Andrew DeSantis

11/16/2024

I don't even know where to begin with how amazing Hunter is. She is knowlegable, kind, and makes you feel comfortable and loved.

She was by our side the entire pregnancy, always reaching out and checking on us. She was there to prepare us for what to expect at each appointment. She answered any questions we had. Most importantly she served as a voice of reason for all of our thoughts. She was always there to help provide context to any concerns we may have had throughout the process.

When my wife's water broke at 3:00 AM, Hunter was our first call and picked up on the first ring, excited to hear from us. It was over 36 hours from our water breaking until delivery and during that time we were faced with several tough choices and adversity. Hunter was always there to validate our choices, offer alternatives in line with our goals, or just listen when we were scared or stressed. When it came time to push, having her by my wife's side comforting and offering support was immensely valuable.

Once our beautiful baby girl was born Hunter's job was still not over. She checked on us several times and had a home visit several days later. As new parents we had no less than 1,000 "Is this normal?" questions and Hunter was still just a text away to answer questions and reassure us where she could.

I think that the biggest thing that sets Hunter apart from any other doula out there is her ability to help us realize our goals and support them. She did a great job of talking to us and helping us realize exactly what we wanted for this pregnancy and for the childbirth itself. Every single piece of advice or encouragement throughout the process she gave was in an effort to help us achieve our goals. It made such a difference knowing we had someone looking out for us at each and every step.

I truly cannot imagine going through this process without Hunter, she feels like part of our family.

Erika

6/12/2023

We absolutely LOVED working with Hunter as our doula for the births of both of our daughters. As first-time parents, we were looking for extra support during the most critical part of the pregnancy - the birth! We wanted someone who knew the ropes and could give us peace of mind by prepping us for what was to come, answering questions as we had them, advocating for us in the hospital and helping us navigate some of the unknowns of those early days post-birth. Once we had that support the first time, we couldn't imagine delivering another baby without it. Hunter became part of our family for the month before and after the birth of each of our daughters. Before birth, she helped us understand what types of decisions we might be making around birth, what our preferences were and how to work with the hospital teams to feel empowered and educated instead of confused and uninformed. During labor, she was the first person we called. She helped us decide when to go to the hospital and stayed with us through labor, becoming our cheerleader, advocate and coach through each step. She walked me (the mom!) through contractions, captured pictures of beautiful moments (entirely optional!) and helped us start our breastfeeding journey once baby girl arrived. Post birth, it was so therapeutic to talk through the experience with her and continue getting helpful tips and advice over the following weeks. She's the birth partner you never knew you needed and will not be able to live without!

Macee Bailey

6/2/2023

I have so much love, respect and admiration for Hunter. I got the privilege to work with Hunter throughout 2 pregnancies. My first birth was in April of 2020 and Hunter was amazing at helping us feel ready to birth in a hospital, when the thought of that was terrifying. She was a soundboard for all our fears and talked through all the decisions we would have to make during birth and after birth

During my second pregnancy I decided to switch providers, in order to help me achieve my goal of having an unmedicated VBAC, and she guided me through all the local options. I went with a hospital based midwife group that she is very connected with and it changed the trajectory of my birth experience, for the better! She talked me off the ledge when I was 5 days past my due date and struggling to trust my body.

I am forever grateful for her guidance and support throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She has a vast knowledge in pregnancy, labor prep, labor positions, baby positioning, and breastfeeding.I truly don’t understand how folks give birth without a doula. Investing in yourself and the birth experience you envision for yourself is worth it. It doesn’t matter the type of birth; whether it’s a c-section or vaginal, medicated or unmedicated, you won’t regret hiring Hunter as your doula!

Miles Quillen

5/25/2023

At the time, as a soon-to-be first time father, having Hunter's strength, experience, and understanding of not just what my partner was going through, but what I was going through was absolutely priceless. On top of that, her kindness, thoughtfulness, and perfectly balanced personality gave my partner and I the reassurance we needed from day one. Hunter not only acted as a cornerstone guide for my partner, she understood my needs and nature as well. She was able to simplify the road ahead, making us aware and providing the confidence to face all obstacles. In doing so, she allowed me to be as useful and included in the process as possible. Whether one day we decide to have another child (or ten), I can't imagine doing it without Hunter as part of the team. 

Mackenzie Lambert

5/19/2023

We have now used Hunter for two births and highly recommend her as a birth doula! Both of my births were nothing like we had planned but I came out of both experiences feeling empowered and positive and I attribute a lot of this to the help of Hunter! My most recent birth came on faster than anticipated and Hunter changed courses and met us at the hospital ready to encourage me through labor. She helped talk me through transition and delivery and was able to motivate me to keep going when I thought it was impossible! If you are looking for a doula who meets you where you at and motivates you to keep going I'd highly recommend Hunter!

Melanie

2/3/2023

As a second-time mom deteremind for a completely different birth experience, I could not have landed in better hands than Hunter's. Throughout the process Hunter was a listening ear and a trusted confidant and omehow intuitively knew when I needed real advice or when I just needed a little reassurance. Each bump we met in the road she took in stride and was the best advocate and cheerleader, helping me to fight for what I wanted and deserved, and gave me the confidence to speak up for myself and my baby. During my very, very long labor she was the best partner in the process not only for me but helping my husband feel confident that he was supporting me in a way that was effective. I would (and do!) recommend Hunter as a doula to any and all expecting moms. Her support is unmatched and choosing her in our pregancy journey was the single best decision we made.

Elise Vess

11/9/2022

Hunter is an amazing doula! Navigating a COVID pregnancy was at times very stressful, so my wife and I were always grateful for Hunter and her gentle and caring conversations. During my pregnancy we experienced the tragic loss of our nephews, twin boys at 38 weeks gestation. This drastically changed our approach to pregnancy, labor and postpartum care. Hunter came to us during this time and offered constant reassurance and kindness. This was perhaps the most tender time in our entire lives, and Hunter was truly a bright beacon of hope. She was always available to answer random pregnancy questions and offer encouragement whenever our confidence wavered.

After a few weeks of daytime contractions, one night became ‘the night.’ Hunter drove to us in the wee hours amid a little snow flurry. She guided me through escalating contractions and directed my partner in how to best support and maintain a peaceful environment. Having Hunter allowed us both to stay present in the moment and not have to worry about the symptoms of various labor stages or timing contractions. She is experienced and calm, I trusted her in the most complete way. 

At the hospital Hunter set the vibe in the birthing room, getting the tub ready and setting up twinkle lights. There were several other birthing people that night, so Hunter advocated for us along the way to ensure that a nurse or midwife was present when we needed them. The long long night eventually ended and our baby boy was finally in our arms. Hunter stuck around for a bit as we were all a bit dazed and in a love bubble. She continued to check in during the first few weeks and made a home visit to touch base and see us all in person. 

Hunter is just great! I would recommend her services to any birthing person and if we decide to grow our family again, I know that she will be one of our first calls.

Megan

10/26/2022

Hunter was much more than a birth coach.  I was pregnant with twins in my first pregnancy and knew that we could use all the help we could get.  We wanted to be prepared physically and emotionally given the childbirth experiences of many friends and family members.  When I asked my friends and co-workers, multiple people had worked with Hunter and recommended her highly. In our experience, she was always responsive, timely, friendly and supportive. 

We hoped for a vaginal delivery, but the twins had other plans,  Both remained breech which meant a C-section was required.  This honestly made me wonder if it was worth paying for a doula... it was! A C-section wasn't what I wanted, but Hunter helped us emotionally accept this and see the benefits.  She was still there with us at the hospital, and helped coach us through the expectations of being in the operating room and post-operative recovery.  Her presence felt like having another friend or family member with us.  She even got some amazing photos for us!

Hunter's value became even more apparent after delivery.  Her lactation knowledge was critically helpful when the kids struggled with weight gain and we were all thrown into a demanding triple feeding regimen for three weeks.  During our post-partum visit, she came to the house and coached us through feeding expectations, bottle/nipple types, provided additional resources and checked in on our emotional and physical well being.  There were a few nuggets of information she shared that individually saved our sanity and alone would have been worth the price of her services.  My friends and I joke that Hunter will be the first phone call we make if and when any of us get pregnant again. 
 

Molly Sheets

10/25/2022

Hunter was the calm to my storm.  My first birth experience did not go as I had hoped. I am a healthcare professional, I read all of the books, took all of the classes, and I am a long distance runner, used to pushing myself to the limit. Nothing could have prepared me enough. I had a 27 hour labor that ended in a cesarean delivery.  We tried everything possible for a vaginal delivery and it just was not in the cards.  In the heat of the moment and with extreme exhaustion it is difficult to know if you are making good decisions.  She helped reassure and comfort myself and my husband every step of the way.  She stayed with us until baby William latched and thankfully we have had a successful breastfeeding journey.  I don’t know what I would have done without her. I hope that she will come along for the ride for the next baby down the road. She is highly recommended, and anyone will feel and instant sense of ease in her presence. 

Samantha

10/25/2022

Hunter provided me with the most amazing birth experience! She was the calm voice beside me encouraging me along. It provided the night/morning with such ease as she guided us on what to do, when to leave, and where to go once we got to the hospital. I am so glad I had Hunter with me every step of the way to answer questions and let me know what was happening every step of the way. 

Morgan Guerra

10/22/2022

Our experience with Hunter was positive from beginning to end. 

The night before Archer was born we talked with Hunter several times on the phone, discussing my progress and where I was in my labor to time her arrival. My baby came 3 weeks early so we hadn't had a chance to meet Hunter in person- but as soon as she arrived we felt like old friends. She was very comfortable to be around and felt like a zen teacher and unobtrusive observer all at the same time. 

Hunter would recommend positions and techniques in a way that felt like calming guidance. She would walk us through her next few steps as part of a plan- I knew what we were going to do for the next "x" amount of minutes which helped me focus and took away some of the scary unknowns. 

The biggest thing Hunter did for us is give my husband meaningful activities and purpose during my labor. No quiet observer here, my husband was an active participant in bringing our child into the world and that created incredible bonding and deepening in our marriage. She kept us active and in the moment. She was able to help us stay out of the hospital until the last possible moment which was the home labor experience I wanted. 

When we got to the hospital Hunter was able to talk with the nurses and advocate for the experience we had discussed. 

As a bonus, Hunter was kind enough to take candid photos of the whole process for us to have beautiful visuals that take us back to those moments every time we look at them. 

If you are on the fence about hiring a doula for yourself then do it for your non-birthing partner. The helpless and panicked partner of movies, or even worse, the checked-out on-their-phone partner doesn't have to be a reality.  

Emily

10/18/2022

Absolutely hire Hunter. She was a dream to work from the moment we hired her! She is so warm and welcoming and although my "birth plan" didn't go as planned which sometimes happens she was there to help. She stayed with us for over 24 hours & then came over a few days post partum which was SO helpful because breastfeeding is a lot of work and so glad she was able to assist with that too. Highly recommend.

Marlow King

5/5/2022

Hunter is an amazing human and made my birthing experience 10x better than I thought possible.

The first time I met her I knew she was the doula for us. Her kind and gentle spirit made it a no brainer decision. She helped me navigate the process of achieving a VBAC like the pro she is. With every twist and turn she was more supportive than I could’ve ever imagined. There’s not a doubt in my mind that if I ever have another child I will 100% hire hunter again.

Monica

2/25/2022

We had a great experience working with Hunter prior to, during and after the birth of our baby this past fall. From our first informational interview on, Hunter was knowledgeable, warm and ready to meet us where we were at. My partner was already a parent while I was coming into motherhood for the first time, and Hunter honored both of those experiences throughout the time we worked together. As a sometimes nervous first-timer, I really appreciated being able to check in with Hunter via text throughout my pregnancy as questions or anxieities arouse, and always felt supported and encouraged. Additionally, I always felt respected and empowered to make whatever decisions were best for me and my family. When my midwives recommended that we induce labor, I was initially disappointed that I would not have the experience of laboring at home that I had envisioned. Hunter was instrumental in helping me roll with the change of plan and still feel empowered to make decisions about and throughout my in-hospital labor. When it came down to the big day, both my partner and I really appreciated Hunter's calm, confident and positive hands-on support - primarily for me as the birthing parent but also for my partner. I felt like my partner, midwife, nurse and Hunter were all on the same smoothly functioning team, which helped me to have a really wonderful birth experience in the end. Once we came home, it was so helpful to continue checking in with Hunter as needed. I'm so glad we chose to work with her as our doula!

Susan Lukens

2/17/2022

Hunter is the best!! You can literally ask her ANYTHING (and send weird photos) and she is so comforting and helpful. My birth was a quick 2 hours and I was terrified when I went from 0 to 100 in about 10 minutes at home, but Hunter was on the phone with me the whole time and was at the hospital when I arrived. She helped me (and my husband!) have such an amazing birth experience. When I talk to my friends who have had babies, no one had such an amazing experience and I contribute that all to Hunter!! She will be at all my babies births!! 

Valerie Zhou

2/17/2022

We hired Hunter after interviewing a couple other doulas. She has a wonderful friendly personality, very patient, explains things well. She clearly has a calling and is really good at what she does. She helped us have a wonderful birthing experience and supported our goals and wishes. I couldn't have asked for a better doula. She also supported us after the birth with check in texts and an in-person visit. I highly recommend her!!!

Kate Farmer

2/14/2022

“Hunter has basically been inducted as a member of our family as she helped us welcome Baby #3 in 2019 and Baby #4 in 2021. We connected with her instantly and felt extremely supported along the way. She was always available for advice and provided research-based information to any questions we had.

During both labors, she was the absolute best emotional and physical support and helped me focus my energy to get through our perfect, natural births. Her voice, words, & touch were more comforting than I can express and her presence in the delivery room gave an unfailing sense of repose. She also helped my husband feel comfortable with what was happening, which is a HUGE testament to her skill set.  She keeps the atmosphere calm, nurturing, and supportive, and I highly recommend her to everyone preparing for a baby.”

Gillian

2/13/2022

I feel so fortunate to have had Hunter with me and my husband John as we welcomed our daughter into the world. My mom had two home births with my younger siblings so I was familiar with midwives and doulas from a young age and knew that while I did want a hospital birth, I also wanted to have a doula. My husband wasn’t familiar with doulas but supported my desire to have one and now he can’t imagine our birth experience without Hunter!  We both really appreciated the personalized support leading up to my due date. At our 37 week meeting Hunter went over all our questions and concerns and we put together a game plan based on my birth preferences which alleviated a lot of the pre labor and delivery jitters. Hunter was also incredibly supportive when I felt pressure from my OB to schedule an induction…she listened to all of my concerns and helped empower me to pause the induction and see if I went into labor on my own (I did!) When I actually went into labor Hunter stayed in touch as my labor progressed and met us at the hospital. She helped manage my pain with counter pressure and coached and encouraged me through 4 hours of exhausting pushing. I felt empowered and strong throughout the labor instead of afraid or unsure. Hunter also came to visit us at home to discuss the birth and how I was feeling. She provided me with great support and resources to help me navigate the first few weeks postpartum and continued to check up on me to make sure things were going well. I felt so supported before, during and after my daughter’s birth and I truly cannot imagine the experience without Hunter there. If you are considering hiring a birth doula it is absolutely worth it to have Hunter by your side as you welcome a new member of your family!

Svetlana

6/26/2021

I feel so incredibly fortunate that Hunter came into our lives and I cannot praise her enough! Hunter was the ultimate companion, supporter, and guide through our preparation for birth & actual delivery. Reflecting back on our experience, I recognize that I wouldn't have had the positive & empowering journey without Hunter. Hunter was available and quick to respond to questions I had during pregnancy, in postpartum, and most of all - during our birth. She was key to my confidence and community of support through every stage of our prenancy. She is so knowledgeable about not just the experience of pregnancy, but also has all the best recommendations for products & people to make the experience positive. Our birth didn't quite go as expected at the end, but with Hunter's encouragement and support I was able to do something I didn't think I could: go without an epidural! Having Hunter by our sides made all the difference. She was there for me through every contraction and was there for my partner, helping him help me and know what to do. I'm so glad to have had Hunter and hope she'll be with us for any babies that are in our future. Thank you Hunter and we love & appreciate you so, so much!!

Lauren M

6/21/2021

Hiring a doula, specifically Hunter Moore, was truly the best thing we did leading up to the birth of our baby. Knowing what I do now, I can’t imagine going through the experience without a doula, and Hunter is amazing. Before, during, and after our baby’s birth, Hunter held our hand literally and figuratively. She came to our home to meet with us, was available for calls to answer any/all my questions. She even came to visit us at home after our baby was born to ensure we were settling in with our little guy. My birth didn’t go exactly as planned, but every moment of the experience my partner and I felt prepared, knowledgeable, and supported because Hunter was with us every step of the way. 

Margaret & Larry Hodges

5/21/2021

Working with Hunter for the birth of our first child was an absolute joy. Hunter was "on call" through my entire pregnancy. I asked her everything under the sun to feel informed or just to vent and talk it out. Having Hunter at our house while I labored at home was incredible and she accompanied us to the hospital and through the birth.   My husband was so grateful to have her by his side.  I have friends that husbands don't think they "need" a doula and I always have them talk to husband because he wholeheartedly agrees with me, we couldn't have done it without Hunter our wonderful doula ... well we could have but it would have been stressful and scary! Instead we experienced confidence and joy- I hope you are lucky enough to also have Hunter at your side for your beautiful birth journey.

Berkley

1/27/2021

Where to start?! I sought out Hunter after I had a difficult birth with my first born. I felt so unprepared for labor and felt like none of the doctors or nurses communicated clearly or often enough with me. I ended up having a c-section. When I was pregnant with my second child, I knew I wanted to do it differently. I met with Hunter and immediately felt at ease. She was so easy to talk to and I felt like she really understood my concerns. She was also completely supportive of my choice to do a VBAC and her positivity gave me confidence.

In the final weeks before birth, it was so great to have someone I could text when I was tired/frustrated/worried or any other emotion! Hunter was there for all of it. When I went into labor, she came to my house and helped me through the contractions. It was so great to have someone else worry about when we should go to the hospital and what to do next. Not having to make those decisions on our own was huge! Hunter was with us from 9:30PM until 7:30AM. She was there and attentive the whole time - all through the night! She was also a huge help to my husband when he was tired or getting worried about me - she was there to say, this is normal and all is going well. Again - huge!

I got the VBAC I wanted and I truly don't think that would have been possible without Hunter. Contacting her was the best decision and I highly encourage all moms-to-be to use a doula!

Nicole

7/16/2020

?Hunter came highly recommended by two of my colleagues and from the moment we met her, I knew I had found a true friend and birth mentor. ?

One of the most important parts of my most recent pregnancy with our third baby was my desire to do it "all natural" in a hospital setting. I knew that having an amazing doula would be a big part of whether I was able to do this or not. I am still amazed (and constantly rave) about how much I learned from Hunter about pregnancy and birth, that I didn't know during my first two pregnancies. I wish more women and their partners knew how having a birth coach is important, no matter how many times you've been pregnant before, whether you're having a planned c-section, or are determined to have an epidural.

Hunter will be your support and guide no matter what your birth plan is. Her belief system and knowledge will make sure you are educated and feel empowered to make the best decisions for your body and your baby. These qualities were crucial to me during this time and I couldn't imagine a better pregnancy and birth, or not having her there through all of it. She fit right into the plans my husband and I already had. We had as close to a perfect birth experience as I could have wanted and her presence for the birth of our daughter was like having a big sister with me the whole time.

Amanda Rodes

2/12/2020

Working with Hunter as our doula was one of the best things we did to prepare for the birth of our son.  From our very first meeting we felt confident that her warm, personable support would help us meet our goals for a low intervention birth.  

At 16 weeks I was extremely disappointed to find out I would likely be induced due to chronic hypertension.  However, Hunter remained super positive and optimistic.  She sent me encouraging words and resources to help me mentally prepare.  As I entered my 3rd trimester and my health was still fine, she encouraged me to discuss all of my options with my midwives and to advocate for myself within safe boundaries.  I’m so grateful for Hunter’s encouragement because it empowered me to have informed conversations and come up with a plan that felt safe while respecting my wishes and options. 

At 39+2 my water broke and within an hour my labor came in fast and furious.  Hunter communicated with us over the phone for about an hour, giving lots of great strategies to help me comfortably labor at home before joining us.  She was encouraging to both my husband and I as I continued to labor and quickly progress at home.  When I decided I needed to go to the hospital soon after, she trusted me.  When I realized there was no way I could get in the car, she trusted me. Hunter was calm and poised and knew just what to do to support us in that unexpected moment.  She continued to coach both my husband and me, and I truly felt safe in her hands during the scariest moments of my life.  Thanks to Hunter, our baby boy was born healthy and safe at home.  Once we finally made it to the hospital, Hunter continued to advocate our birth wishes despite all of the chaos.  We are eternally grateful to Hunter for her confidence, knowledge and support.  We will continue to recommend her to any birthing family we meet!

Lindsey

1/30/2020

Hiring Hunter was one of the most important and best decisions we made during the birth of my second child.  She is warm, friendly, and an excellent communicator.  Hunter made herself available to answer my questions and provide support before, during, and after the birth, I'm not sure what we would have done without her!  Hunter took a lot of stress off of my husband since she was there to provide physical and emotional support.  She helped us feel confident in creating our our birth plan, deciding when to go to the hospital, and knowing what to do when labor started.  Hunter helped me cope with labor and I was ultimately able to deliver my daughter without intervention with her help.  My husband and I were initially worried that another person in the delivery room would make the experience feel less intimate, but Hunter knew when to step up and when to fade into the background, plus she made our delivery room feel cozy and special.  I do not think I would have been able to have my daughter naturally without her support.  She gave me confidence, helped me get into a variety of birthing positions, and worked well with my midwife.  Hunter was also an extremely helpful resource in answering questions about breastfeeding and postpartum issues.  If I have a third child I'll certainly be hiring Hunter again!  

Emma Byrne

1/28/2020

Having Hunter on my birth team was the best decision we made! She is the whole package: empathetic, knowledgeable, funny, informative, skilled, supportive, and loving. She described herself as a "coach," and I think that's an apt description because while I knew her goal was to ensure my success, she also pushed me when that was necessary. For instance, while laboring at home, I was relying on my partner to help with pain relief by doing hip compresses. She pushed me to change my breathing and deal with the contractions more on my own, which completely transformed my experience. Her coaching gave me the power to be my own pain relief and take control of the contractions. Beyond her skill and experience as a doula, she's also an exceedingly likeable person. Hire her!

Kelly Beekman

1/23/2020

We absolutely loved working with Hunter! I think the most helpful thing about working with her was that she broke down the labor into small manageable chunks and guided my partner in the best ways to support me during each activity - whether it was sidestepping up the stairs or squatting through contractions in our kitchen. It was also great to know when we should go to the hospital, where we spent minimal time before our daughter was born. Hunter made me feel strong and in control and we couldn't have done it so smoothly without her!

Kelly, Jay, and Maggie

Leah and Mark

1/6/2020

This testimonial is long overdue.  Hunter helped us welcome our second child in October, and we couldn't say enough great things about her.  She is an amazing listener, communicator, and has such a warm, calming presence.  
Even though I ended up with a C section because he was stuck, Hunter got me through active labor, helped me feel at peace and work through my emotions with the final decision of surgery, and she even came into the operation room and got beautiful pictures of us meeting our son.  If we ever had a third child we would use her again in a heartbeat. 

Kaitlyn & Matt

11/9/2019

Hunter was referred to us through a co-worker who informed us of doulas and their services as we were unfamiliar as first time parents. He and his wife had a fantastic experience, and knowing we wanted the birth process to be smooth as possible, we decided to have consultation. Immediately upon meeting Hunter, we recognized her warm and affable personality which put our minds at ease. Over the months leading up to Max's birth, we had several interactions including taking labor boot camp course and defining our birth plan. Throughout the process, Hunter was thorough in her explanations of what to expect and empowered mom and dad to make their own decisions - stressing there is no right or wrong.

When the time finally came, Hunter responded immediately and was by our family's side when we needed her most. She really shined during active labor and delivery, coaching and providing motivation to reach the end without feeling overwhelmed by her presence. The extra set of experienced hands was a major plus for dad as she knew where items were in the room and what to ask for from the staff. Another unanticipated benefit included Hunter capturing beautiful photos. When it was all said and done, Max arrived healthy without any surprises which we like to attribute to being informed parents. It goes without saying, but we cannot recommend Hunter enough! Having her as a support system made what can be a challenging situation much smoother.

Kaitlyn, Matt and Max

Alexa Vinson

9/23/2019

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Hunter!  Deciding to have a doula and finding Hunter were some of the best decisions that we made during our pregnancy.  Since this was our first birth experience, my husband and I felt so much more at ease knowing that someone who knew what was going on would be there to guide us through the process.  I seriously feel like we would not have had such a smooth, positive experience without her!  Hunter’s calm, confident presence was exactly what we needed to help us have to birth that we wanted!

Kate Farmer

9/19/2019

After a few years in Richmond, my husband and I found out we were expecting our third little. Having natural ‘doula births’ with our first 2, I knew I wanted to continue on that path in bringing #3 into the world. After doing some research... I found A Brighter Birth and got in touch with Hunter. Exactly 4 minutes after meeting her, I knew this was a perfect match... I was 100% comfortable and felt as if I’d know her for years! She was amazing during our CRAZY quick delivery and I don’t think I would’ve made it without her! 

Sabrina + Dan Boykin

8/22/2019

We don't even know where to begin. We met Hunter in the Childbirth Education class. We loved right away how caring she was. She took her time to talk to everyone and she always made sure that everyone felt heard and safe, that all questions got answered and most importantly that we felt ready for childbirth. Talking to her took my fear away and we felt so prepared. 

We called her after my water broke in the morning and just her calm self made us relax and just take one step at a time. Since my labor progressed pretty fast, she didn't spend much time at our house but just having her there, helping me get dressed for the hospital and making sure we had all we needed was everything. 

When we arrived at the hospital, she made sure we felt comfortable and safe. I personally really enjoyed her calm vibes as I progressed really fast and was a little freaked out. She helped me relax and take one breath at a time. 

We are first time parents and having a Doula was the best thing we could've invested in. We didn't know what to expect. The classes can only prepare you so much and having Hunter be there for us, every step of the way, made us stay so much calmer during labor.

We HIGHLY recommend Hunter. We absolutely loved her. We truly believe the birth of our son would've been different without her. AND I will cherish the photos she took for us forever.

Nicole

5/6/2019

Can’t say enough wonderful things about Hunter and our birth experience thanks to her! Her support before, during, and after was invaluable!

Daisy Moossa

4/8/2019

Echoing probably everyone that uses a doula, DO IT. You will not regret it. Working with Hunter was the best part of my pregnancy. As a working (pregnant) mom, I didn't have a lot of time to research childbirth and part of me did not want to go blindly down the internet blackhole on a subject that already scared. Thanks to Hunter, I was able to get educated and loving guidance. She would meet with my husband and I talk to us about everything and answer questions. As the due date approached, she also went over what will happen at the hospital and we were able to make decisions together with her and not on the spot at the hospital. Once I was in labor, Hunter became invaluable --- I cannot stress that enough. I really would not have been able to it without her. Now having gone through it, I cant imagine giving birth without a doula. It's necessary and you deserve it. Plus, Hunter is just an amazing person and fun to hang with :) 

Amy Gray Beck

10/18/2018

Hunter was the best decision we made after deciding to start a family. She was more to us than a birth doula, from telling me what foods would be best early on, to curating my registry, to normalizing everything about pregnancy that feels completely abnormal, to helping us mentally prepare in the weeks leading up, to working around our limited schedule when my husband moved to Raleigh, to finding someone who would do personal classes in my home because of my crazy schedule, to cutting off the valet line at VCU hospital so she wouldn’t leave our side, to advocating for us to get a room with a tub when they were out of rooms when we got to the hospital, to decorating that room with twinkle lights before I even got in there, to talking my husband off a ledge countless times the day Sonny was born, to taking beautiful photos of our family the minute Sonny was brought into the world, to calling me when I inevitably had that new mom breakdown about breastfeeding within the first week... and coming to my home and holding my hand for the one I had the next week... and all the little moments in between when she provided peace of mind. I had the most textbook awesome birth story, and I know some of that must be luck, but I believe much of it has to do with Hunter’s support, preparation and presence. Before she got to my house I was ready to leave for the hospital, but when she got there she helped me labor for 2 additional hours there and that helped significantly by the time I got to the hospital. She made me feel comfortable when I was put in a triage room with no doctors and getting sick all over the place. Her magic peppermint cotton balls helped tremendously. And she wasn’t disappointed when I yelled for an epidural at 8 cm after I tried the tub, and held me when the epidural didnt go as planned and I gave birth naturally anyway. It was perfect and I have Hunter to thank 100%.  Hire Hunter. You won’t regret it.

Lauren Huffman

8/17/2018

Hunter is the most incredible doula (and person!). My husband and I look back on the birth of our daughter with such gratefulness that Hunter was with us. She spoke gentle and encouraging words, gave clear advice, helped me to do things to keep labor progressing, and always took into account how I was feeling emotionally. Because of Hunter, we didn't have to be as concerned with googling what things meant, hours of timing contractions, when to leave for the hospital, or a million other questions... because, Hunter knew! We also so appreciated her help once we got to the hospital; there were several other births going on as well that night, so a nurse wasn't always in the room. Hunter took care of me and anything we needed, and was there to help me know what I could/should be doing at any point. She created a peaceful environment for us, knew what was happening with me every step of the way, and could help explain things as they progressed. She completely supported us and our decisions, and patiently walked with us through something she understands well and has been through. Just having her there and having her support brought so much peace into our experience; I can't imagine how much harder it would have been without her! Even after labor, Hunter continued to check in and care for us on everything from my emotions, to baby care, to breastfeeding. She was amazing, and I can't recommend her highly enough!

Allison G

8/1/2018

Hunter is an amazing doula! Both my husband and I think so highly of Hunter’s skills and knowledge. She helped us with the birth of our second child in April 2018. We did not have a doula for our first child, so this was a new experience for us. Hunter was very kind and always available to answer my many questions. Particularly important to me, was that I never felt judged for any of the decisions (or non-decisions) I wanted to make. Hunter was there to make sure I had facts and offered her seasoned-opinion in a kind and caring manner.

Hunter was particularly amazing at getting me through the process of laboring at home and I was able to minimize my time laboring at the hospital. My daughter was born within 45 minutes of arriving at the hospital! To be fair, some of that may have been good luck, but I still want to give 100% of the credit to Hunter. At home during my contractions, she encouraged me to use a number of different positions to focus getting through the pain. Changing positions often definitely helped that time go quicker. Also, having a second set of hands (and a spare brain!) allowed my husband to be there for me more fully than he was during our first birth experience.

We will always look back fondly at this entire experience and we are so thankful to have had Hunter as our doula.

Robyn Rabatin

6/13/2018

My husband and I knew we wanted as natural as birth as possible. The midwives we were working with suggested we work with a doula to enhance our experience and follow our birth plan. Enter Hunter - the most amazing and caring person one would want to have by their side during the birthing process. She has a quiet strength about her that instantly put us at ease. Hunter offered us gentle guidance and advice before, during, and after we delivered our son. She met with us to solidify our birth plan, recommend birthing classes and explain the process to us. During delivery Hunter was with us offering support to my husband as he helped me through labor, and guiding me as well. We ended up having a c-section and Hunter even accompanied us into the operating room. Her presence was so welcome during an exhausting and exhilarating time. A few days later Hunter came to visit to check on us and helped me with some breastfeeding questions. Even now I know I can text or call her at anytime for support. We are so happy we made the decision to have Hunter with us during this journey.

Courtney Brock

1/9/2018

When my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we started to research options for support during birth. We were both hesitant about using a doula and wondered if it was really necessary until we met Hunter. She guided us through every detail of what the birth process would look like and helped me to develop a manageable and comfortable plan for labor and delivery. To say my husband and I were clueless when we started this process is putting it mildly. Hunter educated us on everything we needed to know and when the big day came to have our baby, Hunter was by our side for almost 30 hours. She offered endless support throughout the process and calmed our anxieties as we journeyed through labor. Hunter is warm, kind, and welcoming. I felt immediately comfortable with her and I’m not sure I would have had such a positive birth experience without her. For anyone on the fence about using a doula - especially for your first birth - take it from us and use Hunter. You won’t regret it.

Erin Callahan

11/15/2017

When my husband and I first started talking about our birth plan, I realized a third party might be a good idea. I needed to talk about all things pregnancy all the time (the internet research, all the registry options, sift through the hospital classes, and discuss my cervix, etc) and Hunter was always available to chat. Having a doula kept me informed and grounded while we prepared for the baby and Hunter was a friend to me throughout the whole process. As much as I appreciated her reliability and kindness during pregnancy, I was most grateful to her during my labor and the delivery of our son. As soon as my water broke we were on the phone talking about my options and how I felt about each outcome. She was a perfect addition to our team and I believe the medical team was also grateful for her calm and supportive demeanor in the delivery room. She tended to me when I was in pain and even held my leg when I brought my baby into the world! I would recommend every woman to have a doula and Hunter is at the top of the list!

Heather Lewis

7/18/2017

Where do I even begin?! Hunter was truly incredible in more ways than my husband and I could have ever imagined! After our first meeting, Hunter blew us away with her knowledge, strength, compassion and commitment to being a doula and she made me believe I could do whatever I wanted and that I had options. From the moment I met Hunter, she was friendly, warm and supportive. She made me feel 100% comfortable as if she and I had been known her for years, which truly helped me throughout the entire process.

When my labor started, Hunter was in touch with me often (without being overwhelming) and she was ready to come over whenever I needed her. We called her in the middle of the night and she came right over to relieve my husband so he could rest and she stayed by my side comforting me physically & emotionally, putting heat on my hips and back, keeping me hydrated & timing my contractions until it was time to go to the hospital.

She helped keep me calm & positive and was supportive and encouraging for my already amazing husband. Somehow we had forgotten everything we learned in our birthing class and she was able to bridge the gap in communication between us and the doctors/nurses and she explained exactly what was happening at each step of the way. She helped us make some really crucial decisions in the moment which ultimately helped me have a smooth labor.

in the early days postpartum, Hunter checked in with us and came to visit. She answered our laundry-list of questions and gave us tips and tricks to make our lives a little easier. She eassured us that we were doing a great job as new parents! Hunter was patient, calm, informative, empowering, thoughtful, encouraging, funny and so much more. She played an essential role in our positive birthing experience and we truly could not have done it without her. We are forever thankful for Hunter and are so proud to call her our doula, and new friend.

Aparna Harger

7/17/2017

My interactions with Hunter were always warm, supportive, & informative during my pregnancy. I didn't fully realize how truly PRICELESS she was until I was in the middle of (a long and exhausting) labor. She is the #1 reason I was able to reflect on such on arduous process and say that it was overall a positive experience. Because of her, I was able to have the birth outcomes I wanted, and that has really helped things go smoothly postpartum for me and baby.

Hunter stayed with me for two long days of active labor. She was attentive, yet mellow and comforting. When I was struggling through long, intense contractions and hours of pushing, Hunter had the exact vocabulary to help me make them as manageable and productive as possible. I didn't realize there would be so many times when there was no nurse or doctor in the room and Hunter was the one there to do basic bedside support things like keep me hydrated, adjust my bed/pillows, monitor our vitals, talk me through what was happening and what was about to happen, and even keep me cleaned up through 4 rounds of getting sick. There were times when we were on the cusp of major medical decisions when my OB wasn't there and my husband and I were so exhausted that we couldn't even remember what we'd read about or what we thought we wanted. Hunter was there to help remind us of the pros/cons that the hospitalist wouldn't have.

When I was in a negative space and my poor husband was exhausted, she had the positive words to keep us going without being annoying about it! My husband appreciated her as well because she helped him know exactly what to do and when in order to be most helpful to me when neither of us was really sure where we were in the process. Her postpartum visit also helped me process the sequence of events in the hospital and ask the lingering questions after I'd had some time to reflect on my experience.

Laura Chapman

1/12/2017

Where do I even begin with Hunter?! First of all Hunter is amazing! She is one of those people you meet that you instantly feel like is your friend. She is extremely warm and easy to talk to. You can also immediately tell she makes no judgments, which for me was crucial through the birth experience. With my first daughter I had very little support from my husband, I don’t think he knew the first way in which he could help me. With the 2nd birth I knew that I wanted someone that could understand me and be there for me in the delivery room and leading up with questions. I also love that Hunter is a mother herself and has her own birth story which is what really influenced her to be a doula.

Hunter came to our home where we went through a long discussion of our history with my prior labor and what I was really looking for in a doula. She immediately made me feel comfortable which is super important. What I really loved about Hunter is that she follows your lead. When we first met she said a doula is there for you through the process, they are there for whatever you need. Hunter completely took my lead as far as my needs and wants in the delivery room.

In the end I feel like Hunter is part of our family, I cannot wait to introduce her to our daughter when she gets older and tell her that she helped mommy through the birth process. Birth and labor is an incredible experience and it was amazing to have Hunter by my side. She has a natural gift for what’s she’s doing and I know she will make a lot of women incredibly thankful for her support and empathy through the process.

Christine Greenberg

10/4/2016

As a wedding planner, I knew the importance of having a partner to guide me through a new/emotionally-charged situation. It's the same advice I give my clients while they plan expensive weddings, so I thought I'd take my own advice and hire someone to guide me through the birthing process.

Hunter sat down at my home with my husband + I when we were 3 months along. We were both equal parts excited and nervous and having someone who had just had a baby was helpful. She asked us questions we had never really discussed like what kind of birth experience we wanted, what we were afraid of, what we were excited about, and what kind of birthing partner I wanted/he wanted to be. It ignited a great conversation and we all left feeling like we were a real team.

At 6 months, the three of us attended a birthing class together. There we learned about the stages of labor, how to progress calmly through each, what to expect in each stage and how both of them would support me through each of them. We walked away feeling confident, educated and supported. We had a list of snacks to buy, supplies to acquire and a real game plan.

By the time my water broke, all 3 of us knew the game plan and what role each of us played. There was no fear, doubt or frustration. My husband is not very assertive, so it was nice to know that we had already discussed his role would be to support and soothe me, while Hunter would handle encouragement and logistics.

It took alot of the doubt and stress off of my husband and I. He had his job and she had hers. He was able to just be my husband and be present for the birth of our son. She held me accountable when I wanted to give in during the tough parts of labor, held my legs as I pushed and partnered beautifully with my midwife at VCU Medical Center to bring my baby boy into the world.

Having a calm, patient, wise, funny doula by your side is well worth your money. Hunter was perfect.