Hai Thuy Le Sherman

10/7/2024

This is my first pregnancy. Half of the way, my husband and I decided to get a doula to support us with our journey. We found Nikki service from some web research, she has a ton of great reviews. After contact her, she had works with us patiently about pricing and what will she provide. We had 2 classes with her so far, they are so informative, she answered most of our questions! 

Rebecca Duplan

10/1/2024

I decided to look for a doula at the last minute. I was about 36 weeks when I found Nikki, and I'm so glad I did. My labor felt like a marathon and her support and calm energy helped me get through it. She was super attentive and mindful of me during labor, although my husband was also there to support me, she brought a sense of calmness to us both. And she had the entire room smelling like the best essential oils! Everyone who walked in had something to say about it. Thank you for all your help Nikki!

Emily Ross

9/8/2024

I can't recommend Nikki enough! As a first time mom I knew I wanted to hire a doula and after chatting with Nikki I knew she was the perfect fit. The birth classes were so informative and helpful for both me and my husband. All the techniques and resources she provided were very helpful throughout my pregnancy as well as my labor and delivery. The postpartum care and support she provided me was absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a doula Nikki is an excellent choice! 

Whitney Robledo

8/23/2024

Nikki has been mentoring me as I work to attain my Childbirth Educator certification. Not only has she helped me streamline the certification process, but she's also a wonderful teacher. I was lucky enough to be able to observe one of her classes and she's a very engaging and knowledgeable teacher. Though I did not use her as a doula, I'm confident that her skills, knowledge, and warmth can only make her an asset to any birthing person.

Brittiney Washington

8/19/2024

this was my first time ever using a Doula for birth and postpartum. I have to say that I was very satisfied and have been happy with the service and Nikki has provided. She is very attentive and ensure that I am comfortable and able to show up to be the best mom that I can be. I appreciate her, empowering me during the moments that I was not able to be my best, especially after having a C-section in which I was not able to immediately act she partner with my husband to support me and Baby!

Lucia Alvarado

8/17/2024

I am genuinely so greatful for Nikki and I would 100% reccomend her to EVERYONE and ANYONE who is looking for a Doula. As soon as Nikki entered my labor room , she introduced herself to everyone and immediately provided me support. She came to me and asked how I was doing and she began to put on worship music, essential oils... she even brought a birth ball and other gadgets that helped me while I was in the worst pain of my life. Nikki was very attentive and when I felt very hot , she immediately took action and provided a cool towel and massaged my head. As time went on and contractions increased, my husband and Nikki became a great team which showed my husband and I how adaptable Nikki is, as well as showing us her ability in reading the room which is one of the reasons I said I reccomend Niki to EVERYONE AND ANYONE. Nikki was also doing breathing techniques with me and she was constantly reassuring me that I was doing great ... it means so much to hear that while you're in the thick of it with contractions. When I began to spiral emotionally, Nikki helped me to regain control and Nikki also helped me to transition after my water broke that things will become intense, her reassurance and firm touch really helped me and gave me strength for the pushing stage. Nikki we thank you, we appreciate you & we love you.

Charlotte

7/15/2024

Nikki is wonderful and provides such a peacheful atmosphere. She is knowledgeable and ready to respond to your every need. Even if you don't know what that is! I loved having her present at my birth and would welcome her back in a heartbeat. 

Alanna Underwood

7/9/2024

Nikki was great to work with!  She always responded quickly to all my messages and was super helpful in my process to get certified as a childbirth educator.  She knew the process well, which put me at ease, knowing that she could guide me smoothly through the certification process, and she was always professional, friendly, and approachable.  I would recommend Nikki to anyone who is looking for a competent and friendly mentor!

Maya Jackson

7/3/2024

I am thrilled to share my experience with Nikki Reeves as a childbirth educator instructor and mentor. Nikki's unwavering dedication, expertise, and support have made a profound impact on my journey into the world of childbirth education. Her commitment is a reassuring sign of her reliability and trustworthiness.

From the start, it was clear that Nikki has a deep passion for empowering others with knowledge and confidence. Her comprehensive understanding of childbirth education, coupled with her engaging teaching style, made every class not only informative but also inspiring. Nikki's ability to break down complex concepts into easily digestible information instilled a sense of confidence in my knowledge.

What truly sets Nikki apart is her genuine care and mentorship. She went above and beyond to provide personalized guidance and encouragement, addressing my questions and concerns with patience and empathy. Her mentorship extended beyond the classroom, offering invaluable advice and support as I navigated my path as a childbirth educator.
Nikki's commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of her teaching. She is supportive and patient and knows how to create an inclusive learning environment. Her practical insights, real-world examples, and hands-on activities made the learning experience both enriching and enjoyable.

Thanks to Nikki, I have gained the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this field and the confidence to impact the lives of expectant parents positively. Her mentorship and guidance are extremely valuable.

If you seek a knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely dedicated childbirth educator instructor and mentor to your success, I wholeheartedly recommend Nikki Reeves.

Kaitlyn

7/2/2024

Nikki was my mentor throughout my certification process and was absolutely fabulous to work with. She was very responsive and helped me completely virtually from across the country! Her help and advice has been so useful. Could not recommend her higher! 

Lorena Guerrero

6/10/2024

We just finished our first class with Nikki. She is an experienced doula and she makes you feel comfortable and safe. I highly recommend her for first time Momas ! 

Miranda Lynch

5/21/2024

Nikki is such an incredible doula and wonderful person. Watching her with her client was so inspiring. She was so gentle and strong, supporting just when and how her client needed her to and stepping back and giving space without her client needing to ask for it. She brings a light and calm to the space she works in. I can’t wait to work with her again!!! 

Leti Jimenez

4/18/2024

I attended the class at 36 weeks 6 days with my husband. This is our first child , nikki was super informative. We both felt very educated by the end of it , she answered all our questions and covered all topics. My husband said he felt this class was especially helpful for him and he feels more confident now. 10/10 recommend. ??

Neela Vogel

4/7/2024

Nikki's symbiotic birth class was great! My husband and I learned very useful information on how to stay healthy and fit to prepare for the best birthing experience. Nikki provided visuals, explanations, slides, coaching techniques and positions in her class. She is passionate about providing whatever kind of support is needed for mothers to be. We are so grateful for Nikki!

Haley Mercado

3/11/2024

I am so thankful to have Nikki during my first pregnancy. Nikki has been a huge help throughout my pregnancy and I am so glad that I chose her as my doula. She is knowledgeable, has a great personality, and has provided so many resources. She has calmed a lot of my birth anxiety as a first time mom and is always available for help! I would absolutely recommend her again and again! 

morgan perry

2/29/2024

Nikki has done an absolutely amazing job helping me navigate through this new chapter of my life. 
She has educated me, introduced me to all kinds of techniques, and paths I wasn't sure about using/taking during this pregnancy and future birth.  I would recommend her to anyone I know. 

Caroline Brady

2/18/2024

Nikki was so amazing and I'm so thankful we found her. She was always easy to reach and speak with about any concerns I was having going through pregnancy and now postpartum. I had a high risk pregnancy and had 2 appointments a week for half of my pregnancy she always checked in after appointments to ask how things went and what new news we had. She was a soft spoken but loud advocate even after my birth when my husband was focused on baby and I was struggling. It was such a peace having another set of eyes and hands. My husband swears by doula's now when 9 months ago he didn't even know what a doula was.

Her birth class was super informative and helpful going through labor. I would highly recommend hiring Nikki and letting her be your person during your pregnancy and birth process!

Thank you Nikki!

Marianne Pettis

2/5/2024

Nikki was the perfect doula for us and I'm so happy that we found her! I initially struggled with whether or not to hire a doula because my first labor was just under 5 hours and I knew in my second pregnancy there was a big chance this baby could come a lot faster. And he sure did!! Right at 1 hour after my first contraction he was born. Nikki left to meet us at the birth center as soon as we notified her and we all sat in traffic. My husband and I arrived there, and 15 minutes later our son was born. Nikki, who lives a bit farther from the birth center arrived just a few minutes after his birth but went straight into action, right at my side as I delivered the placenta and then while I was getting stitched up. She was a also a huge comfort while I had to have lots of clots retrieved too (think OUCH). She snapped many photos of the three of us that I will always cherish and also gave me encouragement and tips with troubleshooting latching my babe initially. She checked in with me the next day to see how our little family was doing. 

Prior to labor I received almost daily check-ins from her, motivational and encouraging messages, and with her help I started to really believe I could do what I was setting out to do- an epidural free labor and delivery. 

We knew there was a chance that Nikki wouldn't make it in time (it ended up being completely unavoidable- we almost didn't make it there in time!), and I would have still chosen to hire her if I had to go back because she gave me the peace of mind and support that I needed at the time. I 100% recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, supportive, skilled, and knowledgeable doula! 

Alyssa & Jason

1/3/2024

Working with Nikki was an absolute pleasure. We met her in a teaching capacity for one of Emory's birth classes, quickly we felt like she was a good educator and had great communication skills. When we were looking for doulas we remembered her from the class. We found her during our third trimester and right off the bat after connecting for doula services, we were receiving great guidance regarding our birth plan with informative examples. She was adaptable to different communication styles, we preferred text and she was open and very responsive to any questions we had. I found the exercises and guided meditations she sent especially helpful at relieving some of my tension and the motivational texts kept me going throughout the final weeks! 

We ended up having an uncomplicated, although unexpected c-section, so we used our in person time with Nikki for a postpartum visit in the hospital. She assisted with swaddling and breastfeeding guidance and generally helped talk us through some of the initial phases of newborn life. We then had our official postpartum visit with her a few weeks later to help us with introducing paced bottle feeding to our son, it was very successful.

Overall we had a great time with Nikki and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula.  

Ashley fritchen

12/20/2023

Nikka was extremely helpful, kind and knowledgeable about child birth and tools for labor. I greatly appreciated having her during my childbirth experience. I've had 3 births but this is the first time I had a doula and was very happy with the service and kindness she has shared with me and my husband during the time. Would definitely work with her again given the chance. 

Jenise Labreche

12/17/2023

My husband and I attended a small group birth class with Nikki during my 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. We found it to be very valuable and enjoyed the experience. We particularly enjoyed being able to practice pushing, breathing and pain relief techniques demos, and all the visual aids she had throughout the class. This helped me learn more about what to expect on delivery day and what things she would be able to offer me as my doula for pain relief. I highly recommend attending Nikki's class before you deliver! We are now so excited to meet our baby girl! 

Lauren

11/18/2023

Nikki is amazing! Her class is very thorough about everything you need to know, but she teaches it in an engaging way. She is super calm and has great energy! I can't recomend her enough!

Katie Draper

10/28/2023

We had a great experience attending the 2 hr birthing class. Nikki has great energy and helped to simplify concepts in a way that was fun and easy to learn. I feel so much more prepared for birth and my husband is feeling confident as a birthing partner. Highly recommend this class and Nikki! 

Mayra Moats

9/6/2023

Nikki has been amazing to work with! She is so informative and caring and can see that she is passionate about what she does and truly desires for mamas to have the best possible birthing experience! She always listens to any concerns or questions I may have and has helped me work through those concerns/questions. I've truly enjoyed her classes and having her as my labor assistant! 

Dani Morrow

9/3/2023

Nikki held an in person 2-hour labor class for my husband and I. I love how hands on and interactive the class was, personalized to my specific concerns. It made me feel more confident and ready, with less fear for giving birth to my baby boy. I'm looking forward to having Nikki as our doula on the big day! 

Angela Patton

8/29/2023

Nikki was doula for my VBA2C and birth of my 3rd daughter. 

I found Nikki to be extremely sweet, personable and knowledgeable.
She provided me with lots of information, support and was always available to me if I had any questions leading up to the birth. She checked in regularly, sent affirmations of encouragement and provided resources to help me better prepare for what to expect during labor and delivery.
During labor she was amazing, giving me words of encouragement, massage and most importantly assisting me into different positions with the peanut ball, to help guide baby into a better position for delivery. During this time she also answered any questions my husband or I had and gave me a much needed, last minute coaching session on how to push. This really helped to calm my nerves and allowed me to feel more confident in my ability to successfullyc deliver my baby.
I was able to push my daughter out on the 4th set of pushes and within about 10 mins.
After 2 prior c sections I had the most wonderful birthing experience, thanks to my amazing doctor but also due to the valuable support I received from Nikki.
I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to hire a doula for their upcoming birth. 

J Anderson

8/23/2023

Nikki has a gift for teaching and preparing her clients. This is evident in her knowledge, expertise, and passion to help mothers and their families feel safe. Hiring Your Birth Helper and completing the two hour course was been a great decision, and one we have recommended to friends and family who are expecting or wish to be in the future.

Virginia Pereira

7/24/2023

The 4 week Symbiotic Birth Class we took with Nikki is absolutely one of the best investments we've made leading up to the arrival of our son! Nikki is personable, knowledgeable, and always willing and ready to answer our questions in class or outside of class. My husband and I both feel more confident and prepared for birth! We would highly recommend Nikki as your doula!

Jordan

7/23/2023

I started this journey to becoming a Mother with so many questions. Without a Mother of my own I felt like finding a doula would help me answer these questions and give me the stregnth I needed to enter this new chapter. Nikki has answered so many questions for me during our 8 hours of online birthing classes together & has helped me find the sense of calmness I was hoping for. She is genuine, educated, and a wonderful teacher. I couldn't be more grateful for her support and look forward to her help very soon with the birth of our son! 

Denise Tammen

7/12/2023

Nikki is absolutely amazing. I can't imagine giving birth to my first child without her there. She was my biggest cheerleader during delivery. She asked questions no one else did to make sure I was comfortable and having the best experience possible. She included my husband and helped him help me. She is beyond knowledgeable and given the chance to hire her again, I definitely will! Thank you, Nikki!

Amanda

7/4/2023

I hired Nikki to be my birth doula for my 3rd labor and she was amazing all around! I also did her labor workshop and it was super helpful I had learned new things that I never even knew with my first 2 kids. I hired her pretty early into my pregnancy and she constantly checked in and was there whenever I had questions and for support! My partner is very nervous and anti social type of person so he really appreciated her being there to help during my labor, she knew where everything was in the hospital, communicated with the hospital staff and helped soooo much during the different stages and encouraged me to keep going as this was my first 100% unmedicated labor! My labor started late in the night and I didn't even go to the hospital right away so she made sure to keep in touch and come as soon as I needed her once we did decide to go to the hospital! She showed up at around 3:30am (when asked to) about an hour after we got to the hospital and thankfully I've always had quick labors so I booked her for the 6 hours and we ended up having some time left after I gave birth and she didn't just bolt when everything was done she stuck around and made sure we got to our room and had everything we needed before leaving! She also took pictures which was amazing, due to the fact the hospital has minimized how many people can be in the delivery room I didn't have room for a photographer so it was awesome she helped capture the moments of my little girl being born! She really was all around great and became an amazing friend along the way! I definitely recommend her services! 

Natalie Bullington

6/26/2023

I had 4 classes with Nikki and I learned so much! Sitting down with her and going over all the material helped me relax about being a first time mom and the entire process of labor. I have actually been sleeping better since she showed me relaxation videos. I feel so much more prepared to give birth and what to expect. Thank you so much Nikki! 

Raeanne de Melo

6/25/2023

Nikki is a dream to work with! She has an amazing warm calming presence and is very well skilled. I had the pleasure of working alongside her at the Atlanta Birth Center as we helped a client through an unmedicated labor. 

Kristen Ruiz

6/20/2023

I cannot begin to say enough good things about Nikki. After a long journey of trying to conceive (and even longer time learning about birth, doulas, etc.), we were finally expecting our miracle child in June.

I knew I wanted to have a doula on my birth team. From the very start, Nikki was quick to respond, offered to meet us in person for a consultation, and provided us clear information on the process. She let me borrow some fantastic books and offered us many resources and words of encouragement along the way. She was always apprised of my prenatal visits and how baby was doing. She was able to tailor our workshop to focus on subjects that mattered to me and my husband. I was always filled with questions and Nikki never hesitated to validate me and address those questions with patience. She went above and beyond the support tasks of a doula, including offering advice and perspective on the challenges if new motherhood.

When it came time to labor, Nikki helped us have an amazing birth. She encouraged me during a very quick unmedicated labor that started out with some alarming signs. I always felt supported and so did my husband. During the pushing stage, I was having trouble directing my breathing and she brought me back into focus. She worked so well with our midwife and nurses throughout the whole process and even in postpartum, was available for us.

Needless to say, we are so happy and grateful to have had Nikki on our birth team. If you are considering a doula, don't hesitate to contact her.

Whitney Martinez

5/17/2023

From before we even met in person, Nikki provided encouragement and support via text message. She taught a two hour birth class at our house on the stages of labor and tailored the class to our needs, since this was our second pregnancy but first attempt at a medication-free birth. Leading up to my due date, she checked in with me regularly and offered me tips for getting my baby in an optimal position, diet, rest, staying healthy and natural ways to get labor going. She was available at any time I had questions and was on-call to go to the hospital with us whenever were ready. After some prodromal labor, finally I went in to the hospital two days before my due date, and this time it was the real deal! Nikki came as soon as I requested, prepared with essential oils that helped me relax and kept any nausea at bay while I labored. She made sure that my husband and I had everything we needed, and they both supported me as I changed positions, breathed through contractions and tried to stay calm. She did many things to help me stay comfortable, like hip squeezes, bringing me snacks and drinks, massage, finding more pillows, positioning a peanut ball, etc. She worked well with the nurse, midwife and hospital staff and let then nurse know when my water broke and when I was ready to push. Without her, the delivery team may not have gotten into the room quickly enough! She took photos and videos during the actual birth and stayed with me afterwards for a couple of hours, until we were set up in the postpartum room. Nikki helped me feel confident, informed, encouraged, supported and capable during each step of my education for birth, preparation, early labor, active labor, delivery and afterwards. Since then, she has checked in to see how we are settling at home and is coming to visit soon for the postpartum visit included in our contract. 

Ashley Helmrath

4/28/2023

My husband and I just got done discussing (for the dozenth time) how we literally couldn't have imagined doing labor without Nikki. She was a God send to me during the entire process - and to my husband who is a bit queasy in hospitals. My birth plan had an unexpected turn when anesthesiologists refused to give me an epidural due to a blood condition that was unforeseen. Nikki gave me the strength to birth our beautiful girl without it both physically and mentally. I couldnt recommend her services enough. 

Emily L

3/31/2023

Nikki far exceeded my expectations!! My birth experience would not have been the same without her! She was such a calming presence during my whole labor process. She encouraged my husband and me through every stage. I also felt the power to make my own decisions and speak up if anything felt “off” or not what I wanted and Nikki played a big part in supporting me in that! If I have another baby, she will be one of my first phone calls! 

Emilee Clark

3/31/2023

After a previous traumatic birth experience and the loss of a child, I felt strongly that my husband and I would need the support of a doula during labor and delivery of our "surprise" 3rd baby. Nikki instantly made us feel at ease, and especially encouraged my husband that he could be the support that I needed with her coaching. 
She was supportive throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, educated us on the natural birth process in addition to tips/tricks, and gave advice and encouragement when it was needed. 
During and following labor, Nikki supported us both in every way possible, and helped me to achieve my goal of a  VBAC with no pain medication (even though induction was required)! Our birth experience was redeeming and truly beautiful. We are so thankful for her, and highly recommend choosing  her as "Your Birth Helper." 

Alexis

3/27/2023

Nikki was an absolute god send for my labor! She helped my husband and I with some difficult decisions and was constant support while she was with us. She was just what we needed. And even before we arrived to the hospital she did her best to prepare me and make sure I had plenty of resources to make informed decisions. I look forward to having her involved in my future births as well. 

Kimberly Gardner

3/14/2023

Nikki was very courteous and knowledgeable. She was always there to answer any questions I had to the best of her abilities and to direct me to resources for things she couldn't answer. She was extremely helpful and sweet. I couldn't imagine a better doula if I tried. 

Lauren Henderson

1/2/2023

Nikki was fantastic to work with. In the weeks leading up to my son's birth, she checked in with me regularly to see how I was progressing and helped me better understand some of what my midwives were telling me when my amniotic fluid levels dropped. She guided and coached me and my husband through active labor and was a strong presence throughout the four hours of (unmedicated) pushing - she was an essential part of our team and I am so grateful to have worked with her!

Monica

10/13/2022

Nikki was an absolutely amazing doula! This was my first pregnancy and i found Nikki from this website around the beginning of my second trimester, and after a lovely conversation with Pam at yourbirthhelper, I was excited to sign the contract. Nikki was available for questions 24/7 which was very helpful! I had quite the pregnancy with numerous false labor visits to th hospital, and Nikki was always ready to drive over to the hospital with each one if it was go time. Finally I had a very long (almost 4 days!) and complicated labor, and Nikki being there to help me with positions and even feeding me ice chips when my husband was taking a much needed snooze was so helpful! I would highly recommend hiring Nikki as your doula, and also recommend yourbirthhelpers Symbiotic Birth course! 

Brigette

1/3/2022

I couldn't imagine going through labor without having Nikki's support and expertise! She was SOOOO HELPFUL to me and my husband! Key aspects of our birth plan were to avoid an induction, avoid an epidural, and to be mobile, so Nikki helped us convey that to the medical team at the hospital. As a 38-year-old first-time mom, my OB recommended that I be induced at 41 weeks. I'd tried all the natural methods to promote induction for weeks prior (Evening Primrose Oil, walking several miles a day, eating dates, doing prenatal yoga, bouncing on a yoga ball, inversions, acupressure, eating spicy food, sex, etc) in order to avoid having a medical induction, but my little one was just too content in there. Once I agreed to be induced at 41 weeks, I opted to try a mechanical induction to avoid using pitocin. I had a foley bulb placed through the cervix with traction, which came out after about an hour - it was excruciating and every contraction afterwards felt like a knife in an open wound on my cervix. I had contractions every 2-4 minutes with high amplitude for about 12 hours, and Nikki helped me through it the whole time and also helped my husband support me in every labor position imaginable! My cervix just didn't want to finish dilating the last 2-3 cm, so I ultimately got an epidural and pitocin for the last couple of hours. Nikki helped us advocate for our interests to the medical team and she kept us calm during a challenging labor. She stayed with us in the hospital for 18 intense hours! She also took beautiful pictures and videos to capture this life-changing experience, documenting strength and determination in the face of extreme pain and, ultimately, the miracle of life! What an absolute treasure to have these pictures and videos!! I wholeheartedly recommend Nikki and Your Birth Helper to anyone who's pregnant. Nikki guided us and supported us before, during, and after birth to ensure we had the best possible experience and outcome based on our wishes.

Claire Vandervelde

12/31/2021

I had a fabulous experience with Nikki as my doula! She was so sweet and warm and made me feel comfortable. I had a very fast spontaneous labor and she was by my side at the hospital at a moments notice. She helped me achieve my goal of having a medication free birth and she also helped me latch my sweet baby after delivery. I’m so thankful for my birthing experience and for having Nikki there to ensure that everything went smoothly!

Mimi Pettis

7/22/2018

Review Part 2 of 2

Even though she was not physically there, she was so supportive and helped to keep us calm even when we received some disturbing news. At one point, the nurse and midwife mentioned C-Section, but Pam was able to help us navigate this situation with confidence.

Nick and I were so happy when Pam and Nikki arrived, bright and early, the following morning. Unfortunately, we received some more upsetting news. Our ultimate goal was to have a low intervention birth without pain medication however because I wasn’t progressing at the expected rate, they would have to administer Petocin. I was pretty upset, but Pam and Nikki were able to put my mind at ease. As the day progressed Pam and Nikki helped me to manage pain with some amazing natural methods, got to love that peanut ball and head scratcher!! Their assistance also helped Nick and I to stay in a positive headspace which likely helped more than we realized. Believe it or not, they actually made the process pretty fun and enjoyable.

As expected, the last contractions were very difficult for us. I truly believe it would have been much more painful and potentially traumatizing had it not been for Pam and Nikki’s care, encouragement, support and guidance. Nick and I definitely agree that hiring Pam and Nikki was one of the best decisions we could have made. We will definitely be using them again and we highly recommend them to anyone that is looking to have the best “birth” day experience possible. We are eternally grateful to both and proud to be part of their #BirthFamily!!

Mimi Pettis

7/22/2018

Review Part 1 of 2

I’m so thankful that my friend Amanda & her husband Aaron convinced Nick and I to find a doula for our son’s “birth” day. I was elated when I discovered that Amanda’s doula, Pamela Sauls, would be able to assist us personally. Even from our first conversation, before we decided to proceed, Pam was extremely helpful. She was able to give a me a much more realistic idea of what to expect and what myself and my husband needed to do to prepare.

Since I reached out to Pam less than 6 weeks before my due date, Nick and I were not able to attend a full 12 Week Bradley Course. For this reason, she offered a variety of options to fit our busy schedules. Ultimately, we met with she and Nikki Reeves for a Private Workshop. Even before the workshop, Pam spent hours going over and critiquing my birth plan. She was able to teach me so many things I wasn’t aware of in regards to various methods used for induction, monitoring, pain management, etc. My husband and I were so excited to meet Pam and Nikki for our workshop. Although we had already taken another Hospital based birth class several months prior, we really felt like we took away so much more from these few hours and had fun in the process. We practiced several positions and went through several scenarios that we would ultimately use during labor. Additionally, Nick felt so much for more informed and at ease with the process and was able to get a good grasp of what was required from him to be a supportive coach.

Because I was induced at 37 weeks, we expected the process to be a long one. In the days leading up to induction, Pam spoke with us again as a refresher and gave me lots of tips on how to ripen my cervix. Having said that, from initial induction to the birth of my son, the experience lasted about 34 hours. We knew the 1st day would be a long one so Pam was available to assist over the phone anytime we had questions.

Alisha Berkland

6/2/2018

I had such a great experience with Nikki as my doula! I asked her to come right after my OB had an internal monitor inserted. She arrived promptly equipped with the skills to help me have a drug free birth. She also assisted my sister in getting some great photos of me and my husband throughout my labor!

Shortly after her arrival, I had an ultrasound which they used to determine that my baby was posterior. She was knowledgeable about which positions we should try to try to help her get in a better position.  She instructed my husband on how to use my rebozo to sift my belly also. She executed hip squeezes perfectly which really helped me to be more comfortable during the peak of contractions. At one point, i was getting tired and losing stamina, but Nikki was great about keeping me motivated and moving into different positions.

Ultimately, my baby's tachycardia was not able to be managed with saline as it had been before. At that time, my doctor came in. He said to avoid a code blue situation,  it was time for a csection. Since I did not want to have a third cesarean, I was upset. Seeing how upset I was, Nikki asked if I would like for him to come back and explain how he came to that conclusion better. I agreed. Though I think it was hard to hear a second time, I am thankful that Nikki gave me that opportunity. It really helped me think more clearly and know for sure that it was the best decision in the moment.

When I was being prepped for surgery, I thanked Nikki for all of her help and told her she was welcome to leave if she had other obligations to attend to. She replied that she would love to stay to meet our new bundle of joy. That meant a lot to us. I was and am still so thankful for her guidance and emotional support. She told me that i did good when I felt like I failed. I would not have felt like I did everything possible to try to achieve the birth I wanted without Nikki there. We are so thankful for her.