Katherine

8/30/2021

I came to find Emily with the help of an instagram account called jerserydoula. I remember being around 17 weeks when I spoke to her, I explained to her how I want to hire a doula because I needed the support to achieve my VBAC. I had a really good conversation with her, however I did not go forward because of personal reasons. She did refer me to the midwives because my OB was not supportive of my decision to try for a vaginal birth and I went and switched providers, it was the best decision. I ended up messaging emily again i was futher along probably 30 weeks and again we just clicked and had a good consult. I was very positive and calm going into this birth, she educated me in all the questions I had. when my water broke I called her right away and she was able to give me the steps to move forward, same thing my midwife said. We got to the hospital 12 hrs after my water broke, she was able to explain everything to me if I didnt understand. Once my contractions started she gave all these positions to try and help me dilate and with the contractions, Emily was heaven sent. While my fiance was sleeping she was helping me with the pain, she gave him tips also to help me with the pain. I was able to have a succesfull VBAC without any pain medication, she really helped me believe that I am capable of doing this birth the way I wanted, completetly natural. I will always remeber her for helping me being strong, best decision was hiring her as my doula.

Maria B

6/17/2021

First time mom here!

My baby boy is 5 weeks old today. Every time I think back on my birthing experience I think of Emily! She has been such a major support person to me and my husband!

Before I got pregnant I didn’t even know really what doulas are.

I heard my friend’s experience with Emily and was interested, but still not completely convinced. Wanting to have a birth center birth, I had to hire a doula because it was a requirement. So I reached out to Emily and since the very first conversation on I was cared for, thought about and supported. Even before I decided to have her on my team.

As I reached 37ish weeks, I would text Emily almost every day for emotional support, support with some physical discomfort and she was always available to communicate. Always had great suggestions and ideas and when I didn’t want any, she was there listening to me.

(It’s like having a perfect birth friend!)

When I actually got into early labor and on as I progressed she was there through the HARDEST parts for me. When my contractions came every minute and pain was unbearable I was literally hugging her tighter than I hug my mother ????‍??. Emily is so strong, too!!!

I almost gave up because of the pain, but she kept me going. She reminded me how this is temporary and what is to come is amazing!  My husband is a very supportive man, but even having him with me, I was still SO happy to have Emily! She kept me hydrated and even fed me while I was in a tub contracting! Dedication!

She’s the most uplifting person I’ve met. Walking sunshine! I was so sad that my pregnancy was over, because I loved having her with me.

Even though at first it was a "requirement" to have a doula assist me, My husband and I both are so happy we had her as a doula and if we are to ever have another baby, Emily can be sure we’ll want her on our team again ??.

Brittany

6/16/2021

Emily is an absolute must for your birth team. If you are on the fence about hiring a doula, just reach out to her and I guarantee after speaking with her you will understand why you need her. Aside from me, my husband is her biggest fan.  Emily was with my husband and I during the most vulnerable, sentimental, and hardest time in our lives. She will forever be part of our birth story and for that we are so grateful!When we hired Emily my husband had been away for several months and Emily made herself available to me literally 24/7. She even texted to check in on me on numerous occasions. She felt less like someone we "hired" and so much more like a friend. I knew immediately after meeting her that we would walk through this together. We discussed so many details about the birth that I hadn't even thought of. She comforted me, made the environment so calming, and was there every step of the way. I felt safe. I felt cared for. I felt heard. She is truly an angel and the birth world is lucky to have her. Reach out to her mama, you deserve it and you'll be glad you did.

Beth

6/15/2021

I connected with Emily when I was about 20 weeks pregnant with baby #2. I had a traumatic emergency c-section with my first son and knew that I wanted a completely different experience this time around. Emily and I were able to speak on the phone so I could ask tons of questions (I was hoping for a VBAC) and she could explain what her role at the birth would be. During that conversation, I immediately felt like I had known Emily for a long time- she put me at ease right away and spent a lot of time listening to me and being very thorough in how she responded. My husband and I decided to work with her and it was the best choice ever!

This pregnancy ended up being a bit challenging, with gestational diabetes and insulin injections- Emily was there to support me every step of the way. At 38 weeks, my O.B wanted to force me into a c-section without the possibility of induction that we had originally agreed upon. Emily called me right away and was able to help me switch providers to one that was as supportive as she was. It was like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders to know that someone was there rooting for my birth as much as I was. 

My son ended up being born by repeat c-section and Emily was there at every moment. She kept me calm in triage, was right next to me in the O.R, took some beautiful birth photos and gave me apple juice through a straw once surgery was complete. I could not have asked for a better experience and I know that this was due to Emily's care and experience. I feel incredibly lucky to have found her and highly recommend her for anyone looking to hire a doula. She is truly one in a million and helped me achieve the most healing birth experience possible! 

Elise Beasley

12/19/2020

I had a fully unmedicated home water birth on December 12th, 2020 with attending midwives. I had been looking for a doula to help coach me through labor and delivery, since this was our first baby. I found Emily on DoulaMatch and connected with her in the following months.

Emily was integral to the success of my home birth as she was championing me onward with words of encouragement, breathing techniques, physical support with double hip squeezes, light touches on the back, providing water through a straw, cooling me off with a fan, pouring water on my back as soon as I got in the tub, and providing many other suggestions and techniques throughout labor. She also provided emotional support throughout the process, especially when I felt like giving up.

She was truly an incredible support to me and my husband, and I don’t know how I could’ve done it without her there!

Fernanda Castellanos

12/2/2020

After my first birth, I knew that birthing could and should look differently. That moms get to feel loved, supported, heard, empowered, and seen during birth. I felt like my first birth was rushed, my husband fell apart, I felt alone, and I felt unheard. For my second birth, I knew that a Doula would make a world of a difference and support me in having a positive birth experience. 

Emily held me and my family in loving support from pregnancy through birth. She worked with me so that I was informed, felt empowered, and had the resources I needed to make decisions that felt right for me and my family. She helped me find a birth class and pelvic floor therapist. She checked in on me and offered support and an ear/shoulder. It felt great to go into my last week of pregnancy and into labor knowing that I had Emily in my corner. 

Emily helped my husband find courage and he showed up for me in a way that I never thought possible. She helped create a birthing environment that felt good to me. She offered suggestions for getting through contractions, for resting, for helping labor advance,  and she never judged. She reminded me of my wishes and made sure I was heard. She helped me understand my options when my brain felt tired. She recognized when I started to feel nervous or unsure about an unexpected turn and helped me get through it. I was able to have a birth that I felt good about.

Emily works with a lot of love, has a lot of knowledge, has great personality, and is a strong person who empowers moms to be in charge of their birth, feel good during pregnancy and early postpartum days.

Raquel Ventura

7/27/2020

It's hard to put feelings into words: I’d start by saying this was my third and final pregnancy. In my previous pregnancy I had an uncomfort experience with the epidural. I knew I wanted an all natural birth: no meds, no IV’s, no catheters.  I learned more about preferences and options available to me from Emily than any book ever taught me. She is very knowledgeable. I appreciate how she encouraged my preferences and she did not push any of her personal preferences on us. 

My husband felt so engaged, they became a power team and worked so well together. 

We carried out a natural birth, as I wished. W/o her guidance, genuine support, encouragement and sweet soul I would have never been able to get through it. She worked so well with doctors and nurses; they also appreciate her presence. When it came time to break my water, my doula provided me with information that helped me ask questions and weigh out my options when I was speaking with my doctor. As my contractions continued to intensify: her coaching me, guiding my breathing, massaging me, & constantly searching for ways to make me and my environment a comfortable one certainly got me through to push naturally. This experience made me feel more of an accomplished woman than I have ever felt. To my amazing Doula Emily, you are a natural and this is truly your calling. Thank you for being an amazing support for us and believing in me and my bodies ability. I’m honored that our baby girl was born into the world along side her parents, skilled Doctors and  a person that had her best interest at heart (you).. ultimately helped her momma get through one of the most excruciating pain experiences ever. For also capturing some of the most raw, beautiful moments (with my consent) of this new life. Id recommend Emily to any family whether they are starting or wrapping things up! Looking back, this was my best child birth experience. Thank you!