Rebecca

9/7/2024

I am finally writing this long overdue testimonial for Nicole who was my wonderful doula , rock, and friend through my pregnancy and labor. I connected with Nicole very early on in my pregnancy and from the day we first did our zoom interview she supported me and guided me through my pregnancy, doctor appointments, childbirth education, and finally labor. My birth story had a long and stressful lead up and Nicole was there with me every step of the way with advice, guidance, optimism, and a dose of reality all of which were needed to get me through.  By sheer luck and possible will power of my own I avoided a scheduled induction by a few hours and went on to have the unmedicated and uncomplicated birth I was hoping for.   I couldn't have done it without her. Not only was she extremely helpful in early labor via text and phone she was instrumental during active labor in the hospital.  My labor was fast and she got there in time to be my comfort person and cheerleader. She helped direct my husband in ways when things were high stress and she was exactly the person I needed there in that moment.  I always knew I wanted a doula by my side but I felt extremely lucky that I found Nicole to be that person.   

Sam Hopkins

12/17/2023

We highly recommend working with Nicole! We started working with Nicole in my second trimester and she was an invaluable resource. We met with her virtually and in person to discuss my birth preferences and to learn more about labor and birth. We took separate birth courses as well but being able to discuss our questions with Nicole helped us feel confident and prepared for labor and birth. Working with Nicole helped reduce our stress while I was in early labor and we felt confident on when to head to the hospital. Having her support throughout the labor and birth made me feel calm and supported. It also allowed my husband to feel supported and he was able to take care of himself knowing that Nicole was there. I was very at ease throughout my labor and I attribute that to Nicole's presence and preparation. It was also so nice to have her visit us after our daughter was born. We loved working with Nicole as our doula and will recommend her to our family and friends. 

Kate Gofman

8/20/2021

Nicole is a unique doula. She is very experienced, possesses in-depth knowledge about every aspect of the birthing process, and is generous with her time. Above all, she has a huge heart and great soothing energy. Nicole gave us the support that was so much needed during the pandemic when I was separated from my family and friends. She spent almost three days with us at the hospital, getting very little sleep but making sure my voice was heard. I am confident that my birthing experience and the outcome would be much different if not for Nicole. It's been almost four months since I gave birth, and we are still in touch almost every week. Nicole has become a friend and an important connection to our family. You'll be fortunate if you manage to arrange to work with Nicole. As any great talent, she is always in demand! 

Christa S

3/26/2021

As a first time mother at the age of 42, I had a complex mixture of emotions.  I was so excited after several rounds of IVF to be blessed by successfully concieving my daughter.  But I was so scared about so many things; was I doing everything possible to ensure a healthy pregnancy for my daughter and I?  I wanted the most natural of births, but was I "too old" to do anything other that the sterile, hospital birth that my doctor insisted on "just in case anything went wrong?"  And then I met Nicole, who calmed all my fears.  He calm demenor instantly put me at ease and she assured me that I was already a good Mother for even thinking about these things.  She shared stories of her pregnancies and the births of her sons, and I instantly knew I would be in the best hands with Nicole as she totally got me, the wishes I had as I went through my pregnancy and birth, all while preparing me that nothing is perfect and rarely goes as planned.  We laughed and cried togehter on so many occassions, and still do even though my daughter is now 7 years old.

I think back to the day my daughter was born and it was a blur.  There were numerous doctors and nurses who cycled in and out, but the only constant was Nicole.  She held my hand, encouraged me, and showed me grace in my most vunerable state.  She was my advocate, my cheerleader, and kept me centered.  Her compassion, knowledge and love created the exact environment that I wanted to bring my daughter into from her very first breath and I am forever grateful.  

After my daughter was born, she called to check in on us both even before we were discharged from the hospital.  She came over to share more newborn wisdom and put my mind at ease as I voiced all my new mom fears.  Moreover, Nicole became a trusted part of our little family and a dear friend who, to this day continues to advocate for us.  

Karen Tengwall

2/21/2021

Having Nicole as a part of my prenatal, birth, and post natal plan ended up being the most important decision we made.  From her in home birthing class, to the calls made once we welcomed out daughter, Nicole was always available and excited to help us.

The most important part of our experience was her bedside manner and the way in which she encouraged us during the actual process.  We felt as prepared as we could be (for a 1st birth) and knew that she was there to advocate for us/me as labor intensified.  Nicole has an acute understanding of the process, the risks, and does a great job of navigating and advocating  for her clients.

In addition, once we welcomed our baby she was very hands on and super helpful in the nursing process.  While some have troubles nursing, Nicole helped navigate that aspect of the post birth experience and having her expertise and advice made a world of difference for us.

I have no doubt that without Nicole, the birthing experience in general (I've had 3 all natural birth center births) would have looked so different.  Because of our trust in her and the process we chose, I have wonderful memories of all 3 childbirths and zero regrets. 

Sara Cusate

1/28/2021

Nicole is the most amazing, supportive, compassionate, nurturing soul. We were so lucky to have her as our Doula for my sons birth. Being pregnant for the first came with many questions, concerns, worries, stress, anxiety etc. All of which Nicole handled with grace, intelligence and ease. She is so intuitive and had so much experience she immediately us at ease. When my birthplan didn't go exactly as planned ( guess what? they never do), she was there and made me feel ok with my new decision. She showed me different positions to try to move my son into a better place for birth, she rubbed my back and helped me breath, held my hand and let me know I was doing great with a warm, loving, encouraging smile. She had such a calm, motherly, caring presence I just always felt at ease. After my son was born I had some difficulty breastfeeding due to inverted nipples and she knew exactly how to deal with that and got him latched in no time. I highly recommend Nicole as a Doula it was truly the best decision my husband and I ever made. 

Mollie Meffert

9/20/2013

Nicole helped us during evenings and overnights with our newborn twins for almost 6 months.  One of our priorities was to be able to get some rest at night so that we would be better able to take care of and enjoy our twins during the day.  Nicole was really amazing with our babies!  She was gentle and loving with our twins and knew just how to hold and feed them so that they were immediately relaxed in her presence.  In the morning, we would find the girls happy, rested and well-fed and Nicole would be playing with them.  She definitely enjoys her work and it shows in her smiles and positive attitude.  Nicole also had helpful tips for us, as new parents, and she was always punctual and prepared, and never flustered even with twins.  We highly recommend her!!!

Courtney Spangler

7/18/2013

Nicole made my childbirth experience calm and positive, and I will hire her again if I have another child. She helped educate me before, during and after childbirth and she is a tremendous resource. She offers positive feedback and constant reassurance at a time when a new mother can feel frustrated, confused and overwhelmed. Never judgmental, Nicole provides information as well as her own anecdotes so that you can make your own decisions – on everything from choosing the right doctor, to drafting a birth plan, breastfeeding, and finding soothing techniques and baby gear that works for you. Nicole is a wonderful person to be around. She is energetic yet so composed at all times, and I felt totally safe and secure having her by my side during this most private and intimate experience. Nicole helped talk me through the stages of labor and delivery, and she helped me to relax and feel in control of my birth plan so that I could have the natural birth I wanted. I had never thought about having a birth doula until I met Nicole, and I am so grateful to have met her! I recommend Nicole with the highest rating.

Corey Agnew

4/10/2013

When we started this journey I didn’t even know what a Doula was and now that Zoey is here I can’t imagine going through that experience without you. Before her birth we were preparing by scouring the Internet, reading books, watching documentaries, and taking birthing classes–all so we could learn how to bring her into this world as smoothly as possible. Even with that arsenal of knowledge available, your service as our Doula was the single best investment we could have made.

As a husband who is a “fixer” by nature, I wanted to support my wife so she could go through the labor process with as much comfort as possible. Before we met you I thought my emo- tional support would be enough and a Doula wouldn’t be necessary. How wrong I was. After our first meeting I knew your experience and practical knowledge would be invaluable. Your expertise gave Jill everything she needed to get through a difficult birth.

The bumps in the road we experienced were handled with ease because you were able to keep us grounded, informed and aware of all our options. Your ability to calmly guide us through what was happening during each step of the process helped me relax, and that gave me the ability to focus more on the birth of our daughter instead of the medical chaos. Simply put, you allowed me to be cool when I was about to freak

From beginning to end, our experience with you was amazingly positive. Your professionalism was overshadowed only by your passion for helping others with true care. You shaped the first moments of our new family and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you.

Emily Vendemmia

4/8/2013

 Where do I start? Nicole is AMAZING!  Having Nicole as my doula was one of the best decisions I've ever made!  She knew exactly what to do and say when I need her in labor.  I'm also so glad I took her birthing classes & infant massage. From start to finish Nicole was loving, knowledgeable and proffesional.  When we are ready for #2 I will be calling her again for sure!  Our experience with Nicole was 100% positive! Love her!

Emily V

Kim Powell

4/1/2013

Jenny Haught Walton

3/29/2013

There are so many reasons I can give for hiring a doula, and upon reflection, here are some that truly mattered to me and my birthing experience.

I had a beautiful birth at Special Beginnings, a birthing center which offers a birth at your own speed and without medical intervention unless absolutely needed. The midwives were amazing, and attended to the birth of our daughter and her health and safety. Nicole attended to me, along with my husband. Whether a first time mom like I was, or having done this before, I can say with certainty that having Nicole there was one of the reasons I had the empowering birth I dreamed of.

She reminded me that my body was made to do this. She calmly told me, over and over, you ARE doing this! I took childbirth classes with Nicole so I knew exactly what was happening to my body, but yet in the moment the overwhelming emotion and energy to birth, a baby can take over. She kept me focused on the small things like breathing and meditating which allowed me to fully be aware and an active part of my birth. She celebrated each contraction, she held my hand and encouraged me, and in the hardest moments, she kept me focused on the moment when I would hold and meet my daughter.

Nicole never took the role of my husband! He was an amazing partner, but it was so nice to know she was looking out for us and our bond was only strengthened by her presence. My husband was nervous and I know her calming presence allowed him to be there for me at his own comfort level.

The way you remember your birth story, your experience of having a child, no matter how the baby was born, is as important as the actual process. Nicole made ours special and had my birth not gone as intended, she still would have made it her goal to make me feel empowered, protected, and in control. She excelled in every one of these things and I look forward to her being our doula again soon!

Kathryn (Kate) Bellotte

3/27/2013

My husband and I had our first child in August 2012 and we couldn’t have gotten through it with out the assistance of our birth doula We wanted the best birth experience possible. I also was very scared of a c-section and wanted to learn how, if at all, I could avoid that.Nicole knows everything from calming techniques in labor to the best positioning to be in for the baby.  I went to 42 weeks with my baby boy and had a bit of a difficult end to what was overall a great pregnancy! I had something called “prodromal labor”.  Basically my contractions were very painful but they were irregular in duration, length, and intensity. We were on the phone with Nicole until 1am that Thursday morning that my labor began.  She was so helpful in calming the both of us down and in telling me different positions I could get in to relieve some of the pain. This labor went on for the next 4 nights! During the day I would have some pains but then it would stop for the most part. Finally, on the day I was scheduled to be induced at midnight, my contractions got longer and stronger in intensity. When we got to the hospital I was 6 cm’s already. Through my entire labor Nicole was talking me through contractions and suggesting positions that might help me to feel better. She also was reminding me of important things to do throughout labor, like go to the bathroom, and drink water and put on chapstick. All of the things that you cannot remember in labor (and your husband won’t either) Once I was finally ready to push she was an awesome coach! Thanks to her I pushed for an hour and our baby boy was here!She helped me get started with breastfeeding and assured that I got to hold my baby boy right away!  She also answered lots of questions and still does post birth and delivery.  When we have baby #2 we for sure want Nicole to be there!