Rosemary Burns

5/12/2024

Working with Adrienne was a really great experience for me during my pregnancy and birth of my first child. She provided support throughout the pregnancy with frequent checkins and meetings.

I feel her approach to calm birth attributed to my birth experience and my son’s joyful demeanor now. He is a very calm baby and when we feel overwhelmed we remember our practice to breathe life and calm into our bodies.

During the birth Adrienne helped me get comfortable in the hospital by creating a safe space with calming music and dimmed lights. She also helped advocate for me to switch positions so that I could avoid a c-section. Once I changed positions the baby was ready to come out naturally. She also provided cool towels on my head and neck support which made a lot of difference when it feels like you’re heating up everywhere from pushing.

I especially appreciated her massage therapist expertise before and after the baby. I think the massage after the baby was more invigorating and life giving for my recovery than anything else I did postpartum.

We are so thankful that we met Adrienne and that she supported us during this beautiful experience!

Zach Davis

3/21/2024

Adrienne came recommended to us by a previous customer, and without a doubt, retaining Adrienne's services may be the best decision we have made as a couple. Adrienne met with us several times ahead of the birth to discuss what to expect, and to introduce us to the concept of Calm Birth, and the merits of maintaining a relaxed and meditative birthing environment. My first impression of Adrienne was that she was a subject matter expert, and a fierce advocate for Mothers and their Babies. This was someone who could empower you.

She reassured us that we could call her at any time, should we need her. My Wife was admitted suddenly to L&D after a routine checkup. We called Adrienne and she was there in the room not long after.

Having Adrienne in the room was extremely reassuring – not only in her capacity as someone who knows birthing positions, and massage, and the technicalities of Labor – but also as someone who can be an interface or interpreter between you and the nursing/medical staff. Adrienne was able to suggest ways to make Mom and Baby more comfortable throughout the whole process. We played music, we sang, we meditated, and Adrienne kept the tempo.

After a long Labor we were finally blessed by the Universe with our little guy, who made it safely into the world. Remarkably, everyone who has encountered this baby has remarked on his serenity. I without a doubt believe this is due in no small part to Adrienne’s guidance and helping hand. Calm Birth WORKS.

Please consider reaching out to Adrienne if you are expecting and looking for a Doula. She is assertive, knowledgeable, professional, and above all a guiding hand in what for many is an incredibly stressful moment. We will always be thankful for Adrienne’s assistance, and we will be seeking her expertise for Baby No. 2.

Cristina

8/4/2021

Working with Adrienne was truly a blessing. I would not have made it through the natural birth journey of my first child, Madelyn, without her.

My water broke a week early & I called Adrienne at 1:30am to let her know. She answered the phone right away & put my mind at ease & advised me to labor at home until it was time to head to the hospital.

Well, my water broke prematurely. I was home for 6 hours & wasn't feeling any contractions. We arrived at the hospital at 8am & I was told I was only 1 centimeter dilated & my cervix had yet to thin. I was also told that if I didn't progress within their "preferred window of time" they would give me pitocin & within 24 hours of my water breaking, they would perform a c-section due to concerns about infection.

I was devastated as it seemed my hopes of a natural birth were shattered. However, my husband brought me back to calm & I began to listen to the Calm Birth Method.

After hours of laboring, I still wasn’t dilating quickly enough (based on the hospital standards). I was just 5cm dilated & was given another warning about the need for pitocin. This is when my husband called in Adrienne. She helped me push my labor along & I was able to refuse the pitocin. She pushed me when I felt like I wanted to give up & motivated me to try a variety of laboring positions. She applied pressure when I was facing extreme discomfort & she kept me in tune with my breathing. 

When we hit the 24 hour mark, Adrienne pleaded to give more time as I was so close to 10cm of dilation. With her help, I was able to deliver Madelyn vaginally as I had hoped for… She truly was a godsend during the "pushing" phase. 

I could go on & on about all of the ways Adrienne was amazing… I know in my heart that when it’s time to have another child, Adrienne will be my doula again. I couldn’t have done it without her.

Lexy Martinez

2/3/2019

My prenatal yoga instructor recommended Adrienne for her skills as a prenatal massage therapist. At the time I was about 8 months pregnant with my second child and already had a doula lined up. But after the massage, I told my husband that if we ever decided to have a third baby, I wanted Adrienne to be our doula--there was just something about her! Fast forward to the day I went into labor: the doula we planned to have could not be with us. My husband immediately called Adrienne, who came to our rescue.

As I labored at home, she intermittently checked in with me via phone until it was go time. Once we were all together at the hospital, Adrienne gently supported my husband in his role supporting me, which meant so much to our family. It was amazing to watch how seamlessly she worked with the midwife and hospital staff. Adrienne’s ability to balance respecting my wishes (as far as how I wanted to labor) and encouraging me to try something different ultimately helped me to have a quicker labor while feeling safe and supported. She also coached me in using a special breathing/pushing technique (I think we dubbed it “toothpaste tube” breathing).  This technique helped immensely to reduce my pain and anxiety, made me feel really efficient during the pushing stage, and prevented any tearing. I swear it was this breathing/pushing technique and the encouragement to push instinctually that made for such a quick postpartum recovery. My midwife still remarks on this technique and how she wishes more women knew about it for preventing injury alone.  She also taught us the lullaby that has become the favorite of both our daughters. Every time we sing it to them I am reminded how calm, fun and empowering my birth experience was….qualities for which I wasn’t necessarily looking, but am SO grateful for. And we are forever grateful to Adrienne for facilitating such a dreamy birth experience.

Emily Ralph Servant

2/20/2018

As we prepared for a home birth, my husband and I were comforted knowing that we would have Adrienne's knowledge and experience to guide us.  She provided a variety of tools (including yoga, breathing, meditation, essential oils, etc) to prepare for childbirth and then she gave me space to decide for myself which ones would be most helpful.

Adrienne was available by text and phone to answer questions and give feedback through the eleven days of "practice" contractions we endured before my daughter's (very late) arrival.  When my water finally broke and labor started in earnest, she tracked with me over text until she could join us at our home.

Once Adrienne arrived and started guiding my labor, it kicked into gear immediately.  Throughout the day, she made suggestions to keep things moving without rushing or forcing anything.  She was matter-of-fact, calm, and quiet, and was actively involved in my progress using massage and pressure points, coaching and providing labor props, and offering mental and physical support when I needed it.

My midwives later observed that it didn't look like this was the first time I had given birth; in fact, although my labor was relatively short for a first-time mom, my baby's crowning was the longest they had ever seen because of my controlled breathing.  This focused breathing led to less tearing and more of a feeling of control over my birth experience.  I believe both the "quick" labor and extended crowning were a direct result of Adrienne's preparation and presence with me.  We were a good team!

I appreciated Adrienne's philosophy of staying calm and releasing, trusting that my body knows what it needs to do.  Especially if you have survived a past trauma that could affect your experience of labor, I highly recommend Adrienne to walk alongside both you and your partner as you prepare for a calm and empowered birth.

Erika Christensen

4/27/2017

My husband and I sought a doula when I found myself pregnant again after a pretty dramatic history of pregnancy loss. It was important to me to have extra support through another pregnancy for whatever curveballs might come our way. After our initial consultation with Adrienne, we found her to be incredibly knowledgable and assertive. It was important to me to try to have a vaginal birth without an epidural and we knew Adrienne's background, including being a liscensed massage therapist, would give her the tools to help me through labor and delivery with that goal in mind. As it happened, my labor ended up being incredibly quick so I wasn't able to utilize that specific set of skills but Adrienne was incredibly helpful during the direct aftermath with support and advice in the hospital. We were also treated to well-timed post delivery massages at home which felt amazing after two weeks of caring for an infant. I would highly recommend Adrienne to anyone in the Baltimore area who needs a super experienced doula with hundreds of births under her belt : )

Gina Moraz

2/2/2017

From beginning to end, my experience with Adrienne was everything I could ever want and more in a doula. I chose her because she's a straight-shooter, she's a true expert in all things baby (pre, post, delivery) and she's got a very caring and supportive spirit--she truly wants to help you have the birth of your dreams. She helped me do just that--I naturally delivered my baby girl in under 4 hours and I could not have done it without her. She is a massage therapist and I truly believe her prenatal massage helped prepare my body for labor. She also provided Calm Birth CDs that helped me meditate and relax, particularly during the early stages of my labor. When she arrived, her positive energy filled the room and I remember her saying "We're having a baby tonight!". Throughout my labor, she reminded me to smile, to hum my favorite songs and to dance (To clarify, I did not dance but it was a nice thought!). She was attentive to my every single need -- cold rags on my head, comforting words, rubbing my aches, catching my vomit (while exclaiming, "This is good!"), encouraging me to connect with my baby and my husband, and cheering me on throughout it all. She constantly suggested different positions for me to try, and each of them were exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I firmly believe that the peanut ball she asked me to squeeze with my legs during surges are what helped my baby come so quickly. I'm so grateful to her for that! Something else she did that truly sets her apart, is she included my husband in everything and was a true partner to him during my labor. She was by my side through it all, and only left to allow my husband and I to enjoy the intimacy of each surge. She was there to help my baby latch for the first time and came to my home the next week to check in on me, and helped drain my lymphnodes to alleviate my engorgement. I'm so happy to have had Adrienne throughout this amazing journey and highly recommend her to others!

mike moraz

1/26/2017

Deborah Donohue

8/30/2016

Adrienne took care of twins for me. She was an incredible resource for very stressed and tired parents. She taught so much, swaddling, soothing and special tips and tricks for  feeding the twins. She was always on time . She always was cheerful, friendly and made the parents feel comfortable.  Thank you Adrienne for helping at a very stressful time. You were confident and caring. You made the babies calm. I knew they were always in good hands.

Nicole ColavitoLMT

2/5/2016

This was my 3rd birth and by far the absolute best.  Adrienne was an amazing support. She worked with the hospital staff to ensure that my needs were met and my concerns heard.  She helped my husband to feel comfortable watching his wife in pain and helped him to find his role during our birth experience.  She showed him how to help me weather the contractions by alleviating some pain through the use of acupressure points.  This allowed him to be an active participant which he and I truly appreciated.  Adrienne was attentive without crowding and supportive without being bossy.  She was everything we needed and more.  We are so thankful and would emphatically recommend her again and again.

Laura Bond

1/9/2015

Adrienne was a great resource to have during the pregnancy and birth of my first child. My boyfriend and I were admittedly lacking knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth and Adrienne was always available by phone or text to answer all of our questions. She spent a good amount of time teaching us calming techniques for the delivery room and exercises to help the body prepare for childbirth. She is very knowledgable in this field and is also a certified massage therapist as well as a yoga instructor which complement her approach and fund of knowledge. (Plus, what pregnant woman doesn't like a massage!). She is passionate about the childbirth process and does a great job of helping you advocate for yourself while in the delivery room. If I have another child I will undoubtedly hire her again, as well as recommend her to my friends.

Curtis Bracey

1/7/2015

Our experience with Adrienne was fantastic from start to finish. Adrienne guided us through every aspect of the pregnancy and helped my wife with various techniques of calm birth. I was also encouraged and aided by the advice and suggestions she gave me throughout the process that helped me to be a support during the labor.

Adrienne was very prompt although she had to drive a long distance in the middle of the night to be with my wife and she stayed during a long and intensive labor. She was calm and reassuring the whole time, her experience with massage and calm birth was truly a blessing for my wife as she delivered our son.

After Jayden was born Adrienne checked in on us and came over to help my wife with recovery, she also gave us massages for our sore muscles. Overall I would highly reccomend Adrienne to any expecting mother. We were very impressed with her knowledge, expereince and most importantly the fact that she has passion and loves what she does.

Curtis Bracey

Courtney Bracey

12/30/2014

Adrienne supported my husband and me through the birth of our son Jayden!  It was a tough delivery (I wouldn't say my pain tolerance is the highest and I had a 95% natural birth at a birth center) and Adrienne was there every step of the way - encouraging me, giving me massages, helping me with my breathing, and many many other things.  I did my best to employ the CalmBirth techniques that she taught us - although I was definitely intimidated by birth.  I truly CAN NOT imagine doing it with her support, presence, and positive energy!  I would definitely partner with Adrienne again!