Eden

2/3/2025

Cj was so amazing to have in pregnancy! Although we didnt originally plan on getting a doula, I finally decided only a few weeks before my due date last year that I needed help cause I was so scared and didnt know what to expect. Cj took us on late and gave us so many resources, lots of videos and podcasts, books, articles, so both me and my fiancee felt way more prepared. She helped me at my house before my contractions were close enough together to go to the hospital. Even when I was scared at the hospital she helped me calm down a lot and explained everything they were doing and helped me talk to the nurse when I didn't want to do something.. She helped my fiancee a lot too. She also had a backup doula so we knew we would at least have somebody with us if she was sick or something. She was definitely wonderful to have around and would hire her again. 

Brooke W

1/31/2025

CJ's knowledge and preparation during my pregnancy made all the difference when I went into labor. I felt prepared and informed on what to expect and confident in my list of birth preferences, especially with this being my first child. During labor, she helped not only to keep me calm but also my husband. Both of us being new to this process and new parents, her presence and calm demeanor made all the difference. Since I gave birth in a hospital, she came and helped me labor at home before going in and then rode with us to help me while my husband focused on driving. At the hospital, she ensured that if the nurses said anything that she knew I'd want to hear or discuss she made sure to reiterate it or make everyone pause to let me make a decision, etc. Having CJ as our doula made all the difference for my birthing experience and I couldnt reccomend her more. We were so lucky to have her!!

Testimonial response

1/30/2025

This testimonial is a response to the below testimonial written by Shipra. 

I am deeply sorry and disappointed that you had a bad experience. Pregnancy is a stressful time and I am sorry for any anxiety our experience may have caused. 

However, I am slightly confused why your review does not mention that our contract was terminated due to your refusal to pay my full fee, even after I granted multiple extensions.

Doulas are self-employed and must enforce their own contracts. Although I deeply love my work, I have a family to take care of and cannot do this work for free. 

I am sorry if you, for some reason, believed you were exempt from paying the full fee, even though you signed a legal contract agreeing to do so. 

I sent a formal notice of contract termination after multiple payment reminders, which contradicts the statement that I terminated the contract without informing you. I was encouraged to do this by multiple senior doulas in our community, who know that our work is valuable and we deserve to be paid on time. 

Regarding communication: it is outlined explicitly in my contract, that if you ever believe you might be in labor that you must call me, not text. 

Unfortunately, it appears that clause was ignored and you chose to text for possible early labor, then became angry when I did not respond right away. It is stated explicitly in the contract to call if I do not respond to a text within 20 minutes, but that was not done. 

Again, I am sorry for any stress these situations may have caused in late pregnancy, but doulas must enforce their own boundaries. Once it became apparent that you had no intent to pay the full fee, I was forced to make a difficult decision and end our agreement, and also refunded the majority of your fee. 

Shipra

1/29/2025

 I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction with the service with CJ , she seems very unprofessional , specially in her response to situtaion.

She is most of the time busy and it is hard to find her time when you need her most. Her late response to your messages and calls gets very dissapointed , that you start to loose trust on her and when she reponds back her excuse used to be i am busy and I am sleep deprived. ( These answers you can expect when you are in last few weeks of pregnancy mine was 36th week, when I felt labour pain) . 

During my visit, I encountered several issues like her knowledge as a Doula because my fisrt child was born with other  Doula and we had a great experience  , so we decided to hire one again, because previous one was not availble on my due date . CJ could't fulfill whatever she committed to us during our phone call and visits , so she decided to terminate our contract without informing us on 37th week of Pregnancy. 

I have all the records saved if somone wants to verify with us  , how she dodged my questions and how much was delay in her responses when you need her most in last days of pregnancy. I overlooked these issues because I did not want to cause any rough patch and giving her benefit her doubt being young and new.  She can change contract terms as per her requirement . It was concerning for us that terms of contract misrepresented to us to create financial gain even after we made the agreed upon milestone payments to her.  She breached the contract, by being non-responsive to us and this could be her strategy to keep retainer fees from her clients. So please beware before hiring her , else you would be in my situation that how her negligence has caused me undue anxiety and stress.  I lost my money and time with her , but dont wan't other moms to go through all this , during this difficult time.

Anna

12/9/2024

Cj was a great help to me and my fiancee during pregnancy! She gave us a lot of prenatal education and resources and always made sure we felt comfortable with everything that was happening when we were at the hospital. I'm rly happy she was there for our birth. 

Julian Suniga

12/7/2024

My wife and I had the most incredible experience with CJ Thorp. She brought such calm, care, and confidence to our journey. Her support during labor was beyond what we could have imagined, offering both physical help and emotional reassurance for my wife—and for me as a first-time dad. She empowered us with her expertise and kindness every step of the way. We couldn’t have done it without her, and we’ll forever be grateful. Highly recommend her to anyone seeking a compassionate, skilled, and truly dedicated doula!

Claire Dang

6/20/2023

My first birth experience resulted in a c section because I had placenta previa. It was not ideal, but it was safe for my baby and I. This is my second birth and when I found out I didn't have previa and was a candidate for a TOLAC (trial of birth after cesarean), I immediately interviewed doulas. I chose CJ because she showed me that she was knowledgeable, sensitive to my needs, warm and friendly. She helped calm my anxiety about natural birth and prepare me for the experience by discussing my expectations and answering my questions. On the day of, she drove me to the hospital, supported my decisions, encouraged my spirit and reassured my gut when I felt an option was not right for me. She was instrumental in allowing me to have the vaginal birth that I wanted. I had a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and all the photos for remember the unforgettable event. She followed up with me several times during postpartum to provide some support, it was really nice to have someone understanding to talk to. I would recommend CJ to any first time, second time or third time mom. She's very sweet, respectful and reliable.

Brian

6/14/2023

CJ was a game changer for my partner and me in the first weeks postpartum. Her help made everything easier, and let us get more rest and more time with our new baby. She is patient, easy to talk to, understanding, and kind. Highly recommended!

Carol alvizures

2/18/2023

One of the most patient, comfortable nicest person to be around ..... Cj is not only my sister-in-law , but my best friend who helped me out during my child's birth ! She held my hand with every contraction , supported me with every word she said to me .... rubbed me when I felt like I couldn't any more . Fed me when I wasn't able to . The best doula . Cj helped me a lot with stuff I wasn't well informed about such as . Planing my birth , calling places , preparing myself . Knowing the difference between contractions. Such a great person ! definitely recommend !!! Breastfeeding was one of the other things she helped me inform myself about too . I was a first time mom In need of help & attention . This was my second child birth & I was so ready for it ! Cj made sure the nurses gave me what I needed & asked for to my comfort & my baby's  ?? I appreciate Cjs work & the love she has of it.