Emily Makynen & Stephen Skolas

9/16/2024

We had an absolutely amazing experience working with Christine as our birth and postpartum Doula in 2023. Hiring her was hands down the best decision we made related to my pregnancy / L&D. Christine was a supportive, knowledgable, calming resource throughout my pregnancy & postpartum period, providing countless referrals/recommendations for new mom groups, PTs, LCs, Chiropractors, Oral Surgeons, etc. I felt extremely comfortable with her and trusted her to help us make hard decisions. She is the reason I was able to have an unmedicated birth, which is what I had hoped for, thanks to all of the prep she led us through and support she gave me and my husband during labor. I appreciated her presence in the weeks following the birth of my son, knowing she was always a text or call away. She helped me heal after birth and provided emotional and physical support that I didn't know I needed. We will forever be grateful to have met and worked with Christine and recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a doula in the greater NYC area!

Thank you, Christine <3

Alexa Buffington

6/13/2024

Christine exceeded every hope I had when searching for a doula! I knew I wanted to explore adding a doula into my plan for pregnancy and labor and from the initial meeting, Christine exuded a calm, caring and nuturing demeanor. With this being my first pregnancy, I had alot of questions and was looking for ways to implement a more holistic experience within the NYC hospital landscape. Christine not only answered all of my questions but also offered helpful suggestions and ideas to consider along the way (but was never pushing an agenda - she was only sharing knowledge). She was so tuned in to my wants and needs and I felt like she was a dear friend or family member leading me throughout the experience. She provided incredible 1:1 time before I went into labor where she went over labor techniques, partner massage/pressure points, and postpartum care. As for the actual labor, I could not have done it without Christine!!! When Christine entered my hospital room there was a noticable shift. She worked in tandem with my husband to provide support and offer counter pressure movements. She massaged my body in between contractions, incorporated essential oils, and was a steady and calming presence. She was the first to notice when I was in transition by the shift in my tone - she called my midwife who confirmed I was ready to push. She was the biggest cheerleader getting me over the finish line and took incredible pictures and videos as I met my baby girl. All in all, I had the unmedicated birth I was aspiring for and Christine was essential to my experience. After birth, I mentioned wanting to have my placenta encapsulated and she went out of her way to set this up via a fellow doula who specialized in the service. After being discharged, she was available 24/7 to answer all of my questions. She even brought homemade treats at her postpartum visit! Christine welcomed me into motherhood and with her help ensured my birth experience was a positive one.   

Deneen

6/9/2024

It was a wonderful experience to have Christine Gibson as our doula. Working with her was a pleasure. She was thorough in understanding what we wanted. She was well informed about the doctors at our hospital so we knew what to expect. Her classes are great and even more so was having her by our side when our little one arrived prematurely. Words cannot express our deep gratitude for Christine. She helped create a joyous, empowering, and transcendent environment throughout labor and delivery. She encouraged and supported me to advocate for the birth experience I desired. She made sure I was well fed. She told my husband when it was time to take a nap. She gave the best massages. Christine is all around a fantastic doula!

Amy

5/4/2024

Christine is an absolutely amazing doula and you will be fortunate to have her by your side. Christine was my doula for my second birth and I genuinely wish we had found her sooner. From our first appointment, Christine was compassionate, kind, gentle and caring. She listened attentively to all of our concerns and hopes, and she asked so many thought-provoking questions that led my partner and I to having better conversations ahead of our baby's birth. Her energy is so calming, having her nearby immediately puts the whole room at ease. I had a scheduled induction and she rode with me to the hospital, making an obviously anxious moment feel immediately more chill. Throughout my labor she rubbed my feet (for like 18 hours straight, I swear, haha), set the right mood in the room with lights, music and motivational phrases, and helped me to continuously change positions throughout the labor to keep things moving. She shared in our joy that day and helped us cope when things didn't go as planned. I really can't express how grateful I am that she was there. Postpartum, she also listened and made space for me to feel alllllllll the emotions I had. She was ALWAYS available via text and I loved communicating with her that way throughout my pregnancy sharing all the ups and downs of various test results and midwife appointments. I got stuck in the hospital with some postpartum complications, and she communicated with me constantly — I felt like she was my lifeline during those long days and always had the right thing to say to keep me feeling optimistic. She also provided such wonderful resources for me throughout my pregnancy and postpartum. She has exhaustive recommendations for literally every question/concern/scenario and is a wealth of information. Christine is a true gem, and a wonderful doula. 

Chloe

4/29/2024

I can’t say enough amazing things about Christine! From day one, it was clear she has this almost superhuman ability to attune to people’s needs. Throughout my pregnancy, she responded to my questions and concerns so attentively. She somehow strikes the perfect balance between sharing her wealth of experience when asked and simultaneously making me feel empowered to trust my gut about what decisions felt right for me.

I can’t imagine my birth without Christine. When I look back, I remember feeling so little fear during my labor and attribute so much of that to feeling safe with her. My husband and I got to lean into our labor experience and be present because we really trusted her guidance. There was an ease the entire time because we knew she was right next to us, ready to encourage us to rest or tell us what to expect next, or make sure I was staying hydrated.

As a Doula, she’s sturdy, confident, and skilled and at the same time soft, playful, and nurturing. Throughout my labor, she intuitively knew when I needed quiet, when I needed to laugh, and when I needed to be hyped up. I was wondering how it would feel to have someone I barely know so close during such an intimate experience but somehow Christine felt like someone I’ve known for years. When I decided to get an epidural, something I was on the fence about, she gave me the space to decide for myself and then supported me 100%. When I look back on my birth, there wasn’t a moment where I didn’t feel supported. It’s what every birthing person deserves and I feel an immense amount of gratitude and privilege for the gift Christine gave us.

And this was just my birth! She also prepared us so well for postpartum. We still find ourselves quoting her wisdom or sharing her tips with friends going through it after us. If we have another baby, I won’t think twice about hiring Christine.

Alexandra

4/21/2024

stop what you’re doing RN and get Christine as your doula! she is a literal, literal angel on earth and goes above and beyond. she’s such a resource from everything to labor, birth, lactation + breastfeeding, newborn care, partner coaching, literally everything.

i could have not prepared for my birth without her and she was with me every step of the process.

probably the most valuable part of working with Christine is the 12 weeks of postpartum consulting she offers. just to be able to text her random questions or get her opinion on something made my first few weeks as a new mom that much smoother.

cannot recommend Christine enough!

Celeste

4/20/2024

I can’t sing Christine’s praises enough. She has all of the kindness, toughness, knowledge, and magic I needed throughout my pregnancy, labor, and delivery (even postpartum). She’s incredibly hands on and I can’t get over how different L&D may have gone without having her by my side. She was responsive via text and phone whenever I had a question or needed some advice. On the day, she showed up and really helped us kick things in gear with several different positions to labor through. I can't recommend her enough. 

Diana

10/5/2023

We had the pleasure of working with Christine for 4 weeks after our daughter was born. As first time parents, she was critical in guiding us through the overwhelming first few weeks. Not only is she a wealth of knowledge but her calming presence, gentle wisdom and true kindness is exactly what we needed.

It was our pleasure to be in Christine’s care! It’s rare to experience someone in a profession or role that they are perfectly suited for, and Christine’s talent and abilities are evident from the moment she steps through your door. I cannot recommend her highly enough! Ha ha

Nikki

7/24/2023

I was terrified to give birth and I knew I wanted a post-partum doula but didn’t really know what that would entail. I didn’t know what to ask for, what I needed, what I wanted. Christine walked into my home, set up my bathroom with all my healing essentials, brought me homemade snacks, held me while I cried, listened to me talk for hours (lol) and treated me like a close friend all within a matter of hours. Having a post-partum doula was the best decision I have ever made for myself, and choosing Christine to provide that support was a gift I didn’t know I needed. She helped my husband and I with all the baby basics that they rush through in 5 minutes at the hospital and was there for us with any questions/support/etc about breastfeeding or pumping or bottle feeding. I looked forward to every visit we had with her and I truly could not have done it without her help - and if I could have, I wouldn't want to!!

Diliara Faizullina

7/22/2023

I just had my second baby(vaginal hospital delivery) and I had Christine as my doula both times.
I think the fact that we came back says a lot on its own. My husband was hesitant about getting a doula at first, but changed his mind completely and agreed that it was 100% worth it, when we found out that I’m pregnant again his first thing was: we should call Christine!
She is very supportive, she is available to talk to your through your symptoms or concerns at any time.
I had a very difficult time breastfeeding my first child, Christine went above and beyond to help me find right resources and connect me with right support groups to make it work. Her support doesn’t end with the birth. I ended up breastfeeding my son for 18 months and Christine definitely played a big part in that.
Both of my births were extremely comfortable and enjoyable. I felt so safe and cared for. Definitely recommend!

Gillian

7/15/2023

I had a great VBAC experience with Christine’s help! My labor was long and intense to start with and Christine helped me weigh my options and keep my spirits up so that when it came time to push, she put on a great playlist and I had the energy and mojo to achieve my VBAC. I especially appreciated Christine’s support before and after birth in processing adding a second child to the family and how to support my toddler as she became an older sister (as well as my own emotions at my toddler growing up!). I felt like I had a trusted friend in the whole process who could read my energy so well and didn’t crowd the process at all, but came in and complimented what was going on. Highly recommend Christine for the best birthing vibes!!!

Julia

7/10/2023

Christine is incredible!! I cannot recommend her enough. Pre-pregnancy I had never given much thought to having a doula, but I can’t imagine how different my labor experience would have been without Christine. She was a constant source of support and (most importantly) a source confidence for me pre, during, and post labor. Everyone I tell my birth experience to are stunned at the level of care she provided. 

Kristina Wong

12/7/2022

A bit of background; I began my pregnancy with some emotional and traumatic baggage stemming from infertility and having a close family member experience a full term infant loss.  Naturally after undergoing multiple surgeries and medical procedures to concieve, I was seeking a more natural birth experience.  I found Christine through a general Google search and right from the beginning she was a breath of fresh air.  Even though we had not met in person, her positive aura came through in our initial Zoom interview.  For those who have not experienced infertility, you meet with RNs and reproductive provider on a frequent basis, multiple times a week especially leading up to a egg retrieval.  Going from having such closely monitored care to only seeing my OB-GYN for less than 5 minutes a visit was not okay with me.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have had Christine support me through my pregnancy and early stage of post-partum period.  She gave me the extra care and attention my current prenatal care was lacking.  And when I got cold feet at the end of my pregnancy and chose to have an induction, Christine, this gem of a woman, gave me grace.  She listened to my anxiety and understood that at the end of the day I wanted to meet my baby.  My birth would have been 1000x more traumatizing without Christine by my side.  Christine guided me through each step of the induction process, reminding me of the end goal, giving me the space and power to nagivate my care.  Each time a provider stepped into the room to discuss the progress, Christine always made sure I had time to process the information and ask questions.  My birth ended with a C-section but when it came to that point I embraced it without guilt because Christine carried me through the toughest parts of the labor process leading up to that moment.  I am forever grateful to her.  We all need a Christine in our lives.   

Stephanie Coutrix Stanski

11/8/2022

Christine is a shining star in my birth story. Her support was instrumental in helping me achieve a VBAC with my second child.

Christine is truly unique and has an evident gift. In addition to being incredibly knowledgeable about all things birth, babies, and postpartum, she has a special energy that made me feel safe and calm during the hardest parts of this experience. She helped my husband and I navigate unexpected situations at the hospital with a doctor we didn’t know, and I was impressed by her tact and diligence discretely keeping records of everything and helping my partner advocate for what was best for me. Her touch is also one of a kind and was a source of great comfort. Christine’s support postpartum was also nothing short of exceptional both in person and by text, especially as I dealt with baby blues and breastfeeding challenges.

I hope to keep in touch with her for years to come. Having Christine as your doula is the best step you can take to maximize chances of the most empowered and empowering birth.

Amelia

11/2/2022

Christine was born for this work. She so innately carries so much compassion, knowledge, and an enviable calmness that makes her the ideal doula for your birth team. Throughout my pregnancy and 30 hour labor, my husband and I always felt extremely supported by both her and her partner Jaime.

She helped us advocate for ourselves and my birth experience, validating any and all concerns we had as first time parents, and helping us understand what our options truly were. As non-medical people, it's so easy to get lost in the midst of medical terminology and statistics that are thrown at you throughout pregnancy and labor, but having Christine there to guide us with a human outlook was invaluable. 

Her positive guidance then followed through into my labor and delivery, which ended up being so much more enjoyable than I had anticipated, even given my high levels of anxiety heading into an induction that I was so hesitant over. Christine's presence soothed not just me, but everyone else in the delivery room including the nurses and my OB. I never felt anything but positive reassurance throughout my 30+ hours of labor. My husband and I cannot thank her enough for helping us bring our son into the world and for turning what I thought could have been a nightmare of a birth experience, into one that we can look back on with ease and warmth. 

Janynne

11/2/2022

We can only sing Christine and Jamie’s praises for the incredible insight, support and empowerment they provided for my husband and I before, during and after our birthing experience.

From the beginning, her and her partner Jamie made sure to not only explain all the new terms, procedures, options etc. that came with every phase of the process, but to be our sounding board and emotionally support/validate us and answer any and all questions we had along the way. They provided us with all the information necessary to help us make informed decisions while empowering us to use our voices and advocate for ourselves and our family. We honestly probably wouldn’t have known how to navigate in such a new space had they not lead us through it.

Christine has a special grace on her life—such a quiet strength in that her words and presence carry weight without having to be loud and overly assertive. I felt so much peace after every session with her and she provided that peace and strength and everything I didn’t know I needed during birth. Her care and support even continues months after as she sends resources to help keep us informed on all things baby! Christine holds a very special place in our hearts and we cannot thank her enough for the crucial role she played in such a new, vulnerable season in our lives!!!

Alexandra Michaelson

10/31/2022

Christine transformed my pre-birth, birth, and post-birth experience. She was available 24/7 via text leading up to the birth and visited us twice, providing support on anything and everything we asked for. If it weren't for Christine, I do not think I would have made it through my birth. She watched every action each medical professional took when I was in severe distress, asking me along the way if that is what I wanted or not - weighing risks, benefits, and asking for time when I was not able to make decisions. She provided a sense of calmness unlike any human I have met - meeting my needs graciously and respectfully. Christine visited us after our child was born, brought us food, and took care of my baby while I showered and relaxed. He rested peacefully with her - she has the magic touch. I cannot thank Christine enough - she will be a resource for life!

Paola Giraldo

8/3/2020

Christine was such an invaluable part of our birth team! She was always available and willing to help me find answers to my questions. Christine was so amazing during my almost 48hr labor progress. Setting the ambiance, taking pictures and notes, refocusing me and reminding me of my goal, making sure my partner ate and napped, held my emesis bin... the list could go on. Her presence provided me with a sense of calm and reassurance, she kept me positive and validated my feelings.   I appreciated that she wrote down important tidbits for me to remember of my labor, took pictures, and helped me process. She was so thoughtful! My partner didn’t know why we would need a doula, but afterwards admitted that having Christine was the best decision we had made!

Kate

7/17/2020

I had a great experience with Christine! She is so caring, supportive, and thoughtful and will help you achieve the birth YOU want! She was amazing throughout my pregnancy, always available for questions and helping with my concerns. She was a calming voice in the birthing room, and an advocate for me when things got hard. Post partum she has continued to be a support person as questions have arisen. My husband and I have been so grateful for her throughout the whole process! Would definitely recommend her.

Tsering

2/26/2020

Christine is an amazing person and the best doula one can imagine and ask for. We're so glad we had her at our side when we went to the hospital. Our goal was to give a natural birth, preferably without medication, and the fact that Christine was with us made all the difference that night. Without her timely intervention and advice that guided us, I have no idea which direction things would have gone. We checked in that evening and the labor continued until morning and baby arrived in the late morning. Throughout the night, I was able to hold it together through the contractions and the pain thanks wholly to Christine's positive encouragement, small exercises, massages, care and skill, and her comforting words. She made the entire process much more simple, smooth, positive, meaningful and natural. If she had not been there with us, I absolutely would not have had the birth that we had preferred. When we look back on our surprisingly positive birth experience, we realize that having Christine by our side was the best decision we ever made, because it was a true game-changer in every way. 
 
 
 

Audrey W

2/22/2020

5 Stars!!!

A month before I was due, my husband and I finally decided we needed a doula to assist in our first birth.  We'd been going back and forth for a while and finally come to the conclusion of hiring someone after talking to several friends.  After attending a Doulas and Donuts event hosted by Rachel Goldstein - we asked Christine to be our Doula.  She had an amazing vibe that was kind and considerate but also extremely informative.  She was the perfect fit for us.

Little did we know that our "perfect fit" would be our life savors through our final weeks of pregnancy and our 36 hour delivery.  She stayed with us the entire time and was more helpful than I could have ever imagined.  From helping us checkin in at the hospital, to setting up our "safe space" delivery room, to speaking with nurses when I was uncertain, to helping me with the simple task of putting my hair in a ponytail, to texting my family through the night so they felt informed, to coaching me through every transition of my delivery, to grabbing me extra pudding cups, to encouraging my husband, to siting with us after delivery to make sure we were taken care of...she was the BEST.  I couldn't recommend a better doula than Christine Gibson.