Emilia Gilroy-Sander

1/13/2022

Crystal Broer at Birth First Doulas is exceptional! We have so much gratitude for her steadfast support in preparation for and during our child's birth. She is a great listener, a wonderful nurturer, and so passionate and knowledgeable. Being a doula is her true calling and we are so lucky that she was a part of our birth team! The level of care we received from Birth First Doulas was oustanding and I highly recommend!

Kelly Castoro

1/12/2022

We loved our experience with BFD from the matchmaking process with Rebecca to delivery and postpartum check-ins with our AMAZING doula, Alison Akan! Alison is energetic, warm and knowledgeable on the birthing process. She coached us leading up to delivery, making us feel confident that we were as prepared as possible. It's hard to imagine going through labor for the first time without her. She was my cheerleader and brought a lot of focus and comfort going through contractions and pushing. She was also extremely helpful in guiding myself and my husband throughout the process and coordinating with the hospital team. We consider her a part of our new family, having gone through such a personal experience together. <3

Chelsea

11/20/2021

Teal was awesome, I cannot say enough nice things!!! We were so happy that the hospital allowed her in for labor and delivery. Even though it was quick overall, having her available to call and then there with us gave me invaluable peace of mind. She is just a great person and I’m sad that I have no reason to chat with her anymore???????? I will recommend her to all my friends <3

Kylie Sheehan

11/4/2021

We are so thankful that we found Birth First Doulas! We knew that we wanted to work with a doula, and they made it very easy for us. Rebecca asked us a few questions about what we were looking for in a doula, and then set up some interviews with doulas in our price range. Both of the doulas we interviewed were amazing, which made it really hard to decide. We ended up working with Trina and we are so glad that we did. We both felt so calm going into labor because we knew we were prepared and had her support. I had a lot of complications during labor, but Trina guided us the whole way, and I look back on my birth story with fond memories. She even took photos for us to remember the best day of our life!

Sydney

11/2/2021

Kathy McLean from Birth First Doulas was our wonderful doula. She was more then we ever anticipated and more! She is kind, confident and just so herself. The moment I met her, I knew she would be a great fit for us. I felt supported and encouraged throughout my whole pregnancy and she was a huge emotional support during my long prodromal labor. I couldn't have gotten through any of it without her. The only thing I wish I could change is to have had her for our first birth as well.

AQ

8/17/2021

My wife and I had such a great experience with Rebecca! This review is long overdue as our baby is now a toddler.

It was our first pregnancy so we didn't know what to expect. Rebeca helped my wife be at ease during the process and was a great resource of information. The moms groups that were run by The Birth Doulas was a nice setting for my wife, as she was able to make new friends and connect with others in a similar lifestage. If we were to enlist the support of a doula again, Rebecca would be our first call.

Caio

8/3/2021

Alison was the best doula we could have asked for - She was kind, experienced and brought a lot of confidence to us during the pregnancy. She was always ready to share relevant information and interesting material with us! She was especially helpful with some pregnancy preparation exercises and labor inducing techniques. Also, during the birth, she was extremely supportive and quickly helped us understand what was going on during the 18 hours of labor we went through. As a last note, she was always very respectful and understanding on our personal preferences. More than a doula, she became our friend and we super recommend her!

Lara K.

6/26/2021

Our family was beyond lucky to have Kathy as our doula for our birthing experience. She was the perfect advocate and cheerleader for us both, sharing her extensive wisdom, holding our hands as much as needed, and keeping us informed and comfortable every step of the way. We felt so supported knowing Kathy was available to guide us through the process —at home and in the hospital— helping us have the healthy birth we had hoped for. We highly recommend Kathy and Birth First Doulas for anyone looking!

Marla Zyla

6/14/2021

My husband and I decided to hire a doula for the birth of our second child, after having a long labor with epidural the first time around. Rebecca was a great doula matchmaker, and after a lovely chat recommended three wonderful doulas that would be a good match for us. We immediately felt a connection with Kim Kovak during our first meeting- she was kind, knowledgeable and personable. And most importantly, a great listener/communicator.

Kim provided a wealth of resources and support to prepare for labor. Her encouragement and guidance during early labor kept me feeling calm and strong, allowing me to progress through much of my labor at home (this was through phone/text- we had planned for her to physically come support me at home, but I was feeling good connecting with my own body and following my intuition at home with my family). When it was time, Kim met us at the hospital and helped create a calm and intimate atmosphere. She provided a great balance of physical and verbal support, and helped my husband do the same. I can still hear her saying “You’re doing it!” in response to me saying “I can’t!” I ended up with the unmedicated birth I had hoped for and felt so powerful and strong.

We are so grateful for Kim’s gentle guidance throughout our journey to welcoming our son into this world.

April

5/15/2021

I interviewed 3 doulas at BirthFirst and knew I couldn’t choose wrong—they were all amazing but Crystal felt like the one for me. I am so glad I had her helping me through my journey. As a Single Mother by Choice giving birth in a pandemic I knew I might only be able to have one person with me, so the selection of my doula was critical. Crystal did a great job of walking me through our prep for labor and then she pivoted seamlessly when the baby turned breech last minute and sent us down a new path. Crystal held my hand and supported me through a External Cephalic Version at 37 weeks and in the operating room before my c-section. She helped me navigate my anxiety when I didn’t know how to ask for what I needed (chatting with me about my favorite sports team). She talked me through what was happening in the OR when that also didn’t go to plan and then took priceless photos of me and my baby once we were together. Crystal used her extensive experience to support me but also listened to me and individualized my care and support to meet me where I was at. I can’t imagine having done this without her.

Kristal

4/22/2021

Rebecca, one of the owner’s of Birth First Doula’s was my sister’s doula and she provided wonderful care. While preparing for my first birth, I reached out to BFD’s and chose to work with Kathy because I immediately loved her bright enthusiasm for babies and birth. Her big, warm heart brings a feeling of comfort to every moment. She listened well to my needs and was very helpful during my labor as well as the weeks following. I was pleasantly surprised by how much postpartum care was included. Kathy always answered my calls/texts, checked in on me, gave me guidance and soothed my concerns. This was very important to my recovery and baby's wellness. I highly recommend Kathy and the Birth First Doula group!

Kate

3/15/2021

I had my daughter 3 weeks ago and am so grateful for the support that Vera and Elizabeth offered. Even in COVID times I felt like they took all measures possible to make sure I felt comfortable, was informed, and had agency to make my own decisions. Vera was able to come to the hospital and help me through the hardest parts of birth. I would have been far less prepared and much more scared if it weren't for these women. I am grateful for their knowledge and continued support - even weeks beyond the actual birth.

karen randall

2/20/2021

I have been meaning to write this review for so long now! I cannot express how much having Kathy as our doula was such an amazing and fun experience. Kathy is the most caring, beautiful person and her energy and humor created such a calming atmosphere. She literally had just come from another birth, off of 4hrs of sleep, and BROUGHT IT. She was so present despite the fact she was probably exhausted. She has a wealth of knowledge and so open to share her past experiences. Her personality is what really made us connect with her on our interviews and I am so happy we chose her. I honestly feel we gained a friend after having her as a part of such a big event in our life. I still reach out to her if I have questions, or just to ask about other aspects of life. You will not regret having her by your side during this milestone in your life!

Kim Garshol

2/15/2021

Atika is an amazing doula and I can't imagine having given birth without her. She helped me work through some anxiety I had about attempting a VBAC and provided great resources for my husband and I to prepare for our second birth. Atika really listened to what I needed and provided that kind of support. She was always available via text or call for any questions I had or for guidance during a couple labor false alarms.

The day of our daughter's birth was a chaotic day at the hospital, with multiple changes in our care team during a relatively short labor and delivery. Atika was our rock throughout the experience and kept me focussed and calm. She handled distractions, made sure I had what I needed, and coached me through delivery.

Atika is a very warm and friendly person, who instantly feels like you've known her forever. I'm so grateful that she was able to join us for our birth and can't recommend her enough.

Megan Hall

2/14/2021

Knowing how valuable a doula was from our first birth, I had coffee with Kili at 12 weeks pregnant and never looked back! She was AMAZING! She was able to give me exercises to help with the physical discomforts pregnancy can bring and really helped us prepare for the birth. Most importantly she supported my husband and I as a team during labor. She guided him in supporting me in ways I'll forever be grateful for. She got me through 4 hours of an unmedicated labor with Pitocin! Kili and the Birth First Doulas team are the best in the business.

Lauren

1/9/2021

Bri & Alicia were fantastic! They were really supportive all along. We zoomed in advanced and helped me prepare and understand what to except. So much more helpful than other sources and it was like my own personal google :)

During birth, Alicia was amazing. It made my birth experience so much better. Helping me navigate the hospital was so important. It also was so helpful to my partner so he could be more supportive.

Claire Alexander

12/12/2020

My partner and I had a really fantastic experience working with Birth First Doulas and specifically with Crystal for our labor and delivery. She provided excellent knowledge and support navigating prepping for the delivery, and joyful and much needed support during the event. Having a sense of comfort and safety during a quarantine can be tricky, but having her there absolutely helped us achieve that and the birth experience we wanted. We are both very grateful that she was with us.

Adrienne

11/22/2020

Choosing a doula for my first birth was, hands down, one of the best decisions I've ever made. Working with First Birth Doula's was a wonderful experience. We really lucked out with Kim Kovac, she was the perfect doula for us. She was knowledgeable, gentle, mindful, resourceful, trauma-informed and calm. Having her in the delivery room was invaluable to, not only me, but also my husband. I ended up having a challenging labor and delivery and she helped us feel more calm and confident during the process. She was attentive and present throughout. She continued to be involved, available and supportive postpartum as well. We will be forever grateful for her presence during that life changing moment in our lives.

Nancy Eisenmenger

10/20/2020

How does anyone survive childbirth without a Doula? That's what I keep asking myself every time I think about how amazing Crystal Broer was at supporting me through labor, delivery, and postpartum. Part coach, part therapist, part advocate, part cheerleader, she was an incredible birth partner who was always in my corner. She combined the perfect amount of evidence based practice with empathy, confidence, and kindness. As I write this, my baby is one month old and still every day I think about how grateful I am that I had Crystal by my side.

Angie

10/18/2020

Birth First Doulas made it so easy for us to navigate the doula matching process. We actually ended up with two amazing doulas, Bri and Alicia! I loved working with them and we felt so supported in their care. The birth education course left my partner and I feeling confident and even more excited for labor and birth! 

Jared

10/12/2020

Rebecca with the Birth First team was awesome. Had a very engaging pre both online session to go over not only useful positions and ways I as the husband can assist my wife in home birth, but also how we should communicate during the process. Thanks to this I was coaching on new positions to try during contractions and it REALLY helped. Not only that but the placenta encapsulation process was quick and efficient. Would highly recommend working with them for your home or birth center delivery.

Jena

9/9/2020

My husband and I had heard many great things about hiring a Doula and we decided to go with Birth First Doulas. From the get go, Rebecca was amazing to work with and I felt very listened to and cared for. She helped match us with Crystal who was a great fit for us. We were excited to meet Crystal and she really helped us throughout our journey. Crystal is kind, warm, funny and really easy going. What none of us expected to happen was a global pandemic. Unfortunately, this limited any in-person support she had planned to give. Nonetheless, she consistently went out of her way to be available and a fantastic resource. She was very available over text and I felt I could ask her any question. My biggest concern with a doula was having a certain type of birth experience pushed on me, but that was not the case at all. Crystal was very affirming with our choices and if we weren't sure about something, she provided ample resources. She pointed us to some amazing accounts and experts to follow online and they have saved us! Crystal wasn't able to be with us during the birth of our son, but she still was able to provide support via video and help my husband throughout the process. She also helped us make informed decisions at every step in the process. I was induced and she helped us understand what would happen at every step. After 30 hours of labor, my beautiful son was in my arms and it was all worth it. I would have loved to have her in person but that just wasn't in the cards. When I wasn't able to breastfeed for a few reasons, Crystal helped me through my decision to move to formula while helping me feel comfortable with my decision and work through the guild I had. I highly recommend Crystal and Birth First Doulas. Thank you so much!

Katrina Rogers

9/7/2020

From our first meeting with Kim we knew that she was the person we wanted to help us bring our daughter earth side.  Her kindness, warmth, knowledge and wonderful energy were all qualities that helped us before, during and after birth of our baby. She set up in person visits and adjusted to COVID-19 restrictions by providing virtual visits for us to check in and taking all the safety precautions very seriously, we always felt safe. In our visits she provided valuable materials and resources- from stretches and yoga to informational exercises and advice for the both of us to work on to prepare for our labor journey, she had it all! When the day finally came she met us at the birth center and was such an amazing support for both my husband and myself. She had a grounded and calming energy and knew exactly what to say and do when we needed it. When we were transferred to the hospital she was able to join us, and we were so thankful that she was there. After 19 hours of hard labor we were both exhausted, and when we thought things might be taking a turn for the worst, she helped us remember to advocate for our birth plan and that we were allowed to ask for a second opinion. We will be forever grateful for that, and for her presence with us for those two days. When it was time to deliver she was there to take pictures, hold space, and make sure we had everything we needed. We truly couldn’t ask for a better experience with a doula and cannot speak highly enough about her! We truly feel she was meant for us and our birth story may have turned out very different if we hadn’t had her knowledgeable influence, advise, and support; for that we are SO GRATEFUL. We miss her so much already, and know that we will be reaching out to her when we are planning for our second baby! From the bottom of hearts, we love Kim and would recommend her to anyone wanting a wonderful doula experience.

Carmelle

9/6/2020

We had an amazing experience with Birth First Doulas! We hired Kim Kovac, our doula, in the last few weeks of my pregnancy, and she provided incredible support! Her knowledge and guidance was so valuable as I entered the last few weeks of pregnancy and during my labor. We cherished getting to know Kim, even during the pandemic; we were able to foster a wonderful relationship via virtual and socially distant means. Kim was able to come to our house to help me comfortably labor at home, and she helped me get all the way to 9cm! It was truly an incredible experience and I am so grateful for her calming presence, as it made my birth experience so memorable. It was so disappointing that the pandemic prevented her from being in the hospital when my baby was born, but her calming spirit kept me going, as I pushed for 4 hours. Kim is full of knowledge and positivity and will be a wonderful support for every birthing person and their families. Thank you, Kim!

Alex

4/5/2020

Kathy with BirthFirst Doulas was amazing! Her effusive energy was simultaneously invigorating and calming. She was an integral part of our birth preparation and experience. I cannot imagine going through all that was birth without her. Aside from her general awesomeness, she brought a wealth of knowlege around birth, emotions, and coping techniques.

Karissa Deane

3/4/2020

Working with the Birth First Doulas and our Doula Kathy, exceeded our expectations from both a doula agency and our amazing doula herself. Kathy was a joy to work with and provided the perfect combination of being fully present and available during the birth process, while allowing my husband and I to share an intimate and powerful experience between the two of us. She gave us the confidence during our first laboring experience that enabled us to deliver our first baby trusting she had our backs the entire time. Kathy has continued to go above any beyond in our postpartum period, by visiting and holding baby, talking through our thoughts and experience and continuing to support us and become a lifelong family friend. I couldn't recommend Kathy more. If you're looking for a sweet, loving, bubbly and strong energy as your Doula, Kathy will bring that and more. We love Kathy!
The BFD agency themselves were amazing as well. Facilitating a speedy response when I began looking for our doula at 17 weeks pregnant. They handled the financial aspects allowing us to create a pure connection with our doula outside of money. They provide many extra services including a wonderful birth class and nurturing circle, and so much more.

Libby

12/2/2019

Rebecca Durlin Smith was our Doula for the birth of both of our daughters. It’s hard to put into words how much her energy and knowledge helped me through each of the  experiences. The first birth was 3 days long and Rebecca was there for me when I needed her. She even spent the night in the hospital with us the night before my first daughter was born. After that birth I had to have emergency surgery and she made sure my husband, baby and family were calm and taken care of. For the second birth we originally decided against a Doula for financial reasons and we thought we knew what we were doing the second time around. Well we realized how wrong we were a month before the due date when a couple things happened that made us completely question our care team. Thankfully, Rebecca had an opening and took us on at the last minute. She helped us switch our Midwife team and birth hospital and I’m so thankful for this. We really felt cared for and confidant about the birth after switching. The second birth ended up being a planned c-section turned into an induced vaginal birth. Little girl flipped at the last second! Rebecca stayed by my side and helped me make some big decisions. Even though we didn’t plan on an induction everything about the birth was great. I will never forget the conversations I had with Rebecca right before I started pushing and right after our daughter was born. She will always be a very important part of my daughter’s birth stories. She was absolutely worth every penny. A real life birth angel! 

Wylie Robinson

11/25/2019

Rebecca and Brooke are amazing at what they do. We hired Birth First Doula's for our first child and it made a huge difference in our experience. Prior to labor, all of the consultation and advice we received was invaluable. On 'labor day' Rebecca was on call and helped talk through early labor signs over the phone before we got in the car and headed to the hospital. Once in the hospital labor room, Rebecca was able to coach with positions, breathing, and relaxation throughout the entire birthing process. Without her we would have never tried some of the positions that really helped progress labor. She was level-headed and a great leader in a situation that was very foreign to both my wife and I. I cannot recommend Birth First Doula's highly enough!

Anna Kraemer

11/18/2019

Rebecca Durlin Smith was our Doula for the birth of our son. We are first-time parents and knew we needed extra support during labor and delivery. Having Rebecca as our Doula was one of the best decisions we've ever made. I had a very long labor and she was with us every step of the way. Rebecca was supportive, informative, comforting, and helped me and my husband welcome our amazing baby into this world. We can't thank Rebecca enough! Our birth experience was immensely better because she was by our side.

Candice Mayan

10/7/2019

My husband and I hired Birth First Doulas to guide us through our first birth experience, and we are so incredibly grateful for all of their loving guidance and care throughout the process. We truly feel like we couldn't have done it without them!

When we initially hired them, we knew we wanted a knowledgeable team to help us outline our birth preferences while I was pregnant, as well as inform any decisions that needed to be made during labor. Brooke and Rebecca were an integral part of our team every step of the way, leading up to, throughout, and after the birth of our son. What we didn't anticipate was a complicated labor that spanned several days, and we felt so fortunate to have had Brooke and Rebecca by our side providing resources and care throughout it all, including home visits, several phone calls and texts, and multiple trips to the hospital.

If you are looking for a compassionate, professional, responsive, and informed team that is highly respected among the medical community too, Birth First Doulas is for you! Hiring Brooke and Rebecca was hands down the best decision we made leading up to the arrival of our son.