Megan

8/16/2023

Thank goodness for Maria.

We knew we wanted to work with a doula early on and interviewed several before chatting with Maria. Immediately after speaking with her, my husband and I looked at each other and agreed that she was the best fit for us. We were looking for someone science-based, patient, and kind who could act as an advocate and advisor for both of us throughout the pregnancy journey; Maria was all that and more.

Maria helped us prepare with in-depth discussions of the labor process. She was incredibly patient in answering our questions and recording our preferences. She asked about all the little nuances that might make the experience more or less difficult for each of us and helped come up with approaches that aligned with our vision for the birth.

As a first-time mom, I had a lot of questions and concerns that felt very dismissed by the hospital staff during my labor. Maria made me feel validated and did her absolute best to make my concerns heard. Maria helped me work through the exhaustion and discomfort of labor, literally drying my tears and suggesting different ways to try to ease the physical symptoms.

Maria was indispensable during and after delivery. She reminded the hospital staff of my preferences and helped advocate for me when those preferences were dismissed. She helped my husband keep me calm and updated me on what was going on at all points. She stayed with me while my husband accompanied my son to the NICU and made sure that I was emotionally okay, got food, and had any questions answered. 

Maria followed up with us several times in the subsequent weeks to make sure we were okay. I am so grateful that Maria was our doula. She is so kind, thoughtful, attentive, and patient. I've already recommended her to several friends and have no reservations continuing to do so here. She was one of the best decisions we made for our pregnancy, labor, and delivery experience.

Andrea

8/15/2023

Maria is the best! Overall, Maria is amazing and supportive, both emotionally and with science backed research. I am convinced that having Maria part of my birth journey is what made it such a positive experience for my whole family. I am definitely looking forward to working with her again and am planning on contacting her the moment I find out I am pregnant again! More details below:

Maria was the best fit for us. She worked with us to tailor a package that fit our needs. Maria was a great listener, envoked great conversations between my husband and me, and was very responsive to any questions we asked. She was able to provide us research backed information to help guide our decisions. 

During early labor, Maria was very responsive by phone and text while I was briefly in the hospital. She helped lay out my options and risks and supported me in my decision to labor at home. While laboring at home, Maria checked in often and sent me resources. I felt supported and comfortable through every step. Maria even had to step out for a bit while another client went into labor. Maria made sure that I was comfortable with her back up doula, who was also fantastic. Lucky for me, Maria was back with me before my labor progressed.

When I went to the hospital, Maria was there to meet us and again was very supportive. She made sure that all the hospital staff was aware of my birth preferences. She even went and bought us dinner while I napped after my epidural and it was clear that I would give birth after the hospital kitchen closed. Through labor and post labor, Maria helped navigate every decision that needed to be made and helped both my husband and I understand everything that was going on. Lastly, we asked Maria to have a postpartum visit about a month after birth. She helped me with pumping, breastfeeding, trying to get our baby to nap, folded laundry, and helped us navigate our emotions after birth and with a baby in the house.

Samantha

8/15/2023

Maria was amazing and I would highly recommend her! My LO was a full 2 weeks late and Maria was my sounding board and voice of reason,  providing me with calm guidance and reassurance through all of my appointments. She would explain everything my midwives we're recommending, what my options were and what questions to ask. It's because of her I felt confident in my choices and had the birth experience I wanted. At 42 weeks I had a precipitous labor - meaning my LO arrived in under 3 hours! Because LO came so fast, Maria arrived just after our LO, but because of our meetings with her, my husband felt confident in supporting me. When she arrived a few minutes after LO, she immediately started taking care of me and took all stress off of my husband and me so we could bond with our baby. Maria is an amazing doula and wonderful human! We hope we'll get to work with her again! 

Deb and Blake

5/9/2023

Where to start. Maria has been our guiding light through the births of both of our boys. From the chaos of our first delivery where every step of the induction process did not go as planned to the smooth and speedy experience of our second, Maria was by our side the whole way. She was our advocate, our teacher, and our friend. She took the time to get to know us so that she knew how to be the best support person for us. She is knowledgeable, research based, and up to date on hospitals, procedures, and care. It wasn't all about me either. She included my husband in every step of the process and made sure we both felt as calm, in control, and present as possible. As our boys grow up, they will definitely know who Maria is and how she helped us complete our family. Thank you Maria! We are forever grateful!

Drew

10/4/2021

Maria is what made our birth a miracle. She is so kind, so curious, so disarming. In the most challenging moments, it was as if she always knew what to do in an attuned, and often cheerful way. She is clearly one of those rare people who have found her calling and relishes all the moments of birth. From cookies at post-partum visits, to genuinely fun Zoom sessions, I wish we could bottle her up and bring her to every birth we ever have.  Hard to describe how blessed I feel as a partner to have had Maria care for my wife, child, and me on each step of the way. The world needs a hundred million Marias.

Lizzie

10/4/2021

I can't imagine giving birth without Maria!! Even through mostly virtual prenatal meetings, Maria's warmth and humor immediately made us feel comfortable with her. Her expertise inspired a lot of trust. Maria strikes a great balance of being INCREDIBLY knowledgable about all things birth while also communicating respect for everyone's individual choice. Maria is an incredible advocate for whatever your birth goals are. During my birth, Maria provided invaluable emotional and physical support, helped me get baby into a more optimal position, and helped me navigate the recommendations of my hospital's midwife team in an informed and empowered way. I have no doubt that I met my birth goals thanks to Maria's support, and would recommend her 10/10 to all of my best friends. 

Nick/Carly

7/28/2021

Maria was simply the best! I don't think we can say enough good things about her. She was with us every step of the way from birthing classes to labor and delivery. As first time parents, the birthing classes we did with Maria were great and really got us ready for what to expect. She has such a beautiful soul and brought the best energy to our delivery! She really advocated for us and our wishes in the hospital and made sure that we were empowered throughout the entire experience. She is so knowledgeable and has clearly put in the time to be an expert. Having that knowledge and background with us throughout the process was so reassuring. On top of her wealth of knowledge, Maria is just the nicest person you will ever meet. She is so easy going, fun to be around, and has this calming demeanor that always put us at ease. 

Maria truly went above and beyond for us and we are beyond blessed to have shared our birthing experience with her. 

Christina C.

5/28/2021

I could not imagine a more perfect prenatal, birthing & postnatal experience from a doula than the one I had with Maria. I cannot express the level of professionalism, expertise, support & overall warmth that Maria brings to the life of a client, but I will try my best! I was incredibly nervous as I entered into my second pregnancy after a very traumatic first birth with my son. I had a doula present at my first child's birth and was receiving care through a midwife at a birthing center, but I ended up requiring an emergency cesarean while under anesthesia in the hospital. Maria's warmth and openess immediately made me feel welcome where I was in my pregnancy and birth journey. Maria makes you feel heard and conversation about anything is welcome.  At our first meeting I knew Maria was the kind of warm and understanding doula I would want to help support and coach me through my second pregnancy. She was not only warm and supportive about my expressed birth choices, but knowledgable and informed about birth and the importance of emotional wellbeing. I was so relieved to tell Maria about my first birth and how I was hoping for an unmedicated, vaginal birth but would welcome what unfolded as labor happened. With Maria, we had discussed all birth wishes and specificially walked through what would happen should the need for a repeat cesarean arise. Maria's preparation allowed me to go into birth without any fear. Maria will forever be the most comforting source throughout my entire labor as she helped walk me through decisions with staff, gave hip squeezes & ALWAYS made me feel safe. As someone who was fearful of hospital settings and staff, Maria made me feel like I was never alone or in danger.The level of safety and security I felt during birth could not have been achieved without Maria. In the end, I had the vaginal birth I had dreamed of with my daughter. It was the most healing moment. I am forever thankful.

Hannah

1/7/2021

Choosing to hire Maria was the best decision I made for my 2nd pregnancy and birth experience. I also had a doula while I was pregnant with my first child, but the experience with Maria doesn't even compare. During delivery it felt like I had a trusted friend there with me, she made me feel so strong and empowered that I pushed for less than 20 minutes before my little boy was in the world.

Maria also always made sure that I understood and fully consented to everything that the doctors were telling me during my labor. It was so comforting to have her there to remind me that I could labor how I felt most comfortable.

Maria is kind, and thoughtful, and a joy to be around. She brings so much light into the labor and pregnancy process making it so much easier on the birthing person. If you choose to welcome Maria onto your pregnancy journey, you will not regret it.

Jill Burke

3/30/2020

We had a wonderful experience with Maria as our doula. When I first met Maria she was warm and friendly, and most importantly non-judgemental. I had interviewed one other doula but was pretty set on Maria from the beginning. We had a few meetings which were really important not just for me, but to get my husband more involved and more aware of what his role was. We felt that talking things out with our doula helped us both feel more prepared and more united. When my labor began Maria came over and helped to keep me comfortable while my husband got things prepared and organized. It was really helpful to have her there to keep the environment calm and to keep me in a healthy state of mind. When my labor suddenly kicked into high gear, things started to move very quickly. I was very lucky that I was able to have the natural birth that I had hoped for but I know Maria would have advocated for me if things turned out differently. I think just knowing she was there helped to keep me confident that things would turn out okay. I wish everyone had the opportunity to work with a doula!Their philosphy and support really makes a difference in the birth experience. Maria was so kind and I would highly recommed her to a friend. 

Amira Batista

2/19/2020

Maria was the perfect doula for me and my husband. She has such great, warm, comforting energy. Maria is light hearted and makes you feel like you are capable of anything. Her being there to rub my feet, ease my back labor, be my advocate and make sure we were eating was invaluable. I really feel like she not only allowed me to enjoy my birth, but my husband was able to be really be present because he had a partner by his side. Thank you Maria!!!

Yelena

2/14/2020

Choosing to have Maria as my Doula was the best decision I've ever made with my pregnancy. She is the perfect balance of science and soul. She was a resource who provided helpful information and also an emotional support system when I needed it most. The best part about Maria is that she has a way of completely empowering the woman she is helping by following the mother's intuition and doing so as a guide so you never feel alone or afraid in the process. My daughter came fast and furiously in a natural birth and I know I wouldn't have had such a successful delivery if it wasn't for Maria. Even after birth, she as a warm presence who checked in on me and my family not just because she had a postpartum visit as part of her services, but because she cares deeply and genuinely. I had a different doula for my first pregnancy and she didn't even come close to the knowledge, support, and connection that I received from Maria. Maria makes me want to have a baby every year! Any woman would be lucky to know her, call her a friend, and have her part of her birth story. 

Socheata

2/11/2020

Maria is such an amazing doula! I could not imagine what my first pregnancy would be like if she was not a part of it. Maria’s knowledge and support gave me and my husband a peace of mind since we were entering unknown territory for the first time. The prenatal meetings were very informative. Maria made sure to touch upon all major topics (i.e. natural birth, epidurals, C-sections) and answered every question we had. Learning more about my pregnancy and what could happen during labor & delivery made me feel empowered and comfortable with what I was going through. My husband also appreciated Maria for including him in the birthing process, making sure she understood his needs and offering guidance on how he can support me during my pregnancy and L&D. When that special day came, my labor was extremely fast. Maria responded immediately by phone and text when I was laboring at home in the early morning and rushed as soon as she could when we found out by the midwife that I was fully dilated and ready to push upon arrival to the hospital. This was a great surprise to us all! Maria arrived just after the delivery (which took less than 45 minutes!) and immediately jumped into action. While everyone attended to the baby, Maria stayed by my side making sure I was doing well. She encouraged me to try and breastfeed my baby during skin-to-skin, which was a success! She also greeted my in-laws when we were waiting in the delivery room and helped us get settled during recovery. In the post-partum meeting, my baby loved being held by Maria! She was really sweet in making sure I was well physically, emotionally, and mentally. I highly recommend Maria in being part of this beautiful journey.

Christine M.

2/1/2020

We LOVED working with Maria and are so happy we found her. Not only did we feel an instant connection with her bright, trusting personality, but she was honest with us about her birth experiences as a doula and helped us come to some important realizations immediately upon meeting. We enjoyed all our meetings with her prior to our birth and were so thankful to have her input during the labor process. As fate had it, another of Maria's clients went into labor around the same time causing her to call in backup for us. Fortunately, we cant say enough good things about Maria's backup doula! Once Maria was free to join us, she came to guide us through the birth of our daughter, including some important decisions that we had to make and we were so thankful she was there. 

We just can't say enough wonderful things about Maria. If you have the opportunity to work with her, please do!!

Alex Batista

1/23/2020

I think that finding Maria was the best thing that could have happened to us. Since this was our first child we very nervous and scared but Maria helped ease us into everything from the start. Her ability to calmly and thoroughly explain different subject matters truly gave us the confidence to be open and honest with her. As a new father, I knew that I needed some help cheering on my wife during labor and handling some of the doctor's questions/concerns/comments. Maria did a great job of stepping into whatever role she needed to without thinking twice. This was a HUGE relief as I was able to spend more time with my wife during labor (which I know she greatly appreciated). 

We view Maria as one of our good friends and not only a doula (she's a FANTASTIC doula by the way). All three of us clicked from the moment we met and I hope that she will be available for the birth of our next child. Thank you so much Maria!

Alessandra

1/22/2020

Few people in this world you know are meant for a path and with Maria you could just feel she was meant to support bringing babies into this world. Her demeanor calmed even the most tenured of nurses and brought a wave of peace and empowerment as a soon to be mother. I felt I was aware of the options, understood the process (thanks to all her prenatal sessions!) and most importantly had a voice amongst the many nurses and doctors. She was open to all our thoughts, honest and friendly. She is the kind of person you would want on any of life's journeys but most importantly bringing a child into the world. 
Her postpartum visit was one we looked forward to and as a new mother a moment of clarity and calm in those busy first days. The warmth and love she showed our baby was something we still can't quite find today (we wish she was also a full time caregiver!!).
Words can not express the love we have for our baby or the gratitude to Maria for supporting us through the journey of bringing him into this world. 

Jess D

9/15/2019

 
 
Maria was a wonderful addition to our birth team and having her present created the perfect balance for me and my husband. From the first consultation meeting, she helped to melt away some of my anxiety related to our approaching birth. The more that we spoke during our visits, I felt more comfortable talking about my worries that were birth related. She was the perfect fit for our family, possessing all the qualities that we had hoped to find in our doula- down-to-earth, real, open-minded, knowledgeable, respectful, and compassionate. Maria empowered us to look at our birth and create a vision for what we wanted, something I had not considered. In creating these birth preferences, it helped us to realize that we had a say in our birth and that “birth” wasn’t simply something that happened or was done to us. Essentially, she helped us to find our voice. The visits with Maria prior to our birth, in addition to the hypnobirthing training, helped us as first-time parents to approach the birth of our son as ready as we would have ever been. Throughout the birth experience, she helped me to remain true to myself and my wish of having the birthing room kept calm despite the hospital environment. She supported us in creating a birth space where I was able to laugh, cry, and channel strength that I didn’t know I’d had- yes! “laughs,” we shared many of them. Initially the idea of birth was met with much resistance and fear as often birth is in our society, but because of the emotional and educational support Maria provided, I was able to cultivate a shift in my thinking and idea of birth, one that was filled with more empowerment, strength, resilience, and happiness. Due to the work we did beforehand, we were able to enter our birth journey with less worry and more excitement. We have nothing but gratitude for the experience we had with her and would welcome her into our future birth spaces.

Julia M.

7/18/2019

I hired Maria this past spring when I was pregnant with my first, and I consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made. After meeting with Maria for an introduction, I was instantly comfortable around her, and she listened to us without judgment. We left that meeting confident that she would put us in a great position to have a positive birth experience. 

Before working with Maria, I thought most of her help and support would be centered on me, the mother, during labor and delivery. But I wasn't expecting all the support she would provide in the months and weeks leading up to the birth, and how much my husband would also benefit from her support. Working with Maria forced us to think and talk about the birth even more than we might have otherwise, which brought up a lot of feelings and emotions for me - including fear. But recognizing these fears and emotions ahead of time allowed me to work through them well in advance of actual labor and delivery, which let me go into the birth of my son with more confidence. Maria was also completely understanding of these feelings, and encouraged me to share anything and everything with her. I also appreciated that she checked in with me in between visits. It was nice to have another person I could talk to about anything pregnancy, labor, or baby-related. 

Maria was also able to help my husband feel empowered during one of the most stressful and emotional times of his life. She was a resource for him to lean on, and gave him the tools to feel like a confident, capable partner during labor and delivery.

My ultimate goal was to have an unmedicated vaginal birth, which I was able to accomplish, thanks in large part to Maria's support, guidance, and reassurance. Her knowledge of effective laboring positions helped my labor progress naturally. Maria is incredibly smart and inspires total confidence, but she's also kind and extremely generous. 

Tanya Tangarife

7/15/2019

After my first meeting with Maria, I called my husband and cried happy tears of joy, because I loved her so much and felt a connection to her. I knew she was the doula for me and I knew I would be able to accomplish my goals with her. She is down to earth, honest and real. This was my fourth delivery, but first time hiring a doula. It was by far the best experience of my life. I had an unmedicated water birth and I absolutely could not have done it without Maria. She is passionate about what she does and it shows. My children, husband and friends that were present at my birth all love Maria also! I told my sister in law about her and she hired her as well. Every birthing person deserves and needs a doula! 

Andrew Baber

6/27/2019

Maria was unbelievably helpful from beginning to end. She met with us twice before our daughter was born to go over the labor and delivery process (and told us stuff we never would have otherwise known), made sure we had a plan in place and helped us figure out strategies for both the birth and the days after.

When Maria joined us at the hospital, she immediately went to work and knew exactly what to ask for and how to make both of us as comfortable and relaxed as possible. She provided utterly irreplaceable physical, vocal and emotional support during and after labor. While some of our nurses were helpful, none of them could even come close to giving the level of care and attention that Maria brought with her. I can say with certainty that the entire process would have been more stressful, painful and panic-inducing without Maria's calming presence.

Even after our daughter was born, Maria has continued to provide insight, tips and support. I recommend Maria to anyone who wants a delightful, intuitive, experienced and empathetic coach as their personal tour guide on the wild journey that is childbirth.

Kaye

6/19/2019

I can’t say enough how wonderful Maria is. She is an empowering birth partner who is knowledgeable, down to earth, and truly dedicated to her work. Her passion for her craft is demonstrated in the time she spends getting to know her clients and doing her utmost to support them in every way possible physically and emotionally during the birth process. She helped me welcome my son into the world with humor and reinforced my birth plan flawlessly. Her encouragement was tireless. She made me feel supported and comforted me when I needed it most.  Prior to the birth, she was always available to answer my questions or listen to my concerns. She put us at ease during every meeting and every phone call. She made my childbirth experience truly a positive and powerful one. I highly recommend her! 

Erin

4/24/2019

Maria was an awesome support for the end of our pregnancy, delivery and immediate post-partum. She is knowledgeable and helped me make informed decisions about all parts of the process without being pushy or biased. She provided clear, compassionate information. She was such a cheerleader for me as I went past my due date, and had a challenging labor. She went above and beyond to empower me while I waited on our baby, advocate with me in the hospital and help debrief after delivery. I had a brief illness after our daughter's birth, and Maria mobilized her doula community to help find sources of donor milk over the weekend. No matter what we faced, Maria was there with us to see us through. It made a world of difference in our experience with pregnancy and birth. Maria was also very intentional in empowering and involving my husband in our labor and delivery. He was able to partner with me with her guidance and coaching. I am so grateful that we elected to hire a doula, and I am beyond grateful that we found Maria. I recommend her without reservation to anyone interested in making informed decisions about their birth experience, and hoping to embrace their labor and delivery with courage and assurance that "they can do this!" 

Aaron Weiner

3/31/2019

I went into our experience with Maria never hearing of the idea of a doula or knowing what doula meant. I would’ve guessed a doula was a body part in Latin. 

My wife had met Maria and proposed the idea to me. Half of me liked the idea of having someone else involved that knows what they’re doing the other half was admittedly sceptical to involve someone and feared she may step on my toes in the process.

Maria’s process was amazing from the first time I met her. She came over to our home and gave me the opportunity to ask any questions I had at all and express concerns I had about working with a doula. She made the entire experience about what I and more importantly what my wife wanted for our sons birth.

Leading up to and during the birth Maria was an amazing part of our team, using her knowledge and background to make it a phenomenal experience. I never once felt intruded upon. She interfaced with the delivery team at the hospital seamlessly and helped us communicate what we needed and took so many little things off our plate throughout. 

I’d work with Maria again in a heartbeat and recommend her to anyone. She helped make our birth a very special experience. 

Julie Butters

3/2/2019

As soon as we met Maria, I knew she was a good match for us. I felt like I'd known her for years and she wasn't earthy-crunchy like I was afraid all doulas were. She is the perfect balance of knowledgeable, kind, professional, and positive. Even though we waited until 2 weeks before my due date to book a doula, she made us feel comfortable and more confident right away about the labor and delivery process as first time parents. I already felt supported by my husband and family, but having someone dedicated to my labor and delivery helped me relax. Maria was great at responding quickly to any questions we had and helped me ask my OB more detailed questions during my last appointments. I enjoyed our prenatal session and I was glad she went into a lot of detail so we could discuss my comfort levels and be on the same page. Once I was in labor, she came as soon as I asked. She helped us stay calm and relaxed, and knew the right questions to ask the nurses and doctors through the whole event. Maria visited us the day after we came home from the hospital and was a wonderful resource during the postpartum period. I plan on recommending her to friends and family in the future and would book her again in a heartbeat if I ever decide to have another baby.

Peter Schiffman

3/2/2019

My wife and I have used the services of a Doula for both births. Maria was our Doula for baby number two. Having a Doula for our first seemed like a strange concept and I was uncertain of the role they would take. I didn’t want to be replaced either. I had an open mind and boy was I glad we used the services of a Doula. Maria was kind, gentle, tough when needed, punctual, on time and always available. My wife was much more relaxed knowing we had a team at birth as was I. When you’re in the delivery room there’s lots of action happening and it’s fantastic to have another person for support. Thank you Maria!

Jen Schiffman

2/25/2019

How do I begin to write a review for Maria? When we met her, we had decided late in the game that we wanted (well, I wanted and my husband supported) a doula for my second childbirth. After a traumatic first birth experience that resulted in a NICU stay, I wanted to feel some relief from my anxiety going into the birth of my second baby. From the moment I met Maria, I knew there had been some form of divine intervention that brought her to us. She was warm, welcoming, encouraging, and all over human in her approach to my anxiety and in making it her mission that I have an empowering second birth. Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, she met my questions with empathy and practical advice, even acknowledging when the advice I needed was beyond her scope of practice. Going into my birthing experience, I felt a sense of peace when Maria arrived at the hospital, just in time for baby Rosie to make her precipitous entrance! She was a calming presence in the room and made me feel like a superhero in the birth of my child. In our postpartum chats and subsequent visit, she made me feel incredibly proud of my accomplishments in bringing my second baby into this world, while facing the anxiety head on. Doulas are magic and Maria is a perfect example of how they encourage moms and dads to tap in to our natural strength and confidence. Thank you Maria, from the bottom of our hearts. 

Kate MacKenzie

12/10/2018

There aren’t enough praises in all the hymn books to sing about Maria! Not only was she always a reassuring, optimistic, excitable voice throughout my pregnancy- she managed to power through a very long, arduous labor with a plethora of complicating factors thrown in. Besides being my labor coach (using all sorts of pain management and calming techniques) she was a team player in working alongside the midwife and nurses at the hospital to determine next steps and assisting in all the delights childbirthing demands of mom and her support crew. Perhaps most importantly, she also wore the team manager hat- by coaching and directing my husband as well as thoughtfully communicating with close family. She also advocated for me with the medical staff about some decisions she knew weren’t in my best interests based on how my labor was going and in understanding my wishes. I could write a million reasons why Maria is THE PERFECT doula for enlisting in bringing your babe into the world... but this box only holds so many words !!! It is not only her professionalism, her obvious love of all things mother + child, and her incredible stamina but that she truly is called by the powers of the universe to do this work.

I don’t know how I would have gotten through my labor without Maria. I imagine that’s what many women say about their birth coaches or partners... but my sentiment couldn’t be further from mere lip service. Her strength, support, and positive energy meant the world to me. Do yourself a favor and let this woman into your world!

Matthew Peiken

11/19/2018

Not that you asked; but, for me, becoming a father was a lot like being Bastian in “The NeverEnding Story”. Bastian’s the boy who is stressed out, huddled under a blanket in an attic, grasping tight to a responsibility he can’t quite believe anyone would think he’s ready for; while his partner, Atreyu, draws upon tremendous physical endurance and mental fortitude to navigate through an epic challenge that threatens to shake their very existence to its core. Sometimes it’s exciting and fun, even incredibly so; but often there is that looming darkness growling from the corners of the page of “What if I screw this up?” and “What if it all goes wrong?”. And then, when things are at their lowest; a Luck Dragon swoops down and carries you and your partner, your fists pumping joyfully in the air, through the darkness, past the naming of your Childlike Princess, and off into a happily-ever-after where you feel like a total boss who can chase bullies into garbage cans and conquer all that life throws at you. Maria is a gosh-darn Luck Dragon. For real. Her kindness, wisdom, optimism, and buyout spirit lifted us and helped us find our footing as the parents we wanted to be and that our kids needed us to be. It is always nice when I have people (teachers, friends, family) come up to me and tell me how awesome my kids are. I take the credit when I can; I give my wife the credit when people know better. But part of their awesomeness is that they’ve been blessed with a Luck Dragon. My wife and I know that to be true. Maria is our Falkor; she should be yours too.

Nell Peiken

11/19/2018

I am very enthusiastically recommending Maria Maloney as a doula. Maria has looked after our children for almost eight years and over this time has become a part of our family. She has watched our daughter since she was three and our son since he was born. Maria has also worked with me in my office where I work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Maria has been highly motivated to help our children develop and grow. She has taken both children on countless adventures including overnights and week-long vacations. Additionally, she has helped out in all aspects of our home, from organizing the shelves in the kids’ rooms to grocery shopping and cooking. From helping prepare for the kids’ birthday parties to bringing the children to dance lessons and medical appointments. In a clinical setting, Maria has demonstrated skill in building rapport with my clients and in utilization with my electronic medical record software.

In summary, Maria possesses all of the qualities that make an employee doula. Maria is creative, capable, patient, reliable and understanding. She has been very flexible with the hours we have asked her to work and the extra tasks that we have asked her to complete. She has always been able to take constructive feedback well. Maria has a better sense of humor than anyone else I know and an empathy and compassion for others that is evident in all that she does.

Once again, I highly recommend Maria Maloney as a doula. If you have any questions that I might be able to answer, please feel free to contact me at any time.