Vicki Buchanan

3/17/2018

I had another wonderful experience with using Modern Doula Care and Bethany Thomas as my doula. She brought calm and  supportive presence to the birth of my second child, just as she did with my first. The labor with my second child was very different than the labor with my first, but Bethany helped in so many ways. From talking throughout the last weeks of pregnancy to providing support and reassurance during labor, having Bethany as a doula was a great decision.

Kendall Smythe

11/19/2017

Bethany has supported me through two pregnancies and births. From birth boot camp to delivery she was a vital part of my team. My husband and I both consider her invaluable and we would have no hesitation using her again.

Marianne Gray

10/22/2017

Bethany was a key part of our birth story for the VBAC delivery of our second child! From the beginning Bethany was engaged and attentive--always ready to be helpful in providing support as various issues came up throughout our pregnancy journey. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and for a while my baby was breech position--both factors which did not bode well for a VBAC delivery. Bethany has years of experience as a doula and was able to offer her wisdom, insight, and perspective as we navigated these road blocks. Her predictions about how our daughter's labor and delivery would likely go down were right, and we had a fast and furious delivery. As soon as Bethany met us at the hospital she jumped right in and was so helpful. I met with other doulas, before choosing to go with Bethany. Her experience, but, relaxed and encouraging personality were what I felt would be most helpful during a challenging time for both me and my family, and my instincts were right. I recommended Bethany to a close friend of mine who was delivering 7 weeks after me, and she ended up hiring Bethany as well and had a successful unmedicated delivery with Bethany's support also. I whole heartedly recommend Bethany as a doula to support you and your family through this major milestone!

Molly Glass

11/23/2016

My husband and I had the honor of taking Birth Boot Camp with Bethany. The class was so helpful and informative, especially since we are both first time parents. There was a good mix of learning the birth process, practicing relaxation techniques along with stories from Bethany's personal experiences with birth and delivery that really helped to ease our anxiety about the process. I am nearing the end of my pregnancy now - and I can truly say that I feel excited and prepared for delivery and I have had an enjoyable experience being pregnant so far by just simply knowing what is happening with my body and what is to come. Bethany was available outside of class for questions too, and is continuing to be an excellent support after class has ended. We would highly recommend the class!

Sarah Kramer

2/7/2016

We were considering not using a doula, as my husband and I are both in the medical field and had "prepared" by taking a birthing class and reading a few books. We are very glad we decided to have a doula and that we chose Bethany. She came highly recommended by a personal friend and my midwife-and she gets my recommendation, too! I know I underestimated how much support I would need and want during labor-I assumed my husband would just be able to do it all. Perhaps he could have, but my experience during labor would not have been nearly as positive. Bethany was a calm and knowledgable presence throughout my 37-hour labor that involved changing venues from the birth center to the hospital, and she did so many little things to support me physically and emotionally through the whole process- it's hard to really name all the things she did! She clearly has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in working with laboring women. She actively worked with me through each contraction, changing up her techniques and tools to help me progress through labor and make me as comfortable as possible. It allowed my husband to just be present with me and be my husband, (and communicate with the outside world every once in awhile), which was great. I almost needed a c-section because I was pushing so long, but I believe one of the main reasons I was able to avoid it was because of Bethany's motivation and encouragement when I was tired and vulnerable. She did a fantastic job and I would hire her again if/when there is a baby #2!

Reyna Alorro

2/1/2016

Bethany and Jill Spann were my primary doulas. (Jill attended the delivery of my baby in November 2015 at Sibley Hospital.) I had interviewed quite a few doulas before deciding on Modern Doula Care, and I definitely made the right decision. I appreciated the skills and experience that both Bethany and Jill brought to my labor experience. I wanted someone who had a fair amount of experience as a doula, was certified, trained in hypnobirthing and had experienced childbirth herself. They brought all of this, plus additional valuable insights, calmness, and humor. My provider was the Reiter, Hill, Johnson & Nevin group and I was a bit nervous before the delivery since I wanted a natural childbirth and I knew that both Sibley and Reiter Hill were both pretty conservative. But my doulas reassured me beforehand that they would support me, and that both Sibley and my provider were great. I appreciated the prenatal visits and how I could email them any questions or concerns and they responded quickly with a knowledgeable response. They made my husband and me feel much more confident going into the experience, knowing they'd know what to do and what to expect. When I was in early labor, I texted Bethany and Jill at 5 am and Bethany responded right away and advised me on how to proceed. We talked in the morning after my water broke and she was very calm over the phone which made me calm. I'm very lucky that I had a fairly quick and easy labor and delivery, and it couldn't have happened without Bethany's and Jill's support prior to and during the experience. I was sad to end my experience with Bethany and Jill because it was so great. I'd definitely recommend Bethany and Modern Doula Care to my friends.

Meaghan Massella Walker

1/21/2016

Our experience with Bethany was A+! My labor was unexpectedly VERY long - she helped me have my baby in the birth center like I wanted to and avoid a hospital transfer.  She checked in by email and phone during my pregnancy and met us at the birth center when I was in active labor.  Bethany is an expert in labor positioning to get the baby to descend- she had me doing stairs, lunges, sitting on the toilet, walking, squatting, etc. She used counter pressure to make the contractions more bearable and helped instruct my husband on what to do.  I don't hesitate to recommend Bethany to anyone! If this wasn't my last child I would definitely enlist her services again!

anna johnson

11/30/2015

We hired Modern Doula Care and Bethany Thomas for our baby's birth in November 2015. We were having our baby at Sibley hospital in DC and were worried about the stories of how natural birth unfriendly the hospital was overall. We wanted a doula by our side for extra support.

We are so thankful we chose Bethany and Modern Doula Care. We had a wonderful experience. The prenatal meetings were helpful in learning how labor may begin and what to do. My husband was able to ask questions which he didn't have time to ask at my doctors appointments. He felt like he was part of the team with our doula in helping me in labor.

My water broke at home and I called Bethany to let her know. She was helpful in advice for what to do next and gave us more information about how contractions may begin. Even though I had taken a class at the hospital, i didnt feel like it helped as much as talking with her and getting information.

My labor went okay and she was by my side the entire time. She came to our home and then to the hospital. She took pictures as my son was born which we may have not been able to take in rn excitement.

i didn't have any complications during my labor but I needed Bethany's help to make it through. I wouldn't have made it through without an epidural without her there. She wirked with my husband and even let him follow her to the hospital since he was so nervous and worried he would get lost!

My son was born at 3am on a sunday and she spent most of Saturday and Sunday until he nursed with me. I loved Sibley and Reiter Hill. i had a wonderfup experience. I would recommend Bethany and Modern Doula Care. If we have another baby, I know I want her there!

Katie Featherstone

9/25/2015

My husband and I can't say enough nice things about Bethany. I was late (in the summer!) and was having some medical complications at the very end of my pregnancy that made each passing day more difficult. Bethany provided wonderful support during this time, giving suggestions for comfort and natural methods to help kick start labor. She also helped me not feel like a failure when I needed to be induced. When labor started and she arrived she was an immediately reassuring presence- doing little things like lighting incense so the hospital felt less like a hospital really helped put us at ease. She helped us cope with some of the difficult medical decisions we had to make, providing information and prompting questions without being the least bit intrusive. And soon as the pitocin induced contractions started, she was in action, helping me find comfortable positions and massaging my back. She also provided much needed support to my husband, making sure he ate and rested when he could, and helping him deal with the anxious grandparents. When we made the c-section call, she took care of all of the logistics making sure all our stuff got moved to the mother baby rooms. She also helped me cope with the less than ideal birth experience. Not sure what we would have done without her, or how she seemed to be doing all these things at once for a very long labor. We'd hire her again in a heartbeat.

Natalie Berg

8/31/2015

My husband and I were new to the area. After having a wonderful experience with a doula in New York, we knew we wanted to work with one for the birth of our second child. We were nervous hiring a doula we didn't know, but Bethany quickly put us at ease. She was a wonderful support and resource towards the end of my pregnancy, especially since I was late and debating getting induced. But with the help, guidance and support of Bethany and Michelle, I was able to wait and happily went into labor on my own. Throughout the process I found both Bethany and Michelle to be invaluable resources - both supportive and knowledgable. I would recommend Bethany as a doula for all moms to be and wouldn't hesitate using her/their services again.

Alexis Callen

8/28/2015

I had my baby in Feburary 2015 at Sibley Memorial Hospital with Reither Hill. Bethany was my doula. We met and immediately I knew she would be a good doula for me. I felt relaxed around her and knew she was very knowledgeable about birth and could help me through the birth of my first child. My husband wanted to help me in labor and she assured us she would help him through the labor too and show him how to help.

I went into labor at 39weeks and she met me at my house and helped me stay home a little while until I was in active labor and was at 5 minutes a part and my doctor told me to go to the hospital. When I got to Sibley, the nurses were amazing and Bethany did a wonderful job of helping me through each contraction.

My son was born 8 hours after I got to the hospital and I know I couldn't have done as well as I did without having a doula. She helped my husband and I both. Bethany was a great doula and knew so much about the hospital, birth and what we needed to do.

--Alexis

Joanna Henderson- Masiello

7/17/2015

Bethany was our doula for the birth of our first child. Even though we paid for the birth only package due to budget restrictions, she still took the time to meet with us in person before the birth. I was very comfortable with her right away. We traveled to a birthing center over 2 hours from our house and she was right there to meet us when we arrived in the early morning. I was in hard labor and she helped me through my contractions with massage and wet towels for my head. She helped me remember to breath when I wanted to hold my breath. When I felt like I couldn't do it anymore she was there with her calming pressence to remind me that "I was doing it". I was able to achieve a drug free birth with her help and I will be forever grateful!

moira wilkes

2/17/2015

We hired Modern Doula Care with Bethany as our birth doula for our birth at Washington Hospital Center in January 2015. We had two prenatal visits with Bethany and she attended my labor from the time I was in active labor until after my baby was born. The prenatal visits were so helpful. She taught my husband how to do massage techniques for early contractions and we went over a plan for when I went into labor. At 2am on the 3rd, I started to feel slight tightening in my belly muscles. By 4am, I realized they were coming in a pattern. I texted Bethany and we talked about a plan for the day including rest and begining yoga poses and exercises through contractions once the sun came up. At around 8am, the contractions were strong and I knew this was it! Bethany came over and helped us so much. She was with me through each contraction. We followed her to the hospital and I arrived around 11:30am. My baby girl, Sofia, was born at 1:57pm. Unmefixated birth, just lik. I had hoped! I couldn't have done it without her support including the prenatals and during the birth. My husband felt so comfortable with her there and we called them the "birth team". I am very happy that we decided to hire a doula and that we found Bethany. Don't hesitate to hire her!

fiona craver

2/8/2015

Bethany was my doula for the birth of my daughter, Rebekah. Being my first baby, I didn't know what to expect from labor. I took the online HypnoBabies course and wanted to hire a HypnoDoula to help support me during my labor. Bethany was so much help. She knew how to support a hypno birth but also helped with prenatal visits. She helped with our birth plan and helped me in the last week of my prenancy when I started to get curious about signs labor was starting. Bethany was with us through my whole labor. It wasn't an easy labor and things didn't go as planned, but she helped us make decisions and our daughter was born perfect after 12 hours of labor. I would recommend her to anyone. we didn't know whether we really needed a doula. I am so thankful we chose to hire a doula and that we chose Bethany.

Alexandra Ellison

12/31/2014

My experience with Bethany Thomas and Modern Doula Care was wonderful. The prenatals helped us understand more about the pregnancy and labor process than our doctor'a visits and I was always comforted by the extra tips given by Bethany. Our birth plan meeting and consult was great and she helped it match the protocols at Howard County as well as write it more to what we really envisioned and not just the internet templates. I was induced for medical reasons and Bethany stayed by my side the entire labor and helped my entire family understand the process. My beautiful son was born on November 28th and her pictures of our first moments were fabulous! I appreciated everything she did to help my husband and I achieve the birth we wished had wanted.

Olivia Kennedy

12/7/2014

My experience with Bethany Thomas went very well. I had a complicated, extended labor but she stayed by my side. We met to go over my birth plan and then I called her when my contractions were starting to get intense. We walked around my neighborhood until they were consistent and strong and then went to the hospital. She made sure my older daughter was cared for as well as helped me with massage and information. My labor was twelve hours long and she stayed until I had nursed my baby. Her support with physical comfort and the prenatal education and adovacy in labor was so helpful. I had a wonderful birth and she was a big part of it!

Alexis Ruskituilere

12/4/2014

I had my baby at a birth center in September with Bethany

as my doula. I called her when my water broke and we talked about ideas on how to get labor to begin since I wasn't contracting. After I started to feel the contractions, she would call and check in and see how I was coping. When it began to get difficult, around 2am, she came to home and supported me with back massage and help with positions to keep labor moving along. It was my first baby so I didn't know what to expect. She helped with explaining things to me and my husband and helping us each step of the way. We went to the birth center and when we arrived, I was already 7cms! We labored for 3 more hours and my baby boy was born without pain medication. I truly appreciated everything she did for me and my husband. Her "doublue hip squeeze" is the best for back labor and I couldn't have made it through transition without her supoort. She's the best!

Stacy Kaper

9/27/2014

Bethany was an exceptional source of support for both my husband and I leading up to, throughout and since our big day. She has a very calming presence that helped make it easier for both of us to focus and enjoy the momentous birth of our son. One of the special attributes that Bethany brought to our experience was that she helped make both of us feel much more confident in what to ask our doctors. This helped us ensure that any procedure we were undergoing was medically necessary, and that we understood the benefits and risks. In the weeks leading up to labor Bethany was very quick to respond to any questions I had about any of the potential early labor signs of labor I might be experiencing, including responding to emails immediately at 2 in the morning and always being available by phone or text. The day I went into labor Bethany was much faster to respond to questions or concerns that I had than my own doctor's office and really helped me map out what the day would be like as best as possible so I could manage early labor and plan for when my husband should come home and when she should come help support us. (My doctor didn’t make it clear to me that I really was in labor, but Bethany did, and that made a huge difference.) During labor and delivery Bethany was very calming, reassuring and helped my husband and I get through everything and stick to our birth preferences. My husband played a very active role but it was great to have Bethany there too and I felt like I had a great team of support. After labor when my son's blood sugar was low and I was worried about it, Bethany reassured me he was healthy and made me feel better that everything would be OK, when the doctors and nurses were all too busy to focus very much on talking to me. And everything was A-OK. We had a great labor and delivery experience, a healthy baby and mommy, and we really appreciate all that Bethany did to help us with our big day.

Suzanne Stevens

6/3/2014

Bethany assisted my husband and I in the birth of both of our daughters who are three years apart (2011 and 2014).  Bethany was easy to talk to, and was always available to answer questions before, during, and after delievery.  Her expertise calmed our nerves and helped us to be more informed when making medical decisions.  Both pregnancies and births were unique with their own set of challenges.  Bethany listened to us, always gave us thoughtful advice, and never pushed us to do something we were uncomfortable with.  I appreciated her open, non-judgemental manner, and would choose her as our doula every time.  My husband and I are so thankful for Bethany, and we highly recommend working with her.

Tiffany Andes

6/1/2014

Bethany was truly an amazing doula before and during my birth experience. She came by several times to ensure my husband and I were comfortable prior to the birth and she was present the whole time at the birthing center. She was a calm and assuring presence, and she handled the majority of the communication between us and the midwives to take the pressure off my family. I cannot recommend her enough to either first-time mothers or even mothers of multiples who just want a companion for the process. I love her!

debasmita patra

5/30/2014

I was aware of the Doula services, but never used one. With my second child, I wanted help and sought out for a doula. Starting from the communication, to know my specific requirements, to help me put together my birth plan, and till helping me through my big day, Bethany did a wonderful job. She not only provided me helpful information and websites, but also gave me tips over phone through my early stage labor. On the night that I delivered my baby (2 a.m.), she was very quick to reach the hospital in time and provided me with comfort and courage that I needed during that time. I can never forget Bethany's help during my seconf pregnancy. Bethany also helped my family by extending a helping hand to my older son (4 year old, who was present in the labor room) and my husband. So, Bethany is friendly, easy to work with, and very sincere with her profession. I would recommend her to all the ladies who want a doula.

Tiffany Andes

10/11/2013

My experience with Bethany was everything I could have hoped for. She met with me a few times at my home to discuss my birth plan and the stages of labor, and answered any questions my husband and I had. On the day of she met us at the birth center and stayed the entire time. She was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. I will definitely consider using her services again when my husband and I decide on number two. I cannot recommend her enough!

Rebecca Fraley

10/10/2011

Bethany was a great doula!  She helped me get through the experience of having a baby while my husband was deployed.  I did not have any pain medicaion and had a 9ib baby so it wasn't easy but Bethany really helped me realize that I could get through it.  It was quite an emotional roller coaster and Bethany talked me through the birth process.  Bethany also helped me deal with the postpartum issues.  Overall I would say having Bethany as my Doula was amazing and I feel like I would not have gotten through the past months without her.