Jamie Brown

11/2/2024

I was recommended Rachel Koszka by my trusted midwife team, and this turned out to a recommendation I will always be grateful for. Rachel's range of experience, flexibility, and the ease of our first conversation drew me to working with her. While I hoped for an out-of-hospital birth, I knew I needed to keep an open mind around the unpredictability of pregnancy, especially considering my gestational diabetes. Rachel helped me uphold this open mindset while also supporting my ultimate hopes and goals. We had productive in-person meetings where we talked logistics and built a rapport, and in between our meetings Rachel stayed in contact, checking in by phone and sending helpful recommendations for pregnancy products, meditations, and other support.

When it came time for the birth itself, my hopes for low intervention had rapidly shifted to require an in-hospital induction and high medical involvement. Rachel was at my side the whole way, sharing my disappointments while embracing that this was ultimately what my baby needed most. She ensured my comfort and advocation throughout the process, suggesting helpful position changes and communicating with nurses when a sudden infection made my own communication rather hazy (and never complained as I surely cut off the circulation in her poor hands from squeezing them!). When my baby finally arrived, Rachel took gorgeous photos of our first moments, and stayed to support us for those initial hours through our transfer to the postpartum room. With Rachel, I felt secure and supported through the most unpredictable days of my life, and I would highly recommend her to any searching for a wonderful doula.

Ashlee Perkins

10/9/2024

Rachel was the perfect doula for us! She is a consummate professional, who assured that she had coverage for us at all times, even if our baby was premature. She blocked off plenty of time to check in on us and of course, to support the birth. We ended up with an unplanned C-section, and I still can't imagine going through it without Rachel. It was a beautiful, incredible experience with Rachel by our side. Thank you, Rachel!!

Pâmela Boyer

9/10/2024

Having Rachel as our doula was not only fundamental to the well-being of our pregnancy but also an incredible gift we will always cherish. From the start, Rachel’s demeanor aligned perfectly with ours. She was very knowledgeable, informative, and easy to talk to.

As the carrying parent, I had many questions that Rachel was able to explain in detail thanks to her years of experience in the field and her ability to navigate the different settings in which a person can labor, including the birth center of our choice. Knowing she would be there to help us make important decisions and advocate on our behalf was priceless.

From our first meeting, still over Zoom, I greatly appreciated her approach and how caring she was without being overbearing. When I was searching for someone to support us, it was important to me that the person had experience, understood my needs and concerns, and wasn’t solely focused on taking pictures. Rachel checked all of those marks. Although she wasn’t focused on photography only, her passion for the entire journey of life—from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond—can be seen through her amazing pictures as well. Her ability to capture special moments is truly incredible and artistic. 

Lastly, knowing that she is a professional who values and advocates for the rights of all people is the cherry on top. When I share our experience with friends, they all say: “I wish I had a doula like yours.” We definitely recommend her for anyone hopping on this wild journey called parenthood.

Kristen

7/11/2024

After becoming pregnant I knew I wanted to hire a birth doula, as a death doula myself I understand the importance of having someone guide you through a transformative experience that I knew would hold many emotions. Once we met Rachel it was immediately clear we were a match, it felt like she had been in our lives forever.

Rachel's extensive knowledge and thorough guidance ensured that we were well-informed about our choices at each phase of the birthing process, which brought us immense comfort and confidence. We had planned for an out-of-hospital birth but at the end of the pregnancy had to urgently schedule a C-section and Rachel was by our side the entire time, helping us navigate every decision with clarity and care. She prepared us for exactly what we could expect, slowed us down when fear was starting to take over, advocated for me in the hospital (immediate skin-to-skin with baby, supporting my husband as the nurses cared for baby, latching as quickly as possible, etc.), and ensured that either she or my husband held my hand the entire time. 

Beyond just her knowledge, she provided a safe space where we could express our fears openly and encouraged acknowledging all the emotions that come with becoming new parents. She did a beautiful job honoring my grief, grief in becoming a mom and the change of identity, grief in having to change our birth plan late in the pregnancy, and grief that I wouldn't have my mom with me. Rachel's soft energy and loving presence was a true anchor for us during this transformative time and when I think about the birthing experience I know it was a positive one because of Rachel. We will forever cherish the photos she took, as they capture so much of the emotion and love. 

Jen Wilson

6/15/2024

The journey to parenthood is filled with decisions, and the most important for me was the choice of who would be present for my journey. Choosing Rachel to be my birth doula was the most positively impactful decision I made for myself and my family. Initially, I was drawn to Rachel's vast store of knowledge. As a first time parent-to-be, I wanted to work with someone who had the skill and experience I could rely on, and Rachel has these in abundance. From questions about what to expect at the hospital during birth, to concerns about feeding my newborn baby, I was always reassured by her ability to answer my questions and talk through my experiences. During the birth itself, she always knew what I needed - water, a pillow, clarification on a medical question - without my having to ask. She was at once always present and never intrusive. During our postpartum visits, I felt no hesitation in entrusting her with my newborn baby while I took a shower or had a meal.

What ended up being just as valuable as Rachel's factual knowledge was the comfort of her presence. In a time that can be uncertain, stressful, and painful, Rachel provided calm comfort and reassurance. She is kind, intuitive, and deeply intelligent on many levels, with a naturally soothing manner that immediately made me feel comfortable and at ease. She didn't make me feel like I had to rely on her way of doing things, but instead made me feel confident that I could rely on her support for the choices I made for myself.

In addition to being an incredible doula, Rachel is also an exceptional artist. Her photographs are not only documentation of a once in a lifetime experience, but true pieces of art that capture the feeling of each moment and the complex emotions surrounding birth. I treasure the memories I have of my birth journey and these early days of my child's life, and having these moments captured through such powerful images is truly something special.

Liz R.

4/10/2024

Hiring Rachel as our postpartum doula was an integral part of my recovery and healing process. Not only did she make sure we were well fed(she is a great cook!), our house was picked up and laundry done, but she also is a great listener. Postpartum hormones are tricky and talking to her felt like I was talking to a trusted friend. She is warm, accepting and gives great advice!

She was excellent at finding her way around the house with very little need for guidance. The days she was at our home were the most restful in those first weeks! She also invited my 6 year old cook with her and had a tea party, per my kiddos request!

We also hired her as our birth photographer for my homebirth. She did a magical job capturing all the special moments; while looking at the images, I can really feel the raw emotion behind them. Truly pictures to cherish forever! She blended in seamlessly with my birth team.

Would recommend her to anyone looking to hire a holistic, warm and supportive doula and a lovely birth photographer!

Meaghan Roozen

3/27/2024

Before Rachel became our doula I knew her casually through working in Restaurants. She was always someone I would gravitate toward, I felt safe sharing with her from the get go. I didn't know much about the work a doula does when becoming pregnant and can say now that I had a false sense of confidence around the birthing process. It was my partner who suggested we look into getting a doula and I knew if we were going to have someone share this intimate space with us I wanted that person to be Rachel. She was amazing from her first meeting with us, bringing up things for my partner and I to discuss that neither of us had even thought to consider. We are both very private people but all of that melted away in Rachel's presence. She is a listener first, I always value that in another human being but found it especially important during this process.

When I look back on our time in the hospital and think about all the pre baby hours I think of Rachel. How she held my hair while I was sick from the medication used to induce me. How she looked at me when I felt scared and instantly made me feel like it was going to be ok. How she validated all the decisions I needed to make. How she somehow knew what positions to labor in when every position felt awful. How she stayed awake with me while my partner could rest and gain some of his strenth back. How she held my hand while I was being sewn up so my partner could be with our baby. I don't want to think what the experience would have looked like without her by our side. I will forever be grateful for all of the ways I felt held by Rachel during this time. She is a real gift and I trust her completely.

Cathy

11/18/2023

Words to describe Rachel: safe, gentle, soulful, knowledgeable, calming, present, creative, empathic, intuitive, connected. They are able to create and hold sacred space for all the complexity that comes with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, including the hard and taboo parts. And, very importantly, they were amazing with our two large and very rambunctious dogs.

Our birth journey didn’t go the way we hoped. We went from preparing for an unmedicated birth to a planned cesarean for a breech baby. Rachel offered endless support throughout the whole process, from giving practical recommendations (including referrals to chiropractic and lactation support) to holding space for my grief and anxiety about surgical birth. They were a calming presence in the operating room and I cannot express how deeply healing it is to see the photos they took of our daughter being born, since I couldn’t see it myself while it was happening. Rachel helped to facilitate skin to skin in the OR which was so invaluable, and supported our journey with breastfeeding. Even though the birth didn’t go how we planned, it went as beautifully and perfectly as it could have and we are certain that Rachel is the reason for that.

Postpartum support from Rachel was also a game changer. They helped us feel more confident as parents and more grounded in what feels right for us as a family, which was tricky to navigate in early days. If we are ever lucky enough to have a second child, we would want Rachel by our side again.

Didier

11/12/2023

Rachel was a great doula. She's the perfect mix of compassion, wisdom, and advocacy. It was our first baby, and we didn't know anything, and were pretty anxious about it all. Rachel's gentle, level-headed approach soothed our nerves. She created a safe space for us to ask questions and express our concerns without judgment. She respected our values and choices, offering unbiased advice and adapting to our needs seamlessly. She helped transform our anxieties into positive experiences, leaving us with cherished memories instead of trauma. And she ensured the hospital staff respected our wishes, stepping in when necessary. I'd describe her as empathethic, gentle, supportive and soothing.

As the dad, she showed me how to care for my wife, but also care for myself. Her experience provided a calming, reassuring presence. She helped me not freak out. She could provide me that perspective of having seen many other births, to let me know that everything is normal or happens and isn't something to worry about. Even when things didn't go perfectly as planned (which they didn't), I'd ask if the hospital protocols seemed normal, or if this happens often, and she'd be able to say that she seen the same things recommended in similar situations, that it does happen, and it gets resolved. She also showed me how I could be helpful and supportive, when to get more involved, or back off to help my wife during labor.

All in all, I'd say Rachel acted like our grounding stone. She helped us be mindful and find ways to leave the experience of labor with good memories, instead of trauma. And she tamed our anxieties and worries before, during and after labor.

Thanks Rachel!

Teebah Alsaleh

10/3/2023

A friend introduced me to Rachel and I'm so glad she did because Rachel turned out to be my post partum angel.

I had a rough labor and was really struggling emotionally/physically. Rachel joined us when my son was a little over a month old and she immediately brought me the calmness and comfort I needed. She fed both my tummy (I still think about her risotto and banana bread!) and my soul.  I always felt heard and that she was invested in my little family. We worked through breast feeding challenges, tried different healing techniques for my body, and she was always supportive in various baby concerns (gas, sleep, etc).
Rachel stayed with us until my son was around five months old and I was bummed when our time came to an end.  

I've recommended Rachel to a number of friends and would absolutely love to have her help if I decided to have another child. 

Naomi (They/Them)

9/3/2023

Connecting with Rachel has been a profound gift for my family!  I cannot imagine anyone else stewarding our journey to parenthood. The energy she brings into spaces is grounded, warm, inclusive, curious, creative, expansive, joyful and tender.

As part of a same sex couple, my wife and I’s journey to parenthood was complex. Not only was Rachel supporting us in pregnancy and preparing for birth, she was also serving as an infertility doula as we were simultaneously processing my inability to cary our child. My wife never had a desire to be pregnant or connection to the act of bringing life into the world. Rachel simultaneously held space for my grief and curated a non judgmental space for my wife proccess being a birthing parent. She created a cocoon of safety for us to honor and be present in a complex range of emotions. We looked forward to every visit and left every session feeling affirmed, heard, seen, and empowered in our choices.

When the time came for our child to enter the world she was our anchor. As a clinical social worker, it was such a gift to be able to step back and have someone else serve as an advocate for both of us so I could be present with my wife in our experience. Watching Rachel be able to bring calm and focus while helping her channel her strength and energy was a beautiful thing to behold. It was evident how safe and held my wife felt in that process and for that I am forever grateful.

I would be remiss not to mention Rachel’s artistry. Birth is the ultimate act of creation and her identity as an artist supports her adaptability, curiosity and capacity to hold multiple things at once. We had the privilege of Rachel photographing our birth and what they were able to capture was transformative. We barely noticed the camera during the birthing process and it did not interfere at all with the support and presence she brought into the space. We will cherish the photos forever. 

Lisa

8/11/2023

Rachel initially filled in as backup when our primary postpartum dolua had a schedule conflict. Looking back I feel so lucky that this allowed us to experience them. Their presence was calm and comforting and put me right at ease, they soothed my baby to sleep and held him while listening to my birth story. I also got a much needed nap and when I woke up Rachel had cooked us a mouthwatering meal. They melted into our home like they had always been there, a nurturing friend who listens deeply and cares authentically.

I booked many mornings with Rachel after that. Sometimes during a particularly challenging night with our newborn it was the thought that Rachel would be there in the morning that helped me get through. They made the space I needed to get to savor my time with my new tiny baby and I'm so incredibly grateful for it.

Maureen Cambridge

7/18/2023

Rachel was our doula for the birth of our second son, Taz. I initially reached out to Rachel because I was really impressed with her thoughtful website and holistic approach. As we got to know each other, I was pleasantly surprised to discover shared interests and a genuine openness that made me feel comfortable. Rachel understood exactly what I needed as a second-time parent, juggling the care of another young child and being in a different state of mind. We both have a love for food, and one of the highlights of my pregnancy was spending an afternoon with Rachel, preparing postpartum meals and having meaningful conversations about life. The birth itself was intimate, easy, and filled with meaning, thanks to Rachel's effortless support. She knew when to be involved and when to give space, and I'll always cherish the calm and beautiful atmosphere of that day. It was truly special to be able to watch a movie while in labor at the hospital. I am incredibly grateful for Rachel and her profound skills as a doula. Thank you, Rachel!

Dan

4/20/2023

Rachel is one of the most compassionate, thoughtful, and intuitive people I've ever had the pleasure knowing. While working with Rachel, my partner and I always felt cared for in the deepest sense.

Outside of Rachel's incredible hands-on care, she also knows hows how to remain curious, asking the right questions, and staying involved in the twists and turns that innevitably happen when you bring a newborn into the world. 

I should also note that Rachel has a calm presence and demeanor that was like a balm on days that were challenging and new.

I can't say enough nice things about this wonderful person. 

Taryn Beard- Killeri

3/28/2023

I found Rachel through Instagram. I was looking through doulas Instagram profiles to get a sense of who they were. Many had education slides, baby announcements, ect ( the norm). When I came upon Rachel’s “the moody doula” I was stunned ( and settled) by the feeling of honesty, movement, art, sense of nourishment, and open to challenges that I saw through the images and captions she shared. I was not even pregnant yet, but I was planning on starting the conception process with my soon to be husband-so I was engaging an intentional process and I wanted my doula to have that same intentionality. I found that in Rachel.

From the beginning, my husband and I connected with her because she treated us as individuals and seemed to understand what we wanted. She created a space of openness and trust. My husband felt held by her during the process as well which was another important factor in loving Rachel. We ended up meeting with her for a year because we started pre conception. During labor, it felt seamless to have her there because we had built a secure relationship. I am protective of my space and my energy-Rachel was someone who I could welcome in to my home and my vulnerable moments. I didn’t have to worry if she could hold her own and knew she would be an advocate for everything we had discussed in detail.

Rachel is a dynamic, thoughtful, purposeful, and beautiful soul.

Amanda

3/21/2023

Where to begin with our experience with Rachel??
First things first, it needs to be known that she was absolutely the BEST investment we made for the birth of our first baby!! She has the best energy that is so calming and was just really the best person to have by our side for our whole multi-day labor experience.

In the best parts of labor it felt like having a really good friend with us, and in the harder parts she was somebody we could trust to turn to for advice on what to do next. When our birth plans changed during labor and we became a hopsital transfer Rachel went with us and stayed with us until our baby was born via C-section. It was such a comfort to have somebody familiar with hospital births by our side who we could talk things through with and whom we knew had our best interest at heart. Having her with us really made what would have been such a nerve wracking experience feel calm.

I truly beleive that had we not hired Rachel that I would have gone through this birth experience with so many more negative feelings. At the end of it all, after it felt like nothing went to plan, I still had an overall positive experience. I know that SO much of that can be attributed to having felt really really well suported during the whole process and Rachel was an incredibly important part of making that happen.

I honestly could write so much more (but the text limit is getting in my way), we just really really love Rachel!! It felt like having a good friend we've known forever there by our side the whole time, both of us felt so comfortable, welcomed to really just be vulnerable, and very much gently held throughout the whole experience. She has such a sweet and gentle way of being able to honor what's happening in the moment and then being there to welcome you on the other side when it's all said and done. We are so thankful for her being part of our journey.

Kira

3/7/2023

We interviewed several doulas before welcoming our first baby in December. It was clear that Rachel was organized, communicative, flexible, and thorough. We instantly felt connected like we had known her for years. She demonstrated extensive knowledge - everything from birthing positions, dietary recommendations, breastfeeding support, to navigating the medical system, to postpartum care and more. We were also very impressed with her emotional intelligence. As a sexual abuse survivor, I required special advocacy. Rachel was skilled in not only helping me feel empowered and peaceful, but also helped communicate my unique needs to the hospital staff.

Before baby, Rachel came to our house, taught us birthing exercises and positions, and spent time helping us craft our birth plan. During labor, Rachel met us at the hospital for our initial false alarm. When we were admitted, she was supportive and knowledgeable in helping us make decisions and was firm in helping uphold our birth preferences. She integrated well with the hospital team and maintained a spirit of collaboration throughout the process. During delivery, she joined us in the operating room for an unplanned c-section. Her gentleness helped calm any worries we had. She took photos of our baby's first moments for us, for which we are so grateful! Rachel provided invaluable postpartum support - housework, food prep, emotional support, breastfeeding support, and encouragement.

We highly recommend working with Rachel. Her emotional intelligence made her stand out from other doulas we met. She was able to read my cues without having known me for very long and could help meet my needs. She provided excellent support to my partner, as well. We were also very grateful for her collaboration and ability to communicate with the hospital staff. It made us feel empowered and well-supported, especially through unexpected twists in our labor journey. We are very grateful for Rachel!

Jennifer Edwards

2/13/2023

From Jennifer ( First time mother)
“ I found Rachel though Instagram and her pagan witchy vibe caught my attention right away! I was looking for a post partum doula to support my spiritual transition into motherhood, not just someone to cook and clean. I knew that how I was supported post partum would affect the rest of my experience of motherhood. I am so grateful I chose Rachel to support me during materesence. From yoni steaming and long chats to warming aryuvedic meals, Rachel held my hand, spirit and body through my transition from maiden to mother. Having been reborn through the birthing process, I feel so at ease with my new identity, in bliss with my now two month old baby, and I don’t think that would be the case without Rachel’s support. Forget the baby registry, every new mother should make a postpartum doula fund.??”

From Jennifer's Husband, Stephen
“I knew the transition into having our first child would be a challenge, and the extra support in the household from Rachel really allowed me to focus on bonding with my wife and new baby. Our apartment would be reset and fresh meals in fridge when she left and helped us feel like everything was going to be okay. She provided so many tips and tricks to help with the baby’s new hurdles and showed me new ways to support my wife when she was gone. Our marriage feels stronger than ever and I love my daughter more than words can tell! Rachel’s support made all the difference, and I found the whole experience to be so fulfilling rather than overwhelming thanks to her guidance and support. As a new father I would strongly recommend a post partum doula and Rachel is the best of the best!”

Reid Family

1/21/2023

We highly recommend Rachel. We really enjoyed working with her throughout our journey, and even continued the partnership for a few extra months. Our family looked forward to her visits since they meant there would be Rachel’s delicious cooking and helpful tips for two terrified new parents. We learned a lot from her everytime she visited, and enjoyed the time together. 

We were considered to be a high risk pregnancy and have no families in town, Those stresses didn’t seem to matter because we felt secure, safe and confident throughout our entire journey thanks to Rachel. She is very thoughtful and a great listener. Breastfeeding was one of our priorities and it was quite challenging for us for at the beginning. Rachel navigated us calmly and flawlessly through different techniques and provided additional instructional resources. We greatly enjoyed her cooking (her menu is seasonal and amazing!) She always made multiple servings, which saved our lives those early crazy days when we had no time to cook.

Monica

9/7/2022

I found Rachel through a friend and was immediately drawn to her approach that involved a complex understanding of the way past experiences, hormones, social factors all interact with the intense experience of pregnancy, birth and parenthood. She was easy to talk to from the get go and was warm and deeply thoughtful. I appreciated her focus on and thoughtfulness about informed consent and felt like that immediately built some trust -- she takes this kind of thing seriously.

As someone that had a more negative experience in my first birth, my partner and I had a lot of processing to do in order to feel ready for the next birth experience. Rachel did such a good job of listening thoughtfully so that we could come to understand our experience better, understand each other better, and gain some insight into what was so hard about our prior experience. She asked all the important questions and helped us arrive at some actionables that made us feel much more prepared for the next experience. Being able to balance preparedness and confidence with dealing with the deeply uncertain was incredible guidance. I felt able to make these hard decisions about how to approach this event requiring so much flexibility and adaptation, rather than feeling like I was being tossed about in an ocean of uncertainty.

Our birth experience was so much more positive this time around with Rachel's partnership, guidance, and advocacy. My partner was able to understand what was going on much better, knew what questions to ask, and how to better support me. I felt like I could just get in the labor zone instead of needing to figure out what to do next. She helped guide us in determining what questions we needed to ask. She spoke up at crucial moments. I felt listened to and empowered. And her postpartum support was so helpful as well! It helps that she makes incredible meals and snacks. I'm so so grateful for Rachel and can't recommend her highly enough.

Anastasia

7/28/2022

Rachel is the best! As the birthing person/first time parent, I was really hesitant in working with a doula because every other consultation I had felt like really superficial support. Then we met Rachel and we knew from the first meeting that we wanted her in our birth story. She truly understands and celebrates all the mixed emotions and experiences that come in the pregnancy journey. If we become pregnant again, there is no one else we'd want to be there. We broke down summaries of our time with Rachel because she was just that incredible.

_______________________________________

Pre-natal support: At 35 weeks pregnant, Rachel helped us transition from a conventional hospital birth to the home birth we always wanted. She not only helped with the practical logistics (i.e. recommended our midwives) but also supported us work through some of our worries/concerns in choosing a homebirth. Bonus! she brings gifts of delicious treats at each prenatal visit :)

Birthing support: During the birth, Rachel was able to step in ways that my partner just couldn't based on her extensive birthing knowledge and intuitive nature. She workshopped strategies with us and our midwife when the labor became prolonged (36+hours) and got me through the hardest part of holding in my contractions through a gentle breathing practice. She cared for my partner in the process, letting him get some rest and answering his questions so he could be really present for the pushing part of labor.

Post-partum support:  Our post-partum visits were so special - a combination of emotional and practical care. There's something really magical about being able to process your birth story with someone who experienced it with you.  Add to that the practical care of feeding us, gardening, holding baby while I showered, taking care of our blind pup, making yoni baths for me and more! 

Karan Lerma

7/25/2022

My experience with Rachel was transformational. During the pandemic I was pregnant and my family, my maternal support system, and the comfort of my culture was halfway across the country. My partner and I were experiencing our first pregnancy alone, and we weren't sure how to prepare for the new life. Rachel was gentle in educating me; making room for my emotions and walking me through my fears. Not only did she take time to educate me, but she genuinely wanted to know who I was and what my life experiences were. And as a survivor of sexual assault that means  the world. She advocated for my safety and the moments I was preparing for birth and during birthing Rachel made sure no one touched me without consent and without telling me why they were putting hands on me. She held me as I contracted. And all the loneliness I had been feeling, wishing my mom, my abuela, my tias were there disappeared. This tender divine feminine was holding me, encouraging me, helping me envision my daughter in my womb, and helping my partner do the same. 

After my daughter had been born her love and tender care continued. Helping me to breastfeed, making sure we had meals and she even did light cleaning to help the house feel more comfortable and manageable. And I cannot forget being able to leave my newborn for my first shower. No one really mentions how hard it is to step away from the baby the first few months. Especially in my case, I was terrified. But Rachel is someone I completely trust, adore, and love. 

Thank you Rachel for making room the newest version of me and protecting me as I shed my previous self. You are truly a force that carries divinity, wisdom, and nourishing love. I am forever grateful for our time together. 

Anastasia

7/22/2022

We can't sing enough praises for Rachel! I (the birthing person) was honestly hesitant about getting a doula because all the other doulas that we spoke to felt like they offered a very surface level of support. And then we met Rachel - from our very first meeting, we knew we wanted her on our birthing journey. 

Prenatal - At week 35, Rachel helped us seamlessly transition from a traditional hospital birth to the home birth we always wanted. This included practical support (sending us a midwife) but also emotional support making the transition. We always felt super heard in our prenatal visits and enjoyed the delicious snacks!

Labor - During labor, her calming presence got us through a long multi day delivery. She reminded me to nourish myself and stepped in in ways that my partner just wouldn't be able to because of her experience. When there were some minor complications and the contractions became so intense, it was Rachel I looked to for co-regulation. 

Post-partum- There's something really magical about having something who witnessed your birth help you process the birth afterwards. That combined with the most yummy chicken and lentil soup was such sweet medicine to have while on bed rest.

Brynn

7/7/2022

Rachel was our birth doula for our first baby and we couldn't have imagined not having her, or any other doula, for the entire experience. She graciously met with us at home for our prenatal visits, which were more open-ended discussions about ourselves, and what our interests and desires were for birth and postpartum. She never pressured us to do something we didn't want to, but instead actively listened to what was on our mind and provided her own expertise, connecting us with outside resources when helpful. For our homebirth she was the first one we called once we knew we were in labor, and she showed up quickly and immediately we felt more at ease with her presence. She started listening to how I was coping through contractions and didn't hesitate to give suggestions for different positions based on how I was feeling, if I needed to rest, and if I needed to help move the baby into a more ideal position. She was constantly by my side with water to make sure I was hydrated, and was always offering snacks to keep my energy up throughout my 28 hour labor. I can definitely attribute my good energy the next day to her insistance that I nourish myself during labor. Our midwives were Wellspring Midwifery and Rachel fit in great with them, stepping in when necessary but otherwise observing and letting things progress on their own, which is exactly what we wanted. All total she was with us for 24 hours and I still can't believe that she had the stamina to stay with us for that long. She encapslated my placenta for me and made us a big pot of congee, amongst other delicous foods, for postpartum, and it was the most delicious and perfect meal I could have imagined after giving birth just a few days prior. She still continues to check in via text to see how we're doing, so we still feel cared for even months later. We are so grateful for her dedication to our well-being during our birth process, and would absolutely work with her again for any future pregnancies!

Kassia

7/3/2022

Rachel was an incredible asset to our birth team. As soon as we booked her after we had our intro call I immediately felt a calm relief, knowing that we were in good hands. Rachel was patient and thoughtful with all of the questions that my partner and I had pre-birth - even talking through seemingly simple topics like what the ride to the hospital might be like and what to do with our dogs. She never made us feel like any question or thought was too tedious or silly. During our birth at the hospital, Rachel created a calm environment for us - turning down the lights, bringing out a diffuser, massaging or applying pressure as needed, and talking through different medical scenarios as they came up while the nurses and doctors would come a go. In the short-staffed hospital, the nurses seemed grateful for her knowledgeable presence as well. Then at her post-partum visit, Rachel shared numerous resources with us and reflected with us on our birth experience. Overall, having Rachel as our doula allowed my partner and I to feel calm, confident, and supported through the entire birth process. I would absolutely recommend Rachel to anyone looking for a doula!

Kika

5/31/2022

Rachel was such an amazing asset to us before and while giving birth. She has a very calm presence that was so wonderful throughout our experience with her. We met a few times before giving birth to discuss all of our options. She was a wealth of knowledge and made us feel very comfortable knowing the various options available to us to ensure a successful birth experience (as much as one can control!). At the birth, she was so warm and encouraging and always was by my side for everything that I needed. She also was a lovely asset post-birth for all my little questions and concerns. Wonderful experience having Rachel as part of our birthing team, would always highly recommend her! 

Holly Stevens

5/10/2022

Rachel was absolutely indepensable to our birth. I was in labor for 40 hours--a length that is practically unheard of--and Rachel was there for every step of the way. She is both assertive and incredibly gentle; she does not shy away from helping with difficult decisions and there was not a single moment of our birth where it felt like she was not present. She took turns napping with my partner so that one of them was always with me. She was just exactly the support person we needed for a birth that did not go at all like we had hoped/planned. Her pregnancy support and postpartum support was also incredible; processing our thoughts and feelings with her was incredibly validating and healing. I could not recommend her more highly and definitely plan to hire her for our future births.

Amir & Erin

2/26/2022

We worked with Rachel as a post-partum Doula, three times a week over the course of two months. Rachel was a delight to work with, she has a very calm and nurturing energy. Both mom and baby were well taken care of. Rachel spent most of the time caring for our newborn daughter; our daughter was comfortable and happy in her care. We never heard our baby cry while Rachel was here. We would work with her again and recommend her to anyone who needs a Doula. 

Keisha Harris

12/20/2021

My partner and I interviewed several wonderful doulas before choosing to work with Rachel. We immediately clicked with her and knew that her warm, safe, calming presence was exactly the personality we wanted around us in the tender early postpartum days. She is emotionally intelligent and an engaged listener which has been so valuable as I process the complex emotions around birth and new parenting. Rachel provides several great recommendations for care providers, products, and tips and tricks for caring for a new baby. She is also an incredible cook, always surprising my partner and I with nourishing and delicious meals. I can't say enough about what a special and trusted person Rachel is- she came to support our family and now is family. 

Keisha Harris

12/18/2021

My partner and I interviewed several wonderful doulas before choosing to work with Rachel. We immediately clicked with her and knew that her warm, safe, calming presence was exactly the personality we wanted around us in the tender early postpartum days. She is emotionally intelligent and an engaged listener which has been so valuable as I process the complex emotions around birth and new parenting. Rachel provides several great recommendations for care providers, products, and tips and tricks for caring for a new baby. She is also an incredible cook, always surprising my partner and I with nourishing and delicious meals. I can't say enough about what a special and trusted person Rachel is- she came to support our family and now is family. 

Britta

12/6/2021

Rachel as our doula was an absolutely phenomenal experience! As a doula myself, I really searched thoroughly and have quite high standards. Rachel came with what we needed and most of all *what we didn't know we needed* .. what a gift. Rachel's warm presence, fabulous cooking skills and dynamic knowledge were what sold us on her right away. What we ended up being most grateful for was her bravery in helping us think about and plan for birth alternatives in case things didn't go to plan (we were planning a 2nd homebirth after birthing our first at home) Sure enough, when our baby girl came early at 35 weeks and had to change course, Rachel's support was steady, informed, delicious (the food) and the profound tender care we needed in that time of uncertainty with a premie. Having her support was the difference between perinatal challenges vs. perinatal trauma. Support is Everything.

We hired her for both birth and postpartum, all of it was a joy. From the prenatal planning phase to the gorgeous placenta prints she helped me to create, my partner and I would hire her 10 times again (if we weren't done having babies;) I cannot state it enough, birthers & their partners need to be cared for, and Rachel has mastered that art. 

Jessica Obenauf

3/24/2020

I couldn't have imagined having our twin girls without Rachel present in our lives. Our twin girls were our first babies, so there were many unknowns for us. Rachel's guidance and tools that she offered along the way helped me feel more confident in my pregnancy even with a few complications. She also helped with our birth plan. I had decided very early on in the pregnancy that I wanted Rachel to be my doula. She brought me several books to read, and one that I'm still very thankful for because before reading, I was deathly afraid of vaginal child birth. "Spritiual Midwifery," by Ina May Gaskin, changed my perspective about child birth. The book shares many womens experiences giving birth naturally, and after reading I was inspired to have my daughters vaginally, which is very difficult to do when you have twins in a hospital because of the risk, most doctors won't want to deliver vaginally.

I ended up having Preeclampsia, and was induced at 33 weeks. Rachel was available as soon as we needed her. Rachel's calm presence help me in my 31 hour labor. The thoughtful questions she asked and support, the massage, really made all the difference. I was able to give birth to my girls vaginally, and I couldn't have done it without her. The girls had to go to the NICU since they were 7 weeks early, so my husband went with them, and Rachel stayed with me why they stiched up my 3rd degree tear, and retracted my uterus. I was pretty out of it at the end of labor as my epideral didn't work and they pumped me full of who knows what with meds at the end after the girls were out because I was in so much pain, Rachel took charge and was there for me. When I got back to the room she even helped me express colostrum as I was so out of it and not feeling good. The support she gave after the birth was really critical as well. Always having someone check in on you postpardum is a necessity. I would highly recommend Rachel.  

Elizabeth

4/15/2019

Rachel did an excellent job of supporting us as we journeyed into parenthood. Before the baby came she asked a lot of the questions no one was asking us, helping us think about how and where we wanted more support. I also loved the intentionality of bringing both parents into the conversation and how she helped create intentional time for us to be checking in as a couple about how we were doing and what we were needing. On the day of our son's birth it was such a relief to know we could communicate with Rachel and that she would be there every step of the way, no matter what happened. My labor was smooth and quick and in the moments I didn't think I could make it I will never forget Rachel's support and kind words/presence that helped me labor on. She also does placenta pills now and I have to say those have been wonderful in the post partum period!