Whitney

8/28/2023

We were so grateful to have support from Annalise at our home birth. I can't even believe how big of a difference counterpressure on the low back during labor makes! So helpful! No matter how hard my husband tried he couldn't quite get it the same way as she could. Such a relief. And when I wasn't sure if I could continue she was right there to make me believe in myself again. We are also SO grateful for the amazing photos & videos that she graciously took for us at our unexpected outdoor/backyard birth. Thank you for the work you do! :-) 

Phoenix Douglass

8/24/2023

I loved working with Annalise! She came over a few weeks before my due date to help me with my birth plan as I waa wanting to do an unmedicated birth in a hospital. She also gave me some advice on prepping my body for birth with different stretches and mentally with meditations and breathing techniques. I ended up going into labor at 38 1/2 weeks and labored at home with my husband for about 6 hours. Since this was my first child, I wasn't really sure if I was in actual labor or if it was false labor so I texted her and explained what was happening. She responded right away and gave me advice. Once I was admitted to the hospital, my husband texted her and she met us there as soon as she could. I mostly labored in the tub and she did counter pressure on my hips and rubbed my shoulders. When the nurses wanted to do unnecessary checks or tried to convince me to sway from my birth preferences, Annalise helped me have the confidence to stick to my wishes. Whenever someone tried to talk me into something, she would only look at me and remind me that I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to. Her support throughout my labor helped me achieve my goal of an unmedicated childbirth and I'm so happy we had her on our birth team!

Riley Pico

8/23/2023

Annalise is amazing!! I knew if I wanted a successful VBAC that I should have someone there to help me fight for it, and Annalise is perfect for that. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about birth, and I love that she's not afraid to tell it like it is! She was so wonderful to have there during my labor and helped me continue to change positions and try new things and I truly think that helped my labor progress as fast as it did. I loved that she also helped my husband feel confident in supporting me during labor and that made all the difference in the world for us. I would 10/10 recommend Annalise for any mama!!

Abbie Flake

8/23/2023

Gosh, there are endless nice things I could say about Annalise!! First off, throughout my whole pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as my postpartum experience, she has been such an amazing blessing to me!! She and her partner doula Alex came to my house and sat with me before having my baby to just chat, get to know me, talk about what I wanted for my birth, my worries and concerns, and gave me tons of techniques and stretches that ended up being SUPER valuable when I was actually in labor.

The few weeks leading up to having my baby, I'd text her whenever i had a question and she was always there to answer! When I finally went into labor, I labored at home all day long before heading to the hospital. When it was go-time and my contractions were close enough together, it came on QUICK! My husband texted and she said she'd head to the hospital immediately! She met us there and I was in my hypnobirthing zone, but she had all her tools to help make me more comfortable, like a fan, essential oils, and was so encouraging with every contraction.

I honestly think it was the most valuable to have her there when the doctors and nurses were telling me things or giving me options, and I wasn't sure what to do, I could ask Annalise and she'd give me her HONEST opinion based on my birth plan and her expertise-- it was invaluable in such a vulnerable moment! I was stubborn, but she got me to continue to drink water, change positions when needed in labor... moral of the story, I couldn't have done an all natural birth without a doula, and Annalise was amazing. 

I'll never be able to thank her enough! I have already recommended her to every friend that's willing to talk to me about birth!??

Thank you so much Annalise for helping me create a safe, comfortable, educated, and wonderful birth story for me and my baby Penelope?? I am forever grateful!

Natalie Mallett

7/5/2023

We are truly so thankful to have found Annalise with happy birthing. I had wanted a doula my whole pregnancy but was unsure on how to find the right person.  I was so overjoyed when Annalise and Alex were recommended to me and we hit it off instantly. I was about 35 weeks pregnant but felt immediately at ease after our first meeting. She was so helpful to my husband and taught him different positions to help support me and relieve pressure as labor progressed. On the day of delivery she text me through the day and provided support as my contractions were not consistent, on what to do to stay relaxed and hydrated. When we got to the birthing center Annalise was just a presence of peace to the room, she knew when to step in to help my husband to make sure I was comfortable and supported and we can’t thank her enough. She captured the most beautiful pictures that I will forever be grateful for. She provided support and encouragement in the days/ weeks following my birth to answer question about healing and breast feeding and finding the right supports. As well as reminiscing and sharing about the whole experience. It felt as if we had known her for such a long time and had always been friends, we are truly so thankful for her support and will most definitely be giving her a call for our next pregnancy!

Susan Stange

5/12/2023

In April 2023, we welcomed our fifth child into our family. When we found out we were pregnant, I knew I wanted a team of women who were supportive, knowledgable, faith filled, and had a a calming presence. Even though Annalise was only working in the capacity of a videographer, I knew I could trust her in my space because she had all of these things.

During my birth, Annalise was unobtrusive, but encouraging when the moment called for it. She was so good about being respectful of me and my family's space while also capturing the video clips that would help us to remember the details of that special day for the rest of our lives. I am so grateful for her presence and her faith as we welcomed our son into this world. It was a beautiful birth full of joy and the video that Annalise captured and put together for us conveys that perfectly, from the clips to the song-choice. She was respectful of my wish for modesty and mindful of the details in my birth space and my team. I love that my video includes the really important things, like shots of my children when they witnessed their little brother's birth and the things we all said.

Annalise is creative, artistic, and skilled. She is also kind and uplifting. She is absolutely the person mothers want in their birth space and in their postpartum as she is so sensitive and understanding of that vulnerable period. I feel so blessed to have had her at my birth and will treasure the video that she made for me forever. Being able to hear my baby's first cries and see my oldest daughter as she cried tears of joy.

Thank you so much for being a part of our birth, Annalise, and for filming our birth so beautifully!

Marissa Pearse

4/29/2023

We hired Annalise as our doula and birth photographer. As first time parents my husband and I both had many questions and concerns.  Immediately after meeting Annalise we both felt more relaxed and began preparing for our birth. She is very knowledgeable and always gave us both sides to any questions we asked her. When our birth didn't go our way Annalise was there to reassure us that we did everything right and stayed until baby was out and both her and I were in the recovery room. She delivered us our birth photos very quickly and even came to our home for a postpartum visit after we had settled in. It was such a great experience having Annalise with us to help guide us and reassure us as started our new adventure as parents. 

Kayla LeFevre

4/26/2023

Annalise is the best and helped make my home birth an amazing experience. From our initial consult I knew she would be a great match for me as a doula. She was always available to me over text throughout my pregnancy in case I had any questions. She would also text me often to check in and make sure all my visits with my midwives were going well. We had two in-home visits with her before our birth and she taught my husband and I lots of valuable things that we would be able to use during labor/birth. My labor ended up being very very fast and Annalise arrived just minutes after my daughter was born. She immediately started taking photos for us. Since she missed my crazy fast birth she offered to come back and take fresh 48 pictures as well. All the photos turned out beautiful and I'll treasure them forever! We love Annalise! 

Gabriela Reyes

4/25/2023

Annalise had such a calm, supportive, and encouraging presence at my birth. I had a home birth so she was responsible for a huge amount of the pain management I received through massage, acupressure, essential oils, and position changes. She is very skilled and capable when it comes to birth and was an amazing support for both my husband and I! My husband commented that it was like i had a helpful sister there and that she helped him find a role and place in the birth. She took some amazing photos during the birth and was super lowkey/unimposing. Her presence gave my husband and I the space and peace of mind to focus on bringing our beautiful baby into the world with more comfort and ease than i could have imagined was possible. I cant recommend her enough! Big thanks to Annalise for her contribution to my joyful birth experience!

Julie Anne Marcellano

4/25/2023

Our first initial visit in meeting Annalise our family sensed the confidence, collective and calm deameanor we didn't know we needed during the support of our home birth!

Annalise's presence in our home while I was in labor was comforting for my family. She was very attentive through the stages of labor and provided an encouraging and supportive role. 

During my time in labor she honored where I was with performing pressure techniques as needed, pouring water down my back while I was in the birthing tub, distracting my labor with the comb technique to cope through my surges. Moreover, during the transitions she was compassionate and emotionally available with words of affirmations to mentally support myself and my family. 

Annalise was effective and constant  with reminding me I was capable. And in hindsight I know that gave me the confidence I needed when I felt like giving up. 

The empowerment I gained through birth has a lot to do with the motivation that Annalise and my birthing team provided during labor and the delivery of baby Ezra.

Annalise was essential and understood the environment we desired for our home birth experience. For that we are eternally grateful. Her caring, intentional, and dedicated support is one of the best investments. 

Looking back to my previous deliveries with our three older kids I wish I could go back and have a Doula present in all their births.

Annalise is a gem of a Doula! Every Mama deserves to have her support. 

Brooke Ballard

1/20/2023

My husband and I couldn't be anymore thankful that Annalise was apart of our sons birth. I had so many moments of "I can't" and Annalise was always right there affirming that I in fact could. Her support and vibe she brought were amazing. She kept me moving and had so many great suggestions. Not to mention I have photos I will cherish forever. 

Morgan Bowers

1/17/2023

Having Annalise as my doula was the best thing I could have done!! I felt supported and loved through out my entire pregnancy and birth. She checked on me constantly and made me feel so comfortable. She made sure my husband also felt very comfortable and gave him tips on how to help me during labor. I seriously think everyone needs to hire her as a part of their birth team! ?? 

Mckenzie Greenhalgh

1/9/2023

I had Annalise as my doula and I'm so happy she was part of my birth team! She stayed the entire time during my very long labor and offered so much help and relief for me both physically and mentally. She is the best and so sweet, I hope to have more babies and have her at my next birth!

Marissa

9/16/2022

If you are second guessing getting a doula, stop! Not only was getting a doula the best decision my husband and I made but Annalise was the best!! I remember when she arrived to our house during labor, I immediately felt a sense of relief. She knew exactly what I needed to calm me and help ease the pain. She brought such a calming and reassuring presence. She was also available throughout my entire pregnancy to answer any questions I had and does a postpartum visit as well! My husband loved having the additional support as well. We truly couldn't have done it without her and now have a lifelong friend too. Thank you Annalise! 

Victoria Arnett

7/29/2022

Best Doula Ever! Not to mention the pictures we got back from our birth are impeccable! My whole pregnancy journey was pretty intimidating especially when everyone had an opinion about what I should do and how I should birth. It wasn't until I had my OB miss the fact that I was severely anemic that I realized I needed to choose a different care path. When I started looking into doulas and found Annalise, I was so excited! She's incredibly attentive, answered all my questions, has the most peaceful energy and even suggested I birth at a birth center (amazing!). She was a great resource for emotional support even before birth. During my labor I deeply appreciated all her guidance, care and company to both my husband and I. On our way home from our birth the first thing my husband said was "thank goodness we hired Annalise, she made me feel so peaceful and in control of helping you during the labor". Even after birth she has still kept in contact which means the world! Basically she's the best and she'll definitely be our first choice for the next pregnancy, photography & after care to come!

Jessica Conklin

7/13/2022

Finding Annalise was a bright spot in a pretty miserable pregnancy. I was sick for all 9 months and when choosing a doula supportive of VBAC, my husband and I were looking for someone who could be a positive, calm energy but also a smart and fierce advocate. Annalise is all these things and more. She was so responsive to questions and provided supporting literature for best practices. When it was time for birth and I knew my VBAC wasn't happening, Annalise helped guide me to a place of comfort within myself. I loved having her around for the birth and postpartum and will definitely be sending her Christmas cards! 

Summer Sanchez

7/11/2022

Hiring Annalise as my Doula was one of the best decisions I’ve made during my pregnancy! Right from the start she made me feel comfortable like a long time friend. She is very knowledgeable and stays up to date with new research/ studies. She always answered any of my questions in a timely manner and would always provide evidence so that I could educate myself further as well. During my induced labor she let me know she would come to the hospital at any point. When I suddenly found out I had to have an unplanned C-section she made it to the hospital almost immediately. I am so thankful how she went above and beyond to let me know she was there for me. With her recommendations and support she made this pregnancy and delivery such a positive and healing experience, not only for me but my husband as well!

Tanya Emmer

7/11/2022

I made the best decision at 35 weeks to add a doula to my birth plan. I interviewed three different doulas and easily decided on Annalise. She had a calm confidence about her. That was the exact spirit I was looking for to add to my birth team. Annalise was so supportive throughout my pregnancy. She checked in weekly to make sure my head space was good and always asked if needed anything. The evening I went into labor, Annalise was at my house within 40 mins. Things progressed very quickly. She was observing positions that helped my body continue to progress. She encouraged me to try those positions for a few more contrations. Annalise's gentle reminders of deep breathing and to continue to move and try different positions, I know helped my labor to be quick and effective. Thank you, Annalise! You were the perfect addition to my perfect birth! Lastly, even during my postpartum she has checked in and has become a supportive friend. 

Alex

7/9/2022

I am so glad I found Annalise! She is knowledgeable, kind, warm, thoughtful, and all the things you would need in a doula. Prenatal visits with her were comfortable and fun! She has great resources and helped calm my fears surrounding birth. She believed in my ability to birth which in turn gave me a confidence boost I needed in times of uncertainty. I was able to have a beautiful home birth I prepared for and was grateful to have her there. From the moment she walked in she was doing counter pressure, helping my husband get a few last minute things ready, getting cool wash cloths, and fanning me when needed. She would get me sips of water between pushing and was just silently confident and aware of what was needed at the right time. Her words of encouragement and reminders to breathe helped me stay grounded. I was so appreciative of her help! I would 100% recommend her to anyone I know as a doula!