Savannah Gilbert

12/18/2016

I just had my first child last week with Kaya by my side. After a pregnancy, years in the making/planning, I found myself alone facing my upcoming birth and very scared.
I found Kaya off her doula collective's website and knew as soon as I saw her picture that she was the one for me. She was always very open and genuine during our visits and was so compassionnate when I hit bumps in the road. I texted her numerous times during the nights before my baby was born and she was always quick to reply and supportive. 
I had planned on receiving an epidural as soon as labor became too intense to handle, but it ended up flying along and there wasn't time. I never felt alone or overwhelmed though because Kaya kept me grounded and reminded me that I was "in the right place, doing the right thing" - one of her affirmations that really spoke to me. She gave me a beautiful set of birth mantra/affirmation cards on our first prenatal visit that I used every day the last few weeks of my pregnancy and helped me feel calm when I was scared and anxious.
I have only warm and glowing things to say about Kaya! She is truly made to be a doula and the mothers who get to have her by their side are incredibly lucky. I didn't have a partner so I truly appreciated and noticed everything she did for me, from helping me with comfort measures (she gives a mean lower back rub!) to taking beautiful pictures I will treasure forever (she even captured my expression when I first saw my baby!).
If you are even half-way thinking about hiring a doula I highly suggest that you meet for tea with Kaya!

Elizabeth Young

11/8/2016

Kaya was recommended to me by my sister who is a L&D nurse and who has had several births where she was the doula and my sister had been impressed by her connection with her patients.

She connected immediately with my husband and I during our consultation. She is so warm and knowledgable it was clear that she was the doula for our family.

I had a high risk pregnancy and had to have a scheduled cesarean birth so I didn't have the traditional birth preparation. She came over and helped me organize our home to be recovery-friendly and helped my husband and I make a plan for success for our first weeks home. Her advice and practical solutions to the pain and concerns I had before and after our daughter was born was fantastic!

She helped me when I had sleep-deprived crisis moments in the middle of the night and even came over super late one night when I was losing my mind and my husband didn't know what to do to help.

She is very kind and we always felt cared for with her. I am so happy that she was available for us and would highly recommend her to any family who wants to improve their birth and especially postpartum experience!!

Michelle Singleton

7/3/2016

Both my husband and I connected with Kaya immediately when she came for our first prenatal visit.  She is an amazingly kind person and we can't imagine not having her with us on our journey into parenthood. She was incredibly supportive both prenatal and postpartum, especially when we were told we could not have a home birth because our baby was breech.  She is extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions even at 4 in the morning.  She had so many tricks up her sleeve, for myself, my husband and our little one, for everything from back pain to a gassy baby.  I believe I was able to make the transition into motherhood much smoother because of her encouragement and support postpartum.  She helped with cleaning the kitchen (I don't think our sink had ever been so clean!), vacuuming, laundry and cooking plus took care of my daughter so I was able to get some much needed sleep.  I'm hoping, for our next baby, I will be able to have a VBAC because I know the delivery will be more manageable with her by my side and with my husband for support.  I would highly recommend Kaya as a Doula to everyone because she makes the birthing experience just that much better.  Overall she is just a good person that anyone is fortunate to have present in their life.

kimberly johnston

6/16/2016

Kaya walked into our Duncan rental home (we are from Tofino and had to move to Duncan for the birth of our son) and immediately lit up our living room. We recently lost my sister trajically and so we were grieving her loss as well as taking care of our 2 year old daughter Hannah- things were hectic to say the least! Kaya's presence immediately brightened our evening. Her energy was amazing with us and she dealt with the news of our tragedy like a professional. She understood that we needed as much support as possible during the challenging time. She engaged our 2 year old daughter Hannah immediately as well as provided us with an information package and a gift bag for me which included beautiful picture cards with positive birthing affirmations on them. She offered to meet with us as many times as we wanted before the birth as well as provide post-partum care. Her approach was warm, kind, and professional.

When I went into labour she was calm and reassuring the whole time. When we arrived at the hospital she ran around for me the whole time we were there as well as provided hands on support and verbal support. I would credit her with being as professional and thorough as our midwife with the added kindess and care that only a doula can bring to a birthing situation. She showed no signs of being exhausted and was alert and present the entire time.

The true highlight of our time with Kaya came post partum. I was healing from stiches and in a lot of pain. We called Kaya and asked if she could help us for a couple of days (which turned into 4) with Hannah as a nanny. She somehow squeezed us into her schedule and took Hannah out with her on many walks and park adventures. Hannah LOVED Kaya and still asks about her. The bond that they shared, in such a short time, is a testament to what a wonderful person Kaya truly is.

Kimberly Johnston
Tofino, BC

Julia Valen

1/26/2016

My husband was the reason I chose to have a doula for my labor. He doesn't do well under stress and our neighbors recommended having Kaya after they used her for their labor. At all of our visits before our baby came she included him in all the information and asked how he was at each step. We did lots of practicing of the positions and tricks she had taught us and he used a lot of them when she mentioned they would be helpful during my labor and she made sure he was eating and drinking and sleeping enough whlie also looking after me. He was so relieved to not have to remember everything himself and happy that he had some good tricks to use on me. Definitely get a doula for your labor espec for your husband!!!

Jessica Poole

5/16/2015

I went into preterm labor at 32 weeks and Kaya came with me to the hospital and stayed with me when my doctor tried to stop my labor and I had to stay in the hospital. It was such a relief to have her with me so that my husband could go home to our toddler. When my labor started again and couldn't stop she helped me by preparing me and my husband for what to expect in a C section and helped us feel ok with having to have one. She was waiting for me after in the recovery room and so my husband could follow our son to the NICU. I wanted a natural birth like my first one but she helped me feel ok when my plan had to change. I didn't have a doula with our first birth but I don't know what we would have done without one this time!

Shannon Renyolds

4/7/2015

I have 4 boys already and never used a doula before. I got pregnant with my 4th unexpectedly but I knew I wanted to have a home birth this time. I found great midwives and then found out about doulas. I wanted someone to be my labor support because my husband was going to have to look after our other boys when I was in labor. She came over for 2 prenatal visits and came to one of my appointements to meet my midwives and help me get ready for my homebirth. My other labors were pretty quick and so I was worried she wouldn't make it in time maybe. She came 20 minutes after I told her I was in labor and my baby was born 2 hours after! She kept me calm when I felt like I lost control and things were happening too fast. She also helped take some wonderful pictures of my other kids meeting their new brother and my husband and I. She has come over again 2 more times to check on us and always asks if she can grab some groceries on her way over and makes us at least 1 dinner. I feel really happy with my experience and even though I don't plan on having more kids I reccommend her and doulas to all my pregnant friends.

Natalie Moore

4/7/2015

I had a hospital birth with my daughter and Kaya was my amazing doula! She helped me get ready when I was pregnant and feel like I could handle labor and birth. She came to my house when I was in labor and came with us to the hospital when I was ready. She made my husband feel good too because she kept reminding him of the tricks to help me relax and he got to sleep because she was with me so I wasn't ever alone. She stayed overnight with me in the hospital and helped me nurse my daughter so when we got to go home the next day we felt good leaving and not scared. She came over a couple times more after we were home and made dinners to freeze and helped me nurse when we had a few problems. I was really scared to get depression because I've had it before but she helped me feel good about being a mom and helped my husband help me and keep it in control. We are definitely going to use her as our doula again when we have another!