Sarah Jane Bradley

10/21/2024

Part Two (continued)

I knew she would be someone I would be comfortable with and could communicate with easily.

Once we got on a schedule, sure enough, Rae-Anne had exactly the combination of approachablility and knowledge I'd hope to find. At first, I was exhausted both from childbirth and baby info overload (the books, devices, manuals, product reviews, etc). My brain and body could not handle much more. In those moments, Rae-Anne sweetly took the reins and explained anything I wanted when I was ready to absorp it.

Over time, I'd tell her all the details and then what I guessed was the "answer" and she'd give me her feedback and then one of us would execute it. Before I knew it, I saw myself transform from someone nervous and insecure to practically instinctive.

She was always available for updates or questions over text. She was like the greatest friend I could have had in those times and she adored my daughter. 

I cannot recommend her strongly enough. 

Sarah Jane Bradley

10/21/2024

Part One

Hiring Rae-Anne as an overnight doula was the best investment I could have made for my daughter's health and mine. When it comes to healthy habits, I feel there is nothing like a good foundation. So I felt it important start my newborn on the right track while getting assistance to take care of myself. What I discovered was not only was hiring a night doula the right choice but specifically Rae-Anne who really put me at ease. I will start by saying I have fought sleep problems most of my life and it has held me back. I put off motherhood for years in part out of concern for loss of sleep. While expecting my firstborn, I looked around for someone who could not only relieve me of nighttime duties but guide the baby and me on how to fall into the right patterns. In looking for someone, I hoped for someone whom I could click with in addition to being knowledgeable, confident, and calming. Prior to my doula search, I spent the holidays with a lot of well-meaning friends and family whose advice and concerns at times did more to make me self-doubt than anything. It also felt like extra stress, expectations, and judgment. As such, I also was looking to avoid someone who would make me feel more aware of my own lack of experience with newborns. But even I had to admit that could be seen as contradictory since I was also looking for someone to essentially tell me what to do. Basically, I hoped I'd find someone whose experience and expertise I could rely on in order to build my own confidence and independence. From my first zoom meeting with Rae-Anne she put me at ease (no small feat in the third trimester). 

Alexandra Hantel

10/20/2024

Rae-Anne helped us with overnights when we brought our second baby home from the hospital. We connected on the phone prior and Rae-Anne checked in every so often the weeks leading up to delivery so when we finally met she felt like an old friend and knew everything we were looking for in a night doula. I was recovering from a c-section so sleep was the main priority for me but Rae-Anne helped with preparing bottles for the next day, folding the baby and toddler clothes - anything to make our lives easier. And of course, she was a pro with our little guy - always leaving us detailed notes of how the night went.  I would recommend her to anyone looking for overnight help! 

Maddie

4/29/2024

Rae-Anne was amazingly helpful as a night time doula.  I gave birth earlier than expected due to preeclampsia, and she worked with me to move up her start date.  I was so nervous about being separated from my little one, since he was a preemie and we had been separated during his NICU stay.  But Rae-Anne worked with me to set up a schedule where I could recover from my own birth experience and still stay close to him.  She was understanding, kind, and the perfect support person I needed.  My kid thrived under her care, and I got some needed recovery.  I would recommend her to anyone for any service.  She made our complicated situation so much better, and taught me some tricks to help care for a gassy preemie!  

Sally harriss

4/29/2024

It was so great working with Rae-Anne! I Never knew it was possible to feel rested with a newborn! She did a great job helping me understand the new baby and helping with baby tasks! I'm just so grateful I had her!

Sal

2/28/2024

Working with Rae-Anne has been a game changer for my second baby. While there's so much focus in the birth community on a birth doula, the value of the help we've received post partum from Rae-Anne has been invaluable. From spending the night so that we could get a few extra hours of uninterrupted sleep to being my regular sounding board for discussing post partum struggles around sleep and a stressful reflux issue, my anxiety levels have been night and day better than with my first baby. Rae-Anne has also helped us with other household chores...specifically keeping up with the endless piles of laundry. She arrives with such a positive attitude and sense of humor and always sends us incredibly detailed notes interspersed with tips. I should mention that Rae-Anne was also a fantastic birth doula which helped us build such a rapport with her even before baby arrived. We had a very unexpectedly rapid birth but Rae-Anne hopped in her car right away and made it to the hospital just as we were arriving...when baby came quickly she made herself busy taking the most amazing pictures and then helped ensure we had an extra set of hands to establish bezadteeeding. Overall can't recommend her enough - she has been a ray of sunshine in our lives over the past few months. 

Rachel Harrington

2/2/2024

Hiring Rae-Anne as our birth and postpartum doula was the best decision we made for our third baby. The “fourth trimester” would have been significantly more challenging without her help. Being able to get a full nights sleep knowing our baby is safe in Rae-Anne’s capable and loving hands is truly life changing. Her support has allowed us to enjoy this postpartum period instead of just surviving like we did with our last baby. I would highly recommend Rae-Anne to anyone considering a birth or postpartum doula!

Miley Kinney

11/24/2023

Rae-Anne was a perfect match as my doula. She has a calm and friendly personality that makes you feel instant comfort. Rae-Anne was helpful with knowledge to prepare me for my birth including stretches to cope with labor pain, breastfeeding advice, and after care. She was available and checked in while I was in labor, was at the birth, and helped postpartum by coming to my house and cleaning. I would highly recommend Rae-Anne as a doula for anyone.

Emma R

10/21/2023

Rae-Anne was an absolutely life-changing part of our first few weeks with our newborn.  She was there from our second day home and I can't imagine how I would have survived without her.  She taught us so much, and always in the most supportive, empowering, and non-judgemental way.  I had read a lot of books and watched a lot of videos and talked to a lot of parents before giving birth, but none of that knowledge holds a candle to the professional experience of Rae-Anne, there to give you exactly the info you need, right when you need it.  She helped us get our baby diagnosed and treated for reflux, which we never would have had the context to know it was worth treating, but it made a huge difference!  In addition to all this, she gave us so many precious hours of sleep that we never would have been able to get --  such a life-saver during that newborn period.  I would recommend Rae-Anne to anyone with a newborn, but especially first-time parents.  Her deep wisdom, unflappable serenity, and unending kindness are a treasure to behold when you're in the thick of it.

jessi silvestre

10/20/2023

Rae-anne was an amazing doula during my pregnancy from words of encouragement, suggestions on things that would help my back pain and discomfort to coaching me through contractions and timing them! not only did she check in before during and after the pregnancy but she was there right away when i went into labor early! it was overall a great experience. the belly cast was also super fun. She made sure to know my birth plan and work with me and the nurses to assure it went as planned as long as it could! it i would absolutely recommend Rae-anne to anyone  i know that was pregnant and interested in a doula. She is amazing! 

Bridget Gordon

10/3/2023

Rae-Anne was the perfect overnight doula for my family! 

My husband and I started working with Rae-Anne to provide overnight care for our newborn in June 2023. As a first time mom I was nervous to have someone else care for our baby but was immediately put to ease upon meeting Rae-Anne. She cared for our baby as if she were her own. 

Rae-Anne was warmhearted and attentive while maintaining proffessionalism and respect during this vulnerable time. For me, she was a wealth of knowledge during the postpardum period offering support and assistance with breastfeeding, infant care, and more both on and off the clock.

If you have the chance to work with Rae-Anne, hire her immediately! Not only does she have the magic touch and swaddles a baby as quickly as the nurses in the hospital but she will be the friend you didn't know you needed when you bring your baby home. 

Marissa F.

9/28/2023

We are so grateful to have had Rae-Anne not only through our birthing experience but also during the second half of our pregnancy journey. She was quick to respond to all of my questions and worries, which helped my high anxiety self feel more confident and comfortable with my pregnancy and birth. She also created a beautiful belly casting that I am so grateful for, capturing the very end of my beautiful growing belly that was housing my baby. On our birthing day, Rae-Anne was by my side supporting me through my labor and birth, while also capturing those special moments on camera. There were moments where I was starting to lose my breath, and she immediately stepped in and helped guide me through my breathing techniques. I don't think my birthing experience would have been as beautiful as it was had she not been there. We are so incredibly grateful to have found Rae-Anne. She has a heart of gold, and is extremely compassionate and caring, which helped make my birth space so comforting. We highly recommend Rae-Anne and cannot say enough good things about her!

Sonia Bulsara

9/27/2023

Rae- Anne was a blessing to have care for our brand new daughter right after birth! Not only did she take exceptional care for her, never rushing or skipping the tiniest details, she also let us bounce ideas off her for the best feedings, growth and sleep. She gave us detailed feedback about how overnights went, which were very helpful to help us tackle the daytime and also the best strategies that would work specifically for our baby. Rae-Anne was a wealth of knowledge across all things newborn, and it was so nice to be able to consult with her on a variety of topics. We miss her dearly and would highly reccomend her to any expecting parents!