Naomi Tuinstra

9/2/2026

Ellen was a phenomenal support for me on every level. We started working with her before we did our frozen embryo transfer via IVF because I'd already had three losses and needed support for my anxiety and worry going into a 4th pregnancy. She was so understanding and validating throughout it all. She provided great, informative and evidence-based resources and held space me to process and make the best choices for myself. During my 39 hour labor Ellen was super human. I have no idea how she was able to be so present and supportive for such a long labor but I do know I could not have done it without her. In real time she helped me process decisions that I was struggling with and interventions I had hoped to avoid but were necessary at that moment. I felt supported and cared for deeply. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking holistic support! 

Qi and Yan

9/2/2026

Ellen played such a huge part in our birth journey, and we truly can’t imagine how things would have gone without her. She helped us understand our options and make decisions that felt right for us, advocated for us when we needed it, and comforted and supported us when things became challenging.

Ellen wasn’t just a wonderful member of our birth team. She also helped us become better teammates for each other. She knew when and how to support each of us and helped us navigate the experience together.

We especially appreciated her evidence-based approach to birth, as well as her extensive knowledge of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum resources in the area. We felt like we could talk with her about anything. She was always compassionate, and she always either helped us directly or knew exactly who to point us toward. We are so grateful that she was part of our journey and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula.

Victoria

8/31/2026

I wouldn't be able to imagine giving birth without Ellen Tappon, my excellent doula, for both of my children's birth. One was an induction in the hospital ( high risk) and she stayed at my bedside for more than a day while I struggled through my various interventions. She kept me calm and focused, not panicked. My husband was there too and she was able to direct him to make sure that he felt useful ( and not helpless). My second birth ended up being an urgent C-section for breech delivery ( even though I had hoped for a more natural birth, apparently the baby was in charge!) She helped me advocate for everything I wanted to make it the least scary. She also helped me through some post partum depression/anxiety after the fact. I recommend her without any reservations!

Bea

8/28/2026

We just loved having Ellen as a doula. Ellen helped us immensely when we were going through a difficult time as our baby was late, making safe suggestions but also just being reassuring. When the baby decided to come, it was sudden and fast and Ellen was there at the right time, working seamlessly with our midwife and taking wonderful pictures. We didn’t even fully realize how much she had helped us until everyone left and somehow we were alone, with a newborn, in a spotless house! After the baby was born, we would have never expected the amount of support Ellen would offer us; we are particularly grateful for that. Not to mention how kind she has been to our toddler before and after the birth! Our family loves her!

Jaclyn Reid

2/3/2023

If you asked me what the most helpful part was about having Ellen as our doula, my shortest and most accurate answer would be "everything." Her body work preparation, prenatal care questions and answers, labor itself, and post-partum support was remarkable. However, if you are asking for a specific instance in which I felt she was most helpful it would be in changing the pace of labor. I was in early labor for 5 hours or so and my husband and I were feeling exhausted and bummed that we weren't further along. We felt like it was a good time to call her in for help and other ideas... 30 minutes after her arrival, I was in active labor! We had a fresh perspective on positions to try, hands-on help with counter-pressure and partner coaching/support as well as her amazing aromatherapy, personal hand-held fan, cold rags, candles and garden veggies/flowers. It was exactly the help we needed at the perfect time we needed it. This constant support continued for hours and made birth as smooth as I think it could have possibly been! 

Ellen is a steadfast oak, roots unwavering in winds of change and unpredictability, while her branches flow and adapt to every situation she is challenged with. She is strong, agile, and physically able to keep up with the demands of labor, while remaining calm and tending to the emotional intensity birth brings forth. She is a peaceful presence and a delightful person to have around during one of the greatest days of your life. On top of it all, she is certified in all the credentials everyone wants in a doula (DONA, BodyReadyMethod, Spinning Babies, SBD, has given birth herself etc.) and has spent lots of time doing additional training, as well as research, improving her skills. I would highly recommend Ellen to anyone!! 

Elena

2/16/2022

I always knew that I wanted to have a doula with me when I gave birth but as I got underway in pregnancy I was so overwhelmed by the process of finding someone I waited too long and then panicked.  I set up a meeting with a different doula only to have her cancel and say nevermind the day of the meeting.  I was completely distraught when a friend recommended Ellen.  She was so responsive and open, saying if she wasn't the right fit she'd help me find someone else, and it reassured me after my bad experience.  As it turned out we didn't need anyone else.  Throughout the whole process, she brought a perfect mix of holistic advice and scientific data in response to our questions and needs.  If we needed a book, a website, a video, a yoga ball, and even an infant scale, she provided whatever she could.  I felt like she really listened to what we needed, she took the time to get to know us, and for such a big, personal, intimate event, that was really important.  It was really hard for me to get pregnant (we need an IUI) and I think that added a layer of stress to the birth.  I also had to be induced, which introduced new elements for me to worry about.  However, I was able to give birth without complications, extra interventions, or pain medication and I don't think that would have been possible without Ellen's support.  She made it so I, and my husband, didn't have to worry at all about what we needed to do.  Ellen guided us both through what would help and I'm so thankful. Her presence never felt like too much and I felt like I didn't have to be in control of anything, because she was in control for me.  She stayed with us until we were settled in our postpartum room and continued to be a present support system months after I gave birth.  Those months were, and still are, hard, and just knowing someone is there for you means so much.  I would strongly recommend Ellen's doula services.

Melissa Van Order

2/7/2022

I had no experience with having a doula for my 3 previous children and had heard that they're very helpful so when my OB asked if I was interested I said yes. Ellen contacted me and we got to know each other a little bit. She had some great advice and was so kind and calm. 
She came to the hospital when I was induced and she was a great asset. I wish I would have been more assertive with the nurses so that I could have had more of her input and ideas. 
my husband wasn't so sure about having a doula, but ended up really appreciating her support. She helped give him ideas of ways to help me and that helped him feel more useful and confident. 
she never overstepped, she was always calm and helpful. 
I especially appreciate that she continues to check in from time to time. She even brought us a meal after we had our little girl.