Aerin Smith

3/15/2021

I came to match with Denise by two ways: first by way of googling  seeing strong reviews and then having my gut feeling solidified by a friend who happened to discuss the topic with me - she shared that Denise was one of the best pregnancy experience decisions she made. The same can be said for me as I found myself having my first child during Covid. Denise was super responsive (any time of the day) and simply has a warmth about her that makes her easy to talk with through all of the ideas and concerns you may have during the process. She also focused on opportunities and positivities - which believe me, you'll need in that last stretch! Consider Denise your uber informed and non judgemental friend. I feel very blessed to have had her as apart of our birth experience and now to share updates with her on this hbeautiful life she helped coach into the world. 

Samantha

3/2/2021

Denise was a truly wonderful doula for us and even as a virtual experience, we always felt 100% supported. Denise was a very calming presence and knowledgeable resource for us, which came in handy as we ended up having a false alarm and then when my actual labor started, things progressed very quickly and ultimately ended up in an emergency c-section. I remember as everything was happening though, recalling things Denise taught me and I felt more prepared and understood what was going on better than had we not had Denise.

My husband was skeptical when I first brought up using a doula but upon our first class with Denise, he very quickly changed his tune and I think he really benefitted from having Denise to help guide him for his own knowledge and for knowing how best to support me.

Denise was very attentive after the delivery of our baby girl and continued to be a helpful resource with breastfeeding and baby sleep/care info. 

My husband and I can't say enough positive things about Denise so if you're reading this and unsure, know you'd be in great hands with Denise! 

Josh Duncan

10/29/2017

We couldn't express in words how incredible Denise is and the important part she played in our birthing story. From the day we first met her, she was a steady, calming influence. We highly recommend Denise to anyone and everyone. We are tremendous fans of her and feel like she is part of our family.

Marilyn Zartman

10/20/2017

After we attended the birthing class Denise offered, we decided we wanted to hire her as our doula. She was so welcoming and knowledgable and put us right at ease from the start.

We started a group text with her, my husband, and me to keep everyone in the loop on pregnancy updates. It was so nice to have her involved in the end of the pregnancy to let me know things I should be doing to help start labor.

I had a long labor, but Denise was by my side all day and through the long night. Her presence allowed my husbad to be able to step out to feed our dogs at home and to get some rest through the night.

By the morning we were told we would need to have a c-section (my worst fear) but it all worked out in the end and I was ready to meet my little one after 22 hours in labor.

Denise helped out even more when we first came home, everything was so brand new to me and she was a great support to talk with to know that everything I was feeling and going through was normal and temporary. She also recommended a lactation consultant to help with our breastfeeding struggles.

Labor, breastfeeding, and becoming a new mom are by far the hardest things I've ever done. Having someone like Denise by my side supporting my decisions and helping me understand everything throughout it all was invaluable.

radhika nagarkar

9/21/2017

Denise is a Doula par excellence and was a essential part of my labor experience for the following reasons. Firstly, she is very responsive to text and email- of all the doulas' that I reached out while choosing a birth companion, Denise was one of the very few who responded immediately. She was similarly prompt in her responses during the prenatal and post natal period. Secondly, while she is experienced in the field (~15 plus years), her knowledge is up-to-date with the ACOG, AAP and Lamaze recommendations. For instance, she used the same terminologies/lingo that we were taught in the hospital birthing classes. She has an easy going personality and took the time to tailor her approach to match our needs. For instance, we are both professionals and needed the exact rationale for particular practice or birth position. Here, Denise went out of her way to provide detailed scientific explanations for the same and thoroughly answered our relentless questions. Lastly, her bedside manner is excellent- she supported both me and my husband when the going got really tough. She helped us stick with our birth plan that we had developed together which we were ready to give up on in the fog of labor. In retrospect, being older first time parent, although we had read every book, attended every class, toured the hospital and researched labor/delivery, we had unrealistic expectations on what actual labor looks like. Denise bridged this gap and advocated for us at the hospital. Overall, we are eternally grateful to her and would seek her out again if we choose to have more children.

Jennifer Street

9/20/2017

We found Denise through our hospital tour and liked the fact that she specialized in helping families achieve their natural birth goals in the hospital environment. Denise was very available, accommodating, and supportive. Unfortunately, we had to have a csection and were unable to utilize her services for natural delivery as we desired but her support during our ECV procedure and throughout the difficult decision making process was invaluable. We would definitively recommend her to others.

Kendahl Lucas

5/3/2017

I had an incredible experience with Denise Bernard. From the moment we met, she was open, flexible, prayerful and encouraging. Several times, she drove to meet me at my convenience-- just to offer encouraging words and an ear to listen. I hired her, both as my doula and as a one-on-one birthing class teacher. She taught our classes in my home, which was a nice experience. She was flexible, always giving peaceful and calm energy. She made both my husband and I feel grounded about the entire experience. I enjoyed the series of classes that she taught us, as well as her doula services on the day of delivery.

On the day that I gave birth, she arrived to the hospital, prayed with my family and stayed the entire time. She helped manage the room and keep my family and friends positive. Before I was released from the hospital, she returned to visit me twice. About two weeks after I gave birth, she came over to my home and spent a few hours with my babygirl and I.

As a first time Mom, I recommend her 1000 times over. If I could do it again, I would've hired her earlier in my pregnancy. Don't think twice, without a doubt -- Denise Bernard is the doula for you.

Tekara

4/23/2017

I highly recommend Denise for her doula services. I wanted to attempt a natural unmediated birth with my 4th and final child. Having Denise as my doula allowed me to have the child birth experience that I desired.

When I initially met Denise, I felt she was very passionate, excited, and informed about her work. She wanted to get to know me and my past experience with the labor and delivery of my other children. Denise gave my husband and I a very informative and engaging childbirth class to prepare us for delivery day. It not only helped me, but also was great for my husband. As my delivery day approached, she gave me great tips and advice that helped encourage the start of my labor.

On delivery day, Denise advised me to quickly get to the hospital after I told her what was happening while I was laboring at home. I really appreciated this because my labor progressed very quickly. I could have possibly had an undesired delivery at home if it wasn't for Denise!

Denise was immediately by my side at the hospital. The techniques she used and her encouraging words really helped me get through the very intense parts of my labor. Denise helped my husband actually be a part of the process. Not just helplessly standing by like with my previous medicated deliveries. This labor and delivery experience actually strengthened our bond as a couple. I will forever be grateful to Denise for being there for me, and helping me create memories that will last a lifetime!

Leah Sellers Simpson

1/23/2017

I can't say enough about Denise.  From the moment we met her, her sense of calm and supprotive nature, as well as her immense knowlege immediately put us at ease.  We wanted a natural childbirth and felt that with Denise's help, we'd be more successful.  After being unexpectedly induced, Denise offered immediate support via text and walked me step-by-step through the induction process, putting my mind at ease.  Once labor was underway, she arrived at the hospital and gave both my husband and I exactly what we needed throughout my labor.  It was great having her there to serve as a constant support while different nurses and doctors came and went.  When labor became really intense, her coping techniques and encouraging words were exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.  Fortunately, we delivered a healthy baby boy naturally.  I can honestly say that I wouldn't have been able to do it without Denise and I can't possibly recommend her enough.  She's fantastic at what she does and helped make our birthing experience the best it could be.

Kathy Lee-Cornell

11/1/2016

My husband and I had our first baby recently, and we cannot imagine going through the labor and birthing experience without Denise by our side. There are not enough positive adjectives to describe how we feel about her! Denise provided the expertise that helped alleviate our anxiety around having our first baby. Her experience and presence gave us the confidence to enjoy the natural childbirth experience we wanted. Denise was more than supportive. She helped us make important decisions once we were in the hospital and once we arrived home. My husband is so thankful that Denise was there to support him as much as she was there to support me. Her constant attention and care in the delivery room were invaluable to the both of us. For me, Denise knew exactly how to get me through my contractions. She remained calm, patient, and steadfast throughout the nearly 24 hours we were in the delivery room! She used visualization techniques, aromatherapy, and various labor positions to help guide my labor process. We have so much awe and appreciation for Denise and will always give thanks that she was a huge part of one of the most special and important days of our lives. We highly recommend Denise and her doula services to everyone!

Alda Alvarado

10/28/2016

I cannot imagine going through labor without Denise. Once, I found out I was having a baby, I knew I had to contact Denise and let her know of the new blessing to my family. Denise is such a caring and dedicated person that I consider her family. She is able to accommodate to the mother's need during labor. I commented to her that during this labor I wanted to use essential oils. Denise was very enthusiastic about this and even brought her diffuser for us to use. She offered constant guidance through contraction and positive reinforcement. I can go on and on about how she truly works hard to attain the labor you desire. Once she enters the room she is a nonstop worker and dependable person. Thank you Denise!!!!

Tiffany Dugar

10/17/2016

Denise was truly a blessing for our family. She provides amazing support before, during and after the delivery of our child. She has a calming spiri! She worked very well with our family also by keeping them informed. We now consider Denise to be part of our family. Our child is now one month old! Denise still follows up with us! Working with a doula was invaluable! Working with Denise as our doula was a blessing!!

Rachael Hartfield

7/18/2016

I highly recommend Denise and am so so grateful that we found her to support in the birth of our son. I am confident that I would not have been able to have a successful natural birth without her knowledge and support throughout the birth. My husband is very supportive but I knew I needed more support from someone more knowledgeable about natural birth to help me achieve my goal of a natural birth.

We had a desired birth plan but as with many pregnancies, my plan didn’t go as desired. I was nervous about being induced and whether it would result in needing an epidural. Denise was at the hospital from the time I was admitted to the birth of our son (approx. 17 hr labor). She was very calm, answered any questions I had about what the doctors were telling us, and helped make well informed decisions.

Denise was also a HUGE support for my husband to know how to help me. He has told all his friends and family there is no way he could have been the support needed and was so glad Denise was there for support. After the birth she called the next day to check on me and baby and has made a home visit about a week after going home to visit and see how things have been going.

I highly recommend Denise and am so grateful that she was able to provide the strength and support to know I could have an unmediated birth!