Amy

3/4/2025

In attempting a VBAC for my second birth, I was hoping to find someone who was compassionate, knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to encourage me to do hard things in the middle of a really challenging time (pregnancy and birth). Nicole has all of those qualities! I wanted to avoid induction or have a better experience if it was necessary. Throughout my pregnancy, Nicole provided ideas about how to help prepare my body for labor. I tried to do just about everything and had a very positive induction experience with this birth. Also during my pregnancy, Nicole helped plan for time in the hospital and anticipated things that would not have occurred to my husband or me. She went through every detail of my birth intention document and helped get specific about hopes for the birth and time right afterwards in the hospital. She also helped us consider how to support our toddlers leading up to the birth, in the hospital, and recovery at home. During the birth, Nicole's presence made a huge difference! I felt so supported and safe with her. With Nicole's help, I felt that I could relax and trust my body during this second birth. She helped me to understand what my body was doing, coached me through breathing, and helped me try different positions that were best for certain phases of labor. She also did a great job balancing when to be gentle and when to be more assertive, while positive and encouraging throughout. Having Nicole's support helped take away so much of the fear I had about birth. As a result, things went remarkably better this time! I can honestly say that this was a beautiful experience, and I'm so grateful to Nicole for the key role she played. Nicole not only has very specific knowledge about pregnancy and birth, but she also does an amazing job thinking about the whole person or whole family unit. If I were to have another baby, I would be thrilled to have Nicole's support again! I would also wholeheartedly recommend her to others!
 

Kiki

3/1/2025

I didn’t have a doula for my first birth, and having Nicole for my second was a night and day difference. She truly changed my birth experience.

From the start, Nicole was more than just knowledgeable—she was a rock. She listened to what I wanted, asked about my previous birth, and even checked in with my partner about his hopes. She gave us tools to improve communication once the baby arrived—things we didn’t even realize we’d need.

But where she made the biggest impact was in the moments that mattered most. Labor is intense, but with Nicole there, I never once felt lost or alone. It was like she carried the mental and emotional weight so I could focus on trusting the process.

She knew exactly what I needed—before I did. She tied my hair back when contractions got overwhelming, suggested position changes, reminded me to eat at the right moments, and advocated for me with the medical staff. Her calm, steady presence made me feel completely taken care of.

I loved that she fully supported my choices. I wanted a hospital birth with an epidural, and she embraced that. But because of her support, I actually delayed the epidural longer than expected—not because I was trying to, but because I was coping better. That made a huge difference in my recovery.

She also introduced options I never would have thought of—like my partner catching the baby, a placenta tour, and even donating the placenta for search and rescue dog training.

But most of all, Nicole gave me confidence—in myself, my body, and my baby. I now look back on this birth with pride, empowerment, and joy.

I cannot imagine going through labor without her. If I have another baby, she’ll be one of the first people I call. I’d recommend Nicole to anyone expecting a baby. She made all the difference.

Kelly Lehman Goswamy

2/17/2025

Nicole is a very calming and warm person, and very easy to work with. We liked that she had a lot of experience and was able to come to our home for visits. She was extremely helpful when we decided to explore a homebirth option, which we ultimately ended up doing. During the birth she was very comforting and did not leave my side for many hours. She reminded me to stay hydrated and helped me stay calm, focused and as comfortable as possible. I really think her support helped facilitate a smooth birth and recovery. I would definitely recommend her to friends and family!

Lauren Casterson

2/5/2025

Nicole Lakey is AMAZING! I had a very long labor and I'm confident that without her advocacy and exerptise that I would have ended up with a C-section. She was an integral part of our labor prep and birthing experience and even though not everything went to plan, I felt empowered and educated every step of the way due to Nicole's support. She has a calm and confident demeanor that was very grounding, and put both me and my partner at ease (not easy to do during labor!).  Additionally, she has a medical background and seamlessly worked alongside the medical staff and was very additive to their work, which was important to me. I can't say enough positive things about her and our experience with her! 

Melanie Kellenberger

1/11/2025

I am beyond grateful that I had Nicole by my side through my first pregnancy. She will always put her mama's first by answering your calls, checking in by texts and setting up time to walk you through the birthing process and postparum period. Nicole has extensive knowledge as a doula and the hospital where I delivered. Even though my birthing experience wasn't as planned, Nicole was with me every step of the way. 

I highly recommend Nicole to anyone that is thinking about getting a doula or just needs extra support during this exciting time in their lives!

Rebecca Huang

1/8/2025

We had Nicole as our Doula for the birth of our child back in July 2023. She was amazing. She was so helpful in preparing us for what we needed post-partum because as first time parents, there are details you miss or things that you never knew you would need. She helped us put together a birth plan, we wanted as natural of a birth as possible, but if needed she can help us voice what we wanted as a medical intervention if we couldn't do it ourselves. During labour, she was an amazing support, she has this 'sling' that she uses to help with contractions, which help so much during the labour process. She was a calming presence and she had this calming voice that helped to guide you or encourage you during labour, it was so helpful especially when things got real rough. She was there the whole time when contractions started to when our baby was born. She made sure I had my opinions voiced in the labour room if there were decisions or if I needed anything, or wanted any changes or was uncomfortable in any way. I think we would've definitely been more lost or more anxious if we didn't have Nicole with us during preganncy, at birth, and after pregnancy. She helped with latching the baby for breastfeeding the first time. She really helped you with how to latch properly so you don't get hurt, and what to do if you do have a soreness or pain. After birth, she helped with our placenta encapsulation, and she also checked in on us multiple times to make sure we had the support we needed post partum, and to make sure we were doing well with our new born. I've recommended Nicole to friends that are looking for a Doula because we definitely had such a positive and amazing experience. If I have a second, I definitely want her by my side again. 

Melina Lum

1/4/2025

Nicole is an angel. It was so helpful together get together with her and ask all the questions to help ease my husband and I nerves. She also brought up so many things we never thought of. She came up with so many ideas for birth, how to deal with family and healthcare providers. She helped provide a list of local resources and knows pretty much everyone. She helped guide our birth wish list and it felt good knowing we had our own advocate. In the end my baby was breech, she was there during my version and really helped to ground me. Nicole also was present right before and after my belly birth ñ. She helped eased my husband and I, helped me latch and fed me French fries right after. Nicole met us at home and helped me navigate the whirlwind of hormones/tears. Absolutely love her, very special person for a very special time in our lives.