Amanda Brown

5/3/2023

This was my second pregnancy and you would think that I wouldn’t “need” a Doula since I’ve been through the experience of pregnancy and childbirth before- but that would be highly incorrect. In fact- because every pregnancy is different- I would argue that a Doula is even more necessary to help you overcome any preconceived notion’s about what the pregnancy would be like. Shanita has been an AMAZING Doula! During both the prenatal and postpartum periods her support and expertise have been invaluable. Her passion and love are evident in how she communicates. She is professional and timely. If there are any questions posed that she doesn’t have the answer for she will quickly research or tap into her network to find the necessary information.

I did not have a complicated pregnancy however it is still a very stressful time for any mother and Shanita was always available to answer my questions and provide sound advice on a variety of topics. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable a Doula is and I am blessed to have found the right one in Shanita. I would also highlight that the role of a Doula extends far beyond the delivery room. Her postpartum support has been the most helpful as I navigate life post delivery. If you are considering hiring a Doula for your pregnancy or postpartum needs, I highly recommend Shanita- she is FANTASTIC!

Poliana da Silva

3/14/2023

Shanita was the best thing that I chose this pregnancy! When I got pregnant with our 2nd baby, I knew immediately that I wanted an unmedicated birth, so I knew I would need a doula. After our 1st baby, I had back surgery and was very hesitant to get another epidural but wasn’t sure I’d be able to have an unmedicated birth alone. Both my labors progressed very quickly, but on the first occasion, I didn’t have someone like Shanita to talk me through the pain and help me with pain relief techniques. With Shanita, I was able to achieve my goal of a completely unmedicated birth! I can barely believe it myself to this day!

In addition, my goal was to exclusively breastfeed with direct latching. My first baby was exclusively breastfed but via pumping, as I did not have access to a lactation consultant and having trouble with latch and positioning. Shanita brought a nipple shield to the hospital and immediately after delivery helped me with skin-to-skin and latching. Approximately 2 weeks after delivery, baby suddenly stopped latching and I desperately reached out to Shanita, who came to my house the next morning to the rescue! Baby has since been direct nursing like a champ and Shanita’s help has been indispensable to achieving my goals on this pregnancy!

Instead of spending $ on unnecessary and expensive baby gear, use the money wisely and invest in a doula. It was the best investment and I will be forever grateful to Shanita for her assistance on this pregnancy! This is my 2nd and last baby and can look back with pride at being able to achieve what I always dreamed of…all with Shanita’s help!

Rebecca Hippolyte-Louis

2/27/2023

Shanita was a game changer for my husband and for the birth of our first child. Being new to NJ and being a first time mom, I felt like a fish out of water. From our interview meeting, Shanita was not only professional but extremely knowledgeable. In that first meeting she gave me advice that was invaluable all before I even signed a contract! Her gracious and forward thinking ways helped me stay grounded and confident during my labor stages and water birth. With no interventions, Shanita's encouragement helped me have the delivery of my dreams. If you're looking for a doula who will hold you accountable, advocate for you, champion your birth plan, and hold your hand throughout the process, look no further. 

Alice

2/21/2023

Shanita is a godsend, reliable and approachable, very empathetic and listens to your concerns and fears, her experience as a NICU nurse is invaluable, my baby came 24 weeks early and Shanita was very flexible to move my Douala deposit to postpartum services, and she showed up when my baby came home almost 4 months later, with a lot of good advise and experience with her, those first few weeks her presence gave us time to rest, and catch up on sleep, she was pleasant to just sit with for hours and chat, and always checked in and was reachable by phone or text when we had questions. I would highly recommend her to be a partner through your pregnancy

Angela

12/30/2022

My husband and I hired Shanita for support during my 4th trimester. My biggest concerns were proper recovery (from a c-section delivery) and lactation support. Even before we welcomed my daughter, Shanita provided a wealth of information and advice based on my client intake form. After delivery, it was like having a sister at home with me to help with the baby and also help me with nursing. One instance that stands out for me, was when I was having trouble standing. My husband brought me to the ER and Shanita was right there with us. It was very reassuring to have someone with her background and expertise there to support us during that time. Also, as a mom herself, Shanita provided some PRO TIPS that has helped me save time and stress. If you’re looking for a postpartum doula, look no further - Choose Joy….

Anne

12/4/2022

Shanita has an easygoing personality and freely shares her wealth of knowledge. In addition, she's an all around great person who was wonderful with our twins and helped us get settled after their arrival. 

Yvanne N

11/9/2022

Best DOULA ever. Granted is my first one but not changing. Even though my birth did not finish like I anticipated (C Section Mama here), Shanita was right there with the support and information I need during the pregnancy, during the induction process and even a month after giving birth. 

Shanita kept me sane with proper information during my pregnancy cause Google, WebMD and Tiktok would stray me away sometimes so having Shanita confirm and provide accurate data for my questions really helped. I texted her at all type of hours and wouldn't expect a response right away but I will get them so she is very much attentive. I am glad this birthing experience did not shy me away from having another child so I am excited for the next one cause I know I'll have Shanita by my side. I totally recommend her to anyone I know that's pregnancy.

lauren

9/20/2022

Shanita stepped in for us as a back up doula when the person we had been working with, unfortunately, fell ill the week we went into Labor.

Our labor progressed almost immediately to active labor and Shanita was super accessible. We were able to get a hold of her immediately and she hurried to meet us at the hospital as soon as we headed there. (Meeting us at home was not an option due to how quickly things progressed!)

Having her there was super helpful for my partner. By the time the hospital allowed her to meet us, he was pretty exhausted and it was nice for him to have another person there for support and questions. I ended up opting for an epidural and Shanita was great about helping me reposition on the peanut ball as well as helping answer our questions about the various next steps while we waited to progress through labor.

Post labor - she sent us a lot of helpful information to watch out for in post partum and things to be aware of.

As first time parents, we were very glad we opted to have a Doula as part of our care team. We learned so much as a result throughout our pregnancy, birth, and post partum journey that allowed us to not feel completely overwhelmed and anxious for each stage but equipped with knowledge, steps, and  supportive resources (our doulas!) to reach out to - should we have any questions or concerns.

Nashrah Shah

7/6/2022

Shanita is absolutely amazing. I can't express in words how grateful I am for her support during my labor. She was there the entire time next to me for 12 hours during my labor. Her physical presence, calm demeanor and most importantly, her emotional support kept me going. Her medical background and thoughtful manner helped keep all the medical staff in the room at ease. My doctor was very impressed with her professionalism and commented on how she has never met a doula so dedicated to her client like she was with me. I had a positive labor experience because of her and don't know how I would have done it without her.

KG

4/12/2022

Choosing Joy offers top notch service and comes highly recommended. Shanita took her time and educated me on breastfeeding. She shared several handouts and summaries of our appointments. She help me keep my stress level down and focus on different techniques and healthier food options. Her passion and dedication was jaw dropping. My family and I are very thankful for the stellar level of professionalism and the tremendous follow up. Thank you a million times over and may God bless you and your business. If you are in need of help on your journey CHOOSE JOY??????????

Mima will

4/12/2022

This being my second child you think I would know what I am doing by now right? Barely, especially pregnancies being almost a decade apart. Moving to a new state, with many people not of your origin overseeing your birth can be even scarier; which is why I looked for a doula who could understand me through such an intense period in my life. I first came across Shanita on social media with her informative ads, which created the first sense of comfort for me. Upon our first free consultation, I felt more at peace and educated upon things I was not aware of. Let’s not forget she is an actual registered nurse, which put her a step ahead in the game in my book. Shanita has gone literally above and beyond what she charges. I’ve learned more about my body with her resources in less than 2 months than I have with other medical professionals in my life. I am due in a few months and have nothing but peace going through this process knowing I have someone with my best interest at hand. Don’t walk, RUN to choosing joy doula services! Only if your serious about the health of yourself and your baby of course!