Kalene Resler

7/8/2023

Knowing Alina since we were children, I could have always told you she would be a great doula. Her innate calming presence and ability to put a smile on everyone in the room are exactly the type of energy needed during labor and delivery. Alina went above and beyond to help me and my partner have a positive and empowering birth after a traumatic first time delivery. From early in my pregnancy she shared her in depth knowledge of all the physiological changes of pregnancy, always ready with a tip to alleviate any pain or annoyance (or just an affirming voice to hear my struggles). She helped me navigate different providers while also supporting me to process and define my desires for my second birth. When it came to the big day, she was with me and my partner for every step of the journey. Whether it was explaining different hospital policy and procedure, workshopping different positions to find comfort, or even making sure we had the right snacks at the ready. I especially remember her voice in my ear when I got to the “shit I can’t do this” stage of labor. She calmly reminded me that not only that I could do it, but that I WAS doing it— exactly what I needed to hear to push through those final moments of labor.

I feel very grateful to have had Alina as part of our daughter’s birth and highly recommend you invite her to support your pregnancy and birth journey!

Emma

12/12/2022

I can't put into words how meaningful Alina was (still is) to my family and me. We hired her as our Doula when I was about 6 months pregnant with my first baby and her support, knowledge, patience, and kindness from there on out was unmatched. 

My husband and I spoke with a few other Doulas and knew as soon as we met Alina that she was the right fit. She listened to our birth plan, our hopes for the experience and all of our concerns. She made it clear that she was there to support whatever our wishes were without any judgement. She was wonderful with open communication and touched base with me after each doctorsg appointment to help talk through anything I was unsure of/ concerned about and never made us feel like we were inconveniencing her. 

Once Alina she was 'on call' in the days leading up to our birth she was truly on call. We knew we could get a hold of her whenever we needed her. She kept communication lines open and kept us calm and confident throughout the process. She stayed with us through a very long and difficult labor. My husband and I both agreed that we would have had a completely different experience without Alina by our side. She never made my husband feel like she was there to replace him but rather walked us through how to labor together. She helped us feel like we were making the right decisions through the process and was there as a sounding board when the doctors and midwives talked about options and different scenarios.

Choosing a Doula is such a personal choice but if you're looking for someone who truly listens and supports your wishes, who has a very strong but calming presence, who offers her advice when asked but gives you the space to make the decision that feels right to you, and who is clearly passionate about what she does, I can't imagine anyone better than Alina.

A. Covington

10/15/2022

I am a second time mom and  I wanted a different kind of birth experience from my first “the Pitocin drip and epidural kind”. This time, the moment I found out I was pregnant I decided I wanted a magical unmedicated empowered birth! I want to allow my body to naturally do its job. Immediately, everyone (including my husband) thought I was crazy because there’s no way a birth could be both “magical” and “unmedicated” at the same time. So I began planning and learned a lot about “doula” and found Alina. We met and I was super confident that she is exactly what I needed to have this “magical unmedicated empowered” birth journey.  And sure I was right!
Alina provided the emotional and physical support to BOTH my husband and I. With Alina’s help, my husband was able to provided me the emotional and physical support and be “more presence” because he knew “what to do”. Alina helped ease my anxiety of pain by providing useful information so I was well prepared and I felt very confident going into the labor and ready to conquer the journey of bringing my baby into the world. Alina helped me coped through my labor with various birth positions, positive mantas. she anticipated my needs before I did, from keeping me hydrated, to applying cool washcloths on my neck, to coaching me through pushing. And When I was so sure I couldn’t do it, Alina was there to remind me of how strong I am and yes I’m gonna make it.  She was calm and supportive, kind, gentle and such a wonderful soul and a positive energy to have by our sides. Alina was very professional working with the midwife and the medical staffs. I am forever grateful for our experience with Alina! 

A. Covington

10/13/2022

I am a second time mom and  I wanted a different kind of birth experience from my first “the Pitocin drip and epidural kind”. This time, the moment I found out I was pregnant I decided I wanted a magical unmedicated empowered birth! I want to allow my body to naturally do its job. Immediately, everyone (including my husband) thought I was crazy because there’s no way a birth could be both “magical” and “unmedicated” at the same time. So I began planning and learned a lot about “doula” and found Alina. We met and I was super confident that she is exactly what I needed to have this “magical unmedicated empowered” birth journey.  And sure I was right!
Alina provided the emotional and physical support to BOTH my husband and I. With Alina’s help, my husband was able to provided me the emotional and physical support and be “more presence” because he knew “what to do”. Alina helped ease my anxiety of pain by providing useful information so I was well prepared and I felt very confident going into the labor and ready to conquer the journey of bringing my baby into the world. Alina helped me coped through my labor with various birth positions, positive mantas. she anticipated my needs before I did, from keeping me hydrated, to applying cool washcloths on my neck, to coaching me through pushing. And When I was so sure I couldn’t do it, Alina was there to remind me of how strong I am and yes I’m gonna make it.  She was calm and supportive, kind, gentle and such a wonderful soul and a positive energy to have by our sides. Alina was very professional working with the midwife and the medical staffs. I am forever grateful for our experience with Alina! 

Charlotte Flannagan

7/14/2022

Alina helped me achieve my second unmedicated birth! She has excellent communication skills as I reached out to her for many different reasons in the weeks leading up to birth.  She provided me with great resources and education about labor and birth, even as a second time mom.  She got to know my family and I well, and she listened to all of my wants and concerns going into this birth.  From the moment my labor started she was supporting me through text/calls and then met me at the hospital.  She encouraged me to try different positions to help my labor progress and though it was hard it really seemed to work! This birth was harder than my first it seemed and I wanted to give up about halfway through.  Alina held me up when I felt I couldn't do it.  She knew how to push me to keep going in a gentle yet strong way.  She was so caring and sensitive to my needs and helped me to try to execute the birth I wanted.  I would definitely hire her again.         

Sasha Russell

2/26/2022

     I was lucky to have two very different birth experiences and to have my sister, Alina, by my side through both. I was twenty when I had my first daughter. Alina was there for me every step of the way. I can't imagine having gotten through that experience without her. She went to doctor's appointments with us, shopped for baby supplies, and helped me stay as calm and comfortable as possible throughout labor. 
     My now husband and I ended up waiting ten years to have our second child, another daughter born in July of 2020. As a nurse in the thick of the stress of the pandemic, I wanted my second birth experience to be far away from the hospital. Alina again was by my side for this next new experience of home birth. She kept my older daughter occupied, but also apart of the experience which was important to me. 
     When Alina told me she wanted to be a doula, I was so excited for her and for all her future doula clients! She is a genuinely caring person and her confidence is contagious. You feel like everything will be fine with her by your side. I would highly recommend Alina to any family looking for a partner in their birth experience.