lot of that goes out the window when you're in the middle of it. Which is why her being there was just so wonderful. She reminded us of so many things we'd forgotten, and from start to finish, was the voice of reason and calm. God bless my husband, but there’s no way he could have done the things she knew to do to get me through the pain.

One thing I really like about her is that while she probably favors natural childbirth, she never conveyed any kind of bias against using an epidural. Me...I was open to natural, but wanted to know that I could get an epidural if I needed it. When the time came, I actually labored to 9 cm without an epidural and then got one for the last cm (the pain was just too much). And she made me feel like a champ for having made the decision. I keep hearing her say even now "a well timed epidural can be a wonderful thing".

The hospital staff asked me afterwards where did I find her, because she was just so excellent. She puts the mother first, but knows that in order to do that, she has to work very well with the hospital staff to get the mother what she wants.

And the phone/text/email support! In our postpartum visit, I told Nikki I felt like she was my magic 8-ball...meaning whatever question I asked her, the answer she came back with was either emotionally or factually perfect. She really knows her stuff, can point you to great resources online, etc.

My husband and I heartily recommend her!

I decided to get a doula when I realized that I had to deliver in a hospital setting rather than a birth center as I had originally planned.  Because I wanted to give birth without medications and because this was our first child, I thought it made sense to find someone to support and advocate for my husband and I during labor and delivery.  Nikki was recommended by a friend and from the moment I met her, I was completely at ease.  Nikki is warm and generous with her time and her advice.  She provided excellent and timely advice via email or text whenever I asked for it before and after delivery.  During delivery, she was a tremendous resource for my husband and for myself.  Nikki talked me through the toughest parts of my labor and encouraged me to move around to help labor progress, even when I didn't think I had it in me to do so.  She was also a strong support for my husband, sharing with him her techniques to alleviate pain during my contractions.  Finally during pushing stage, Nikki worked seamlessly with the doctor and the nurses to deliver the baby.  Afterwards several nurses told us that Nikki was the best doula they had ever worked with!  Thanks to her, I was able to deliver a beautiful baby without any meds.  She is a fabulous doula and I would recommend her to anyone seeking a caring advocate and support during the birthing process.

When we began thinking about the birth experience we desired for the birth of our son, having a doula was not in the picture. As our pregnancy progressed, we were encouraged to explore using a doula as support and were referred to Nikki by a friend. It was the best thing that ever happened to us. Being young and naive about the birthing process, Nikki was a calming and supportive friend before, during, and after our son's birth. What would have been a traumatic event became one of strength and love as Nikki gently helped us through the difficult times (induction, pitocin, epidural) and celebrated with us during times of joy (the birth and beyond). Nikki's expertise as a mother, lactation consultant, massage therapist, doula, etc is unsurpassed. You cannot go wrong with Nikki Graham!!!

My husband and I first called Nikki when our son was 5 days old and had gone almost 12 hours without being able to breastfeed.  It was a Saturday and Nikki dropped what she was doing and spent the entire evening with us, even waiting with us between feedings.  Nikki gave us the tools to help our son learn to breastfeed.  Rather than physically getting my son to latch, she observed my technique and coached me, allowing me to get him to latch on my own.  This method helped build my confidence in my own ability up make breastfeeding work after she was gone and consequently the feedings were less stressful.  At 16 days old, our son was nursing like a champ.  Nikki's help and support was invaluable.  Even between visits, she would respond to our texts messages within minutes.  Nikki helped me through a very stressful time and she will always hold a special place in my heart!

 Nikki was, and is absolutely AMAZING.  I had my heart set on a natural, medication-free childbirth.  Unfortunately, my body had other plans.  The doctors said it was in my best interest to be induced at 39 weeks due to consistent high blood pressure.  When I asked what would happen if I waited to see if I'd go into labor on my own, they said there was a chance the placenta could seperate from the uterus which would result in a lack of oxygen to the fetus.  I wasn't taking that chance, so there went my natural childbirth.  I was induced with pitocin at 3pm on a Monday.  I was experiencing full-on induced labor without an epidural (I was determined to make it as natural as possible - but after 32 hours and only dilating 3cm I wound up needing both an epidural and a c-section).  Nikki was there with me the whole time to help explain to me what was going on.  For example, I didn't know that shaking uncontrollably was part of labor.  If Nikki hadn't been there to tell me right away, I would've freaked out.  Nurses breeze in and out of your room because they have other patients.  With Nikki, you're her only patient.  She knows when to talk to calm you down, she is an amazing resource of information, and also, she knows when to be quiet.  I needed complete silence with my contractions and I didn't need to tell her that, she just knew.  She helped guide my husband with massage and stayed with me when I sent my husband to get my waterice:)  LOVE her.  I've been breastfeeding my son and Nikki has been such an amazing support. I didn't realize how many questions come along with nursing until I actually started doing it.  Oliver is four and a half months old and I STILL contact her for advice and to ask questions, because there's always something new with nursing.  To be candid, sometimes I trust her more than my pediatrician! I'd recommend her over and over.

I really don't have the words to describe how wonderful Nikki is and how strongly I would suggest her services.  My son was born in September 2011 after a very long labor.  Nikki was with my husband and I every step of the way.  She was amazing.  So supportive, caring, and willing to do exactly what we needed of her.  I ended up having a c-section but was able to come to terms with not having a natural, drug-free birth because I know with Nikki's help I did everything I could.  I don't have any regrets or bad feelings about my birth experience.  If Nikki had not been there I do not think I could say the same thing.

Afterwards when we were reliving my labor and our son's birth, my husband said that Nikki worked as hard as I did and never stopped not even for a minute.  My husband and my Mom even took a few breaks but not Nikki.  I lost count how many times after the birth that my husband said "call or text Nikki".  She was our go-to reference for any and all things breastfeeding. 

All I can say is if you are thinking of hiring Nikki, do it.  It is one decision you will never regret!

We used Nikki as our doula for the birth of both of our children (Feb '09, and April '11). I also took advantage of her pre-natal and post-partum services (specifically massage!), and her lactation consultation. Words cannot describe how pleased both my husband and I were with our experience with Nikki. In regards to her participation in our births, she knew exactly when to step in and help (either with encouraging words, massage, ressurance, etc.), and when to hold back and defer to us (or the midwife.)

Nikki's ability to strike that challenging balance of warm and comforting, yet strong and reassuring is unmatched. She's the type of person who you meet and you feel like you've known your entire life. She's professional, yet personable. She's incredibly organized, knowledgable, compassionate, and dedicated.

After the birth of our first child, my husband said to me, "There's no way we will have a second baby unless we can gurantee that Nikki will be there during your labor." (And, of course, she was:)

In regards to her pre-natal and post-partum massages, there are no words to explain how much they helped me. During my first pregnancy, in particular, I had a tremendous amount of lower back pain, and her massages made the pain far more manageable. And, the post-partum massages were a huge treat, as I was one tired Mama, and it was wonderful to get some "me" time.

I highly recommend Nikki Graham's services, and cannot say enough good things about her!
 

--Julia Bergson-Shilcock

I'm not sure what we would have done had we not worked with Nikki in the first few weeks after our son was born. I had so many fears about how to care for him, and I had so many questions and no one else to ask. She made a very challenging time of our life much less stressful - she let us enjoy it. She was willing and able to help with anything we asked, from helping us learn how to operate all our babygear, to helping us solve feeding and sleeping issues, and allowing us get some much needed rest. We felt so lucky to have found her. Those first few weeks would have been much more difficult without her care and support! I would highly recommend her to anyone having a baby! - Jen Van Allen Bryn Mawr, PA