Patrick

9/17/2024

After years of raising our first child and dealing with the pain of multiple losses, this birth felt huge. There was a lot riding on it emotionally, and we needed someone who wasn’t just there for the birth, but someone who really understood what we’d been through. That person was Noshaba.

From the moment they showed up, they brought this calm energy that was exactly what we needed. The labor went on for days, and while my partner gave it everything, I did my best to stay strong. But honestly, it was Noshaba who kept us going. They were there constantly—offering physical support for hours and making sure we didn’t lose focus when things got tough.

They didn’t just take care of my partner—they looked after me too. There were moments when I wasn’t sure if I was doing enough or how to help. But Noshaba kept me grounded and made sure I stayed present. They helped me be the partner I needed to be.

This birth wasn’t just about bringing another child into the world. It was about everything we’d been through to get here, and Noshaba guided us through that. I know for sure that without them, it would’ve been a completely different experience. Their care, love, and constant support will always be part of our family’s story, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

If you’re looking for someone who will truly be there for you when it matters, Noshaba’s the person you want by your side.

MD

9/17/2024

I emphatically recommend Noshaba as a birth doula! They were a true partner and support in my pregnancy and birth and were equally supportive of my husband.

I am fat, over 35, and have experienced several miscarriages. I also had a traumatic first birth and postpartum at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's fair to say that I was an emotional wreck in this latest pregnancy and very scared of birth.

From the very first meeting, Noshaba validated me and accepted me.

Prenatal visits were customized and very thorough. Noshaba met with us several times and was always patient, kind, trauma informed, fat positive, and empathetic. They educated me on how to best prepare my body to maximize the chances of spontaneous labor and a vaginal birth, as well as how to best navigate a midwife hospital birth to maximize our chances of a VBAC. They are well connected to and highly respected by the midwives in the Chicago area, which helped create a peaceful and collaborative energy amongst my clinical team.

Noshaba was a rockstar during my labor and birth. Their emotional support and knowledge of all the tips and tricks to manage discomfort helped me get through an unmedicated, pitocin-augmented labor, preeclampsia, and hours of pushing with an epidural. Even with all the twists and turns, I felt fully supported. Noshaba had my back.

When my confidence waivered after several hours of pushing and the OB/GYN started talking C-section, Noshaba was the one who asked the doctor for more time to push and reassured me. And in the end, I got my VBAC! I know it wouldn't have happened without Noshaba as my doula. But even if it hadn't worked out, I would have been able to say that I had a healing birth, due in large part to Noshaba's knowledge, experience, support, and advocacy.

If Noshaba has entered your orbit, consider it a sign. You must choose them to be your doula!

Paul

8/20/2024

Noshaba was a Godsend. She did an incredible job preparing and informing my wife and I on what to expect as first-time parents going through the birthing process. Noshaba coached me specifically on how to provide counter pressure during my wife’s contractions to help alleviate some of the pain. On the day of the birth, Noshaba came to our place and provided counter pressure for my wife’s contractions all the way up to when we went to the hospital and up until the birth of our daughter (the counter-pressure she provided provided so much relief for my wife from the contractions). The moment Noshaba showed up was a sigh of relief for me. She was able to answer questions and concerns for both me and my partner in real time during this new experience that was so foreign to us. We could not recommend her more highly and hope to have her again if we’re able to have another child in the future.

Valerie

8/8/2024

Our family is so incredibly lucky to have worked with Noshaba. We truly couldn't have asked for a better doula. Noshaba was so present and helpful throughout my pregnancy and during labor; they must've did counter pressure on my back for nearly 11 straight hours during labor, and it made the pain from my contractions significantly more manageable! As a Black woman who is more vulnerable given our community's poor maternal health rates, I felt like I was in good hands with Noshaba. They were a wonderful advocate to have at the hospital and helped me avoid medical intervention when it was not necessary. Noshaba is thorough and ensures you have evidence-based information. They also were always were willing to be a resource during those impossibly intense newborn days whenever I had questions, and as a first-time parent, that was invaluable. We consider Noshaba a part of our village and I am so, so grateful for them! 

Julie Brannen

6/19/2024

Imagine yourself venturing into the deepest darkest cave of unknown and auspicious territory, full of anticipation, trepidation, + excitement. On the other side, you’re promised the greatest, most rewarding and incredible treasure of your life. This process is wild — not for the faint of heart — requiring fortitude, surrender, and courage in order to be transformed. I’m speaking, of course, of the process of birthing a human life. For those lucky enough to embark on this adventure, I would recommend Noshaba as your full spectrum doula with every fiber of my being. Noshaba was thoughtful, thorough, holistic, comprehensive, and deeply committed to instilling knowledge, agency, confidence, trust, and wonder in our process. They were a pillar of stability and strength in the most challenging experience of my life, providing compassionate physical and metaphysical support during my 30 hour sacred birthing session, that resulted in an unmedicated, minimally intervened home birth of our son. I am forever grateful to have had Noshaba walk with me in this journey and I look forward to the next transformation with them by my side.

Irina

11/17/2022

Working with Noshaba was the best part of my pregnancy and birth experience. She was incredibly knowledgable, caring, and empowering. She supported me and my partner in articulating the type of labor and birth experience we were hoping for - and was there every step of the way. She offered physical, emotional, and spiritual support. In the moments when I felt most afraid and unsure of myself, Noshaba was there to offer guidance, courage, and help me tap into my own strenght. I was able to endure 12 hours of unmedicated labor - something I never thought I had the strength or courage to accomplish - with Noshaba's care, affirmations, and guidance. Besides meeting my baby, working with Noshaba was best part of my labor experience! 

Michael

11/14/2022

As first time parents, my partner and I had a lot of questions and concerns about everything! From the pregnancy to the delivery to everything afterward with parenthood, we didn't know where to start. Noshaba came highly recommended from our friends. When I first met her she was warm, confident, knowledgeable, and funny. Noshaba was so thoughtful in sharing all the information and resources and was always eager to answer our questions. I loved that we got to know all about her, her family, and her birth story with her kids. She really prepared us well and was so intentional in sharing what we should expect from each other and from her when it came to the labor and delivery.

When my partner went into labor around midnight we contacted Noshaba in the early morning hours and to our amazement she was really responsive and helpful during those first few hours. We were in constant communication and I felt really held and backed up while also supporting my partner. When she arrived at the hospital Noshaba was so in tune with the moment and my partner's stage of labor. She was attentive and caring and a real advocate for us during the whole process. I was so grateful we had all invested time to getting to know one another really well beforehand and built so much rapport. When I think back to that day, we really could not have done it without her. I am so grateful to Noshaba and her family for her care and wisdom as a doula. I cannot imagine a better person to have had in the room with us when our baby was born.

We love you Noshaba!!

Hannah

11/9/2022

I've given birth twice and Noshaba was there both times. I can't imagine going through pregnancy, labor, and delivery without her. She was so generous with her time getting my husband and me prepared for childbirth, and she skillfully and thoughtfully guided us every step of the way. I am certain that my labor and delivery went as smoothly as they did because of Noshaba. I wanted to give birth with a minimum of medical intervention, but I was also very nervous about my ability to handle the pain. With Noshaba's physical presence, her emotional support, and lots of hip squeezing I was able to have the kind of births that I was hoping for. I recommend Noshaba to any pregnant person, she is simply great.