Jill Deschner

4/3/2024

I can’t say enough great things about Heather and our experience with her as our birth doula for our second child. If I had to pick one word to describe our experience with Heather, it would be EMPOWERED. We had hoped to use a doula for our first daughter but due to COVID, we were not able to have an extra support person. Due to this, we were excited when we found Heather and that we would be able to make this experience happen the second time around. Heather was a great resource ahead of the birth and helped us work through what we liked and potentially what we wanted to change in our birth plan for our second child.

When it came to the main event, I ended up being induced and while I had hoped to have an unmedicated birth, I wasn’t sure it would be possible as so many people I had talked to described how much more intense the contractions were under induction. I can honestly say that Heather’s support was definitely key in helping to deliver my daughter without an epidural. She provided excellent suggestions to my husband to help provide me pain relief and her gentle yet assertive voice was something that I leveraged to get me through each contraction. It was also impressive to see the way she worked with the nurses to take a few tasks off their plates, so they could do their jobs better. While we don’t plan to have anymore children, now that we’ve experienced births both with and without doula support, I can’t imagine not having a doula by our side. If you are lucky enough to have that doula be Heather, know that you are in excellent hands!

Spencer Wannop

3/13/2024

The short of it is Heather is phenomenal! 10/10, 100%, 5 stars. Fantastic combination of a birth coach, therapist, cheerleader, and friend all in one!

Heather was gentle and compassionate enough to get my wife into a relaxed state through contractions, while also being assertive and confident enough to keep her there. Not only that, but she was able to coach me as the father on what to do next and was a great helping hand in the delivery room. During the labour, she anticipated our needs, knew what to do and when to do it, and was also a very encouraging presence during both the pregnancy and postpartum stage. Would we have been able to do it without her? Of course, because mothers are amazing. But would we want to? Not a chance.

One great aspect of her service is the partnership arrangement with her counterpart doula, Michelle. It was very reassuring having developed a relationship with both of them. That way we were comfortable with whoever ended up on shift and had very little worry about an unknown backup or substitute. I'm sure if it was Michelle's turn, she would have been equally as awesome! Absolutely worth every penny. I cannot say enough good things about Heather and our experience with both her and Michelle. We'll definitely be returning for baby number two!

From the bottom of my heart, Heather, thank you for being there for us and helping bring the most wonderful little person into our lives.

Cassandra

11/9/2023

Firstly it is such a pleasure to be able to leave a review for Heather! There is not enough words to describe how amazing she is. Heather made my birthing experience immaculate and I am thrilled to have her a part of my story/journey! She gave me such great resources through out pregnancy, as well as did not hesitate to answer any questions I had no matter how big or small. It was a judgement free zone and she helped me in learning how to better advocate for my wants! I’m so grateful to get to know her and have her as an ally. Thank you Heather for such an amazing first time Doula experience, can’t wait for the next one ??

Cassandra

11/8/2023

Firstly it is such a pleasure to be able to leave a review for Heather! There is not enough words to describe how amazing she is. Heather made my birthing experience immaculate and I am thrilled to have her a part of my story/journey! She gave me such great resources through out pregnancy, as well as did not hesitate to answer any questions I had no matter how big or small. It was a judgement free zone and she helped me in learning how to better advocate for my wants! I’m so grateful to get to know her and have her as an ally. Thank you Heather for such an amazing first time Doula experience, can’t wait for the next one ??

Breanne

10/28/2023

I reached out to Heather a week before my scheduled C-Section and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I wanted to chat with someone about my options, since I'd been told the baby was "off the charts" big. I was scared and anxious to give birth but also really wanted that bonding experience with the baby and my husband. Heather and I met for coffee and chatted about all the different options. She was so informed and non-judgemental. She reminded me that I had options within my options. If I wanted a c-section that didn't mean I had to forego skin to skin or delayed cord clamping after birth and it didn't mean I had to forego a doula either.  Ultimately I chose to be induced at 39 weeks and Heather was there every step of the way. She was somehow both calm and energetic in the delivery room. She was full of information and guidance not only for me, but for my husband too. She provided me with support after birth too, fielding questions about breastfeeding and so much more.   I honestly don't think we could have done it without her. If you're on the fence about hiring a doula, I'd recommend that you do. I can't say enough good things about Heather. 

Makayla

10/22/2023

GOD SENT. I knew the second I met her she was the one to support me through my first birth. She showed up excited calm and stuck by my side even hours after babe was earthside. She helped me have the natural unmedicated out of hospital birth I wanted. She showed me I was working with my baby. With each contraction. She reminded me to breath to calm and to know that each one was bringing babe closer to me. She stayed after birth and helped me with breastfeeding, dressing walking. Emotions and so much more. At one point I thought I didn't need support until I met Heather. She will forever be in my thoughts she was a part of such a beautiful forever memory and will be a part of each birth I have without a doubt she is amazing 

Liam Cox

10/3/2023

Heather was the calm in the storm I needed when my wife's birth wishes started to become derailed! When we realized it was going to be a cesarean birth, my wife and I leaned on Heather's emotional support and knew we could face what was to come! We were extremely lucky as the medical team allowed for Heather to come into the OR with us which we know isn't always the case for some families! We felt a huge sense of calmness and relief with Heather being by our side and I felt like I could be who my wife needed me to be while I sat beside her, knowing that Heather had my back while I had Paula's. From our first prenatal visits Heather allowed me to feel empowered and heard and created a safe space for me to feel vulnerable and included in the entire process with my wife! As the husband I wanted to be as helpful as I could and not feel helpless and Heather was able to teach me how to do that!! After my wife gave birth, Heather stayed with us for support in recovery and made sure we were settling in with our baby girl back in our room before lovingly leaving us to be a new family of 3! We are so blessed and lucky to have her in our lives and if we have another baby one day, Heather will be first to know so we can have her along for the journey again!! We cant recommend her enough and if you're unsure if you want a doula or not, this is your sign to have one, and make it Heather!! We could have done it without her, because she helped show us that we could, but it wouldn't have been the same at all!! 

A & L Peters

8/15/2023

Heather is a passionate and dedicated doula, a warm and enthusiastic person, and she authenticly cares about childbirth and empowering parents with personalized support and evidence-based information.

We didn't get "the birth story" we wanted but felt we had the support we needed to navigate many difficult choices with the compassionate, listening ear of Heather and her ability to bring us back to our priorities and intentions - which was an essential factor in us feeling empowered through what was a very difficult birth story.

While working with Heather you experience and benefit from her supportive planning and preparation tools and ideas, her helpful and timely resources and most of all the labour practices and guides along with her encouraging and inspiring coaching during labour.

She had a phenomenal ability to understand, validate and reflect our values and priorities. We are so grateful for her approach to include both parents as partners and the non-pregnant partner to be empowered and prepared.

I hate to use cliches but Heather is dependable and engaged to a fault. She absolutely went above and beyond for us and even called in back-up support when we needed it (& is completely accurate in saying her first call, Michelle, is an equally dedicated, compassionate and skilled doula and all-around lovely person).

Her postpartum vists were very helpful with information around baby care/sleeping and breastfeeding - even if just to provide reassurance. It's definitely a great support!

I believe it is essential to have a connection with whichever Doula you choose, but it is so easy to see how Heather would connect well with anyone!

Jeremy Martel

2/14/2023

I cannot recommend Heather highly enough for her incredible support and guidance during the birth of our second son. From the moment we met her, we felt comfortable and confident that she would be an integral part of our birth team.

She was such a calming and reassuring presence during the labor and delivery. Providing exceptional support to both my wife and I, helping us navigate the intensity of a 19.5hr labor and delivery. Ensuring that we felt empowered and in control throughout the entire process. It was incredibly reassuring having her there.

Her extensive knowledge of birth and her expertise in comfort measures, positioning, and breathing techniques were invaluable. She helped us make informed decisions and advocated for our wishes every step of the way. She provided physical and emotional support, and her gentle guidance and encouragement helped us achieve the birth experience we wanted.

Overall, I would highly recommend Heather to anyone looking for a skilled, compassionate, and knowledgeable doula. She truly went above and beyond.

Thank you so much for everything you did to support us during this special time. We are forever grateful for your expertise, guidance, and kindness.

Sincerely,
Jeremy & Jena

Alana

1/24/2023

We had a great experience with Heather as a doula. She has an incredible wealth of knowledge and resources to share, and she really is available 24/7 to answer all of your questions and concerns. I felt secure and confident knowing that Heather was there for support as we prepared for our home birth and then as we continued into our postpartum recovery. It is so nice to have a person who is not only educated but also has ample experience there for support. Would recommend Heather if you are looking for a doula for your own birthing experience.

Carrie Properzi

12/19/2022

Heather provided much more than a "service" for my husband and I during my pregnancy and the birth of our son. She now feels like a part of our family after this special experience. 

She came with excellent knowledge and shared very valuable resources. The support we received during labor and childbirth was absolutely amazing and I cannot find enough words to describe how incredible her presence was. 

Heather is kind, compassionate, well educated and a very special individual. If we are lucky enough to have a second child, she will be one of my first calls. We couldn't have done it without her!

Paula Smith Cox

11/23/2022

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain" - Heather danced with us in the rain every step of our journey. The support and love my husband and I received from Heather was unimaginable. My birth wishes were respected and heard, and when my vision our our birth went out the window due to baby's position, Heather was the one to understand my disappointment and help us find ways to navigate the journey in a way more positive light than I could've seen on my own! We had a scheduled cesarean birth and we were able to have her in the delivery room, thanks to the decision by the medical staff. Heather became the calming safety blanket surrounding my husband and I in my deepest moments of panic. She was able to help ground us by reminding us of the love we share and the love we have for our miracle baby girl. With her on our team, it created the foundation for the confidence my husband had in him to come to the forefront and he felt empowered because she saw him in the moments he needed to be seen. She was his quiet rock so that he could be there for me, knowing that Heather was right there behind him. Heather helped us to laugh through the tears, cheer us on when we needed a pick me up, love on us through our fear and pain, and understood that there's a bigger story to birth than just what's happening in that moment. For us, our grief from previously losses was acknowledged and cared for in ways that I will always be grateful for. Heather stayed with us until we were settled back into our room and safe as a new little family of three. We say she's like a fairy godmother, there to set you up for greatness and then steps back to let you shine together, while being there to give her all to you in whatever way is needed most.  
The memories she helped us create will stay with our family for a lifetime and if we our able to have another child, Heather will be our first call to have join us again!

Brooklynn & Brian

11/3/2021

We have been fortunate to have Heather present for the birth of both our children. While pregnant with our first, we were unsure of what to expect during labour and delivery and decided a doula would be beneficial to support us through the process. We had no idea the caliber of care Heather would provide but have said countless times since, having Heather present was the best decision we could have made.

Heather has a wealth of evidenced based information and resources to share throughout pregnancy and provided encouragement and support leading up to delivery. Both our babies took their time with their arrival but Heather validated our feelings and experiences as we not so patiently waited.

I was induced with our first born and delivered in a hospital where Heather helped me through every single contraction and supported my husband, she would suddenly have cold drinks, warm blankets and always knew exactly what to say to assist us during our son’s birth . There is absolutely no way I could have laboured as well as I did, unmedicated without her constant support and confidence in me.

Our second was a planned home birth and once again Heather provided exceptional care throughout pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum. She has great techniques to use during contractions and provides support in-between.

Heather is the most amazing doula, she is compassionate and caring and an active advocate for you when you need it most.

Sara

9/22/2021

Hiring Heather to be our doula for the birth of our second child was the best decision we could have made. My husband and I both feel strongly that the experience would not have been the same without her. The birth of our first son was a traumatic experience coupled with a long recovery: not an experience we were eager to repeat. I leaned on Heather for an understanding ear, she really heard my concerns and empowered me to create a different story with the birth of my second son. She was a calming presence during the birth, offering guidance and encouragement. She went above and beyond to make sure my husband was included, heard and supported throughout the pregnancy and delivery, giving him the confidence to support me and confidence in his role as a dad.
Heather is an understanding and compassionate person. She is every mom, she is the mom you want to help you and hold you, and the mom you want to be. Heather has a beautifully calming energy that is the icing on the cake to her knowledge of her profession.
It is because of Heather that our second son’s birth story was overall a positive and joyful experience, something I didn't even think could be possible after my first birth experience. We are truly thankful for Heather! 

Tammy Ritz

4/25/2021

Heather was there to help deliver both of my children. She has a strong, kind and confident character that, I believe, could command a strength and calm in myself when I needed it the most. My first birth experience caught me off guard and instilled a lot of fears for my second one. My spouse meant well, but wasn't capable of caring for me the way I needed to be for labor. I knew I needed Heather as my primary labor partner for the second one. She not only had experience with me from my first birth but also incredible lifelong experience as a mum and as a woman who has attended many births. We discussed at length all my fears and what needed to change for the second time. I felt heard and understood and somehow had the courage to plan a home birth a few weeks before the due date, knowing I had good support. When the day finally arrived, Heather did a phenomenal job in using different techniques to take the edge off. She kept me hydrated, fed and motivated. She practically carried all my weight and did countless hip squeezes, which is not easy. She stroked my hair and mentored each contraction and took pictures. I don't know how she did all that. My husband was able to rest and focus on aiding the midwives in gathering what was needed. I successfully had an unmedicated home birth and it was glorious and redeeming and I don't think I could have done it without her. 

Anna P.

3/12/2021

Worth every penny and more! We signed up for doula service at Chavah and we are in love with our doula, Heather, who is the most wonderful human being. The emotional support my husband and I received was priceless. Our baby decided to come a month early, which was a huge surprise and quite emotionally distressing. I wanted a homebirth; however, our midwife appointment went sideways and we ended up in the hospital for "routine blood tests", which then turned into "you are giving birth ASAP". I hate hospitals and I didn't want to be there. Heather's appearance in the-nick-of-time when I was losing my cool was a true blessing. She calmed me down and made my hospital triage experience wonderful! She brings the feeling of home with her, which goes to show that home can be anywhere if you are with the right people:) The contractions were amazingly bearable and became more meditative because of Heather's support and, ofcourse, my husband as well. But I feel that Heather brought out the good and grounded both my husband and I, which made the "pre-labour" contractions the way they were. When the OB notified us that our baby was not able to handle the pre-labour contractions and that I would need immediate c-section, I was so glad to have Heather by our side because of the emotional support she provided allowed me to make the right decision for us. We went from home birth to the polar opposite, c-section. That transition would not have been possible without Heather. She was not just a "service provider" to us. We came to consider Heather our fairy god mother:) 

Jessica

3/9/2021

Having Heather be apart of our birth with our firstborn made for such a positive, satisfying experience, we never could have imagined how things would have went without her guidance, love, and support through the entire journey. I can't express how grateful we are that she was our doula. She goes above and beyond and is such a caring, fun person it put both of us at ease. Heather was like a fairy godmother for us. Both my husband and I were more relaxed and calm knowing she was there for us. She took care of our needs and made sure I stayed hydrated during labor which really helped me feel great and had a quicker recovery time. Having that support person to turn to was great for my husband, I can't imagine him having to go through it without support and not know what comes next, and the same for me. I am beyond grateful for her support during labor, it was her voice and holding my husband's hand that kept me focused and helped to have an all natural birth. The pictures she took right after the babies arrival are such precious memories. Having a doula, especially Heather, was the best decision we could have made for our family! 

Samantha Brett

3/9/2021

Our experience with Heather as our Doula was everything we had hoped and more. She was extremely supportive throughout all phases of our pregnancy journey. Heather supported us with the birth of our daughter, and again 2.5 years later with the Birth of our son. She provided a sense of calm when times got a bit hectic, offered a shoulder to lean on when needed (literally!), and not only did she provide the emotional support to me as a new Mother, she was there for my spouse when he was a bit overwhelmed during the labour process. If there is ever a third baby, we will be calling Heather to share the journey with our family again. Since our families are so far away geographically, Heather was a really wonderful support person in ways we didn't imagine needing support. She is knowledgeable about all aspects of her Doula profession, she stays current with new techniques for labour and recovery, as well as lactation consulting and post partum support. As a Mother of three herself, she has a nurturing quality that is felt and appreciated during the times when you just need someone there to feed you water through a straw or rub your back- those little things that Moms do best! We recommend Heather for all your Doula needs!

Jessie Oommen

8/20/2020

Heather was a great doula for us with our firstborn! I was so anxious pre-labour and she helped give me the confidence that I can do it! During labour she was by my side offering encouragement and a cool cloth for my head. And after our little boy was born, she was available for all my questions; she helped me with breastfeeding and gave me access to so many different resources. Heather is incredibly kind, encouraging and knowledgeable as both a doula and a mother. Would definitely recommend for anyone needing a doula! 

Sonali Ritz

8/20/2020

Heather had been a massive support during the delivery of my first child. Nothing had gone according to my birth plan and my husband and midwife were hours away which made me feel completely out of control. Heather was calm, reassuring and obviously had the experience that my husband wouldn't have had. I had even vomitted all over her and she had'nt even flinched. She coached me through my breathing and helped me with positions and was definitely the kindest face in the room. I felt even more solidified in my decision to use her services when she came to visit me a week after my son was born and I definitely had the sense that she was like the friend that had been through it all with me. Love her kind nature and hope to use her again.

Kasara Toth

12/24/2019

Heather was our doula for the birth of our son this past November. This was our first baby and we had no idea what to expect. As a new mother I was very nervous about the whole process and had a lot of anxiety surrounding my upcoming birth. 
Heather's kindness, knowledge and careful non-biased guidance was unbelievable. She helped me to write my own birth story and create an experience I am proud of.
A birth can take many paths and Heather helped us learn how to decide for ourselves. She included my husband and made us both feel incredibly informed and empowered. The delivery of our son was a positive experience and I know that this truly would have gone very differently without Heather's outstanding support. She was with us from the beginning prenatal visits right through a 23 hour labour and all the way to post partum! Having her as part of this milestone in our lives was one of the best decisions we have ever made. We are so blessed to have met Heather!