Rachel

5/5/2023

My husband and I had a great experience working with Doula Ellen. She provided many resources to help me during my labor and postpartum period. She was very kind and helped support me and my husband while making decisions regarding my labor experience. Not to mention, she gives great hand and neck massages! There was one moment where I was having a contraction and I didn't even feel it because the massage distracted me from the pain. She's very good at intently listening to your experiences and needs. She wants to help any way she can. When my husband and I were looking for daycares she offered resources to help us. I would recommend Ellen as a doula to anyone whos looking for someone supportive, kind and resourceful. She was especially helpful when it came to educating and guiding my husband who didn't really know what to expect during my labor (given that we are first time parents). She's cool, calm and collected while still being incredibly encouraging during contractions. She knew when to give me my space when I just needed to walk around and when to offer support. She's great at reading the room. All in all, I'd recommend her 10/10 times to anyone interested in a labor experience with a doula! 

Heather

1/10/2023

Ellen was a great doula for our first child!

Going through the pregnancy/labor process for the first time we thought having another person in the room who was on our side and understood our wants and needs for labor was really important.

Ellen was able to show up to the hospital shortly after our arrival to the hospital, but even before she was walking us through on the phone when we should consider going to the hospital in the first place, which was extremely helpful and brought us confidence we were making the right decision.

Our labor was about 12+ hours but Ellen was there throughout the whole night and didn't leave our side. She was truly a trooper and brought lots of encouragement and guidance as we labored, even through the most difficult and tiring parts.

As baby came out she was very conscience of our wishes for skin to skin right after baby was born and stood up for us to make sure things were going according to our wishes even in the midst of the most beautiful and emotion-filled moments of seeing our baby for the first time.

We would certainly recommend Ellen as a doula.

Thanks Ellen

Bronwyn

9/10/2022

We really loved working with Ellen for the birth of our first child. She was very responsive to my needs and my birth preferences. She worked well with my entire birth/support team (midwife, nurses, husband). Ellen was incredibly helpful with her squeezes during contractions which reduced pain. Her TENS unit was also a good distraction and helped particularly with the back pain part of contractions. Ellen was attentive to the labor progress and regularly suggested position changes and strategies to help move labor along. We also found it really helpful that Ellen’s presence allowed my husband to rest, sleep, and take breaks during a very long labor. She also captured some photos and videos of our family using our phones that we really appreciate having. We are very grateful to have had Ellen’s advocacy as well as her physical and emotional support throughout labor and delivery and can’t imagine the experience without her.

Anna M

5/2/2022

Ellen is so wonderful! She met with us multiple times before the delivery and called me several times afterwards. During the delivery I appreciated the support I got from her, especially when my husband couldn’t be there. For example, holding my hand and getting me through the epidural process (my husband doesn’t do well with needles and had to leave the room). My favorite part was the emotional support, postpartum. We had many phone calls where she would check up on me to see how I was doing. She also sent follow up e-mails with helpful advice and encouraging words. Ellen is so kind and caring! I highly recommend her for anyone looking for a doula!

Anna

4/8/2022

I chose Ellen to be our doula before even meeting her due to her wonderful reviews but after actually meeting her I knew 100% that I wanted her to be there when our daughter was born. To my surprise, Ellen was there for me when I needed her most, during the pregnancy. I wanted a natural birth and I was labeled as "high risk". Everytime I was confronted with a difficult appointment or struggled with making decisions based on my care teams advice, Ellen was there to remind me of what I wanted in my birth and helped me to relax and get grounded again. I was so appreciative for all she did. She was always there for me when I needed someone to talk to about my pregnancy and asked for updates so she would know how to help me. My labor went really fast so she didn't get much of an opportunity to help with supporting me during waves but she dropped everything and came as soon as I told her it was time to head to the hospital. She met us there and grabbed our bags as we ran from the ER to the OB. She then gave a few hip squeezes and baby was born. So although we didn't have much time together during the actual birth, she did what she had time to do to support me.

After getting home Ellen checked in with us to make sure everything was going ok. She checked in with me after my post partum appointments as well.

She's well educated and if there is something she isn't sure about she spends the time to research it. 

My husband also appreciated having Ellen available during the pregnancy. This gave him the comfort in knowing we had someone outside of the health care system who understood all that comes with pregnancy. He asked questions and in the end felt comfortable enough to catch our baby with our midwife by his side. This was something he was absolutely scared to do before we discussed it with Ellen.

Ellen is such a sweet lady and I would 100% hire her again.

Melanie O

12/2/2021

Anyone searching for a Doula should meet with Ellen. She was simply the best support during my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. This was my first pregnancy so I wanted to have a memorable experience and I knew I wanted a Doula. My husband and I instantly connected with Ellen and we knew she would be the best support for us and our baby.

I could not thank Ellen enough for all of her check ins, meetings, and being there for us during labor! My labor came on fast and Ellen met us quickly at the hospital. I received an epidural (which was planned) and we waited until I was ready to push. Having her there to talk with, her words of encouragement, offering a cool damp cloth for my forehead during pushing, and extra support for my husband made our birth experience the best it could be. Ellen caught precious photos of the moment our daughter was born and the first time my husband held her. What was even more special was that our daughter was born on Ellen's birthday! Beyond memorable and so thankful for Ellen.

Ellie R

10/23/2020

Ellen was actually a back-up doula for my doula. I had only ever chatted with her on the phone when she came to relieve my doula after a long night. (We had had the option to meet, but naively thought we wouldn't need to reach for back-ups, ha!) Even so, I felt instantly at ease with her. She has a solid, joyful presence, and her hands are *magic*. I'll be forever grateful for her physical support — massage and squeezes, even just her hands on my forehead. She was proactive in caring for me through those late stages. She struck a wonderful balance of anticipating needs without being intrusive. Another testimonial says she felt Ellen was like a mother, and I had that same sense of comfort and security, like I was held and safe and could let down while she was with me.

She also brought such a sense of celebration and openness (and homemade granola — the best I've ever tasted) to our followup house call and conversation. We would highly recommend her!

Rebecca Venier

9/21/2020

Our experience with Ellen as our doula was truly a godsend. At our initial meeting, we felt a deep connection with her. We felt comforted by her ability to empathetically listen to our story, and seek to know us as a couple and growing family. As first time parents, Ellen offered encouragement and reassurance to our many questions. She also gave us exercises, strategies and resources to prepare us for the big day.

By the time we went into labor, I had established a meaningful relationship with her, like that of a mother and daughter, which helped ease my anxieties. It was especially meaningful to have this type of presence, since during the pandemic we could not have any other family members join our birth.  Throughout my long, unmedicated labor, Ellen offered back rubs, hips squeezes, made sure I was well nourished, and coached my husband to be the supportive partner I needed. As a person who doesn't normally ask for help, it was such a relief knowing her hand was there to squeeze and she would be with me during each contraction as I yelled, "Ellen hips!"

Beyond being an incredible comforter, Ellen was an important advocate for us, especially during times of confusion or when we were feeling discouraged by the the length of our labor. Knowing our birth plan and preferences,  she helped us speak up for our needs.

Finally, knowing our values, motivations, and spirituality, Ellen helped us call upon these things and dig deep in the hardest moments of pushing when I felt like giving up. Reflecting back on our birth story, we believe without Ellen's presence our whole experience may have felt traumatic. However, Ellen brought us an immeasurable amount peace and helped us optimize our inner strength.

Ellen has continued to support us post birth with lacation and postpartum care suggestions and home visits. We are so grateful for Ellen and will forever consider her part of our family.

Jared Daniel Venier

9/18/2020

Bringing new life into the world, especially for the first time, is a magnficient and momentous undertaking. As our daughter's birthday was approaching, the fear of the uknown and hopeful anticipation was peaking. With Ellen as our primary birth-partner, our heart's were able to acheive a confident peace about the birthing process. Ellen was quick to listen to our needs, and provided thoughtful answers founded in a wealth of experience and knowledge. We value clear and compassionate communication, and Ellen well-exceeded our expectations before, during, and after birth.

When labor began, I felt excitement and joy in the time to come, as well as a sense of nervousness and concern as I knew the hard-work and waves of labor my wife was about to wade through in the coming hours. Ellen was timely in meeting us at the Health Foundations birthing center, and was quick to take lead as our advocate and partner when we did not know which step to take next to facilitate a meaningful, smooth, and timely birthing process. She was well-equipped to meet not only my wife's needs, but also mine, every step of the way. From postural suggestions to words of encouragement, and more significantly her enduring presence of peace and comfort, we made it through more than 24 hours of arduous labor.

Ellen and I worked as a team to meet my wife where she was, every step of the way; and with her assistance, my wife and I would both describe the laboring process as ultimately beautiful, spiritual, and permeated with profound meaning.

After birth, Ellen continued to provide us exemplary service with texts of encouragement, a simple phone call to answer any pressing questons, and even a home visit to help us process and better appreciate the entirety of the miracle we had witnessed with our daughters birth. 

With certainty, I can attest that Ellen will be our partner in birth as our family grows, as well as a good friend for a lifetime. 

Emma Goff

7/29/2020

I initially connected with Ellen Jordano through the Health Foundations Birth Center's partnership with the Doula Internship Program. Her certification as a Lactation Counselor and training in Spinning Babies made her stand out among the others in the program. Although we could not do our initial "get to know you" meeting in person due to Covid-19, I felt an immediate connection with her during our FaceTime call and could easily see how passionate she was about providing birth support. Ellen touched base with me every couple of weeks to see how I was doing and to encourage me to keep up with the Spinning Babies daily exercises I was doing to keep Baby in proper alignment. We agreed to have a socially distanced meeting at 36 weeks to talk about my birth plan and to come up with a plan when I was in labor. Ellen was a fantastic resource for me during my pregnancy and readily made herself available if I had any questions or concerns. 

When my water broke  a couple of days before my due date, I let Ellen know what was happening and she was a calming and encouraging presence behind the scenes for me during my early labor. During active labor, we met up at Health Foundations Birth Center and she kicked right into high gear to help me cope with the contractions. She was encouraging through each one, reminding me to breathe and stay calm. She described herself as a "comfort queen" and she is truly that. Ellen had essential oils, a back massage tool and many suggestions for different labor/birthing positions to keep me comfortable. She also worked as a team with my husband to provide labor and birth support which was empowering to him as well. Reflecting back on my birth it was a wonderfully positive experience and the Doula support I received from Ellen was one of the reasons why! I would highly recommend her serivices to anyone looking for a Doula.