Misty Boyce

1/31/2022

Natalie was incredible. So knowledgeable, kind, and helpful with all the topsy-turvy turns my pregnancy and birth took. She has the kind of healing touch and soothing words that will turn an anxious mind/body right around. 

Rachel Khosraviani

10/14/2020

As a first time mom, I did not know what to expect from labor, but I did know that I am a person who does best when I have a support system around me, and so a doula was important in my birth journey. Little could I have known what an essential, experience-altering presence having Natalie would be. From our initial visits where she walked my husband through comfort measures right through the 25th hour of my labor, she helped us to make informed decisions at every step of the process. 

But so much more than a source of information and advocacy, Natalie was truly a partner (or I personally feel, a saint) on my birthing team. Wanting to have an unmedicated birth, her massages, counter pressure, vocal support, aromatherapy and play lists, helped to bring a sense of home and comfort to the process and enabled me to work through each contraction feeling empowered. As I labored at 8cm for 7 hours, and at 8-9.5cm on pitocin for another 3, I can confidently say that I do not think I could have weathered the long hours and intensity as long as I did without her emotional and physical support. I think it speaks for itself that the nurses in Labor and Delivery at the hospital all asked for her card, and that they commented that I was the calmest and seemingly most comfortable woman in transition that they had ever seen. She guided me through different positions and supported me doing squats and natural methods (pumping, etc.) to help move baby down. She held my hand and fanned my face through every last contraction, and she was one of just two people I was able to have with me when we brought my baby girl earth side. 

I am so thankful I found Natalie, so grateful she was able to be at my side, and my husband and I agree would 1,000% ask her to be with me for any future births as well. Do not hesitate to invite her into this special and transformative journey with you.

Sara and Jason

10/8/2020

Natalie was our postpartum doula for our first child. My pregnancy involved a few surprises along the way, like the fact that I'd need to have a planned c-section, as well as the spread of COVID turning into a pandemic during my second trimester. Both these things changed the course of my pregnancy and prenatal care, and Natalie was an amazing source of support and knowledge during this time. She guided me in getting second opinions about my need for a c-section. When it became clear that I would have to have a c-section (something that I was initially very disappointed and nervous about), she later helped me craft a birth plan for a c-section that allowed me to really learn about, plan, and advocate for the type of birth I wanted. Because of this, I had a very positive experience delivering my daughter via c-section. Natalie also helped my partner and I create a strong plan for the postpartum time period. She provided us with resources on things like monitoring for postpartum depression, dividing up our household chores/tasks, and staying connected and communicative during our first few weeks as parents.

While I unfortunately did not get to experience Natalie's support during delivery (due to hospital restrictions because of COVID, as well as the type of delivery I had), I am confident that she would be an amazing advocate in the room during labor and delivery. She is reliable, thoughtful, organized, knowledgeable, full of energy, and truly passionate about pregnancy, birth, and babies.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and adjusting to life with a baby can be confusing, unpredictable, and challenging. As a doula, Natalie acts as an advocate and source of support during this time - she doesn't make decisions for you or tell you what she would do. Instead, she helps you craft questions, seek out information, and advocate for yourself and your baby at various stages of your pregnancy. I enthusiastically recommend her as a doula!

Sabrina Mossberg

5/19/2020

Natalie was an incredible asset during my pregnancy and birthing experience (my first). During my pregnancy, she shed light on many topics and things to consider that I otherwise would not have thought about in advance and helped make my birthing experience the best it could be. This included topics ranging from delayed cord clamping to essential oils in my birthing room to catching the baby, etc.. there is so much to consider! She presented us with all the options and assisted us in creating our birth plan which was great to have someone walk us through. At the time of giving birth, she was by my side at the hospital as soon as contractions were close enough together and her presence was immediately felt. She jumped right in guiding me through each contraction by holding my hand, utilizing the yoga ball, massaging me, getting me on my feet and walking down the hall, icing me.. she handled my waves of anguish with amazing gentleness and care while also offering a firm reminder of my birth plan and that which ever direction I decided to go (epidural or not) it would be okay! I ended up getting the epidural eventually, but am so glad I labored without it for so long to know the pain and that my body could have handled it if it had to.. but would I choose to go without it again - no I don't think so.. I really enjoyed pregnancy and my entire birthing experience and credit a lot of it to Natalie. Having her calming energy and devoted support by my side that day was one of the best decisions I've made. I wouldn't change a thing. She was a part of the dream team that brought my baby girl into this world and it goes down as one of the best experiences of my life to date. Giving birth is quite the trip & Natalie was the best guide!!

Simon Gore

4/15/2020

Natalie is incredible and I'm very grateful for the support and guidance she provided from our first meeting about midway through  my wife's pregnancy. I'm especially greateful for her support of my wife through the different stages, learning about the birth plan, and then most importantly during the actual pregnancy at the hospital. Natalie is a really good listener and effective communicator, which to me are important attributes, both to effectively educate the expecting couple and during the actual birth at the hospital. It's also important to recognize her level effort which was excellent and her attention to us as the birth date approached - outside of some extreme circumstance, I was certain Natalie would be with us through the birth, and I think this really reflects well on her commitment. I'd 100% recommend Natalie to anyone - bringing home our baby gril from the hospital has been the greatest event of my life so far and I'm so happy to have entrusted some of the process to Natalie!

Nathan and Emma Alef

2/27/2020

As first time parents, there was a lot of uncertainty leading up to the birth of our daughter. Even through that uncertainty, I was initially hesitant regarding the need for a doula as we had already cruised through a couple of books and a childbirth class. Add to that Emma's parents being retired NICU nurses, I felt like we had it covered.

But Emma was convinced it was a worthy investment, and like usual, her instincts proved to be right. Natalie's experience and insight became invaluable in the planning stages, guiding us through the process of deciding how we wanted everything to go down. And even though we had a good base of knowledge from our research, her approach enabled us to truly consider all our options and create a birth plan that gave us a lot of confidence we would have otherwise lacked. 

During the process, she helped us navigate the sea of choices without ever pushing her own agenda. She shared her opinions when asked, but was genuinely invested in realizing our vision. Getting closer to the due date, things started to change with Emma's pregnancy. Ultimately she ended up having a C-section, but Natalie was there to make sure our plans evolved with the situation. She was able to answer all our questions, and even help Emma through the process of grieving the loss of opportunity to have a natural birth.

If Emma would have been able to experience a vaginal birth, we are positive Natalie would have been the perfect coach and advocate throughout that process. Once we brought our daugheter home, Natalie's post-partum visits were a godsend. I thought hiring a doula was all about the laboring process, but in the end, the value was in everything surrounding the actual birth.

We loved our experience with Natalie, and although we're in no place to think about future children, we're definitely keeping her number!

~Nathan and Emma

Sian Fujikawa

10/3/2019

I wasn't sure that I needed a doula at first but after my experience with Natalie I now know how badly everyone needs a doula. She was so helpful and informative from the moment we started working together.  There was so much I didn't know that Natalie helped prepare me for. Her energy is light and fun but she is full of the type of warmth and depth you would hope for in a caretaker. She went above and beyond before, during and after the birth and I absolutely could not recommend anyone more. 

Wes Alderman

9/2/2019

My experience with Natalie was amazing to say the least. She never overstepped any boundaries and was very sensitive to our personal space. Natalie was very communicative with all aspects of the labor/delivery process, and as the husband this was very important to me. She educated us on topics we had never considered with our previous two children; and reminded us of those topics during the labor process (when things seem to be happening so fast). Having Natalie as our doula was a necessity I didn’t realize we needed. I would recommend her to anyone going through a pregnancy whether it’s their first child or fifth! 

Leah Alderman

9/2/2019

There are not enough words to describe how amazing having Natalie Lynch as my Doula was! My husband and I have consistently said it was one of the best decisions and wished we had her for our other two pregnancies and births! She was always  punctual to respond to any questions I had and made it to every appointment I wanted her to be at! I recommend Natalie to any expecting mother, you will NOT regret it! The comfort and care she provided was priceless! 

Juliana

3/28/2019

Natalie is incredibly attentive to the needs of others. She listened to all of our intentions for the labor and birth of our baby and she asked great questions that reminded us of even more awesome intentions. She is loving to our whole family. She hypnotized our toddler with some exceptional back tickles that won her over immediately :) Natalie was prompt and professional during all of her pre and post visits. She was open, ready, and patient for labor to start during the whole "birth month". When forty-one weeks came around and labor began she was quick to respond and arrive. Natalie has incredible intuition and seemed to know exactly what to do to provide pain relief, support, and calm to the labor experience. She has a bag full of great physical tools and a mind, heart, and soul full of esoteric tools that made labor easier. Thank you Natalie for being an integral member of our birth team. 

Krista N. Contreras

3/24/2019

Natalie is a very warm and loving soul. Very responsive to communicate, punctual and professional.  I simply could not have gone through my labor and delivery without Natalie by my side.With relaxing music, medicine ball and many other techniques. Even guided my son in helping every step of the way with her wisdom. I had changed my birth plans days before giving birth. Natalie listened and supported my wishes to have my delivery natural. No epidural needed!  Even at our postpartum check, she was there to assist me. Thank you, again Natalie for being there!

Catherine

3/22/2019

Out doula was unable to attend our birth due to an emergency. Natalie filled and We were very happy with her. We had a schedule cesarean. Natalie met is at the hospital and stayed with us as needed pre-op. She was helpful and very perceptive to our needs: when we needed help and when we needed privacy. She communicated with our families our needs when / how we would like to receive visitors. She even took some fabulous photos for us! 

Thank you, Natalie!

Nate

3/21/2019

Welcoming a new member of the family can be an overwhelming and challenging experience at times. Navigating this experience can be so daunting. The ups and downs of pregnancy and the birth process are so much better when we go through them together with people we trust. We had a doula at our first birth and knew it was something we wanted to be a part of our second.

Natalie was introduced to us from a mutual family friend and we hit it off immidiately. She went over our birth plan with us and spent some time with us to learn more about our interests and values. When she would work with us, she always gave us confidence and eased concerns about any anticipated challenges.

The morning contractions started we let Natalie know, and by the time we went into active labor she was right there with us at the birth center. Our job supporting J during labor according to the birth plan was for comfort, support and encouragment. With all the addrenaline I was naturally feeling, having a support partner to help us through the birth was instrumental to me being as present and as calm as possible. We are so grateful for her presance and participation on one of the most amazing days of our lives.

Kevin M. Barnease

11/14/2017

What a wonderful human. Mrs. Lynch was a godsent, she was able to help my wife relax and breath through a very difficult deliver. Natalie was amazing! She had tools and techniques that truly made a scary situation a bit less intimidating.

Erin Wiegers

11/13/2017

I always knew I wanted Natalie as our doula. I was looking forward to training for child birth with her and preparing for our baby boy to enter this world with confidence. Unfortunately, our baby boy had other plans. At 22.5 weeks a routine ultra sound and physical exam found that I was dilated to 1.5. Fear and anxiety took over my pregnancy. I was hospitalized on bed rest for 12 days. Natalie was one of my first calls. She came to the hospital and transformed the room. She knew how anxious my husband & I were and started working on our confidence. I told her how terrified I was and that I had no idea what I was doing. She told me that the knowledge of centuries of women was in my body and that it would know what to do. She checked in on us through the week and offered advice a support each time. Though the doctors tried to slow my labor, our little boy was on his way out at 24 weeks. When the doctors told me in the wee hours of the morning that I would deliver soon, Natalie was my first call. She arrived to the hospital and I immediately felt relieved. She supported me with my breathing through contraction, pain management, and information on what to expect. She even brought breakfast for my husband. She did not leave my side for the 10 hours it took for baby boy to make his debut. Looking back I am so grateful that she was by my side and I can't imagine how delivery would have gone without her. She has continued her care post partum and we are so thankful that she will forever be a part of our baby boys life.

Our circumstance is different than most deliveries and Natalie was flexible and accommodating to our sensitive experience. I highly recommend her services for any delivery. She is knowledgably and passionate about her profession. Her professional and friendly techniques were the prefect blend for our stressful delivery.

Ryan Gielen

7/25/2017

Natalie was a godsend during our delivery experience. She was a calming force when we needed it, a strong ally when we needed it, and a mediator on the one... or two... occasions we needed it. She was able to remind us of our original vision for the delivery, while enabling us to think calmly and clearly about changes that may need to be made. I never thought we'd need assistance in this way, but now I can't imagine doing this *without* Natalie as our doula. Could not recommend her services highly enough!

Katy Wright-Mead

7/21/2017

Natalie was essential in creating and maintaining a positive birth experience. My water broke before contractions so when I was admitted to the hospital my natural birth plan was immediately challenged by the staff, equipped with worry of infection. This could have been a stressful birth story, but Natalie was always there to remind me that this was my birth. She encouraged me to trust my instincts. With Natalie as my ally I regained my confidence and denied the PIT. Natalie and I spent calm, intimate hours using natural induction techniques. 18 hours later and still my body was not ready to kick into labor however because of Natalie's presence and partnership I had gained back confidence and ownership of my birth. I tuned into my birth mantra "open" and decided on my own time, to go off the plan and to induce with Pitocin. At hour 24 my contractions hit hard and fast. This is when Natalie transformed from gentle advocate to super, spiritual sidekick. I look back at this intense stretch of time and think of how acutely tuned into my body and mind Natalie was. For 8 hours, her focus was laser sharp, her tone was smooth, her touch was soft and her stamina was super human. We found a beautiful rhythm of comfort measures. together. At one point Natalie intuitively encouraged my husband and I to slow dance, which is now one of my favorite memories. Eventually I chose to go on an epidural. Natalie turned to me, in the middle of what was now a peaceful, restful night, and with so much warmth in her voice said how proud she was of me for honoring my mantra "open" and allowing myself permission to go off my birth plan. I knew my choice was the right one for me, but that validation was the greatest gift she could have given. I woke up that morning rested and completely dilated! Pushing was a party! Natalie my husband and listened to classic rock and celebrated each moment closer to bringing baby into the world. I loved every joy filled moment.

Nathalie Rose

7/20/2017

Natalie Lynch started working for our family in 2005 when our third child, a son, was only 6 months old. She was hired as a summer au pair to live with our family on shelter island and we all loved her immediately. Her gentle way with our kids, her soulful, emotionally intelligent way with adults showed her to be wise beyond her years. It was impossible to know then the incredible long term friendship and bond with our family. Natalie was so caring, attentive and hyper-attentitive to details while helping us that summer on shelter island with a six month old and twin two and a half year olds.  She never demonstrated anything but consistent kindness and caring for our children. Natalie was unflappable and unstoppably positive in her outlook on life. Natalie was also at the beginning of a spiritual inquiry that continues to this day and informs all aspects of her life. We discussed meditation and mindfulness and the importance of being present. Caring for very young children makes it almost impossible not to be present, but Natalie brought her spiritual inquiry into her work and the result was so positive for our entire family. We have continued to work with Natalie off and on over the past decade and love her like one of our own, which we feel she truly is. As she has matured, her career and life decisions have always been made consciously, informed by a core of goodness and a desire to be deeply connected to others. She has looked for a calling, for a real meaning and for true love and has found both. We know she will approach the work she now embarks upon, helping women bring children into this world, with a reverence for the beauty of each individual life and a profound respect for women and the choices they make about their bodies and reproduction. We cannot say enough to recommend Natalie and would welcome a discussion about Natalie’s many talents from anyone who might like to talk with us. -Blair Borthwick