Kelsey Gagne

5/6/2024

We had a very relaxing experience all because of Emily's help. This is our first child and she was able to answer lots of questions we had and support us before and after the birth. She is quick to respond back and if we have another child in the future I plan to have Emily support us again. She is a great help!

Lauren Terbush

2/9/2024

Having Emily present during my labor and delivery was, in a word, empowering. I cannot thank her enough for the calm, supportive atmosphere she helped create. As a first time mom with a scheduled induction, I didn't know what to expect, nor did I understand the "marathon" nature of the process. Emily provided unwavering emotional support when I was admittedly becoming impatient, and then once my water broke and things started progressing rapidly, she was there to provide practical tips on positions, breathing techniques, how my husband could get involved to help relieve pressure, and so much more. Emily's approach was the exact right mix of emotional and logical, which is precisely the blend my husband and I needed. It was clear she really took the time to get to know us and our needs and tailored her support to our personalities. Looking back, there's really nothing I'd change about my birth story, and having Emily there was a big part of that! 

Sami Artus

1/4/2024

Emily kept me calm and sane during an unexpectedly traumatic first birthing experience - I don't know what I would have done without her! She helped me think through my birthing plan ahead of time and was a calming and sturdy presence throughout my birth as pretty much everything I had planned and anticipated went out the window. Emily helped keep my and my husband's anxiety down through breathing exercises, walking, and distracting ourselves with card games. She provided physical and emotional support during my contractions all the way through pushing and postpartum, including visiting with food and checking on my husband, baby, and I a week after birth. As amazing and supportive as my husband was throughout my birth, neither of us can imagine having gone through it without Emily beside us to help support us. Everyone should have a doula, and they're lucky if they get to work with Emily!

Stephanie hendler

11/20/2023

Emily was our doula at Manchester Hospital in September. I found her through the Manchester doula program pretty late since my husband is military and found out that he would be out of the state. She quickly reached out and figured out what my desires were for birth and helped me with calming techniques while pregnant. There was one instance I had a false labor scare and she came to the hospital as soon as she was able to be my support person. During my actual birth she helped support me by being a person to lean on and listen. She helped me through my contractions by using breathing techniques, distraction, the yoga ball, pressure points, massage, and washcloths. At one point she was my sole support person to help me attempt to remain calm when I was in the tub room and my husband slept in our labor and delivery room for about 40 mins. Emily reminded me of my natural birth plan when I was faltering from my own desires and was so supportive of helping me to achieve the birth I wanted. She has been such a great support system before, during, and after birth to our daughter and I will be forever grateful. 

Kate Nute

10/9/2023

Emily was great. She was so supportive of everything I wanted in my birth plan. When things didn't go as planned she still helped make sure that I was able to have whatever birth options that were available. She helped me with breathing and helped me focus on pushing. She helped my husband too when he needed reassurance. I would highly recommend her for your birth. Thank you so much Emily! 

Molly Rathbun

8/17/2023

Emily was an amazing doula and genuinely improved my labor and delivery experience. After my first pregnancy and an overwhelming delivery, I knew the second time around I wanted a doula for the mental and emotional support through the extremely vulnerable, and amazing experience, that birth is. Emily listened deeply to my wants and needs and right from the start gave great tips to help me prepare for labor. She took the time to get to know my story and how to best help me. Once in labor she was such a strong, yet gentle and steady support. Vocally she gave encouragement, reminders of safety, and positivity, while also physically being there to assist with counter pressure, hand squeezing, or changing out cold wash cloths for me. Those are just a few of the things Emily did, I just can't say enough good things about her and how happy I am that she was a part of this journey. She genuinely contributed to such a positive birth experience and I would highly recommend her!! One of the sweetest and genuine human beings I have met, her energy is so calming and positive that she is a fantastic addition to your pregnancy support system!

Tamra Swope

8/7/2023

My husband and I just gave birth to our first child.  As most upcoming new parents, I imagine, we were starting to get nervous and question so many things after attending our first birthing class. We quickly decided we needed more support and assistance, especially for the "Big Day".

We connected with Emily through Manchester Hospital around 35-36 weeks of pregnancy. Emily turned out to the be the blessing my husband needed the day our daughter was born. (And also mine because my husband didn't freak out.)

Emily was able to provide calmness and support when my husband was unsure how to help and support me through labor and delivery. She provided answers to all questions, suggestions/reminders on our options and how my husband could assist in pain management, and so many other things to ensure the pushing process would be effective for me.

We recommend doula support now and the excellent care of Emily.

Brittney

5/30/2023

Working with Emily was a great blessing. She came to my house a few times to meet us, answer our questions and to help me with my birth plan. At the birth she met us at the hospital and was so encouraging right from the start. She stayed with us and helped me to get through many hours of labor. We were so grateful to have her there for our first labor. After the birth she brought us dinner and we got to spend some more time together processing the whole experience. She was very supportive and encouraging!

Mikaela

3/7/2023

It was almost a year ago that my husband & I found out we were expecting our first child. I knew that we wanted extra support. A good friend of mine, Abbey Lombardi who had previously had her first, had hired Emily to help support them. I knew that I too wanted something similar for our journey. With my past & present of anxiety & depression, I had been going to talk therapy regularly & knew how much that had helped me in my preparation with getting pregnant. Knowing how much trauma can happen to the mind & body when giving birth, I knew I was going to reach out to Emily to see if we were a good fit. Within minutes of our first zoom call, I knew it was a match. When the time came for meeting in person, it was like we'd known one another for years. She not only heard my concerns & wishes for the big day, but listened to each fear & addressed then head on with solutions or ways to cope. The birth of my daughter was beautiful with mitigated stress thanks to Emily. The balance & peace that she provided for both me & my husband was beyond what I expected. It was everything we needed. She cried with me as we all realized that I would not be able to deliver vaginally as hoped, but instead need a c-section to get my daughter earthside safely. Since my daughter was born 2 days before Christmas & we were still in the hospital, Emily came back on Christmas day bringing us gifts & homemade cinnamon rolls. She talked with me about how things were going as she held our beautiful baby girl. 2 weeks after being discharged, Emily brought us a home cooked meal & once again checked in on how things were going. I'm almost 11 weeks postpartum now; Emily's love & care for my family is a truly beautiful & special one that I hold dear to my heart. There is no doubt in my mind that when the time comes for baby number 2, Emily will be one of the first people I call & ask to have with me for that birth.

Allie Weiner

1/12/2023

Emily was wonderful as a doula and support person prior to and during the birth of our first child. She is  easy going, but is strong to remember a birth plan and helped me make some tough choices during a long labor. Emily also helped coach my partner to support me along the way. Very happy with our experience!

Kara Studenski

1/3/2023

We were matched with Emily through our hospital's doula program, and we immediately knew she would be great for us. She's got a calm personality that made us feel comfortable right away. Emily answered any questions we had throughout the pregnancy and she was there for us when I gave birth. It was amazing to have her in the room with me, especially when the contractions became more intense. She used positive affirmations, reassurances, and reminders of why I wanted the birth I was having. She was also great at explaining the stage of labor I was in so I could know why certain things were happening and have a sense of where we were at. She was altogether a positive force to have in the room and I would absolutely partner with her again if we have a second child.