Danica Rowe

2/21/2023

Vanessa was truly a blessing during our birth and breastfeeding journey. She came highly reccomended an is a true gift to the DMV doula an birth workers community. She is incredibly down to earth, knowledgeable, and a reliable resource during such a vulnerable time. 

Vanessa offered an all inclusive package that included 4 home visits with accomanying prenatanal/birth/childcare/breastfeeding education. In addition to a postpartum visit with hands on lactation care. She went above and beyond and attended my birth at a hospital that was not on her usual roster as well. 

I not only reccomend her but would utilize her in the future for our birth and/or postpartum needs. 

Kimberley

12/30/2022

I had a great experience with Vanessa as my doula.  She provided support during my second pregnancy.  After going through my first pregnancy I wanted to go into my second pregnancy more informed.  Vanessa kept my husband and I informed about our options. I learned things that I should have been equipped with during my first pregnancy.   She took time to understand what we wanted to happen in the birthing experience.  She understood my fears and concerns, especially with me being over the age of 40.  She helped me to advocate for myself.  My goal was to go into labor naturally (without being medically induced) and that's what I got.  She gave me suggestions on things to do to assist with this.  She was present during my delivery even though my child came pretty quickly.  Vanessa also did little things in the room to make my experience more pleasant.  Vanessa was also extremely helpful post partum.  My major problem was my child's latch and the pain from breastfeeding.  Vanessa helped me push through those first two weeks and I was able to successfully breastfeed much longer than I did for my first child.  She helped ensure that my posture was correct while breastfeeding to prevent back pain.  Vanessa checked in on me frequently. That support was greatly appreciated.   She listened to my concerns and gave great advice.  I highly recommended Vanessa. You won't regret it.  

Chris Eldredge

3/30/2022

I hired Vanessa for two nights, when our daughter was about 5 weeks old, as a birthday present to my partner (and for which I also benefited).

Vanessa spent time consulting with us to understand what we were struggling with and offered us tips and expert insight that we could use to help our baby with trapped gas, latching challenges and other soothing techniques. Vanessa's experience as a lactation consultant in training helped us flag a tougue tie issue that was affecting our baby's ability to get enough milk.

Vanessa was professional and maintained a calm, nurturing mood while our baby struggled to relieve gas pain, for which we were extremely grateful and that allowed us to catch up on some much needed sleep.

I would recommend Vanessa to anyone and would not hesitate to hire her again myself.

Maxine M.

3/15/2022

Vanessa was wonderful with my newborn son, was full of knowledge, and had practical advice for those early post-partum days. Even on the days we were not together she checked in and was available to answer questions via email or text. She helped me feel more confident taking care of my baby, and gave me moments to take a break and NAP during that precious post-partum time. I wholeheartedly recommend Vanessa to anyone looking for a doula, especially if you are planning on breastfeeding. So grateful for her care and experience.

Chantelle Green-Chittams

1/17/2022

I am happy to prepare this testimonial on behalf of Vanessa Hanible.  Vanessa is an EXCELLENT doula.  She is extremely knowledgeable about the various stages of pregnancy and how best to serve the expecting mom and baby to help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery of the baby. 

Vanessa is adept in dealing with complicated pregnancies.  While pregnant, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had severe swelling. Vanesa helped me develop a meal plan and identified creative ways for me to get in some extra movement and exercise to reduce my swelling throughout the day. 

Vanessa also helped me to develop a birth plan for the baby.  For example,as part of the birthing plan, we discussed skin-to-skin contact and how I would go about advising the doctors and nurses that I wanted skin-to-skin contact with the baby in the operating room following my scheduled cesearian section.

As a first time mom, Vanessa was instrumental in helping me and my husband prepare for the birth of the baby.  She asked probing questions about our plans post-pregnancy to ensure that we were prepared mentally for bringing home a newborn.  

Perhaps most importantly to me, Vanessa and I discussed my concerns as it related to my ability to breastfeed.  Vanessa listened to my concerns and assured me that it could be done.  She gave me suggestions on how I could overcome certain obstacles, provided literature, videos, etc., and if necessary, recommended other highly qualified professionals that could assist me.  She also visited us in the hospital and at home to assist with breastfeeding and to help address any other questions or concerns.

 “Excellence with Caring” is the best way that I can describe Vanessa and the services provided by Wholesome Beginnings, LLC. If you’re in search of a doula, I would highly recommend Vanessa Hanible.   

Tanisha

11/22/2021

I had the pleasure of accessing Vanessa's prenatal, birth, postpartum & lactation services. For the prenatal services, my partner & I had several Google Meet meetings with her where we discussed any questions or concerns we had, received valuable guidance on questions to ask my OB-GYN at each visit and received prenatal tasks to complete. Vanessa's services during my birth were invaluable. Although she had discussed and demonstrated comfort measures during one of our prenatal visits, it was a godsend to have her in the room assisting during the critical moments when my partner, although well intentioned, was just not providing me with the relief I needed. Vanessa stepped in & provided hands-on relief, coached me through my breathing technique. She reminded us throughout the birthing experience that we could take our time to make decisions and could even request the doctor and nurses step out so we could have free discussion without the pressure to make on the spot decisions. In the hospital, postpartum I connected with Vanessa via phone when I had questions about lactation challenges I was having. She ensured that I inquired about all the items that would be allow me to nurse and provide breastmilk to my baby during my hospital stay. I was also so thankful that she had shown me how to use a breast pump prior to my delivery as well as how to hand express breast milk. While breastfeeding may be a natural event, it did not come easy to me in the first few days and having her guidance was critical to my success. For postpartum services, once we were released from the hospital I cannot recommend Vanessa enough. Vanessa was like a fairy godmother whisking into our room at night with our baby to place on my breast for feeding, then disappearing back into the living room while my partner and I slept.  She made sure I had breakfast every morning before leaving & brought me water an snacks throughout the night. 10/10 experience!

Tanisha

9/14/2021

I had the pleasure of accessing Vanessa's prenatal, birth, postpartum and lactation services. For the prenatal services, my partner and I had several Google Meet meetings with her where we discussed any questions or concerns we had, received valuable guidance on questions to ask my OB-GYN at each visit and received prenatal tasks to complete. Vanessa's services during my birth were invaluable. Although she had discussed and demonstrated comfort measures during one of our prenatal visits, it was a godsend to have her in the room assisting during the critical moments when my partner, although well intentioned, was just not providing me with the relief I needed. Vanessa stepped in and provided hands-on relief, coached me through my breathing technique. She reminded us throughout the birthing experience that we could take our time to make decisions and could even request the doctor and nurses step out so we could have free discussion without the pressure to make on the spot decisions. In the hospital, postpartum I connected with Vanessa via phone when I had questions about lactation challenges I was having. She ensured that I inquired about all the items that would be allow me to nurse and provide breastmilk to my baby during my hospital stay. I was also so thankful that she had shown me how to use a breast pump prior to my delivery as well as how to hand express breast milk. While breastfeeding may be a natural event, it did not come easy to me in the first few days and having her guidance was critical to my success. For postpartum services, once we were released from the hospital I cannot recommend Vanessa or a postpartum doula in general. Vanessa was like a fairy godmother whisking into our room at night with our baby to place on my breast for feeding, then disappearing back into the living room while my partner and I slept.  She made sure I had breakfast every morning before leaving and brought me water an snacks throughout the night. 10/10 experience!

Becca

9/13/2021

I had a planned c-section and had never intended on having doulas. Then, my water broke early and my husband was hospitalized at a different hospital and I was alone in the hospital with my newborn trying to figure out how I was going to manage everything (including a toddler!) when I got home since my husband was going to be recovering from surgery as well. I realized I needed help and was lucky enough to count on an amazing team of postpartum doulas. Vanessa was everything I didn't know I needed! With her help I was able to get some much needed rest. She also helped me troubleshoot some breastfeeding issues I was having. From my experience with my first, I was sure that the haakaa would never work for me. Vanessa encouraged me to try it out and boom I was collecting an additional 3 ounces of milk at each feeding, enough for a bottle! Vanessa did other things around the house and helped us keep all the feeding supplies sterilized and organized. One of the best things was just having her around for middle of the night feedings. I had a very rough time surrounding my birth since my husband wasn't with me and Vanessa was there to chat and help me process my experience. I highly recommend her!

Janelle

9/8/2021

Late in my pregnancy, I decided I wanted to have a doula for the birth of my second child. I had an initial consult with Vanessa and was immediately impressed by her knowledge of all things birth related. I decided to go with her and wasn't disappointed. Because this was my second child and because I was almost at the end of my pregnancy, she worked with me to come up with a package that was tailored to my needs. For the actual labor and delivery, she was amazing. She provided my husband and I with a lot of valuable information to help us make the best decisions for us. I was ultimately able to have an unmedicated birth in-part due to her pain management techniques and encouragement. I also loved that she checked up on me during and after my pregnancy to make sure that things were going well and to help in whatever way she could. I would definitely recommend Vanessa to anyone searching for a doula.

Elina

9/5/2021

Vanessa was confident, professional, and knowledgeable. She provided great coaching and support as well as much needed rest during our transition to parenthood. 

Bettina

1/24/2021

Vanessa was nothing short of incredible. She is by far one of the most helpful people I have ever worked with in the child birth and care space. We decided to work with Vanessa for post partum doula support after the birth of our second child. We had a phone interview with Vanessa and we were instantly calmed by her demeanor and knowledge. She supported us in the first couple of weeks after my son was born with 2-3 hour in home visits. She was very responsible with COVID and always wore a mask at our home since that was our preference. Vanessa is extremely knowledgeable both on how to care for a small baby and on lactation. Having her support was like having a doula and a lactation consultant all rolled into 1 which is very helpful in the first couple of weeks. My son, just like my daughter had tongue and lip ties and Vanessa helped with latch and positioning every time she visited which I'm convinced is the reason why I am still breastfeeding. She also helped to calm down some of my anxieties around having a frenectomy for my son. Vanessa is extremely resourceful and helped me figure out ways to use things i already had in my house to support breastfeeding and baby care instead of suggesting i buy more things. For example, she taught me how to make a heating pad out of a sock to relieve a clogged duct which was a huge relief. She helped me to bathe my son, took care of him while I napped, talked with me about my recovery and provided very helpful nutrition suggestion for my post partum diet. I would highly recommend her to anyone and would certainly work with her again!

Ebony Brooks

11/19/2020

My experience with Vanessa was nothing short of amazing.  She made me feel so powerful but her spirit remained calm.  She helped guide me into different positions that may help with my labor but she never forced anything on me.  I truly don't know how I would have gotten through my 6 hours of unmedicated labor without her.  The peace I felt was similar to sitting my head on grandma's lap and her stroking my head gently letting me know everything would be okay.  Her presence was what I needed; her professionalism and support was unlike anything I had previously experienced.  The essential oil scents were helpful and calming.  I would definitely use Vanessa again and have already recommended her to three people that I know.  She is a great soul that I am honored to have had her to go through my birthing process.

Leah

10/7/2020

Vanessa provided amazing support both for my daughter's birth and with breastfeeding. I was able to have the unmedicated birth I planned and a very good birth experience. I am a single mother by choice, and my birth team was my mom and Vanessa. Vanessa did an amazing job of supporting me, liasing with the midwife and nurses, and -- very importantly -- helping communication between me and my mom and making sure my mom could be an engaged part of the team. I'm sure I could have done it without Vanessa (I mean, the baby was coming out one way or another!), but I'm glad I didn't have to! She was key to a good and fairly easy birth!

Vanessa has also been key to my successful breastfeeding journey. My daughter just turned one, and I love the time I spend BF her. I am only able to say that because of Vanessa's help. Despite taking a BF class before birth, I really struggled. The baby had a very strong latch that really damaged my nipples in the first few days. My body was actually afraid of her when she cried to nurse because it was so painful! A few days after we got home, Vanessa sat with us in my living room and worked with me until the baby's positioning was right and the latch was good. She helped me put into practice what I had learned as theory. Vanessa also offered so many tips and tricks. She got me on the right track, and BF got better. Vanessa has also been great with advice when I've reached out about pumping problems. I honestly don't know if I could have successfully BF my daughter this long or even survived those early days without Vanessa.

I'm so grateful for Vanessa's help and highly recommend her!

Karyn Wulwick

10/12/2019

Vanessa was a wonderful help to myself and my husband in caring for our newborn baby girl those first few weeks home from the hospital. Vanessa listened to me and provided support and suggestions where needed while always giving me the space to make my own decisions. She helped me most during the night when I needed rest and help while feeding. She would care for the baby while I slept and then helped me feed the baby in the middle of the night. I am forever grateful for those middle of the night sessions. Not only was Vanessa available when we needed her but she also provided resources to me in case she wasn't. I feel like the first month of motherhood wouldn't have been the same without her. I can't recommend her enough!

Binta

5/3/2019

I decided to hire a postpartum Doula for the birth of my second child because I remembered how challenging the transition home was after my first child.  I’m so glad I did!  It was such an easier transition this time around and it was all because of the support we received from Vanessa as our postpartum Doula.  My husband and I live far from family and having that added support made all the difference in the world.  Vanessa helped to make breast-feeding successful, something I wasn’t able to do with my first child.  I always look forward to her visits as a time I could ask her all of my postpartum and baby related questions, help us focus on self-care such as getting rest while she watched our baby and encouraging us to eat healthy foods, and provided encouraging and uplifting words.  Thank you Vanessa for your support!

Shyra S.

5/2/2019

Vanessa is absolutely amazing! During the postpartum period after my first pregnancy, Vanessa always did her best to help me through this unfamiliar time. From her overnight services, to helping me with doctors appointments, and teaching me valuable things to help me care for my newborn, Vanessa was dedicated in everything that she did. Overall, she’s truly a wonderful person. 

vonna brownlee

6/29/2018

My experience with Vanessa was amazing!!! She was hands on when I needed her and extremely educated! Even after having my little one we kept in contact and she is still a great friend.