Awara

12/18/2024

As a birth doula myself, I had very high standards in terms of who I would hire to support me and my family in welcoming our second child into the world.  Hiring Arlene is one of the best decisions I've ever made.  I truly credit so much of my postive and empowering birth experience to Arlene's support.  She is so warm, so lovely, so supportive and extremely knowleageable.  I felt like she was truly here for me - with zero personal agenda or judgement.  She was always available when I needed her and she shared excellent resources for anything I was wondering about (especially on postpartum planning!).  Even though I had been through childbirth before and had a partner who was also planning to support during labor/delivery, I am so SO grateful Arlene was there too.  She motivated me, encouraged me, and advocated for me at multiple points.  She truly held and protected the space I needed to create life.  I really don't have enough words to articulate how amazing this woman is and how thankful I am for everything she has done for me.

Jocie

12/16/2024

Arlene was my doula for both of my births - in 2022 and in 2024 - and I'm so honored to now be able to call her a friend as well. Arlene provided non-judgemental, evidence-based advice and physical and emotional support through both of my pregnancies and labors. She is incredibly intuitive and respectful and was able to anticipate what words and support my husband and I needed to hear. My first labor was quite long and Arlene was very communicative about arrival times and what to expect from a first labor. One of my biggest concerns about my second labor was childcare for our toddler, and Arlene was so happy to step up into the role of transitional caregiver, staying with our son after we had to go to the hospital until his nanny could arrive. We even asked her to cut the cord for our second baby! Arlene is a very special person with a warm, open-minded presence. If we have a third child, she will certainly be there. Also, she gives fantastic hugs! 

Anna

12/12/2024

I'm so grateful for Arlene's support during my pregnancy and birth! I ended up having a last minute c-section, which wasn't the plan, and Arlene helped me stay calm and grounded throughout the delivery. My husband was super nervous so it was increbibly helpful for me to have her there to hold the peaceful vibes for everyone. She even offered me some Reiki healing while I was on the operating table which totally helped keep me calm. I ended up having a positive birth experience despite the unexpected c-section and I credit that to the support I got from Arlene. I highly recommend if you're looking for someone with a calm grounded presence and who knows how to advocate for your needs during labor/birth... and who overall is just an amazing person. 

Katie

12/12/2024

Arlene was our birth & postpartum doula. She is incredible! She is so thoughtful and takes the time to not only answer questions or concerns, but also share resources and advice. I felt well supported during pregnancy. One of the best things about her is her knowledge and experience. She doesn't have an adgenda or a "right way" of doing things. She listens to her clients and truly absorbs what they need or want. I felt validated in everything on my birth plan. In the days leading up to labor, she was attentive and present. I knew that in our time of need she would be right there! And even with a super fast labor, she made it to the hospital in time. She was such an important advocate during birth, kindly quieting extra noises and making sure I was safe and respected. In the postpartum days and months she visited us, answered questions about sleep, nursing, and more. To this day, now 15 months postpartum, I still count on Arlene for advice. She's amazing, I can't recommend her enough! 

Tayla

1/29/2023

Arlene was so incredibly helpful before, during, and after birth. She made sure we were always informed and knew what to expect. When my labor didn’t go as planned, she provided much needed emotional support to both my wife and me, making a scary situation feel much more manageable. We are forever grateful to her and her knowledge, advocacy, and support. We wholeheartedly recommend Arlene to anyone going through the birthing process.

Breanna D’Avolio

1/5/2023

We decided to hire a doula when I was well into my third trimester with my second baby. During the search, an unavailable doula highly recommended Arlene. I’m over the moon happy that she did, as it was pretty much doula love at first chat. Arlene radiated confidence, care, and positivity when speaking with her. Baby didn’t arrive until 42+1 weeks, and I had weeks of prodromal labor. Arlene checked in on me often, in what was a very emotionally trying time. I ended up going in to the hospital to get a non-chemical induction after full explanation of my options from Arlene and my midwives at the Northshore birth center. At the hospital, around 2am, Arlene arrived after I told her I was ready. Almost immediately after her arrival, my body went into go mode. Arlene offered me words of support and short mantras. She reminded me in the difficult moments that I was powerful and to listen to my body. Then, at 4:49 am, my baby boy was born. I couldn’t have done it without Arlene, and we would hire her again in a heartbeat. Thank you, Arlene!

Bing

1/4/2023

Six months have passed since my birth in June 2022, and I'm finally finding the energy and words to share my painful experience of working with Arlene Lammy. It's disheartening to now read the positive reviews below, knowing how differently I was treated as a client on the day of my labor.

While Arlene was perfectly kind and personable in the few meetings we had, she failed at supporting me on the day of my labor - the moment when I thought a doula's presence would be most worthwhile. I had heard marvelous stories from friends about their doulas being incredibly supportive - especially on D-day, the day of labor.

On my labor day, however, it was a completely different story. Arlene kept delaying her arrival at the hospital, stating that she would only come during "active labor" via text messages to my husband. At the seventeenth hour, I was finally dilated at 10cm. Throughout the twenty-something hours, I kept looking at the clock, wondering when she would arrive. Seeing my distress, my nurse snarkily muttered that I should "get a refund." Finally, Arlene arrived in the last hour of my labor. She arrived an hour before my baby was born. At this point, I was too exhausted and elated at the sight of my baby to be angered. Later, I conveyed to her my disappointment for not showing up at my most vulnerable time and was offered, in a gesture of goodwill, several hours of postpartum visits. I mulled over her offer for several months. But knowing that she didn't show up on time for my labor, I didn't feel comfortable leaving my baby with her either. 

I want to be clear that this testimonial is not a judgment on Arlene's character but on my specific experience as her client and her subsequent inability to empathize and come to a just resolution with a client whose birth experience was less than satisfactory. Anyone working in her role needs to be able to take feedback. It was my birth and her letting me down left a lasting mark. 

Caitlin Osborne

12/29/2022

Arlene is everything you could wish for in a doula - supportive, nurturing, organized and the best advocate you could ask for! When our birth "plan" turned side ways and we ended up with a planned c-section, Arlene still supported us throughout the process and thereafter. To this day, even with my baby being 6 months old, Arlene is still a trusted friend of our entire family and is always just a text away. We highly recommend :)

Nia Brown

5/23/2022

Arlene was THE BEST! She helped us create a birth plan for our first baby at such a vulnerable time in our lives. Although labor came unexpected and we were forced to change our location  Arlene advocated for us despite not knowing any of the doctors. If you are unsure about traditional or non traditional birth we highly recommend Arlene as a doula. Our real life fairy god mother!! 

Barbara

5/4/2022

Summary: Highly recommend. I'm coming back to Arlene for all my future children and will even woo her back if she ever moves on from the field of doula-ing.

We found Arlene through three hops of indirection; after each doula we contacted was too busy but recommended another doula. I'm glad those others were booked because working with Arlene has been such a pleasure.

We are first time parents and were very anxious about the whole L&D process and taking care of a newborn. Arlene was there to answer all our questions in a patient manner. When she didn't know something she would be honest about not knowing it and then follow-up later once she had looked into it more.

During the L&D itself, my partner and I both felt very supported. When my labor started, my partner really appreciated having Arlene to text, ask questions of, and ensure we didn't either go to the hospital too early or miss our window. During the birth, Arlene helped us advocate our preferred birth plan with the medical staff and supported me through the contractions by helping me get into different positions, holding my hand, and checking in frequently on how I was doing. For my husband, she was a calming presence and he valued her expertise and support.

Post-partum, we hired Arlene for day visits and overnight. The day visits have been great, with Arlene supporting me through the breastfeeding journey, providing advice about the baby's activities and health, helping with baby laundry, and letting us nap when it is all too much. For overnights, it's been wonderful being able to hand our little one off to someone we trust. Knowing our LO is being well cared for gives us the peace of mind we need to mentally let go and fall asleep despite the intermittent baby cries.

Jeff

1/17/2022

Arlene was a fantastic doula. She was calm, supportive, accessible, and a strong advocate. She was particularly valuable during the birth, providing equal measures of comfort, support, guidance, and advocacy. We also used Arlene for post-partum care and, again, she was invaluable. Even our older daughter loved when Arlene would visit and would ask when "Ar-leeny" was next coming to play. Thanks Arlene!

Grace McGathey

1/8/2022

Arlene was a vital support to me at my birth this summer, as well as during pregnancy and postpartum. During delivery Arlene kept me grounded and focused, reassured me, and helped me advocate to have a safe and affirming experience. As my sole support person in the hospital, Arlene recommended positions for coping with contractions and facilitating baby's progress, used touch and her voice to soothe me, and most importantly helped me to accept the fear and discomfort in the moment and move through it. I am forever grateful for her as my birth doula. 

Sheyla

9/21/2021

Where can I even begin to speak on the wonder that is Arlene? My experience with Arlene was nothing short of amazing. I unfortunately was in prodromal labor for 3 days and upon filling in Arlene of the slightest pain she was at the ready, and guiding me. I never once felt like she was annoyed or angered with me even though I was stuck on 4cm for what felt like forever. I was very stuck in my ways about not receiving any aid in delivery but Arlene went over the pros and cons of any and every situation ( in my case viceral, nubain, pitocin and sterile water) which I was SO grateful for because my head just felt so foggy. I eventually did make it to the stage of pushing which I also remember her being at my side gently but ferociously in tune with me as my boy was ready to make his debut. Squeezing my hands with me, massaging my back, bringing me water and constantly reminded me that my body was made for this and that we were going to make it through. I am 6 months PP and my boy is starting solids and attending daycare and I can literally call on Arlene for anything and everything. My mind is so at ease knowing that if she doesn't have the answer she will help me find it and I feel supported in the juggle that is my old self, my new self, and the joy of raising a little love to the best of my ability. Support is super critical in our journey to motherhood and I just look at the pictures of the day I give birth and most say THREE DAYS?!?! but I would do it a million times with my team again. My little family is so thankful for Arlene. ESPECIALLY my boyfriend who looked like he was going to pass out on more than one occasion, HA! Te queremos mucho partera, cannot wait to do it again!!!!

Abby Shain

9/21/2021

Arlene is the best. She was such a resource for us in my last months of pregnancy and then during labor. She is SO knowledgable and I leaned on her tremendously when it was time to make hard decisions for myself and my baby. I loved having her on my birth team and I'd recommend her to absolutely any soon-to-be mothers. 

Meg

9/15/2021

Arlene was our birth doula for the birth of our second child in June 2021. She was fantastic! We spoke on the phone once and immediately clicked with her. She has a lot of energy, a strong point of view, and is warm and funny. My husband and I both really enjoyed her personality and felt she'd be a great match for us. 

We did not get a chance to meet in person before the  birth as my son came a month early. Arlene met us at the hospital (Mt. Auburn)  when I went into labor and was a wonderful support. I wanted (and had) an "unmedicated" birth, with minimal interventions and felt very safe, supported, and listened to both by Arlene and the Mt. Auburn providers. I labored in the tub for a while, and Arlene poured warm water on my back, helped me change positions, suggested things like juice and a lollipop to distract me, kept me hydrated, and talked with me between contractions. When I was ready to get out and labor with nitrous oxide, she helped me find comfortable positions and kept my husband company while I labored. We laughed and joked between contractions and the birth experience was incredibly positive, calm and wonderful. I highly recommend her to any family who is looking for a caring, educated, and fun birth doula to support their birth experiences. She has been wonderful about staying in touch  and coming to visit, offering ideas for breastfeeding and baby care, and we're hoping to stay in touch as friends and perhaps have her support us if we have another child.

Thank you Arlene!!

Noora

9/10/2021

We're very happy that we hired Arlene for the birth of our first child. Arlene is so knowledgeable about pregnancy, birth, and baby care; she always had the right answer to our questions and we felt more prepared for the birth after meeting with her. She made herself available to answer questions we had during pregnancy, during the birth, and afterwards. Arlene was great at advocating for my informed consent during and after the birth. She stayed with us for over twelve hours in the hospital, even after the baby was born and held my hand when I was going through a postpartum hemorrhage. She was a great support to my husband too and answered his questions when there was a lot going on. She helped us process what happened during the birth at our postpartum meeting which made me feel a lot better about the experience. I'm really grateful Arlene was our doula and I would recommend her!

Brigitte

9/10/2021

I absolutely loved working with Arlene and couldn't say enough good things. She was my birth and post-partum doula. I can honestly say she made all the difference during my birth at B&W. She had a great working relationship with nurses and doctors, and was never hesitant to advocate for me. I had such a beautiful birth thanks to her support of me and my spouse. She was also there through some of the best and worst moments of my postpartum. She was also great with my baby thanks to her experience in early infant development and education. Her rec for lactation consultant, among other expert advice, helped me so much. I will forever be grateful for having Arlene as part of my birth story. 

Kerri

6/19/2021

I remember being on the fence about hiring a doula, but so glad we decided to. Arlene was a godsend. If my husband was holding me up in between a contraction, she was putting the straw to my mouth to keep me hydrated, or wiping the vomit off my face, or putting up my hair, or reminding me to breathe through those more intense contractions at the end. My husband was absolutely amazing and I could not have made it through without him, but he only has so many hands and there’s no doubt we needed Arlene.

After meeting Arlene fairly late in third trimester, we knew wanted to hire her. She has such a calming presence and is extremely organized, knowledgeable, thorough and passionate. She is clearly in the right field. 

Upon finding out I needed to be induced post dates and "zero amniotic fluid"... I was devasted.  Arlene was a great support system. With her help I was able to achieve a safe birth with no IVs, pain meds, or pitocin. She is a wonderful advocate that is able to walk that fine line between building rapport with the healthcare providers while also holding them accountable for informed consent.

If you are reading this and considering investing in a doula: do it! And, choose Arlene. She is invaluable and we are forever grateful for her role in our son's beautiful birth!

Katy Veprauskas

3/25/2021

Arlene was a true lifesaver during the newborn period. She worked as a postpartum doula for us in the first three months of our daughter's life and was an immense help with lactation issues, questions we had as new parents, dealing with baby fussiness and other issues in real time, and also taking over care of our baby at times so we could get some desperately needed sleep. We learned countless skills and tips from her that we still use today. Not only is Arlene incredibly knowledgeable and experienced with infant care, she also has such a kind and caring presence that really put me at ease. I found the newborn period to be very anxiety provoking as well as joyful, and Arlene's expertise and calming demeanor were invaluable in dealing with all of the stresses of that time and helping our whole family thrive. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a postpartum doula.

Jennifer MacGregor

11/5/2020

A friend of mine once said that if she  had to decide between her Doula and her husband in the delivery room... she'd choose her Doula.. after having Arlene assist in the birth of my son I now know exactly what she meant. 
I was told that I was being induced 3 weeks early and wasn't quite sure how to process it. We had used Arlene's Reiki services in the past and I thought she could be a huge support to my husband during my labor. (She ended up being the greatest support to us both!)
Arlene was able to accommodate us last minute and showed up to the hospital with a whole bag of tricks including treats, earplugs and a sleep mask to help us get comfortable after 2 days of labor and no baby. 
She was able to helpfully translate my options to me regarding meds, induction methods, etc.
After the midwife broke my water my labor went full force in a matter of moments. Arlene gave me the tools I needed to properly breathe and focus through contractions and support me when I felt like my body was exploding from the inside out. She just kind of 'took over' and guided me to where I needed to be. It was amazing. I couldn't have been more grateful to have her there with me and to have been the 2nd person to ever hold my baby boy. 
We are so thankful we chose to have her as our Doula. It made all the difference in our experience and I highly recommend her services and expertise! We would have been lost without her.

Mercedes

10/25/2020

Arlene was an incredible addition to my birth team. From the beginning she was responsive, compassionate, informative, and an advocate. She made us feel comfortable and empowered to do what was best for us. She was always available to support me in person, text or zoom.

I was induced and she walked me through it every step of the way and was right by my side once we were in active labor. Arlene did an awesome job with my husband as well. Giving him the space to rest and recharge while she gave me the attention I needed. She advocated for our requests during the entire process. 

She was there to help us during the golden hour and gave breastfeeding support. Arlene even fed me! I felt so taken care of. 

During postpartum she checked in and provided several visits. She gave me best practices while also providing emotional support along the way. We are beyond grateful for Arlene and the experience she gave to us. We highly recommend working with her! 

Kelsey

9/6/2020

I can't say enough great things about Arlene! She is professional, down to earth, and warm. I met several doulas before speaking with her and immediately felt comfortable. I felt like Arlene really listened to me and asked great questions from the very beginning of the process. She also wanted to get to know my husband and our family dynamic which I appreciated. She provided us with great resources, especially when Covid started and we weren't able to take any parenting classes in person.  Arlene was also very helpful as I worked through my birth plan and always available to connect! I ended up having to have a c-section and did not experience labor. Arlene was actively keeping in touch with both me and my husband when we were at the hospital and also visited us. After we got home she continued to keep in touch and also came to check in. I can't recommend Arlene enough to anyone looking for a doula as part of their pregnancy and birth experience! 

Kal

5/17/2020

Arlene was nothing short of a miracle during one of the most difficult times for our family. As hospital protocols changed during the global pandemic (only one labor support person, no siblings allowed), we were at a loss for what to do. When we approached Arlene, it was quite late in my pregnancy. But from our first call, Arlene took time with our family, offered labor and sibling support, talked me through unresolved issues from my previous birth, bonded with my older kid. During the labor (I had an induction), she stayed in touch with us through text and phone, offering amazing ways to make an incredibly difficult situation easier. She also offered such stellar sibling support, that my DD now wants Arlene to live at our house permanently. In the postpartum period,, Arlene offered wonderful suggestions for breastfeeding, organizing our time ad a family etc. Our family will always remember Arlene so very fondly, you can't go wrong with her.