Stephanie

1/3/2024

Discovering that my insurance (TriCare) covered Doula services in my second trimester prompted me to search for the ideal support person for my journey into motherhood. After interviewing several doulas, Carrie stood out, and her immediate warmth and connection assured me that I had found the perfect match.

During our prenatal visits, Carrie played a crucial role in preparing my husband and me for our baby's birth day. Her wealth of knowledge fostered a deeper connection between us during a time of significant changes. Having an external figure provide tasks and tips outside our relationship was invaluable. Throughout pregnancy, Carrie consistently reached out, making herself available for questions and connecting for walks to check on my well-being.

When my baby boy was born, Carrie's invaluable presence remained calm and supportive throughout the rapid progression of my labor, which had no time spent at home. She supported my decisions, including opting for an epidural instead of the initially planned unmedicated birth. Throughout position changes and motivational words during the 5-hour pushing phase, she ensured I felt cared for. Carrie also supported my husband through challenges during the lengthy labor, celebrated with us, and captured precious moments.

One of the most beneficial aspects of our doula experience was the postpartum check-up. Carrie's affirmations reassured us about parenting and normalized challenges from sleep deprivation to emotional swings. Her attentive listening and ability to bring lightness after her visit were uplifting.

For those seeking a doula, I wholeheartedly recommend Carrie. Compassionate, organized, and dependable, she supported my family without judgment throughout our journey from pregnancy to postpartum. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had her by our side.

Alice

12/29/2023

We hired Carrie as our doula for the birth of our first baby and it was one of the best things we could have done. Carrie was an amazing support throughout the pregnancy and always on hand with advice and resources. When our labor turned into a hospital transfer from the birth center she was there to support us both and I'm sure she is the reason I was able to achieve a vaginal birth when the odds were against me. Although my birth was challenging I feel as though it was a positive experience because of Carrie's knowledge, validation and support during the process. I can't express enough how valuable her services are. 

Sidney Lukacsko

9/7/2023

Carrie was such an amazing doula and I genuinely couldn't imagine what my birth experience would have been like without her. I was so scared of labor and my husband had no idea what to do to support me through it and Carrie took this experience that could have been traumatizing and turned it into one of the most beautiful memories our family now has. She offered so much amazing insight and knowledge through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as offered us continuous support and comfort throughout. She also helped encourage and instruct my partner through supporting me during labor which I think really made a difference in the experience for me. Truly couldn't recommend her more and I will 100% be reaching out to her for support with any future children we have. 

Meagan Dugan

8/14/2023

Our birth experience wouldn’t have been as positive without Carrie! She is warm, knowledgeable, and has such a peaceful presence. She took the time to get to know us and make us feeling confident leading up to the birth with the prenatal visits, text/call checks ins, and walks. When the time came and contractions started, Carrie made sure she was available (even though that meant leaving her family camping trip!). Throughout labor, she was a calming and reassuring support person for my husband- he was so glad she was there! Carrie encouraged me to advocate for what I wanted during labor, and made sure I stayed well hydrated and nourished. Her suggestions for positions and distractions during labor were really helpful, and she worked great with our nurses. Throughout the postpartum period she has provided resources and continued to check in on us. We really appreciate Carrie’s gentle way and her thoughtfulness! Highly recommend.

Megan

5/18/2023

I can't say enough great things about Carrie! From our first meeting over zoom, to my postnatal check in Carrie has been attentive and caring above and beyond what I could have hoped. My husband was nervous to have another person in the room as he knows me better than anyone in the world and knows how to read my needs, and wasn't sure how another person would help or hinder. Carrie understood this and partnered with him so well through my labor and delivery, giving him suggestions to give to me, and then feeding me throughout too. Carrie is very knowledgeable in laboring techniques and prepared me during our prenatal meetings with info on the options so that I could make decisions during labor. These meetings also gave her time to get to know me, asking questions about what I would like to hear and feel during labor and delivery. I am so thankful for Carrie and all that she did to help me have the best birth imaginable. 

Christan

4/17/2023

Carrie helped me accomplish my VBAC goal! 

Carrie was an incredible doula. We connected right off the bat and I felt very comfortable reaching out to her regularly with questions during pregnancy. She also was really good about checking in on me and even suggested a zoo trip to get some walking in! During my labor she coached me via text, checking in on me until it was time for her to come to the hospital. When we were at the hospital she helped me move through different positions through contractions. She suggested positions I wasn't sure about and then when I got into them, they were exactly what I needed to get through contractions. She helped communicate with my nurses asking questions so that we were all understanding exactly what was going on. During labor she used all her force to help with counter pressure during my contractions. She reminded me to breathe and relax. There was never a point where I was overwhelmed because I had her in my corner. I ended up with the perfect VBAC and she took pictures for me during all of this that I will cherish forever! Carrie was the perfect doula for me. 

Michelle Dixon

2/21/2023

**VBAC Success!**

I had a C-section with my first baby. I had fully intended to birth him vaginally, but the epidural slowed things way down and I stopped dilating at 7cm. After 30 hours of labor, we decided to just move forward with the C Section. Fortunately, it went smoothly!

I got pregnant with my second baby 13 months later and was determined to have a VBAC! But it's definitely something you have to advocate for or hope that your doctor is on the same page, because they can easily dangle the "c-section card" in front of you as the "simpler" option. I remember having many conversations with Carrie because she herself had a VBAC and she was my #1 cheerleader! Even when I was a little nervous about it, or considered scheduling a C, she walked me through her experience and gave me all of the calming advice to help me know and believe I could do it too. 

I'm so grateful I had Carrie because when I had an epidural again, things began to slow down like clockwork. But this time, I followed her tips to move as much as possible (even if just side to side in my bed) to help my body keep progressing. The total labor was about 20 hours and the best part was I only had to push for 40 minutes and he was out!! I was so proud of myself and grateful I could experience both types of births. 

Carrie, thank you for your ever calming presence and support! You are amazing and I love you!

Britt

8/13/2022

I hired Carrie at 6 months pregnant for the birth of my 1st child. We clicked right away during our consultation call prior to meeting. I was so nervous about labor and delivery and having her support during my third trimester was very helpful. When I went into labor there were still restrictions at the hospital for having more than one support person in the room. She met us at my home that morning and helped me through early labor, she was just a phone call away during the remainder of labor at the hospital, and helped coach my husband to make my experience more comfortable and safe. She came over a few days later to meet the baby and introduced me to some great lacation support groups. We have remained in touch and I feel lucky to have found her! Carrie has such a passion for birth and giving women options to try unmedicated or medicated (no judgement). She is a mother of two and gives great advice from her own experience. One of my girlfriends hired her a couple months later and said she would not have been able to get through her 2 day long labor without Carrie. If you are looking for someone who will give you the facts, be kind and understanding towards your feelings, and who will continue to support you after the baby arrives than Carrie is your girl! I would highly recommend booking her services whether your a 1st time mom or a mom of 3 :)

Brendan Woods

10/29/2021

My wife and I were very determined to have a natural, intervention free birth experience. We selected a birthing center to deliver our baby at and we began seeing them mid-pregnancy, for checkups/support/etc. They also offered postpartum support and care, so thats also a big plus. Long story short, our birth center provided resources to find a doula. My wife decided that she would like to pursue getting a doula and we talked to a few before meeting and deciding that Carrie would be the best fit. 

My wife had a better idea of what a kind of support/assistance a doula can provide than I did. Suffice to say, while at first I did not necessarily see the need for one. Now, having gone through 36+ hours of labor with Carrie's support, I can't imagine having done it without her.

My wife is rather sensitive, and I tend to be direct (I've often beed accused of being stoic and emotionless), so it did seem like a good idea to have an additional emotional support person. Someone who came across a little less terse. In all ways, Carrie fit this roll, and filled in for all of my deficiencies during labor. She also presents, no matter the circumstance, a calm, rational, and caring demeanor. 

Our birth turned out to be a marathon, that I dont think either of us were prepared for. Carrie brought a calm, mellow energy to the experience. Honestly, we were all pushed to the limit, Carrie included, with how long this birth was. If not for Carrie, my wife and I wouldnt have even remembered to eat, let alone remain composed.

She presents herself very professionally, yet also is exceptionally caring, emotionally available, and empathetic. In my experience, that is a very rare combo. I can't speak for the world of doulas, because this has been my only experience working with one, but in my opinion, she is a rare find.

TL,DR: Carrie is amazing. 10 out of 10, would recommend.

-Brendan