Burkina M.

11/11/2024

From the first appointment I knew we made the right choice. Every step of the way Tata made sure we were informed and prepared. With her help we had a birth plan prepared fairly early and were clear on how to approach our needs with my OB. The birth plan also helped me to be confident in my desired birth experience and that confidence carried into labor when enforcing boundaries. We also were set up with childbirth, lactation, and prenatal yoga classes throughout my pregnancy. I experienced some back pain, and she was able to identify a provider who could help cater to my specific need and it was a game changer in terms of mobility and comfort in my last trimester. She was an amazing help and resource leading up to labor.

When in labor Tata was with us every step of the way. She was able to coach us through various comfort measures and helped to create a safe and comfortable environment, both at home and when we got to the hospital. She was invaluable to our birth experience! It would not have been the same without her!

3 words to describe my birth experience: Intense, safe, informed

Alise G.

10/31/2024

During our initial interview, I thought you would bring a lot of energy, light, and joy to the birthing experience. I was deciding between you and another doula who seemed to provide more calm and grounding energy. I went with the doula who was more energizing and my expectations were right—you did bring light and joy — from dancing to encourage contractions, to our small chats about our families and upbringing. However, you were also calming and grounding when needed. You had a great sense of the room and delivered the right energy at the right time.

We had an amazing experience with Neula Doula. She was knowledgeable and supportive, and I wouldn't have made it as long as I did through unmedicated labor without her support. Although my birth didn't go according to plan, Tata was there to guide us through many difficult situations, helping us to feel positive about what could have otherwise been a traumatic experience. She was also particularly good at creating a solid, genuine bond quickly. This is super important as she is part of such an intimate time in a couple's life.

My birth experience in 3 words: Shocking, Difficult, Empowering 

Shari C.

7/6/2024

Having Tata as my doula was a true blessing. From the moment our relationship began to when we realized that a C-section was necessary, Tata was there, providing calm and unwavering support. Her presence was incredibly reassuring during such an unexpected and stressful time. She helped me stay focused and calm, explaining each step of the process and making sure I felt heard and understood. Especially in an environment where Black mothers are often silenced and overlooked.

Tata's support extended well beyond the operating room, as she was there for me throughout my recovery, offering practical help and emotional encouragement. Her knowledge and experience were invaluable, as she provided guidance on everything from breastfeeding to post-surgery care. Her compassion and empathy made a world of difference, turning what could have been a daunting experience into one that felt manageable and even empowering.

Tata’s dedication to my well-being and her genuine care for both me, my partner and our baby created a bond that I will always cherish. Her support helped me find strength and confidence in a challenging situation, and I’m incredibly grateful for her presence during this significant moment in my life. I am forever indebted!

Ameer W.

7/6/2024

Tata’s dedication went beyond the basics of her role. She was genuinely invested in our well-being, checking in on us regularly and making sure we had everything we needed prior to, during, and after the birth of our son. Her presence allowed us to focus on the joy of welcoming our new baby into the world, rather than getting lost in the stress and fear of an unexpected situation.

From the moment labor stalled and a C-section was necessary, Tata was right there with us, providing a calming and supportive presence that made an overwhelming situation much more manageable.

In the lead-up to the surgery, Tata took the time to explain what was happening and what to expect. Her clear and compassionate communication helped to ease our anxieties and made us feel more in control.

Tata ensured that my partner felt supported and informed throughout the entire process, and she helped me stay calm and focused so that I could be there for my partner in the best way possible.

After the birth, Tata’s support was just as vital. She was there to assist with breastfeeding, offering practical tips and encouragement. Her advice on post-surgery care was indispensable, helping us navigate the recovery process with confidence.

Reflecting on the entire experience, I can’t imagine going through it without Tata by our side. As a first-time dad, I am profoundly grateful for everything she did for our family.

Mercedes M.

2/5/2024

Working with Tata taught me much about myself and my resilience. I will first start by saying that no matter how much I studied, watched videos, or spoke to other women, nothing prepared me for the experience of what I thought my birth would be. I think it's because, subconsciously, I wanted to control and dictate what I thought was "the right birth." Which, in my mind, was a natural vaginal birth with as little medical intervention as possible. While this was the goal I achieved, I was ignorant of the intensity of initiation my body and spirit undertook into motherhood. Initially, I didn't know what to expect when working with Tata. I've never known anyone in real life who used a doula, and while I knew they helped with the birth process, I had no idea how vital they were in assuring a healthy and smooth labor. Tata looked out for me in ways I didn't even know I would need at the time, from the most subtle small things as having hair ties and chapstick to showing me how to breathe and relax when my nervous system forgot how to. She made me feel confident and strong throughout my labor, even when I was unsure of my body's capability. Tata taught me how to surrender to my vulnerability in my birthing process and let me experience and express any emotions I had at the time without judgment. I never felt embarrassed or unheard, and she made sure I achieved the labor and birth I desired. Even after my birth, as I was having difficulty adjusting to breastfeeding, Tata provided me with so much counsel, comfort, and assistance (even to the point where she came over at three in the morning to help me hand express milk when my son wasn't latching)! Tata has shown me so much patience and compassion, and I know that if she weren't present, I would not have been able to get through my labor as I did. She embraced me like family would, and I appreciate her and what she does in so many ways.

My birth experience described in 3 words: Powerful, Majestic and Intense

Travis S.

12/28/2023

Tata came into our lives by chance. A coworker overheard me expressing the need for a Doula mid way through my fiancée's pregnancy. That coworker told me "I have the perfect person for you." Next thing you know, he gave me Tata's website & contact info. Shortly after reaching out, Tata enthusiastically responded ready to meet us. We all clicked and she was excited to help my fiancé ultimately deliver our healthy baby boy. Through in-person guidance, as well as remotely being willing to answer questions around the clock,  Tata went above & beyond our expectations. Given that this is our first child, we needed a ton of assistance acclimating to all of the newness that came with my fiancée's physical changes, and how to prepare for the big day in advance as much as we could.
When the contractions picked up the day before his arrival, Tata travelled across 2 boroughs to support us in those final moments before we all headed to the hospital together. As my fiancée pushed her way through the entire day in the hospital, Tata was there for every step with alertness and plenty of energy despite not sleeping much. Her communication with the hospital staff was so clear & concise that they ended up exchanging info in the event that the hospital needed her assistance in the future. The big moment came and despite some delivery difficulties, our baby boy Shine arrived safely with Tata within arms reach the entire process. We cannot begin to thank her enough for the warmth and blessings she provided my fiancée throughout the pregnancy, the arrival of our baby boy, and for our family in general.If I could ever recommend her Doula services to another person, I would in a heartbeat. And if we ever are blessed to welcome another child into this world, Tata will be the first person we go to! We love Tata!

Allie M.

12/28/2023

Wow. Where do I even begin? Tata you will forever be a blessing to our family & we found you at such a divine moment in our lives. It’s taken a long while to write this because my labor triggers heavy emotions. It’d be hard to sum it up without recounting every detail of it but, in short, having you there made an otherwise cold environment so warm and familiar.

Reflecting on my birth now, almost a year into motherhood feels like a life time ago. To take it back, meeting for our prenatal appointments always made me feel happy and safe. We were able to express our desire for a holistic birth & you educated us and provided resources to accomplish just that. My labor was a long and difficult one but your support never wavered. Even when we made adjustments to my pain management plans, you remained solid & supportive. You were also my partner while they administered my epidural and that’s yet another moment that I will never forget. My labor ended in a vacuum assisted delivery because of complications with Shine’s heart rate and I wouldn’t change one thing. It wasn’t the birth that I had envisioned but having you there with us makes the memory less painful.

You are our family now and we hope that you’re able to help us bring our future children earth side. I’m hopeful that one day I will be able to experience the holistic birth plan that we had in place for Shine, for our future children. You taught me so much about breathing, stretching, pain management and hypnobirthing— I would love to further explore these techniques in the future. Sometimes I’m hard on myself because of the complications of my labor but I know that everything happens for a reason and I would never trade this experience for another.

We love you Tata and we hope to remain this close for a life time. ??

My birth described in three words: Powerful, Emotional & Other-worldly

Aurelie J.

11/1/2023

From the start, I connected with Tata. She is kind, energetic and experienced. She is passionate about her work, and you can feel it! She is knowledgeable, and she helped me with everything I needed during my pregnancy, sending me resources, classes, and recommended products. It felt personalized; she also gave me some yoga classes, a great way to connect, relax, and get to know each other better. As a foreigner I didn't know how the US health system worked and Tata was a great guide for this. Her experienced of NYC hospitals was definitely a plus! During the prenatal visit, she prepared my partner and me for the birth, teaching him some counter-pressure points to help me go through contractions. After this visit, we felt more confident and prepared for the big day. Tata's support during labor was terrific; she was here every step of the way, helping me with each contraction for hours; she was also here to help me through my choices during labor. I couldn't have had a better doula! I highly recommend her. 

Adrienne

9/13/2023

We had intended to start with an un-medicated birth and to see how things progressed. We decided to hire a doula kind of late in the process because our group practice changed and there were going to be several doctors we did not know potentially doing the delivery. We wanted to have someone there that knew us and new the process. Tata what perfectly understanding of our position, and helped to prepare us with lots of information on how we could do medication-free pain management and prepare physically for labor. It ended up that we had an induction as our little one was 41+ weeks. I was able to go through most of the labor un-medicated as planned even on Pitocin. When they broke my water, the pain was unbearable. Tata was there just at the point where we decided to get an epidural. She didn't show any judgment, and helped me get through the contractions as they were setting the anesthesia. She held one of my numb legs along with the nurse as I was pushing and my husband was holding my hand. 10 minutes later we had a beautiful baby girl. Not much went as we had originally planned, but it still turned out to be a great experience.

T.B.

7/18/2023

Once I got pregnant, I knew I wanted a doula because I didn’t want my husband to be the only support person in the room. I wanted to take some pressure off him because I know how labor can be. I wanted someone that would advocate for me and that had the knowledge of birth to make the process somewhat easier for me. I found Tata through a Tiktok and once I had my first meeting with her I knew she was the one. She was young, relatable, and felt more like a friend than a mom telling me what to do. Throughout pregnancy she was always available through text and answered any questions I had. She always made suggestions and the conversation always felt like I was talking to a friend. When I went into labor, Tata came to my house in a prompt manner and got to work. When we got to the hospital, she held my hand and guided me through breathing with every contraction. I got to 8 cm then I wanted an epidural. When I wanted an epidural, she let me know it was okay even though I felt bad about it. When baby’s heart rate was going down and the heart rate monitor wouldn’t stay on, Tata held in in place for a while, while I slept so I wouldn’t have to. I vomited 7x and Tata was there with vomit bags and tissues. When the nurse came in and said they may consider me for a C-section, Tata talked to me about advocating for myself and my baby and my ability. With Tata’s help (as well as my amazing medical team), I pushed baby down 2 stations and out in an hour, as a first-time mom. Everyone was singing my praises on how well I handled labor and a lot of that was because of the prep Tata provided and the support she gave me through labor. Thank you, TATA <3

My birth experience in 3 words… Long, Positive & Challenging

Arisa Savoca

3/25/2023

My birth described in 3 words: Unexpected, Fast, and Incredible.

Tata has been an amazing doula support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The birth of our baby was super fast and we didn't have the chance to use any of the tools that she showed us. But having her by my side for the last stage of pushing helped me get through it. Tata, thank you for everything! I'll recommend you to anyone who's looking for a doula.

Nilaja G.

1/5/2023

My birth described in 3 words...Amazing, Empowering and Prepared! Tata is now family. My partner and I could not be more grateful for her professionalism and knowledge. One of the scariest moments being a first-time mom turned out to be one of the happiest moments. Why you may ask? Because I was in tune with my mind, body, and soul. I now have a healthy baby girl! My birthing plan followed through as I envisioned with Tata's assistance. No medication, might I add! I became one with my baby and body. Tata, I cannot thank you enough! With love from Nilaja, Fatimah & baby Rosie <3

Shana F.

11/5/2022

Tata was great and helped keep me in the zone. She empowered me while not taking over and being very pushy. She had a full bag of tricks for whatever I would need through the process. I loved that she set up the room with candles. It made me be able to get into my zone. 

Tiara Sanders

10/13/2022

From the very first meeting I had with Tata, I knew she would be a great fit for me. As this was my first pregnancy, I feel she helped make this process smooth and was always able to answer any questions I had. Although things didn't go as planned in the end, she never left my side and I appreciate her for that. Can't wait to work with her again and I will forever recommend her services! :)

Brittany Reese

7/12/2022

My physical and mental health during my first trimester was the worse it’s ever been. I felt as though nobody understood what I was going through. After feeling hopeless that things will get better, I began looking into Black doulas located in NYC. I was then recommended to Tata by another young mom. After I had my consultation with Tata I knew she was the one. I went with my gut feeling and I knew this is who I needed in my corner and I wasn’t wrong. Preparing for labor is like the olympics especially for a first time mama, but with the help of Tata I felt super prepared. From day 1 she gave me all the information I could ever need. The book recommendations were amazing and has taught me so much. The journal that was recommended was also amazing because it helped me self reflect and look within and whenever I would go through my mood swings, the journal was perfect! Tata also made sure I was in attendance at almost every childbirth, and breastfeeding class. She literally didn’t miss a beat! I was able to learn so much and this better prepared me for labor. Throughout this whole process, Tata was my google. She answered every question I asked, which I truly appreciated. My favorite thing about our journey together was the yoga on the weekends, this was a great way for me to unwind and release any tension or negative energy in my body. I was able to center myself which helped me mentally and allowed for a stronger connection with baby Ryder. Hiring Tata was one of my greatest investments!! To have the support and advocacy from another Black women was something that I wanted and received throughout my pregnancy journey. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything! Love, Brittany + Ryder

Sade Grant

4/3/2022

The perfect puzzle piece to pregnancy is Tata Milan! Quickly, efficiently, and lovingly the “Neula Doula” practice by Tata is the best thing I needed. From the beginning the communication and expectations are clear. The education she provided gave me the knowledge and confidence to have my first child all natural! From birthing centers to midwives she was able to help me curate my pregnancy care and adapt to any curveball while providing an unforgettable experience.

Tata Milan is there for you in support in such a way I believe all moms AND dads deserve. Tata gave my partner great coaching as well to help me every step of the way. My partner was able to support me in knowledgeable ways the whole pregnancy & labor through! She was a dream during my active labor at home with me so much that i dilated 6 cm by the time I got to the hospital (she helped me choose) all i had to do was push!

Lastly, if not for Tata I would not have the courage to be pregnant again. I am so grateful for her kindness and care, Neula Doula made me a super hero!

Bintou Jobarteh

1/13/2022

n a short period of time, Tata has taught me so much. I quickly became familiar with the language surrounding childbirth to make informed decisions. I choose Tata because she prioritized me and made sure I could have the birth experience I dreamt of. Of course, plans change, but we stuck to the plan as much as we could. She affirmed me every step of the way. Truly, the outcome surprised me because I never thought I would be able to birth Lotus without an epidural. Please do not hesitate. She is the one!

Kelly Snider

10/27/2021

So I have to start this review by saying that if you are “thinking” about having Tata as your doula: DO NOT HESITATE To go through with it!

Tata is extremely consistent & professional. She literally remembered everything from the very first meeting we had. She made sure that things were exactly how I wanted it to be. From medical practice preferences to my favorite snacks. I felt so safe & comfortable with her. 

I had a very painful labor and she honestly made it better. Just dealing with my horrible attitude during labor pains is enough to give her the highest form of recommendation! I was so lucky to have her as a doula. Not to mention just how awesome her personality is. Truly the perfect doula 

Carolynne

10/5/2021

We were introduced to Tata through our babysitter at the time, who we trusted and loved, so we felt more comfortable than we would have if we'd found a Doula elsewhere. It's worth saying that we were unsure about having a stranger with us at first as it's such a personal experience but looking back it's the best thing we could have done. 

Tata was our Doula for our second child. Having had a lengthy and arduous delivery the first time we knew the pressure and added strain of only having two of us there. Tata was an angel! I was in labor for almost 19 hours, with my contractions pretty much 5 mins apart from the start! She came to our house and helped me labor for over 6 hrs at home. Something so simple as rubbing my feet was immensely helpful. We were her first birth and she was tireless. She even helped me from the delivery bed to the toilet and didn't bat an eyelid. 

not only was she a a huge support to me but she was a rock and a sounding board for my husband when hard decisions were needed re. The birth of our daughter. She was there to give him a break when he needed but also knew when to stand down if required. 

looking back we wish we'd known Tata when we had our first daughter. She is sweet, kind and gentle yet empowering and determined. Love her!