Sarah Alsamaraee

11/19/2024

Wow, I don’t know what we would have done without Kizzy. I was hoping for a doula with a calming presence who could educate me about the process to help me feel more confident and Kizzy was the best doula ever. It was great getting to know her during our prenatal sessions where we found out she was sweet and very funny. Then, from the moment I went into labor and was feeling unsure, she was able to walk me through it on the phone until meeting us at the hospital. Of course, when we all got there, she already was friendly with the nurses and it made for such a great experience to have such a wonderful, knowledgeable team. Kizzy helped in ways I never would’ve thought of and I’m so glad she was there for my husband and I. I had an unmedicated birth so pain management was very important and Kizzy was able to suggest different positions and methods through the labor. After we went home, we also had a couple postpartum visits with her. It was so nice to have someone to chat about the experience with. She even got baby to sleep after I was having a really hard time with it :). Kizzy was incredible and gave us such a beautiful experience with calm, knowledge, humor, and companionship. Anyone would be lucky to have her as their doula. 

Kaitlyn N

7/8/2024

Kizzy was an absolute gift to our family from pregnancy through the first three months of our little one's life. Having a doula for both birth and postpartum support was a non-negotiable for me as we planned to welcome a new baby. With family far away, we knew we would need someone on hand to be a reassuring, calming and supportive presence. We wanted someone who we knew could help us be heard, wouldn't brush off my concerns of being medically pigeon-holed as a plus size mother with additional mental health considerations, and who would support our whole family (in addition to my husband and I, my younger brother is also a member of our in-home family) - and Kizzy absolutely met all of those needs and more. She answered any question we ever had (or helped us seek professionals when needed), was thoughtful beyond measure, and seemed like a family friend we'd known forever from the moment we met her. Kizzy rolled with last minute concerns during my pregnancy, advocated for me during a long hospital labor and birth, and continued being endlessly flexible as we navigated the unexpected medical needs of our baby during their first few weeks of life. Once we were home it felt like Kizzy just poured open-hearted, honest and gentle caring and reassurance into our lives - in addition to a heavy dose of baby laundry folding, hydration reminding, dish washing, infant soothing and new mom listening. Every nap and long shower I had for the first few months of my baby's life was thanks to Kizzy. Kizzy was also endlessly patient with our very anxious (and loud!) lab Abby who felt the need to constantly remind us all that there was someone different in the house holding her baby. Broadly - I'll strongly advocate to anyone who asks that they should seek birth and postpartum doula support. Specifically and wholeheartedly, I would advocate for them choosing Kizzy to come with them on their journey.

Nihi E

6/21/2024

Kizzy was a joy to work with! She has a calm and peaceful presence and is very knowledgeable. My husband and I hired her for doula and postpartum doula services. She met with us a few times before the birth to build the professional relationship and to help us prepare; her suggestions were very helpful (e.g., counterpressure suggestions and protein ball recipe). She was oncall 24/7 starting at two weeks before my expected due date and checked in on me often as my due date approached; this made me feel really comfortable. She was a-m-a-z-i-n-g at the birth - knew the right pressure points to help with labor pains, only talked when necessary, took pictures for us, took notes to create a timeline of events, etc. She was phenomenal during postpartum time - she cared for our baby at nights, allowing my husband and I to get much needed sleep! She also did light housework.

Kizzy listened, never rushed us through any conversation, and allowed time for us to think through our options. She brought humor to my pregnancy and postpartum experiences. She addressed our questions/concerns thoroughly and connected us to resources in our area. We had a positive experience. We would absolutely work with Kizzy again, and we would refer her to loved ones (and strangers)!!!
 

Kim Goddu-Alexander

6/19/2024

Kizzy was fantastic from the moment we met. Kizzy supported our family with a few prenatal visits, the birth of our son and postpartum visits. Her energy and demenor were so helpful for my husband during the birth and for me while I was in labor. Kizzy helped me put together (and stick to) a birth plan that included a vaginal delivery and no medication. I gave birth on a stormy night and Kizzy was still able to get to me even with several road closures. She found a way! Thank you, Kizzy! I would highly recommend her for any birth related endeavors.

HB

6/12/2024

1. What made you feel comfortable trusting me to guide you on your birth journey?

Kizzy was a very calm and comforting presence throughout our time working together. She has a wonderful bedside manner, and she made it very easy to trust her and feel supported by her. 

2. How did I support you prenatally, in labor & delivery, and postpartum? Did you both feel supported?

Both my husband and I felt very supported throughout the process. Kizzy was quick to respond to all the questions we had, either in person or via text or email. She always brought new info or ideas to us, and that made us feel like she really had our best interests at heart. 

3. How did you feel while we worked together, and what is memorable, reflecting back?

Yes, definitely memorable! We looked forward to our time with Kizzy, and are so glad she was able to be part of such a special moment in our lives. 

4. Would you recommend me to your friends and family?

Absolutely, and we will be using her services again ourselves. 

Bailey

4/15/2024

Working with Kizzy throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum was truly a blessing! During pregnancy, Kizzy was so helpful and responsive with any questions we had. The knowledge and resources she shared helped me feel more prepared and confident going into my son’s birth. She also made our birthing experience so much better than I even anticipated. She was a calming presence and was there to help us with anything we needed. But most importantly, she helped me advocate for myself and feel empowered. Postpartum, Kizzy was a listening ear when we needed to vent about our struggles, and provided helpful suggestions for getting through those first few weeks with a newborn. I can’t recommend working with her enough - she really is the best!

Devin Gray

2/5/2024

From the moment I met with Kizzy, I felt assured and confident that she would be the perfect match for my husband and I. She shared her knowledge and experience in an approachable, thoughtful, and gentle way, but even more than that, she listened intently to our preferences and wishes to ensure that her approach to her work with us was responsive to the type of experience we were hoping for. Her questions not only allowed her to understand what we wanted out of our birth experience, but it also gave me food for thought and allowed me to reflect on what I really wanted, and make informed decisions ahead of time.

Simply stated, my husband and I agree emphatically that we do not know how we would have made it through labor and delivery without Kizzy! From the moment she arrived, she jumped right into action to support and guide me through difficult contractions, and equally important, to guide my husband through his support of me as well. The throes of labor and intense contractions can make it difficult for the laboring partner to communicate their needs to their support person, and having Kizzy there helped cut through all of the chaos and provide the support through touch herself, while helping guide my husband through it as well. As can often happen, our L&D threw us several unexpected curveballs. Having Kizzy with us as both a sounding board for weighing options and making decisions, and a calming source of reassurance made all the difference during those intense moments of uncertainty. It’s hard to imagine how we would have navigated it without her! As can often happen, our L&D threw us several unexpected curveballs. Having Kizzy with us as both a sounding board for weighing options and making decisions, and a calming source of reassurance made all the difference during those intense moments of uncertainty. 

Marianne

1/24/2024

My husband and I chose Kizzy as our birth doula and she was a fantastic support system and friend through this journey. Always available when we had questions throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period, full of knowledge, kind and attentive, down to earth, funny, and always on top of things. She made sure our birth plan was comprehensive and provided resources both when requested and proactively.

Kizzy was so instrumental in my labor/delivery. I had intense lower back pain due to baby's position and Kizzy spent hours throughout my labor massaging pressure points which was the only form of relief I had (even with an epidural)! She held my hand during some scary moments, and stepped in when my husband needed a break. She was present when I needed her most and knew exactly when to provide space when that was what was best. She always was so prepared during our visits and chats and came with a ton of lovely supplies to help during labor/delivery. Postpartum she would snuggle our bundle of joy, offer to clean or run errands, offer newborn knowledge for us first time parents, and even ran me a bath!

If you're considering Kizzy for your birth power team, just stop thinking about it and DO IT. It was one of the best decisions we made during pregnancy. Her support was a necessity for us and we couldn't be more pleased.

Avery

12/7/2023

Kizzy was such an amazing addition to our birth plan. With the birth of our first child, we were looking for extra knowledge and support along the journey. We really enjoyed the expertise Kizzy was able to provide in preparation and during labor. While in labor my husband and Kizzy were able to follow our birth plan in supporting me so that I did not have to think or do anything other than be in the moment. The most memorable moments were keeping us informed and prepared before delivery and helping us work through decisions during the birth process as well as capturing some of the most precious moments we never want to forget. I would without a doubt recommend Kizzy to anyone looking for amazing support during their pregnancy and birth. I have already told friends and family what a great experience Kizzy made for us. Thank you for all that you do, Kizzy!

R

11/20/2023

We are so happy we chose to work with Kizzy as our doula for our first pregnancy. We didn't know what to expect and having a few visits with Kizzy before the birth made us feel much more prepared and less anxious. With Kizzy, there are no silly or embarrassing questions! She answered all our questions with knowledge and compassion. Kizzy helped us write a birth plan and we were lucky not to have any complications. It was great knowing that Kizzy was there to advocate for us if needed, and she helped create a calm atmosphere for our birth, from adding twinkle lights to the room to massage during labor and a reassuring voice. Kizzy took photos to capture our little one's first moments and our first moments as a family - photos we will treasure forever! We had two postpartum visits with Kizzy too, which we used to help process the birth. If we have another kiddo I might decide to have Kizzy come for nighttime help immediately (we had our parents, but they are getting older). Overall we are so glad we chose to hire a doula and Kizzy in particular was just the right fit for our family. Thanks Kizzy!

Coco

10/10/2023

Let me start off by simply saying how much we love Kizzy! Ok, now to elaborate: Kizzy is not only professional and extremely knowledgeable, she is warm, personable, and down to earth. She listened to my worries and first-time-mom anxieties, as well as celebrated prenatal milestones and successes with me. We felt so much more comfortable and confident going into birth after collaborating on our birth plan with Kizzy. She showed us different positions and counter pressure for my husband, and gave a rundown of all of the goodies in her doula bag- it wasn’t until I was in labor that I was truly grateful for these thoughtful items! Although my birth plan changed due to medical reasons, I was still able to have a really positive birth experience; largely due to the comfort and calm Kizzy brought to my birth team. I am forever thankful for the pictures she took of my son’s birth and for writing down his birth story to gift us. We look forward to reconnecting with Kizzy for our future pregnancies, and will highly recommend her to friends and family.

Alaina O.

10/5/2023

I would absolutely recommend Kizzy of Devoted Doula to any friends and family who are pregnant. She was amazing. I do not believe that my birth experience would have been the incredible, positive experience it was, without her support. I was able to achieve my ideal birth scenario as a first time mom and bring my son into this world in a hospital setting with no pain medication. Having Kizzy in my corner gave me the confidence I needed in myself to be able to do this. I had a lot of fear about birth and pain that was greatly assuaged by her support. I can't overstate the value of how secure, capable, and relaxed she made me feel by having her on my team.
Kizzy came to my house and met with my husband and I shortly after I hired her during my third trimester.  She interviewed me and wrote my birth plan for me based on what I wanted which I felt too overwhelmed to write myself. I had a few instances in the weeks leading up to birth where I thought I might be going into labor and she was only a text away to let her know what was going on. Though I knew my husband would be an incredible support during labor, it was a relief for BOTH of us to know we would have a third-party person for whom this experience was her job and something she is very familiar with, since this was both my husband and I’s first child. After one challenging pre-natal doctor’s appointment where I felt dismissed by medical staff, I called Kizzy and she reassured me and helped me advocate for myself. During my labor she did counter pressure on my hips during contractions which was absolutely necessary for me to get through them. She took awesome pictures of my husband and I seeing our little boy for the first time that I am SO grateful I have to cherish forever. The doctor who delivered my baby also told me I had a great doula.
If I have another child I will call Kizzy in heartbeat to help me through the next one just like she did for my first baby!

Cassandra

7/27/2023

I'm so grateful I found Kizzy as a postpartum doula. Without family close by, I knew I would be needing support after my first birth. Kizzy helped me so much during this important time - listening to my birth story, answering questions, helping out around the house, and holding my daughter so I could shower or nap. I always looked forward to the days she was coming over. 

Kizzy is kind, caring, and knowledgeable, and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for postpartum support. 

Kanika Choughule

7/8/2023

Let me just start by saying that Kizzy is an excellent doula, and if you can have her by your side, you are in great shape! We had the pleasure of working with her for our first child’s birth in May 2023. Her unassuming, kind, and lighthearted nature made it easy for us to share our fears, concerns, and ignorance with her. She took careful notes and prepared us for the big day. I must say, her tips and tricks to manage stress and physical pain work very well!
 
Kizzy was very generous with help throughout the process. We especially appreciate everything she did on the day of the birth – starting from providing us much needed emotional support to helping us make informed decisions in consultation with the doctors. Our child was in distress during my labor. This required frequent intervention. Kizzy knew exactly what to do – she helped the nurses get me in comfortable positions and this greatly helped relieve our child’s distress. I ended up needing an emergency c-section. Kizzy was present with us in the operation room and helped me and my husband stay calm, focused.
 
Kizzy is so very experienced, that she seemed to know exactly how the big day was going to unfold. She took detailed notes including the names of the doctors, nurses, what they recommended, what we said, how our daughter looked right after she was born, and how we reacted to it! Very sweet of her to convert these notes into a graphical story – something our daughter will undoubtedly find joy in reading!
 
I must say that Kizzy was available every time we looked for her – be it in person, or via text, or phone.  We HIGHLY recommend her services!

AM and ZH

5/17/2023

We cannot express well enough how skilled, caring and supportive Kizzy was during our pregnancy and labor journey. After we met her in person, we immediately knew that hiring her was the right decision. She checked in regularly, was responsive and helpful anytime we needed her. She taught us so much ahead of time and provided the right balance of encouragement and practical support during labor. Kizzy also went above and beyond for us after we experienced some complications post delivery. Several staff at our hospital commented to us during our stay about how impressed they were with her. We very highly recommend Kizzy to anyone looking for skilled, caring, compassionate support during pregnancy , labor or post partum. 

Will

5/2/2023

We are both so glad Kizzy was able to help guide us through our first birth. She arrived exactly when we needed her and was a source of strength, a calming presence, and an incredible resource full of knowledge on ways to reduce discomfort and encourage mom and baby to align themselves to get the job done.

We didn't have much previous experience with the concept of Doulas, but after interviewing with Kizzy we knew right away that this was something we wanted to do. She listened to our vague ideas of what we wanted, asked some questions about who we were and what we wanted in general out of the experience and was able to quickly start to define an actual plan.

Our first in person meeting she came with models of the pelvis and various other visual aids and we walked through the birth process, defining what we (ideally) wanted each step of the way. When she left after the first meeting we both felt like a huge weight had been lifted.

The day of the birth she came to the hospital immediately when we asked at 2am and was ready to help. Her energy and comforting techniques immediately helped give the needed strength to continue and eventually have a birth in which both mom and baby were healthy and happy. She wasn't afraid to help with the physical work of positioning and massaging, and she worked with the medical staff seamlessly. As Kizzy was leaving, I overheard the nurse in charge telling her she hoped they would be working together again soon which to me was a clear sign of her professionalism and obvious helpful presence in the room.

If you are considering including a Douala for your birth, I can’t imagine you could find a better one than Kizzy. She’s kind, understanding, funny, knowledgeable, and obviously loves her work. We absolutely will ask her back for our next baby and would recommend her to anyone who is looking for support in a time when support is needed.

M & W

Rachel O

4/6/2023

This was my second birth. I didn’t have the opportunity for a doula with my first because of Covid… so I was skeptical about how helpful a doula would be for me.
Kizzy exceeded all my expectations by far!!! It was like having your best friend in the room with you. She was incredibly attentive and met my needs before I even knew I had them. She was a source of calm, comfort, and encouragement when I needed it most. She advocated for my needs and desires with the medical team and partnered with the nursing staff to ensure I received the most exceptional care. I wish I knew her sooner so she could have supported me at my first birth. There is no doubt that she improved my overall birth experience. She allowed me to be more present and powerful than I ever knew I could be through the whole experience. I cannot recommend Kizzy enough for everyone regardless if it’s your first or even your fourth pregnancy!

Chelsea Lord

3/26/2023

My husband and I were expecting our first baby and looking for extra support as we approached the third trimester. I was so happy when we found Kizzy. I immediately felt at ease with her. She was so helpful and warm throughout our time together. At our prenatal appointment, she taught us breathing and counter pressure techniques, and offered resources for labor positions and prep exercises. Using these tools, I was able to labor at home with the support of my husband for almost 24 hours. When we finally went to the hospital, I was already 6 cm dilated! At the hospital, Kizzy created a warm and relaxing environment on our room. My labor stalled and throughout the course of a very long day, Kizzy was endlessly attentive and supportive. She kept me moving into new positions to encourage progress even with an epidural. At our postpartum appointment, Kizzy very kindly helped me give our daughter her first bath and boosted my confidence in my ability to care for her. We were very grateful to have Kizzy with us throughout our labor and delivery, and would recommend her to any expecting parents!

Katherine

3/17/2023

We cannot recommend Kizzy highly enough. Going into our second birth, we knew birth can be unpredictable and we wanted to feel confident and supported. That is just what having a doula gave us. At every step of the way, Kizzy helped us ask the right questions and made sure I was comfortable as the birthing person. We were so lucky to have a smooth birth overall, but even when things didn’t go exactly to plan, Kizzy was right there offering emotional support and comfort measures.I can’t imagine going through our pregnancy, birth and postpartum period without Kizzy!

Krissy B

2/18/2023

We are so grateful for the support we had from Kizzy. We started working with her in our third trimester after she was recommended by one of my midwives. From the first contact, Kizzy was warm and comforting. When she came over for our prenatal visit, we knew it would be a great match when our highly suspicious toddler warmed up to her right away. Kizzy reached out often, sending resources and words of wisdom to help make decisions. When I went into labor, it was quick and intense. Kizzy was at the hospital shortly after we were and went straight into action, setting up a calm and comforting environment without needing to be asked but always making sure I was comfortable with everything. The best part was when she set up twinkle lights in the tub room. It looked so magical that one of the techs told me the next day that she wanted to get some to leave in there all the time. Having a loving and focused extra set of hands allowed my partner to be completely focused on supporting me without stopping to set up the extra comfort measures. She gave us both cues that helped keep us grounded and focused. She took stunning, tasteful photos and kept a detailed log of the timeline to help us remember the details. She was hands on at all times, from preparing the environment to providing acupressure and counter pressure. Kizzy allowed us to both be present in the moment and helped me to have a peaceful and empowering birth experience. I am so grateful for her support and recommend her services without hesitation to any expecting or new parents.

Marley

1/25/2023

We are so thankful that Kizzy was our doula and cannot recommend her enough! From the beginning she checked in with me weekly via text and was always available whenever I would reach out with questions. The prenatal sessions were super helpful and honestly more informative than the two birth classes we took. I had an unmedicated birth and I honestly do not think it would have been possible without her support. She drove during a pretty bad snow storm to get to the hospital and immediately transformed our room into a perfect birth space with twinkle lights, sound machine and essential oils. She offered wonderful support to myself and my husband and was able to coach him along in how to best support me. The next day, multiple staff members at the hospital all commented on how Kizzy was the best doula they had seen and shared how nice the environment of the room was. The photos that she captured during labor and the photos of my daughter immediately after birth I will cherish forever. I struggled emotionally the first few weeks postpartum and Kizzy offered a safe and compassionate ear and a gentle shoulder to cry on. I have texted her about my anxieties, struggles and lactation questions and she has been nothing short of a blessing. Thinking of our time with her as our doula coming to an end is tough, but as soon as we decide to expand our family in the future we will hire her in a second!

Lauren R

1/18/2023

Kizzy was amazing from pregnancy through postpartum. She made our birth experience so enjoyable and we felt so much better prepared and supported than we could have imagined.

Lindsay

1/2/2023

Kizzy was our birth and postpartum doula, supporting us every step of the way. I tend to be fairly self-reliant, sometimes keeping to myself, so Kizzy was very thoughtful and proactive reaching out to me often leading up to the delivery. We had a lot of twists and turns with a breach that turned head down eventually, only to have our daughter go far past her due date. Kizzy was resourceful at every stage as well as supportive of our decisions. During labor she was an amazing coach and cheerleader. Once we were home she was invaluable at showing me soothing techniques and being very encouraging and knowledgeable in the breastfeeding journey. She was so resourceful recommending an amazing lactation consultant at a time when one was necessary. She was also a warm friend by my side day by day those first hard months. We are so thankful to have had her with us in our journey!

Lissa

12/13/2022

Kizzy was such a blessing to me throughout my pregnancy. She was a constant source of encouragement and support and available to chat about my concerns whenever they came to mind, always responding to me ASAP. I felt safe and comfortable in her presence during my birth and she supported me and my husband during this time. I was able to have the water birth of my dreams with her help in advocating for me in the hospital. I’m looking forward to having her support again during future pregnancies! ??

Stephanie Pappas

12/10/2022

With a 10 year gap between my recent birth/delivery and my last one, I seem to have forgotten so much about pregnancy, delivery, and parenting a newborn! Kizzy was there for me in a way that a best friend or a sister would be. I hired her originally for emotional support as I felt alone and overwhelmed, as well as in need of someone who could really comfort me through this journey. I had never had a doula before, but felt pulled to get one this time around. Kizzy has so much empathy and love in her heart. She is meant to do this line of work. I remember when she got to the hospital the morning of delivery and the whole room suddenly felt light. She brought more meaning into my birth experience, and also showed me that earth angels really do exist! I would have her on board again in a heartbeat! Highly recommend!

Cristina

11/17/2022

Kizzy is incredible and I can’t recommend her enough! She was so helpful during the birth of our son, she has the best reassuring calm presence, it was exactly what we needed!

Shayla

3/24/2022

Loved working with Kizzy for my first birth! Before we even knew if I was for sure in labor, she was headed to the hospital just in case. Her knowledge and kindness helped ease my mind before birth and got me through labor.