Aviana Ortiz

10/25/2021

Kaela was absolutely meant to be with us the day our son was born. We are beyond thankful for her- for all of her guidance, encouragement, knowledge, open mindedness, communication and kindness during our labor and delivery as well as postpartum. 
She also did my placenta encapsulation which was so cool.
I would absolutely recommend her for both services hands down! 

Melanie

12/31/2019

Kaela's help and reassurance was invaluable during my second pregnancy and her guidance during labor, delivery and postpardum has changed everything for the better. 

My first experience giving birth was very painful and traumatic for me, leading to Postpardum PTSD. So this time, I sought the help of a doula.  I felt much less anxiety leading up to labor since I knew we could count on Kaela to be there for us. We felt so blessed to find her and she gave us resources and also taught us about different options.

Kaela is so knowledgeable but also so  supportive of whatever decisions you make. I chose to give birth in a hospital, but did a lot of laboring at home before with Kaela's assistance. She had taught my husband and I some counter-pressure and positioning techniques that relieved some pain during labor. She influenced us to be able to rest even as I labored through the night. At the hospital, her support was still so vital to us (even after I got an epidural) as she advocated for me and supported me in advocating for myself.

Her compassion right after delivery and in the weeks that followed meant that I did not feel alone and I had a trusted source to go to with my questions. I so very highly recommend Kaela as a doula.

Rees Atkins

12/20/2019

Kaela got to know us in appointments during pregnancy. My wife and I both became really comfortable with her, so that my wife could share openly about her thoughts and desires for this most recent delivery to be better than the first. It was! My wife had a better labor and better time right after birth. 

Kaela did such a good job of calming us, helping us rest, helping my wife assert what she wanted, and respecting my wife's choices regarding the delivery. We had a special and joyous experience and are so grateful for what we have learned with our two sweet kids.

We understand delivery and ourselves better now due to a lot of help from Kaela. She was very caring, smart, and hard working. We love her!

Tamara Pendley

12/19/2019

Kaela has been available as I needed both before and after birth.  She helped me think through aspects of the birth and postpartum that I had never thought of.  She also helped teach my husband how he could support me as well.

I went into labor at midnight, and she came immediately.  Throughout labor she was at hand to help me.  Lots of counter pressure, and positional advice.  She even stood in the shower for an hour spraying hot water on my lower back!  

After 12 hours of labor I had dialated well but the baby hadn't dropped.  The doctor broke my water, but it didn't make any change.  At that point the doctor advised Pitocin to strengthen the contractions, but I was so tired!  I asked about csection.   Kaela, and the rest of the birth team advised against it. I spent the next bit discussing it, and eventually Kaela said "you really want a csection don't you?"  I said yes, and just like that my wonderful doula changed goals and helped me get the csection I wanted.

After the csection Kaela was allowed to come to the NICU with me to see my baby.  She got her latched, and my baby's vitals all stabilized.   She also got pictures of that precious moment for me.

Kaela came and visited me the next day, as well as several times at home over the next few weeks.  She taught me how to use my pump, and answered many questions.

The biggest positive to Kaela is that I felt heard.  She supported me when my goal was all natural birth, but then supported me when csection was my choice. The only negatives is that there was a technique that Kaela showed us during the prenatal visit that neither she nor I thought about during labor.  Also, during my recovery I found out about a position that can be used to engage a high baby, and that was not suggested by Kaela.  Of course you can't expect any doula to know all possible positions.

Claire Breslow

2/16/2018

My husband and I were very excited to have our first child, I took birth classes and read lots of books. We planned on birth at a birth center but had complications with preeclampsia and we ended up at the hospital. Things did not go as planned, but Kaela really helped us to handle the changes as they came. She was a great advocate for me and made sure the hospital staff respected my birth plan and wishes. She had some great techniques to help me through labor. I never felt like she crossed any boundaries, she supported my husband throughout the process so it was all about our experience. Things didn’t go as planned but we had a beautiful experience and ended up with a happy and healthy baby. I’m so happy Kaela was a part of our most exciting day ever.

Claire Williams

10/7/2017

Prenatal visits:

The prenatal visits with Kaela were really helpful and informative. We skyped and she gave us a good idea about what to expect from her and our experience. I had read lots of books and done lots of research, however there were many practical things I had not considered or planned for. We reviewed my birth plan and she pointed out things she thought I may want to add that I wasn’t aware of, she was able to suggest things without making me feel pressured or wrong about my choices. One of our skype visits followed a difficult doctors visit; we had received some news that was concerning. Kaela decided we would scrap the agenda for that visit and instead she just let me vent and process what was happening. I can honestly say that she made me feel so much better and did a great job explaining what may happen and made things less scary. Her ability to provide comfort and peace in a stressful situation is one of the things I value most about her. She conducts herself professionally but simultaneously feels really warm and personable.

Claire Williams

10/7/2017

Prenatal visits:

The prenatal visits with Kaela were really helpful and informative. We skyped and she gave us a good idea about what to expect from her and our experience. I had read lots of books and done lots of research, however there were many practical things I had not considered or planned for. We reviewed my birth plan and she pointed out things she thought I may want to add that I wasn’t aware of, she was able to suggest things without making me feel pressured or wrong about my choices. One of our skype visits followed a difficult doctors visit; we had received some news that was concerning. Kaela decided we would scrap the agenda for that visit and instead she just let me vent and process what was happening. I can honestly say that she made me feel so much better and did a great job explaining what may happen and made things less scary. Her ability to provide comfort and peace in a stressful situation is one of the things I value most about her. She conducts herself professionally but simultaneously feels really warm and personable.

Claire Williams

10/6/2017

Prenatal visits:

The prenatal visits with Kaela were really helpful and informative. We skyped and she gave us a good idea about what to expect from her and our experience. I had read lots of books and done lots of research, however there were many practical things I had not considered or planned for. We reviewed my birth plan and she pointed out things she thought I may want to add that I wasn’t aware of, she was able to suggest things without making me feel pressured or wrong about my choices. One of our skype visits followed a difficult doctors visit; we had received some news that was concerning. Kaela decided we would scrap the agenda for that visit and instead she just let me vent and process what was happening. I can honestly say that she made me feel so much better and did a great job explaining what may happen and made things less scary. Her ability to provide comfort and peace in a stressful situation is one of the things I value most about her. She conducts herself professionally but simultaneously feels really warm and personable.