Nora

9/12/2025

My birth and labor preparation would not have been the same without Mona! She was incredibly supportive throughout the entire journey, by sharing valuable information, guiding us with calm and reassurance, and helping us feel fully prepared. Mona helped us see the true beauty of the process as a couple, and gave us practical tips that made the experience not only manageable but deeply enjoyable. We are so grateful for her presence and care!

Carrie Anne Braun

8/19/2014

We met Mona for the first time during labor because she was the back-up for our planned doula, but now I cannot imagine doing my son's birth without her. We planned an unmedicated hospital VBAC, after a scheduled cesarean with my first child. Mona met us in triage at the hospital. At that point I had labored at home for a long time, and she carefully respected my laboring space and the routine that was working for my husband and me. Any time we needed something, she was there, usually before I even anticipated the need (water, towels, a shoulder to lean on, vocalization tips). She even reminded me that I was "beautiful" when I was particularly frustrated by all the "icky" parts of labor. As an aside, I should have asked her to come to the house for the last couple hours, rather than insisting she wait and meet us at the hospital... she could have talked me out of re-installing car seats and chasing my toddler in active labor!

Where Mona's role was particularly invaluable for me was during pushing. I was still in triage when the undeniable urge to push came, and I went immediately from working with my contractions to being completely overwhelmed. Mona was right next to me, offering the solutions I needed when nobody else seemed to understand. When I finally reached a delivery room, all the staff was new to me and it felt like a million people were hollering different things -- too much for me to take it. But Mona stood calmly right at the foot of the bed and provided the clear focal point and direction that I needed to complete the hard work of pushing out my 9 pound son.

For me and my husband, Mona was a great addition to our team and a huge help in our unmedicated, Bradley birth. She provided the experienced insight that I needed to keep going every time things got tough, and she helped my husband help me without taking anything away from his valuable role. Thank you, Mona!

Annie Holub

6/12/2014

Mona was my doula for the birth of my son in 2013. Prior to his birth, she was immensely helpful in talking me through decisions leading up to his birth--- I only wish I’d listened to her more! She was always available by phone when I had questions, she checked up on me after every OB visit, and she supported me through the difficult decision to induce labor at 41 weeks. During my labor, she was my rock--- since I was induced, my contractions quickly became incredibly intense, making me completely incapacitated and sick, and Mona was right there the whole time, talking me through and remaining calm, cool, and collected, like it was no big deal. She helped me believe I could get through it. After my son’s birth, her expertise, experience and support as I struggled to breastfeed were incomparable to the nursing staff.