Alex

9/8/2024

Second birth with Alycia by our side -- yup, she is still great. 

Brooke

7/6/2024

Without Alycia, I don't know if I would have had the strength to follow through with my plan of an unmedicated childbirth. Not only did her comfort measures drastically reduce my pain during labor, but she motivated me to keep moving through my contractions when all I wanted to do was lie in the fetal position - which I believe resulted in a faster and more productive labor. While her support in the hospital was the original reason we hired her, her knowledge and guidance leading up to the birth played a crucial part in building my confidence in developing a birth plan and feeling prepared to tackle what ever came my way during pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum. Do yourself and your family the biggest favor ever and hire Alycia as soon as you learn you are pregnant!

Melissa

11/22/2023

I cannot recommend Alycia enough! She helped bring my son into the world July 2023 and also taught our birth class. Both as a doula and birth class instructor, she provided information and support to help my labor be the safest and best experience possible. She helped my husband learn to advocate for me and for our family while I was in labor and she supported him in being active during my labor and delivery. We learned about pain management techniques, nursing and postpartum resources, and so much more. Alycia was also professional, kind, knowledgeable and honest. I have and will continue to recommend her to friends and strangers alike. 

Mary

6/24/2023

I had a positive, empowering birth experience, and I can credit Alycia at Advocate Birth for a large portion of that. She helped us make decisions about providers based on the experience I was hoping for, provided advice and resources (including helping us build our "village") that were helpful to me both in pregnancy and postpartum, supplemented our birth education by helping us practice comfort measures, encouraged me as I waited (and waited, and waited), and supported us through a long unmedicated birth. She checked in frequently in the immediate postpartum times, which was encouraging and helpful. She was professional, honest, friendly, and knowledgeable, and really felt like a trusted friend and advisor to us. I have recommended her to friends and will continue to!

Liz McQuade

1/17/2023

Alycia is an incredible doula! We would highly highly recommend her. You should search no further for your doula and snap her up if you can!! We loved that Alycia is incredibly knowledgeable about giving birth in Atlanta. She knows intimately (and often personally!) all of the options and helped us navigate through connections with different care providers. This is essential in a city as big as Atlanta. She is incredibly thorough in preparing you before the birth and during labor she was a critical resource. We would not have felt comfortable without her, especially since our birth didn't go according to plan. She is able to discuss difficult decisions with you and make sure you are comfortable with your care. She also comes prepared with lots of special touches to make your birth feel cozy and special. Alycia is professional, very experienced, and fun to be around, too. Seriously, hire her ASAP!

Chelsea

12/14/2022

I cannot speak highly enough about Alycia. She's just wonderful. I was looking for someone who is evidence-based and would help me understand my options and the pros and cons throughout my journey. She listened to my ultimate goals and helped me understand what we needed to do to maximize the chances of having the outcomes that I wanted. As a result, I genuinely enjoyed my laboring experience (tbf I wanted an epidural). Alycia is full of knowledge and is genuinely passionate about what she does. If you are looking for someone--don't think twice. Just reach out to her.

Brittany Geist

8/16/2022

I worked with Alycia for my first pregnancy and birth. Alycia was professional, organized, prompt, kind, and compassionate. She was safe and respected Covid protocols.  Throughout the months, Alycia spent loads of time with me and my husband making sure we were informed with evidence backed information regarding providers, hospitals, prenatal care, labor coping, delivery preferences, induction, birthing classes / support groups, breastfeeding / postpartum care, newborn tips, hospital bag packing list... you name it - she had it! She offered up her personal time during pregnancy to have a "dry run" of our birthing day where she taught us labor positions and what exactly to expect and look for. We had several other hour+ long zoom calls where she spent time answering any and all questions. She even made a special postpartum visit to check in on my recovery and the baby. She even taught me how to babywear at that visit - a bonus! 

As first timers, this partnership with Alycia was INVALUABLE and I can't imagine where we would have ended up without her. She wiped out all of our questions, fears, and anxiety. We built so much trust and respect along the way that the delivery felt like having a dear friend there for support. If you have the opportunity and means to hire Alycia Cullen with Advocate Birth, don't hesitate! You'll be in safe and compassionate hands. I will be working with Alycia and Advocate Birth again if / when we have more babies. 

Rebecca Warras

8/8/2022

If you want to feel educated, empowered and confident during your pregnancy and labor, please consider hiring Alycia! I recently gave birth to my first baby and I felt lost and scared, not knowing what to expect. I was always intimitaded by hospitals and medical professionals. Alycia made me feel secure and supported throughout my pregnancy and on delivery day. She is an amazing advocate. We welcomed our healthy baby girl on July 2nd and I can look back fondly on that day partly because Alycia was there to help us. 

Alex

8/1/2022

Alycia is an outstanding Doula. 

While our medical team was fantastic, my thoughts leaving my wife's pre-natal check-ups were that they were short and realtively simplistic. There was a lot that wasn't covered, from the physiological components to the logistics of the day. Alycia's invested time with us pre-birth to answer all of our questions and help us feel prepared win a way that was benevolent, accessible, and so, so informative. Every parent should have that kind of support before birth, and if that was all we got from Alycia, I'd recommed her just for all she did for us before hand. 

The day of, Alycia was fantastic. I can't imagine what the day would have been like without her. She was supportive, present, and brought a sense of calm to the day. She knew how to step up and step back as the situation dictated. I consider her as much a part of our care team as anyone was in the room; I am thankful we had her there. 

Lauren Hise

5/19/2022

Alycia was instrumental support for my 4th birth. It was a surrogate baby and she was my ONLY support person allowed in the room. I'm confident I could not have achieved the level of comfort and peace she gave me without her. She was by my side for the duration of my labor and knew just what to offer to help me stay comfortable and get through the hard parts. When I thought I wanted an epidural, she gently reminded me that it was not my plan and that I could do it. I ended up turning down the epidural once it arrived and after just a couple pushes, baby was delivered! I was so high on endorphins and so glad I wasn't on any drugs. I felt amazing after delivery, like I never had before. I owe it all to Alycia for helping me through the labor and delivery I always dreams of. I will be eternally grateful. She is a true angel when it comes to helping parents as a labor doula. It's clear this is her passion and purpose.

Aaron Strand

4/2/2022

Alycia is an amazing doula. My wife and I were expecting our first child and were lucky enough to be referred to Alycia. She possesses a rare combination of knowledge and heart. We ended up having a prolonged and difficult labor but Alycia was there with us every step of the way, with evidence-based reasoning, empathy, and support. I am so grateful she was with us during the birth of our first child.

Courtney

3/27/2022

Alycia was truly an answer to our prayers. After two medicated births, I wanted a different experience this time around. Alycia provided coping techniques and a supportive presence that gave me the confidence to birth the way I wanted to. She gave me the confidence I need to ask questions necessary to make informed decisions along the way. She empowered my husband to be hands on throughout the birth. She was always available to answer questions and provide education before birth day. I would highly recommend choosing her as your doula. 

Lauren

2/5/2022

Alycia was everything I needed as a first time mom! She truly takes the time to educate you on everything you need to know about each stage of pregnancy, birth and post partum. She prepares you for the many different ways our little bundles of joy may come into this world. Whether it be unmedicated or medicated birth, vaginal or C-section. Before Alycia, I was anxious about the entire birth process. Knowing what to expect (although she cannot predict everything, she's not God ;) helped ease my mind and kept me calm during my labor and delivery. During my labor, she did everything to make me feel as comfortable as possible. She was there to support me and educate me when nurses and doctors were explaining different options. I couldn't have chosen a better doula! 

Brindusa Jimenez

2/2/2022

I can't say this enough about working with Alycia
She went above and beyond my expectations. She catered to my and my husband's style (answering all my questions with great detail and resources, and so many small things, from comfort tools, to taking amazing photos during labor - with my permission of course) Never imposing a "right" way of doing things, but always empowering me with facts and education. Labor did not go according to our plan, but Alycia empowered me to make the adjustments I needed to during labor. She later helped me debrief my story and think through alternatives if I was to do it all over again.
You can tell Alycia loves what she does. Her attention to you personal preferences, support, and resources, will enable you to have an experience you're proud of. I felt supported and loved every step of the way, as did my husband and baby. Even though things didn't go according to plan, I'm really proud of our birth. I'll hire Alycia immediately if I have another baby.

Cathy Hart

11/30/2021

I decided to look into getting a doula following a traumatic first birth experience (borderline malpractice) and although my husband was a little apprehensive, he agreed as he could tell it would lessen my anxiety. Little did we know at the time, how empowering and life changing the experience with Alycia would be!

With this pregnancy i had some complications that i didn’t in my first and ended up having my labor induced and then watch many carefully laid birth plan desires slip away with my body not responding in the way that it should. Alycia was there extensively every step of the way by text/video or in person. She helped me understand my rights, identify my desires and navigate and advocate those with my healthcare team. Although this was a much more intense and complicated delivery compared to my first, i did not find it as traumatic because of how empowered i was which is incredible.

I highly recommend a doula for any birth experience now because you never know what can happen and having someone by you who is knowledgeable and on your side is invaluable. I cannot express my thanks to Alycia enough, she supported my husband and i extensively and was very sensitive to our particular needs (even my husband is now a full advocate for getting a doula!). My only regret is that she wasn’t there for my first birth experience.

Melissa

11/5/2021

Alycia was without a doubt the best decision that I made throughout my entire pregnancy and labor process. She was instrumental in helping me prepare me for childbirth and I absolutely cannot imagine going through the experience without her.  Alycia is unique as a doula. While many doulas specialize solely on the natural experience of childbirth, Alycia supports natural childbirth while also providing great knowledge and experience from her medical background. Her ability to bridge the medical world and natural childbirth, in addition to her emphasis on advocacy, makes her invaluable as a doula. 

One of Alycia’s best features is her ability to provide you with essential information related to pregnancy and labor. Through her support and education, I was able to learn about and later advocate for what I wanted during my labor experience. I am so proud that between contractions, I was able to decline unnecessary cervical checks, insist on a longer pushing time, and have an educated conversation with doctors about the benefits and risks of using instruments to assist birth. I felt empowered during my birthing process and I never would have had the knowledge to advocate for these things that were important to me if not for Alycia. 

I had a somewhat difficult birth, but Alycia did so much to improve the experience. In addition to the education she provided to prepare for birth, Alycia was so helpful to have by our side during labor. Alycia used varying techniques such as massage, position changes, and the use of a TENS unit to help ease painful contractions. She also provided essential emotional and mental support. I have no idea how I would have managed if my partner and I did not have Alycia with us throughout the entire process. 

If you are considering choosing Alycia for your doula, do not hesitate; DO IT!!! She is absolutely wonderful and amazing and I’m so glad I had her by my side through everything.

Kelli Shine

8/23/2021

Alycia was everything I didn't know I needed. When I first contacted her fear of giving birth was my biggest problem. Working with Alycia by leanring about brith, the hospital process and what your body goes through during labor alleviate that fear. In the hospital room nurses, midwives and OBs are in and out but Alycia was always by my side. I had many unexpected events happen during my birth and having Alycia there made me feel safe and cared for when I might not have otherwise. I was able to have a positve birth experience because of her. She is very very knowledgeable in the medical field and is able to easily breakdown messages from the hospital staff to us. She also helped my partner be a better partner to me. She also helped alleviate my contraction pain with movement, massage and tens therapy. 

Alycia had our back 110%. She went above and beyond in the sense of care taking and was always available when we reached out to her. 

She is incredibly smart, friendly, caring and she was the best decision I have made in a long time! 

Tamar R.

7/22/2021

Alycia was instrumental in helping me have a positive birth experience this time around. I had a goal of a medication-free hospital birth and was able to achieve it with her support and education. She really knows her stuff!

Lindsey Bennett

10/18/2020

Alycia was truly a godsend for my pregnancy and birth. She was a late match to me, my first doula was going to be out of town for my induction date at 37 weeks. My pregnancy was so difficult. Covid, gestational diabetes, 2 scares that my water broke early, Preterm labor, Placental abruption, Pre-eclampsia, Group Beta Strep positive, Unplanned C-section, Preterm birth at 36 + 4. Alycia honored my experience and choices for my pregnancy and delivery. She advocated for me. She helped latch the baby to breastfeed immediately after birth. And she's still there for me to answer my questions and concerns through call/text. I highly recommend Alycia's services.  

Carolyn S

4/10/2020

I am very happy I decided to use Alycia for my doula. She was very professional throughout and a great source of information. During my labor she was extremely helpful and I don't think I could have lasted as long and perfomed as well without her. It was like she knew exactly what to do to alleviate my pain without me even having to ask.  I will be recommending her to any expecting mothers I know. 

Josie

2/4/2020

Alycia was my doula for my first daughter, Ellie, and was critically important for both me and my husband. My birth story is complicated - Ellie was born preterm at 33 weeks due to PPROM - a rare complication that is not well understood. Alycia and I had only our first meet when I went into labor, but she was still able to intuit what I needed when I needed it most. We had chatted intermittently enough for her to know how much my husband and I had read up on the birth process, what our general preferences were, and any pre-existing medical conditions (history of excruciating sciatica). Prior to Ellie's birth, I was in the hospital for about 5 days with early labor and hospital monitoring due to PPROM - thankfully Ellie was a champ the whole time, with a strong heartbeat and activity. Alycia checked in with me during that whole time, making sure she was involved and aware of anything I needed and how or if I was progressing. Once I began to be in active labor, Alycia arrived swiftly, and started helping me through my contractions using a variety of methods, and from that she could tell what support I needed most and preferred, and also helped my husband understand better how to help me through labor. During the whole 18 hours of my active labor, the only position that was comfortable was standing, so Alycia stood with me, continually providing the back support. She was also critical in helping me think through critical medical decisions with the baby's health and my health in mind - she encouraged me to ask questions, to ask for time to think, and to know its okay to say no or to ask for more information to a drs suggestion. Being able to have that mental and emotional support I think made a huge difference in my feeling like my birth story was mine - that I hadn't just been whisked away and treated without my say, that though this wasn't ideal, I still had a say and I still felt informed about what was happening to my new little family.

Ashley Fru

1/21/2020

Alycia has become a trusted friend in our family. The support and education she provided to us was beneficial during our pregnancy, labor, delivery and postnatal care. I had a rather traumatic and unexpected situation, but having Alycia at our side helped us make informed decisions during a scary time. I would definitely recommend her to anyone I know.