Martha Chavez-Cruz

11/13/2024

Being a first time mom, hiring a doula was extremely important for me. Valerie was very knowledgeable and guided me through every step of my pregnancy and labor. She's friendly and very personable. She advocated for me and helped me make the right decisions for my specific situation. I am extremely happy and satisfied with her services and would hire her again if the opportunity arises.

Felicia

8/6/2024

Valerie was such a great support for me during my birth and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a birth doula! I had my mind set on an unmediated birth and wanted to have the extra support of a doula who understood my birth preferences and could help me achieve them. In the hospital I spent most of the active labor phase in the birth pool and Valerie was instrumental in guiding me back to my breath and helping me work through the contractions. She helped me remain in my ‘zone’ throughout the birth process and seemed to know what I needed without me saying anything. She also took a lot of photos of the birth which I was very happy to have.

Lisa

2/2/2024

Valerie is an incredible Doula and any family would be lucky to work with her. She worked with my family for about 3.5 months as a night doula, from my daughter's first night at home. This was my third baby but first time with a night doula and I just can't say enough. I felt completely comfortable with Valerie from the moment I met her, and my daughter loved her too. Valerie had great advice and reminders for me about newborns, but she always shared her knowledge in the most supportive, gentle way and I always felt that she would have respected my wishes if I wanted to do things differently (though honestly I never did, we were always on the same page!). I had the most wonderful post partum experience because of Valerie -- I was sleeping WELL knowing that all I had to do in the early days was pop into the nursery to nurse and then get back to bed, and later on I slept uninterrupred when we got onto a schedule of me pumping before my bedtime so Valerie could feed my daughter with a bottle. I honestly never had any post partum emotional tears or breakdowns I think becasue I was sleeping well and felt like I had really good support (I defintiely cried post partum with my first two). In Val's last two nights at our house she started supporting us through some sleep training at my request.  On the third night of sleep training (our first night without Val) my daughter slept 12 hours with one wake up where she was able to self soothe.  Every baby is different obviously, but I really credit Val with knowing when my daugther was ready and reminding me of the steps to take and giving me the confidence to do it.  I have truly felt like Val is a part of our family (my older kids and husband adore her too!) and we're going to miss not having her in our house daily, but I also know she helped us set up the foundation for a really successful, fun, and peaceful newborn experience. You should hire her :)

Ismat

12/30/2022

I started looking for a duola towards the end of my pregnancy and someone on IG recommended Valerie to me. When I contacted her, she was very quick to respond and was very accommodating to all my requests including budget. She was always available through text and call. I had to be induced and Valerie was there with me in the hospital from the beginning and supported me through out the labor. After getting epidural, things weren't progressing as much, then she suggested some positions and within an hour our baby came to the world. She was a big help to us and hiring Valerie was one of the best decision that we made. She is very supportive, friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend her.

Sarah S

12/29/2022

Valerie is a wonderful human being and doula! She provided overnight postpartum doula/ncs-type care for my daughter from around 4 months old to 7 months old. She helped with overnight feedings and with improving my daughter's sleep. Every week that Valerie worked with us, my daughter was sleeping better at the end of it. She was always extremely comfortable with Valerie and exceptionally well cared for - she would have the biggest smile on her face every morning. 

Valerie also helped clean pump parts and bottles and helped with laundry too when she was able to. She's lovely, friendly, reliable, and kind and I would recommend her to any mom or mom to be!

Cami Rice

9/10/2022

I cannot rave enough about Valerie and I really don’t know what I would have done without her. She really held my hand entire pregnancy & birthing journey when I needed it most! She’s extremely patient, kind and understanding as well as super knowledgeable. I could not have asked for anything more than the comforting experience she gave me. I will be forever grateful! Thanks again Valerie. 

Marissa Altenau

3/19/2022

When our baby jaxs was suffering from bad acid reflux. He kept us up all hours of the night because he was very uncomfortable. We started searching for a night doula in hopes for a good nights rest. We found Valerie on doulamatch.net and After a FT call she made us feel comfortable and we knew we wanted her help. She comes in and completely takes over for the night allowing us to relax. I wake up feeling amazing, well rested, and stress free. Not only are we relaxed and well rested so is our baby jaxs. I don’t know how she does it . She also keeps Jaxs nursery organized , stocked, and clean. This is the best $ we have ever spent.

Natalie

3/18/2022

Valerie is a baby whisperer! My husband and I hired her to come for a few overnight shifts with our newborn baby girl since we were so sleep deprived and uncertain of how to help our baby sleep, being first time parents and all. Our goal was to learn about newborn/infant sleep from her and also get some uninterrupted sleep (at least for my husband — I have to pump every 2-3 hours at night). Baby girl has started to sleep for longer stretches at night, and she was only 4 weeks old at the time. She still sleeps 2.5-4 hour stretches at night and she is 5 weeks now. Valerie is experienced with babies and knows how to calm them… and you can absolutely tell after working with her. She even stayed an extra 30 mins last minute one morning before we were headed out on a road trip and needed an extra hand to dry some bottles and feed / change baby girl before we packed the car and all hit the road. She’s very friendly and made us feel very comfortable. Wish she could move in with us. Would highly recommend her!!

Hilah and Scott

7/22/2020

Valerie was amazing. She was the perfect doula for us. She was super supportive (even in these weird Covid times) and available by text/call at all hours. During the actual labor she was very comforting to have in the room, and had a lot of creative and helpful ideas and solutions when things didn't go to plan. She especially supported my husband as he supported me -- which was really awesome. She didn't overstep, and helped him be the best partner I could have asked for in the delivery room. She was present, but not over-present. It was just the right amount. It was great for us to work with someone who was so responsive to our specific needs, and it is very clear that for other people she would have a different amount of presence as needed and desired. She took a lot of pictures for us as well, including at the exact moment the baby was born. She is knowledgeable and I couldn't recommend her enough. 

Carolyn

6/20/2020

Valerie was instrumental to me having a successful VBAC. I was so stressed out and unsupported through my labor and delivery with my older son, that I made no progress in my labor and had to have an emergency c-section. 

With this labor, I went about it differently. I hired a birth center instead of a hospital and I got a doula! Best decision I've ever made. Valerie really helped me stay calm and trust my body. She made sure I stayed hydrated. 

Most importantly, she paid close attention to when I would tense up (which was often!) and reminded me to relax my face and my shoulders and my posture. Releasing that tension would take my pain from a 10 to a manageable 7. 

There was a point where I didn't think I could make it. I was so close to asking for a transfer so I could get an epidural. She encouraged me and reminded me of how much progress I had already made. She also advocated for the midwives at the birth center to offer me natural pain relief like heat. She did counter pressure which helped a lot. 

In the end, I had a successful VBAC and a peaceful, unmedicated birth like I always wanted! 

Sarai J

4/23/2020

Valerie was such a blessing for my birth experience!  She was so kind, attentive and made me feel safe and cared for the whole time. She was always checking up on me and sending me good resources to have under my belt. 

When I went into labor she was ready the second I needed her.  She was encouraging, soothing and her overall presence was supportive. She made sure to know beforehand what my vision was for my birth and she was accommodating to that in the way she held space for me and in her techniques to support me.  She never made me feel wrong for anything I wanted. 

i had a magical birthing experience at a birthing center that actually Valerie was kind enough to find for me. I am so happy she was there to join me on such a beautiful experience. This was my first baby and I will certainly recommend having a doula to everyone, and I certainly recommend Valerie!

Amber

12/26/2019

     My review is long due. Valerie is a godsend. Prior to pregnancy, I knew I wanted the aid of a doula with similar beliefs & morals as myself- a natural approach to life with the least unnecessary medical interventions. January 2019 my partner & I found out we were expecting! We were lucky to meet with Valerie.
     As first time parents, we did not know what to expect. Valerie is a wealth of information & resources for all that is pregnancy & parenting. Any questions I had were answered. (I had plenty to ask)
     On the big day, Valerie arrived to the hospital ready! She even brought copies of my birth plan- I was so unready because the kid wanted to arrive 3 weeks before his "due date". I am so incredibly thankful Valerie was there to coach me through my contractions & help alleviate the pain, carry out the birth as close to my plan as possible, & direct eager family/friends away when I was becoming overwhelmed. I would not want to do it without her. She loves what she does & cares! 

Thank you so much for making our transition to parenthood amazing!!!

Meghan Upcraft

11/7/2019

Everyone should have a doula for their pregnancies.  A doula is like having an angel with you, they are so much more than a “birth coach”.  They are their for you mentally, physically, and emotionally during a very important time in your life.  Finding Valerie for my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum was such a blessing.  I really don’t know what I would have done without her.  During my pregnancy, she consistently checked in with me and sent me advice.  Still to this day (6 weeks post baby) she checks in with me!  I had a rough delivery and she was able to keep my husband and I calm during a very stressful time, she kept us informed so we would make the right decisions.  I also had pretty bad back labor and she was the only one that could help give me relief.  She really does have the magic touch!  I highly recommend Valerie.  You won’t regret having her a part of your birth team!

Ivan Davila

10/4/2019

Having Valerie to be part of our birth experience was the single best decision my partner and I could have made in bringing our baby into this world.

From the moment of meeting with Valerie, we knew she would be the right doula for us. She instantly brought the presence of peace and warmfullness that made us feel confortable I'm trusting her for the part.

Throughout the pregnancy, Valerie visited with us, carefully helped create and revise our birth plan, and covered all questions that we help soothe any worries or expectations. Additionally she was always available at any hour to answer any question big or small. She even helped us prepare for post-partum recovery.

The day of our birth, she was extremely responsive and was at the hospital early morning to begin assisting. She came prepared and helped guide us with answering any questions from the hospital. She was loving throughout the labor and helped assure my partner was feeling comfortable and soothes her physically and verbally. She is a soldier 

I could not have had a better doula and she will forever be a part of our family. Our baby is lucky to have her in our life! We truelly appreciate her.

Elena

4/22/2019

Valerie came to our family at great timing. 4 weeks before delivery, when most things got to go around the pregnancy and delivery. I was looking for a support person that would care for my birth plan and for me and my husband's well being. Valerie did that with care, a smile on her face, a mindful presence when with us and with excellent bedside manner.

She engaged with my mom and toddler, making them feel valued as well. She was available for contact and was prompt when called for my overnight hospital vaginal birth. She came to my prenatal appointment as well.

I had back labor and needed A LOT of back massage / pressure and she was great at it! She cared to be near, to keep me hydrated and to take pictures when appropriate. She was devoted to have me mobile and that helped with my labor progress.

We had an excellent birthing experience and I am happy we had Valerie as our doula! Thank you.