Sindhuja Thiruvengadam

12/10/2017

Rachel is phenomenal! During our first meeting, we did not even know what to expect from doula. Rachel explained thoroughly about the entire process and her role as a doula. She made us feel so comfortable which was the key thing that helped us decide our doula. Our birth plan was to have a medication free natural delivery. Obviously we were ready to take medications if required. But more inclined towards natural delivery. Rachel completely understood our objective and just a call away for any of our questions.My early labor started on 2nd August. The intensity of the pain increased the next day and Rachel was constantly in touch with me. On 3rd Aug evening, Rachel suggested to call up the doctor and update them about the pain. We then called the labor and delivery and the doctor asked us to come in right away to the hospital. When I went to the hospital on 3rd Aug, 8:00PM I was 2cm dilated.We were skeptical if we should call Rachel so early or wait for active labor. But Rachel suggested that it is better that she would be with us during this time and she was at the hospital by 10:30PM. Believe me or not – I didn’t sleep through the entire night due to my pain. I was constantly walking around the labor ward. And so was Rachel. She was awake with me throughout the entire night. She took me continuously for walk, gave me massage and helped me in all ways.Next day morning doctor suggested to break my water bag to speed the process. Since I was very tired Rachel suggested that we can wait for few more hours before breaking the water bag since there are no complications. We thought that is a better idea and we delayed the water bag breaking for few hours. That really helped to gain my strength for things ahead. During the transition phase, she was a great support to me and helped me gain mental strength assuring I can get through this. Yeah and in few hours our bundle of joy arrived.We are really happy and very satisfied with Rachel as our doula!

Nita Mohanan

5/1/2017

Rachel is amazing! She's professional, knowledgeable and passionate. It's our first time so we did not know what to expect. She met with us twice and walked us through the entire process. Additionally, she gave us packets to take home -- and forms to fill out. I called her several times and she was always available to answer all my questions. Honestly, looking back, I don't know what we would have done without her. She made the process simple and straightforward -- we always knew what was coming next. The day before the delivery, I texted her several times. On the day, I checked in at the hospital at 4:00 am, she left her home as soon as she found out, and showed up at 4:45 am. She was there through the whole time, and provided support for me -- even explaining pros and cons of everything from epidurel to delayed clamping to skin to skin after delivery. She was also there for my husband -- I could clearly tell he was relived she was there to handle the bulk of the matter. She visited me several times after and even volunteered to help me regarding breastfeeding, as our baby was not latching properly during the first few weeks. If I were to go through it again, we'll definitely look forward to working with Rachel again! Definitely recommend!

Natalie Samra

4/26/2017

I originally hired Rachael because my husband travels for a living and I wanted someone who could be by my side in the event he didnt make the birth of our baby. Rachel taught me so many other options than what we traditionally knew about When it came time to deciding on how we wanted our labor & birth to go. She was so patient and her only goal was to make sure it was exactly how we imagined it to be. I felt more comfortable contacting her when I had a question- it didn't matter how silly i thought it was, she always validated my concern. Rachael really came through when things got "rough" during labor- she became my voice when I couldn't speak. I honestly don't think I could have done it without her. She was able to read my body language and speak up for me. I am so thankful we chose her! Rachael has become more than a doula to me and I hope to keep in contact with her in the future. Thanks again Rachael- you are the best!

Kayla Sykora

3/5/2017

I cannot express my appreciation for Rachel's services enough. She was always available for questions throughout my pregnancy. She took the time to get to know my husband and i so that she would be able to understand what we were looking for in terms of support. A lot of helpful information was given to us for pain relief and to help me create my birth plan.

My water broke and i ended up being hospitalized right away. Rachel let us know she was available to us whenever we needed her. We decided to ask her to come when they were inducing labor. She was able to relieve my husband who had been there with me from 5 am to 10 pm. She offered me a variety of different natural pain relief options as soon as she arrived. As the pitocin was increased, i realized what i needed more than anything was massage and someone to hold my hand. Rachel seemed to sense this without me even asking. Throughout the hours of 10 pm until the next day at 2:10 pm , she was right there supporting me with either emotional or physical pain relief help. She seemed to know just what to say to get me through those really tough moments. My husband appreciated her help as well. Even though i had great nurses, i feel like i couldn't have done it without rachel. I am very happy with my birth experience and rachel was a big part of that. I highly recommend rachel to others seeking a birth doula.

Nadia Chathappuram

11/2/2016

Rachel is passionate about childbirth and her role as a doula. She has vast knowledge of information and if there is something she cannot confidently answer she will find a resource who can. She is honest and very pleasant to work with. My husband and I had Rachel as our doula for our first pregnancy and therefore the decision was simple when I became pregnant again that she would be our doula. Rachel provided us with reading materials and videos to help preprare us for childbirth. During our hospital stay Rachel used the birthing ball and she brought over different essential oils to help me relax and to alleviate some of the labor pain. She was a bridge between the hospital staff and ourselves and well as communicating with our extended family and keeping them abreast of any changes. Not only am I grateful to have her as my doula my family was just as grateful to have her as a point of contact.

Thanks Rachel.

Nadia and Praveen (parents of Arya and Riya)

Gundega Puidza

10/28/2016

Rachel was kind, caring and sensitive to our needs during labor. She knows when to stay close and when to give more personal space. She was present all the time but never too close to feel uncomfortable. Rachel responed to our needs and deeply cared if any concerns arised. Me and my husband, we felt absolutely safe with Rachel. If we ever decide to have more children, Rachel will be our doula for sure.

Praveen Chathappuram

11/25/2015

Rachel is an amazing doula!  I would highly recommend her to anyone.  She spent considerable amount of time with my wife and I and educated us on the entire birth process.  She helped explain the procedures to us in ways that was very easy to understand during such a stressful time.  Having gone through the process, I can honestly say that both my wife and I are really glad we had Rachel there.

Nadia and Praveen

Andrea Polk

10/8/2015

Rachel,

I am writing this on the behalf of the outstanding service I received from Rachel Subramanian during my natural waterbirth delivery that ended in a c-section on September 10th.  Rachel brought outstanding energy and pain relieving techniques to help my labor experience memorable and managable.  She worked well with my family and staff and brought a unique addition to the birthing room.  Rachel went above and beyond during my 22 hour delivery, in fact she stayed 5 hours after her assigned shift to ensure both my baby and myself was healthy and doing well after delivery.  My family and I was truly impressed by her knowlege and service.

Thank you Rachel for everything me and baby Ava really appreciate you.

Andreea Herholz

10/5/2015

Rachel was phenomenal! She was offering free services at Swedish Covenant as I was in labor with my first baby. She came in at around noon, to help during my labor and stayed until 4 am the next day, after the baby was born and back with us (the baby had to be taken away immediately after delivery because he wasn't doing well, and he was away for several hours). Her shift was a lot shorter than that, yet she stayed there until we were moved to the recovery unit. She was very calm, compassionate and a cheerful spirit the whole time. She is very respectful of your birth plan, and your desires for labor and delivery. As soon as she entered the room, Rachel started to encourage me, to massage my back, to help me get in different position that would reduce my pain, to coach me on how to deal with my contractions and how to breath, and she was definitely my cheer leader. If I needed anything she was there to help. During delivery she was there by my side wiping my forehead and continuing to encourage me and coach me how to push. She definitely made my labor and delivery a lot easier, and even manageable in moments when I was in so much pain I did not know how to cope with it. I would HIGHLY recommend Rachel to anyone who is looking for a doula!

Kristin Howard

9/28/2015

Rachel came to help with the birth of my second daughter and we appreciated her participation.  The call to tell her about my labor woke her up prior to her shift even starting, but she graciously rushed to the hospital in heavy traffic to be there.  She didn't make it until I was already pushing, but she jumped right in and offered her hands for me to squeeze.  She was a great support after the delivery in helping me breastfeed my daughter.  Rachel has a calming presence and we loved having her.