Esther Augustine

7/4/2023

Renee was awesome to work with! She was totally calm and stayed present with us, guiding us through the process, although nothing went according to plan. I had planned for a birth center birth and done lots of research and prep, but labor progressed much faster than my husband or I expected, then stalled. We ended up at the hospital with a c-section, but at each point, Renee was there to talk with us about options and help me with different positions. I would absoluely hire her again! 

Amy H

6/8/2023

We met Renee through my sister, who worked with her for two of her pregnancies and highly recommended her. We took her classes one-on-one in addition to using her birth doula services. Working with Renee, we were able to learn so much about the process of hospital birth and all of our options, by the time we reached the end of my pregnancy I felt so prepared and empowered. I was still very scared to go through it all, but not because it was a mystery (I am just a nervous person). Renee's support throughout my pregnancy was really helpful. I could ask her anything, and she always had thoughtful responses and resources at the ready, and never made me feel small/unimportant or like my many questions were silly. She continues to answer questiosn for me and be a a source of support as I navigate new motherhood, and for that I am so grateful. You need people like her in your corner.

Having Renee at the hospital with us for the birth of our son was the best decision we made. She took care of us all day, and met needs I didn't even know I had. She was encouraging and knew exactly the kind of temperment I needed as an individual for support in such a vulnerable situation. In the end, the birth of my son went exactly 'to plan,' which I knew was not a guarantee because of all the prep work we did. We had written a birth plan together, and working through that ahead of time with her was so helpful. I have no regrets or feelings of trauma surrounding my birth experience. We will definitely want to work with Renee again, should we have another child. 

Sonia

12/16/2022

When I first learned that I was pregnant, I was apprehensive about birthing in the hospital. By this point my personal experience wiht doctors in general was not the best and I was worry that I will be ignored. I wanted an additional voice in the room with me and my husband. As I was searching for a Doula, Renee stood out because she was knowledgeable and work with me to accomplish what I envisioned for my birthing experience while educating me in the process. My birthing experience went very smoothly and I was kept calm and reminded of my training throughout because Renee help me keep track of my breathing. She provided me with support after the birth when I needed it as well. I will choose Renee again for all my upcoming births. Thank you Renee!

-Sonia

Samantha Leone

11/27/2022

Renee was the perfect doula for us.

We found her online and from the get go she was straight forward, considerate and always had advice to provide - even before we agreed to work with her. She first cam eto our house and ran us through the process of how it would work to have a doula. She was very informative and left us with no questions unanswered which was important for us as we were first time parents. She gave her time willingly and with passion. Unlike many of us, you can clearly see that Renee not only has alot of knowledge on all things pregnancy and delivery but also that she is devoted to making the journey of parenthood more pleasant for other moms and dads too. She was on call on the day of the delivery and showed up exactly when she said she would. Having had a rough delivery I know just how rough it can get. Having Renee by my side offered much needed relief and reassurance. The doctors were great and it was amazing to have my husband there with me but there is a certain level of support that Renee offered that I would't trade. It made all the difference in my birthing experience. I think it was what kept me hopeful throughout the process. It gave me a feeling of having a little more control and equiped me with more internal calmness than if she had not been there. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for support. She is great. She checked in post delivery too and gave me advice on latching which was great because up until that point latching had been a nit tricky. She gave me some really good advice which made breastfeeding much easier. THANK YOU RENEE!!! <3

Amber McDonough

4/20/2022

Renee was our doula for the birth of our second and third children. Our first son was born by c-section and I desparately wanted to achieve a VBAC for my second (and then third births). Renee helped me to do so both times! These births were very different from each other, but the support that Renee provided throughout pregnancy and delivery was exactly what I needed each time. She helped me stay informed and make decisions that were in my best interest, even when they may have differed slightly from what my doctor recommended. Renee quickly answered all of my questions throughout pregnancy and gave me great advice on things to do (stretches/exercises) to make sure my babies were in a good position for delivery. With my 2nd child, I had a lot of prodromal labor which I confused with active labor. Renee drove to our house when I asked her to. By the time she arrived the labor had stopped and I was feeling very defeated and overwhelmed. Renee helped me work through my anxiety and emotions. The next day I got induced and she was with us the whole time. It was a scary process but she made me feel safe and assured me that my body was capable of delivering vaginally.  For my 3rd pregnancy, my body did go into active labor. This time I was cautious to jump to conclusions by heading to the hospital. Renee supported me by checking in through text over the phone, advising me on what contractions should feel like and things I could do to prepare if it were the real deal. By the time we decided to get to the hospital I was already 8 cm dilated. Renee rushed to get there and made it right when things were getting challenging. The baby was born naturally an hour later! I highly recommend a doula (and specifically Renee) to all of my friends who are expecting. 

Kate Davis

4/30/2020

We loved working with Reneé! I will share a little of my birth story-- My water broke around 11:50 pm on Wednesday March 18. Matt asked my parents to head over to watch our other daughter-- they'd arrive about 3:15. Renee also headed over. We live in Bryan, so not super close. Reneé helped us so much at home and at the hospital. We relaxed and went for a walk at home while I was in early labor, and we went to the hospital at 5:50 am since that was 6 hours after my water broke, which was the maximum my doctor wanted me to wait. I was 5 cm when we got there. Because of coronavirus, they almost didn't let Renee in, even though they'd previously told her and us she could. Thankfully they finally did let us and her in. My contractions actually stopped from that stress while we waited in triage! Reneé was critical in helping me stay relaxed and thinking clearly during that time. After we finally were let in to an L&D room around 8 am, things really picked up! After just 3 hours of active labor (no medicine) which we managed well with Renee's help, and less than 3 pushes, (the doctor barely made it in time to catch her!), our sweet baby Margaret was born at 11:07! Reneé has also been so awesome in checking on us and helping answer any questions I've had. We had a really epic birth experience.

Anna Horvath

10/31/2017

Renee helped me to feel informed going into labor and was key in alleviating discomfort during my labor.  She was friendly and personable.  She did everything specified in her contract and took initiative to contact me and check up on me.

Anna Horvath

10/31/2017

Renee helped me to feel informed going into labor and was key in alleviating discomfort during my labor.  She was friendly and personable.  She did everything specified in her contract and took initiative to contact me and check up on me.

Rachel Mathers

10/10/2017

Renee was the doula we chose for the birth of our second child. I wanted to have a natural/ medication free birth in a hospital setting and she was so supportive from our first meeting. Early in pregnancy she helped us form a birth plan that was succinct and complete. Renee provided advice and book suggestions for labor preparation for both myself and our husband. Throughout labor she was a continuous source of support and encouragement. She provided direct support and assisted my husband by showing him pressure/massage options. She stayed after our baby’s birth to help assist with first latch. Her postpartum visit was unhurried, she answered my question, asked questions I had not thought to ask and encouraged us to contact her as needed for further questions. Renee was kind, knowledgeable and supportive; we highly recommend her as a labor support doula.

Marissa Sweet

9/12/2017

Renee was the biggest help ever on our delivery day.  There are many aspects of her assistance during my labor but amongst the biggest was her knowledge in the delivery room and home after delivery.  I am a very strong willed person but an 18 hour delivery can make anyone tired. Our experience would not have been the same without her by my husbands and my side.   Renee was able to be informative yet give us space to make our own decisions During the delivery process.  She also was able to encourage me to stick through the toughest moments and continue to be strong with sticking to our birth plan.  She was very comforting in every moment and  helped us to remain calm throughout the entire Day.  She has since brought us many tips with our new baby.  I have to say I am successfully breast-feeding because of her and her assistance.  Not only will she be with us for any deliveries in the future she is now considered our friend. Hiring her was the best thing we ever did during our pregnancy.

Bethany Schmelzenbach

5/3/2017

Renee was absolutely amazing! She is very knowledgeable and helped qualm my fears of a hospital birth. She was always easy to get in contact with and answered any questions we had any time. When I went into labor she met us at the hospital and was the perfect coach. My birth went almost exactly as I wanted it to. A huge part of that is because I was able to feel at ease with the team around me and Renee was a huge part of making that happen.  She is also very knowledgeable about cloth diapering and breastfeeding and answered my many questions as a new mom. I would highly recommend Renee!

Sarah Ryan

4/18/2017

My husband and I decided to hire a doula for the birth of our first daughter and after interviewing some other doulas we clicked with Renee. She made us feel very comfortable about the whole process. Although I was induced a week after my due date and wasn't able to start labor on my own I am very happy with my birthing experience. Renee was very kind and informative through the entire process. I had back labor and was in a lot of pain so I did get an epidural. She was there the whole time with alternative options and positions for me to try and ease my pain. I think the best thing was that my husband had a support system and was able to comfort me better. Thank you Renee for helping us bring our little girl into the world!

Katie Heisner

12/31/2016

Renee was wonderful!  She is very knowledgable on all aspects of the birth process.  She answered any questions we had & supported all our decisions, even when they changed.  She helped me write a birth plan that was clear & contained all my wishes.  During labor she was kind & supportive.  She helped me labor my way.  She gently made suggestions during labor that were very helpful such as different ways to breathe & positions.  My husband & I both agreed that this birth experience would not have gone as well without Renee there to support me.  I did not use a doula for my 1st birth (this was my 2nd) but based on our experience with Renee, for any future births we will have a doula.  She also supported me & my decisions after the baby was born.  She makes herself easily available to answer questions.  I would recommend her to any mother looking for an experienced & knowledgeable doula.

Megan Boyden

12/20/2016

Renee served as doula for my first pregnancy in August 2016, and I can't say enough wonderful things about her. After our second meeting, I was in the process of creating the birth plan when I had an emergency C-section a month early due to complications with pre-eclampsia. She couldn't make it to the hospital in time because of how quickly events transpired, but she was there immediately after to help with breastfeeding and to check on me for the weeks following birth. She ended up counseling me through multiple breastfeeding issues that began with an overactive letdown. Then one month postpartum, I was in a real panic because breastfeeding had gone from manageable to a disaster as my milk regulated and my son began losing weight. She dropped everything to come to my house and help me. Not only was the emotional support invaluable, but she was able to recognize tongue and lip ties that were impeding his ability to transfer milk. She used favors with her personal contacts in the lactation world to secure me a next day appointment with a lactation consultant. I really must emphasize how helpful this was, as I had already called multiple consultants and couldn't get an appointment for a week. Not to mention having spent hours phoning hotlines and Internet searching. Then throughout the process of revision and healing, she checked up on me and offered encouragement. She helped make breastfeeding a success for me, and I will always be grateful for that. Even now, four months postpartum, she explained the tummy pooch I have as diastasis recti (something I had never heard of), and provided me with exercises to help reverse this abdominal muscle separation condition that resulted from the C-section. She supported me beyond what was expected of a doula because she loves her job and truly cares for her mothers. Needless to say, I hope to employ Renee for the birth of a second child someday.