Ana Celeste

2/8/2024

Our experience with Christina was amazing. The human touch, the honesty, the company, the knowledge, it was everything we needed! During our prenatal visits I felt like I had the power to have the birth that I wanted!

She was such a great support to have by our side at the hospital! She made sure all my preferences were met and respected. She stood by our side when we needed her the most. I was able to have the unmedicated birth that I wanted thanks to all her help, knowledge and support. I really never thought I could have such an amazing birth experience!

And it was so nice to meet with Christina after my baby was born. She helped us with breastfeeding. I love that she really cares and creates an honest connection.

Erin

9/19/2023

We hired Christina as our birth doula for the birth of our first baby in 2023. From the start of our prenatal meetings, we clicked right away and we both knew it was a good match mutually. I do not live in a fat body and wanted to be conscious of that, but at no point did Christina make me feel like I was not the "right type" of client for her. I have chronic illnesses and not only did Christina already know a lot about my disorder, she did additional and thorough research regarding my condition during pregnancy and birth - the risks associated, alternative methods of coping, etc. 

I ended up having a 45 hour labor that ended in a dangerous c-section (due in NO part to our laboring process - I medically could not have had a vaginal birth.) Throughout my long laboring, Christina helped keep me grounded, reminded me to find my breath, and compassionately guided my husband through partner support. Having Christina there made the entire process significantly less scary, especially when it got scary. She shouldered the medical advocacy that I nor my husband had the capacity to provide. She was a main go-to for our providers, she knew my personal wants, needs, and medical requirements to a point where she could answer almost any question a provider asked her. If she did not know the answer, she was the compassionate messenger who reminded me frequently that I always have a choice with whatever options were being presented. 

While I cannot have a VBAC for any future children, I would instantly hire Big Fat Pregnancy again in a heartbeat for any future pregnancies and postpartum support. She became a fast friend that I deeply trust to care for me in the scariest of times. 

Elena Umeno

8/28/2023

I cannot say enough good things about Christina, if you ever have the chance to work with her don't pass it up. As a woman living in a larger body, anything medical related can be super challenging to navigate, but having a medically complex pregnancy was a whole other beast. Once I found out I would be requiring not only a c-section but facing anywhere from a 28-34 week delivery it was daunting and I didn't even know if it would be beneficial to have a doula. Christina was able to work with me very last minute due to the nature of my quicker delivery and emotionally help me before anything begun. In the OR you are allowed only one person in there with you. When my husband left to go be with our baby in the NICU, Christina traded off with him and was in the full PPE gear in the OR with me. Recovering from a C-section is tough but when you are away from your partner and baby right after birth it is tougher. She was able to hold my hand, show me updates on my phone from the NICU, update me on what my medical team was up to , and my hyper phobia of puking was always on her mind. She brought peppermint oil to put on my mask and made sure everyone on my team knew about my phobia. I could go on and on about delivery day with her. She gave me the gift of support and to not be alone on one of the toughest and best days of my life. Christina was always amazing with scheduling our belated home visits because we didn't come home from the NICU for 43 days. She was there to help us day one of being home, sorting all our bags and medical equipment we were sent home with in addition to helping me with any home tasks, and valuably offered nursing tips and positions as well. Nothing I can say here can properly convey what her time with us meant. If you are having a C-section and wondering if a doula is worth it, I would say a huge yes. Not only for delivery but coming home after. If I'm ever fortunate enough to be pregnant again, Christina is for sure our doula!