Gloria

3/4/2024

To begin with Albina did a good job with making note of the things I did and did not want during labor and delivery. During the last months of pregnancy sending encouraging verses and prayers. Would answer all questions I had. When I was in active labor she was there doing everything she could to make the hospital room feel more calming. The biggest blessing was having her there as an advocate. Several different times Dr wanted to do things that Albina caught and made sure Dr explained. An example was that They weren't able to get a heart rate for baby and Dr mentioned getting that, I agreed thinking they will just put a monitor on my belly. Albina told the Dr that I wasn't understanding what she meant and to explain so Dr said it's a probe that goes into the skull. After I heard that I instantly refused. But it truly made me realize how important it is to have someone there to speak up for you. So thankful to have had the pleasure having Albina there. 

Katie Kazakova

2/16/2024

For me the most valuable was my established relationship with my doula. She was a big support during my pregnancy, everything leading up to birth, and even postpartum. Having her check in often towards the due date was helping me stay positive. Any question I had she has answered me with valuable information and vanished my concerns that I had. 

I value the help during labor and especially postpartum, seeing her engage so well with my kids to get some rest was very helpful!

Albina clicked with my husband which was very important to me, she showed him what would help me while laboring while bringing her oils and setting a relaxing environment before I even got to the birthing center. I walked in to a running diffuser and relaxing music. I'm glad I had someone behind all my decisions and supported them. Thank you very much Albina ?? you are my answered desire that I had a while ago!

Inga

2/16/2024

My name is Inga Timosenco. I gave birth to a 7,13 pound baby. On ultra sound they showed that my baby was really big. So they insisted me to get induced or do a c-section. My doula has sent me information about how on ultra sound they are wrong most of the time. So I close to wait and see if I can go into labour on my own. Since my doctor kept on pushing on me, I agreed to get induced on my due date. When I came in, few hours later while we were waiting for them to settle everything in, my water broke, so I refused the induction. My doctor got mad because she may not get paid for my labour, so she kept on pushing me to get induced. My doula Albina helped me with standing my ground, so I insisted to wait for my contractions to get more intense. Which did, 2 hours later. The reason why I didn't want to get induced is because it's very hard to move, they make the contractions more painful. Albina has took turns with my husband by pressing on my hips and doing other things to make my contractions less painful. Also, Albina has put some oil on my back with calmed me down. She has showed me how to breath the right way, and has helped me not to give up. She spent about 12 hours with me! With my other pregnancies, I couldn't eat, couldn't walk freely, I had a monitor on my belly that was connected. (my doctors always stressed me out, by pushing things on me, saying that if I don't give birth faster, they'll do a c-section. Which made me rip really bad, and made my breathing very minimal, which caused my son's heart rate to drop.) With my doula, i found out that I could eat, I can choose the wireless belly monitor. I was very comfortable, I had the lights off, calm music, and calming essential oils.) My baby had no complications, I pushed her out within 10 mintues, and I barley ripped) Thank you Albina for making my birth experience so special! I am so happy that we finally we have a doula in our community, which we never had before! 

Karina Yarmolyuk

2/12/2024

I met with Albina Kozlov towards the end of my pregnancy with my second baby. I had an IUGR pregnancy, my baby was in breech position & was measuring very small, below the 2nd percentile. We had a lot of decisions to make to bring her into this world. Albina helped us in so many ways to make an informed decision, with absolutely no pressure or judgement. She had a huge calming presence when we received so much difficult news in such a short span of time. Having a doula that can help you make the right decision was so important to us. We ultimately made the decision to have the safest, most peaceful delivery via c-section at 37 weeks gestation. We were well educated of all the risks AND all success rates for IUGR cases. We also were informed on the risks and success rates on doing the ECV procedure to flip our baby that was IUGR. With all of this information, it made our decision making far clearer & we knew exactly what our hearts were at peace with moving forward. Come to find out after her birth that we made every decision perfectly according to the well being of our baby & I know I couldn't have made these choices without the help of Albina's expertise and research. She was nearby the entire time, created a peaceful calm environment amidst all of the anxiety, I truly don't know how I would've done it without her. After the birth of my daughter, my husband left to be with her in the nicu & Albina didn't leave my side until I felt comfortable enough & she had left me to rest until my baby & I were reunited. No matter the route you go, whether it's a vaginal birth or cesarean, booking with Albina will ultimately transform your birth in every way. I look back at the birth I was so scared for & only have amazing memories. She was my ultimate support, my advocate & a wonderful addition to my delivery.