Liz Van Wazer

11/5/2024

Hired district doula for two births and highly recommend! Michele is a steady, calm, comforting voice in what is an exciting, but also high stress time. She was present at both of my births and verbally guided me while also providing hand on support for 2 unmedicated labors. Their educational classes, videos, and book provide the best information to prepare for birth. They follow up after birth and guide you then as well for anything you need. I feel supported and cared for by the whole team.

Alice

10/29/2024

Michele and the Distrcit Doulas were fantastic to work with. This was my first pregnancy and I was so glad that we had the District Doulas to support us throughout the pregnancy, birth and postpartum. The classes pre-birth was super informative and helped put me and my partner at ease leading up to the birth. I felt informed and thus empowered during the birth of my son. Michele was our doula on the day of the birth and she was such a stabilizing presence during all the chaos that is active labor. She helped me breath and focus. She helped my partner help me. She was with us at the hospital all the way through the birth and I was so glad to have her there to translate everything that was happening and slow time down a bit when it feels like it's going a million miles an hour. I feel so good about my birth experience and know a huge part of that was because Michele was there and because of the education we had beforehand. I will also say their postpartum support is maybe even the best part! In my experience it felt that as soon as we left the hospital we were sort of left on our own by the medical establishment, but the District Doulas were super reponsive to all of our questions. We had a whole feeding journey in the beginning (which I think is pretty common) and they were so supportive and informative. Michele came to visit in the early days to make sure we were ok and that was hugely comforting. Overall, I'm so happy we hired the District Doulas! 

Emily

10/21/2024

We had a great experience working with Michele and District Doulas throughout our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. The classes and resources that District Doulas offered were very in-depth and helpful as this was my first birth and my husband and I were really clueless on what to expect and what we needed to prepare. Michele helped us to create a birthplan that felt good for us and our needs, and she thoroughly explained different aspects and pain management that we should take into consideration when creating our plan. At 41 weeks, my OB recommended that I get induced and Michele talked us through our different options and we were able to wait until the next day when I went into labor naturally after a membrane sweep. When it came to my actually labor and delivery, I felt confident and understood what to expect and how to work through early labor and contractions at home. Michele was able to join us at the hospital in the middle of the night and spent the next almost 24 hours with us until I delivered the next day. She helped me through different positions and through my contractions to move the baby furthur down into my pelvis and answered any questions we had about the doctors or nurses care throughout our stay. She was so helpful throughout the whole process and helped me to feel good about the decisions I was making and confident in our plan. I was able to delay the epidural as long as possible (which was my original birth plan) and then she helped guide me through the 3 hours of pushing. She also stayed to help my baby latch after birth. We also met postpartum which was very helpful as I was struggling with latching and breastfeeding, and she helped to give some tips and tricks to help my baby to latch. She also talked through my entire birth and any questions that I had following it. I would highly recommend her; I am confident our birth experience would have been much much different had we not had Michele there. 

Ally

7/4/2024

I can’t recommend Michele and District Doulas enough. This was my first pregnancy and was looking for support, direction, and advocacy navigating a really exciting and also pretty confusing time. They provided a wealth of helpful knowledge and access to virtual and in-person classes that were incredibly informative and took the edge off of not knowing what was to come and help navigating decisions throughout pregnancy and delivery. What I appreciated the most is there is absolutely zero judgement in how I chose to navigate my pregnancy and delivery. Any questions or concerns I had I would chat with Michele about and everything was met with facts and data points — real information to help me make a decision. And wherever I landed, they were incredibly supportive. 

During labor and delivery, I can’t express enough how much Michele changed the entire experience for the better — I can’t imagine going through it without her. She helped guide my husband and I through what was coming and how to advocate for ourselves with the hospital staff which ended up being very necessary. Once she joined us, she was like a calm in the room. The hospital staff was fantastic but when things got hectic, she was the calm voice in the room to bring me back and give me the confidence I needed. It was truly unreal and without her there to level set everyone, it would’ve been a very stressful experience, I truly can’t thank her enough. 

Brooke

5/15/2024

Michele has assisted at both of my childrens' births, in 2021 and 2024, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Both times she was instrumental ahead of the births in making decisions regarding induction, and later in guiding me on when to go to the hospital. During labor she walked me through all of the steps as they came up, while with me in the hospital worked to ensure my overall comfort, and helped me make informed decisions and understand what was going on. She guided me in positoning myself to help improve the baby's placement, using techniques that on both occasions impressed the nurses (I even overheard one of them suggest she ought to seek employment at their hopsital based on her skills). I feel confident that for my first baby, who was oriented oddly, Michele's positoning techniques helped prevent me from having a c-section. For both births I knew I wanted an epidural and prior to finding Michele I had been concerned that a doula might not be supportive of such interventions but Michele had a lot of knowledge of epidurals. I also appreciated her follow up with me and support following my childrens' births. My husband (who was very skeptical of the idea of a doula to start out) refers to hiring Michele as "the best money we ever spent."

Lauren

5/5/2024

There is a reason why my mom has said multiple times that "Michele is her hero." Michele and District Doulas have been phenemonal for both of my births and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for support in birthing. We had considered not hiring a Doula for our second birth, but I am SO glad we did, because she truly made all the difference in my husband and me feeling prepared for our second daughter's birth. I mistakenly thought the second birth would be "so much easier," but it was still challenging and Michele's in-person support and coaching is what allowed me to have the unmedicated, natural birth I wanted! I truly don't think we could have done it without her. She is always responsive to text or phone and has such a wealth of knowledge about pregnancy, labor support, post-partum advice, etc. Everyone, including my midwife, thought this birth for me would be early because my first came 3 weeks early. Michele (knowing the details of my first birth as she was our Doula) was the only one who said it would be a 50-50 chance that this child would come early. More importantly, she was invaluable for preparing me for a possible hosptial/medical induction when I was a week past my due date and having to think about what choices I would make. I had a 10-minute conversation about different options with my midwife in my second-to last prenatal appointment. Michele then spent 1.5 hours on the phone detailing the risks, benefits, and questions I should ask about each option. I was able to take that information to my midwife and create an induction plan I was actually comfortable with. Luckily I didn't have to use it as baby came naturally on my date of induction, but Michele's support and knowledge helped alleviate so much of the stress I was feeling about induction. Also, post-partum, baby was having some difficulty pooping, and Michele's tips got baby to go within a day. If you want an amazing birthing experience, hire District Doulas!

Rachel

5/1/2024

I highly recommend Michele and District Doulas. I had a fabulous experience. She was super responsive overnight as we navigated when to head to the hospital. We completely trusted her guidance and are so glad we followed it, staying at home for much of early labor. She advocated for us in the hospital to nurses and doctor - while keeping things positive and non confrontational. She also helped with latching after birth which was incredibly helpful! I can't recommend enough! 

Stacy

4/3/2024

I cannot imagine giving birth without Michele. She assisted with both of my labors. During my first labor, she asked questions that helped me avoid a c-section. During my second pregnancy, she helped me get an appointment with a specialist not affiliated with my hospital so I could have a better chance of success in an ECV (it worked!). When I went into labor she gave me indispensable pain management tips before she arrived, she helped me advocate for an epidural when I wanted one, and reminded me to ask important questions about who was administering the epidural since I had complications in the past. Most importantly, Michele listened to what I wanted and helped me get there regardless of her own personal views. I trust and recommend her wholeheartedly.

Kate

3/24/2024

I cannot recommend Michele and District Doulas enough. We chose them because of their collective model and educational classes, both of which we're really valuable. Michele's 1:1 support was also phenomenal. We had a lot of things up in the air for much of pregnancy (placenta previa, which did resolve, suspected large-gestational age, transverse position) and she was always willing to hop on a call and talk through options, suggest resources, and help us process and come up with a plan. 
We had an emergency c-section at 37 weeks, which wasn't in our plan, but all of the prep work I'd done with Michele on mentally preparing for birth, whatever that was going to look like, and thinking through my preferences still paid off and kept me calm throughout. Michele was able to join us in the hospital right after delivery and was a great resource in supporting feeding during the golden-hour and understanding everything that was happening medically as we were transitioning to the post-partum ward. Will definitely be coming back to District Doulas and Michele for any subsequent pregnancies and birth!

Bari E

2/22/2024

I cannot recommend Michele and District Doulas enough. From start to finish, they were an amazing resource as we navigated my first pregnancy. I loved how responsive they were throughout my pregnancy and delivery through ongoing communication and check-ins. No question was too small and they never dismissed our concerns. 

During the early stages of labor, Michele kept in close communication with us and shared videos and pictures of positions and movements that we could do to make me more comfortable as things progressed. She checked in regularly and was super responsive during this time and offered to come to the hospital whenever we would like her there. When it finally came time to push, Michele was right there with us and held one of my legs as my husband stood by my shoulder. She fit in seamlessly with my OB and nurses which was also great as that was something I was a little worried about with hiring a doula. After the delivery, Michele stayed right by my side and facilitated skin-to-skin with our baby. She also helped me advocate for more skin-to-skin time when the nurse wanted to rush to take the baby over to weigh, etc. While I was fortunate to have an uncomplicated labor and delivery, it was so nice and comforting to have Michele there to support us every step of the way. A week later she did a home visit and shared some advice and referrals for lactation support which I really appreciated. I would highly recommend working with Michele and District Doulas and would love to work with them again in the future!

Danielle Winston

9/16/2023

I cannot recommend Michele enough. She is absolutely incredible. My wife and I were very hesitant to hire a doula because of our birth plan. We thought that doulas were going to be judging us for wanting a hospital and epidural birth. Michele was truly there to help us with whatever birth plan we wanted. She did not impose any views onto us, but instead took the time to listen and understand what was important and she advocated for exactly that.

We had a very difficult birth that did not go as planned, solely because of the terrible doctor that we had to work with. Every step of the way, the doctor was pushing for a c-section unless we could progress to the next step. Michele got us to the next step each time through different techniques and positioning and kept me comfortable even through a failed epidural. Unfortunately, the doctor forced me into a c-section at the end but Michele stayed after to help guide us through our golden hour.

She is incredibly maternal and patient and is very generous with her time.  She came to our home a week after to check on us and offer lactation support. 

We will be hiring Michele for every other birth we go through and we have been recommending District Doulas to all of our pregnant friends :) 

Yera

7/31/2023

My husband and I are truly grateful for the care Michele and her team provided before, during, AND after the delivery. We received so much resource and training throughout the pregnancy, labor and postpartum, and I felt like I could always reach out to them with any big or small questions. The amount of attention and care we received during and after the delivery is especially unparalleled, and Michele truly went above and beyond. With a variety of turns of events throughout my induction and labor, Michele could give us great guidance based on facts and experiences. I cannot imagine us making all these decisions without her on our side and advocating my desires and wants to the medical staff. Her calm, empathetic, and professional presence truly made a difference on my ability to get it together and make the birth happen! I highly recommend her to anyone who's on the fence of getting a doula at all or who's deciding which doula to get. I did tons of research before landing on Michele and her team, and it definitely was one of the best investments we made for our pregnancy/delivery. 

Christine

4/8/2023

This is my second birth experience with Michele and District Doulas. When I reached out to them to let them know I was pregnant again, I was thrilled to hear that they do their best to prioritize having the same doula if you are a repeat client. I had a scheduled induction and felt at ease going into it knowing that I would have Michele there with us. She helped take the edge off my pain enough that I was able to follow through with my goal of an unmedicated birth. I had some post-delivery hemorrhaging that ended up leading to a DNC which requires anesthesia. Michele stayed at the hospital the entire time. She helped us with all of the hospital doctor lingo that was being thrown around and when I woke up after the procedure, Michele was by my side so that my husband could be with our newborn. She is amazing, and goes above and beyond. She has checked in on me regularly postpartum and has been key in my recovery after suggesting a few days bedrest to help me progress. I couldn't recommend her enough and am so grateful for her! 

Leslie

2/10/2023

I cannot recommend Michele and her team enough! Michele helped with both of our births and was such a calming, helpful presence. She helped educate us before and during the birth and helped keep our wishes front and center. I loved that she embraced our birth plan without judgment and advocated for us where necessary. She was especially helpful after the birth to support us through some breastfeeding issues and helped make that a success. She clearly cares about us and the health of our new baby. I couldn't imagine going through the process without her support!

Mary Mirvis

1/28/2023

I have too many wonderful things to say about Michele and District Doulas, but I’ll just share the highlights here. From our first in person meeting with Michele we felt at ease, understood and simply in great hands. Michelle strikes the perfect balance between being the calm, gentle, understanding supporter and the frank experienced realist & guide that antsy first time moms to be/parents to be need. She really helped us adjust our expectations and priorities for the birth plan. She exudes the calm competence of someone who has seen tons of births, yet treated me as a unique individual. She was completely invaluable during labor - from phone support in early labor to in-person support and coaching at home, empowering me to take control of my labor by helping me get the hang of movement, breathing, and vocalizations through contractions, and being a full participant in the care team at the hospital, she was a perfect guide and supporter throughout the whole experience. She was on the phone with us while we were driving to the hospital which helped put my husband at ease too. At GW, she is so familiar with the hospital and the midwives, I feel that she brought the whole care team together to work cohesively so that I could just focus on my sensations and headspace. I was so lucky to have an amazing first experience, laboring at home until 7 cm dilated, being able to forgo pain meds, and additionally getting the privilege to have an incredible water birth! I felt positive and in control the entire time, and I absolutely have Michele to thank. And she taught me how to do the first breastfeeding! At the postpartum visit, she diagnosed an uncommon type of tongue tie in my son that the hospital lactation consultant didn’t find, and advised us on how to proceed with a frenotomy, continuing to check in with us for weeks postpartum. I completely credit her with getting us on track to succeed in breastfeeding. I am so thankful for you, Michele!

Morgan W.

1/24/2023

I cannot fully express my gratitude to Michele for her guidance and expertise.  Michele of District Doulas has been our doula for both of my sons.  My husband and I are convinced that had we not had her support during both of our births, we would have likely had to have TWO emergency C-Sections.  During our first birth experience (June 2020), doulas were not allowed in the hospital room due to Covid-19 protocols.  I was induced and the birth took over 40 hours.  It was Michele’s instructions and presence (over Facebook Portal) that helped us to find a birthing position that enabled me to finally push out my son when the nursing staff had no other suggestions and I had no more energy to give.  Our second son (born January 2023) was also an induction and labor was progressing nicely. However, at the 11th hour, we found out that my son had turned and was no longer face down causing my contractions to intensify and my dilation to stall.  Michele, along with my nurse, spent the next 1 hour and 15 minutes, contorting and positioning my body during each contraction to get my son to fully turn within the birth canal, triggering my body to fully dilate and allow for a safe vaginal delivery.  Like I said, we are convinced that Michele was instrumental in our care and labor and delivery of our sons.  District Doulas has incredible resources to prepare for birth and many classes that help both partners prepare for their new arrival.  Hiring District Doulas is a must if you live in the DC metro area!

Liz Van Wazer

11/8/2022

I'm so glad I found District Doulas so early in my pregnancy. A doula was one of the first things I booked in pregnancy and I'm glad I chose them. I told them my birth preferences (that I had vaguely worked out early on) and they gave me several suggestions that helped me rework my healthcare plan into something that suited me MUCH more. I received much better care overall, thanks to District Doulas. I also expanded my care team with Chiropractic care along with many other suggestions that really alleviated some of the pregnancy aches, pains, changes, etc! They are a wealth of resources - classes, info sheets, an entire book (that REALLY came in handy during labor) and of course the actual birth! The doulas were helpful virtually as I began labor and suggested a few key things that helped progress labor (and wow it really got things moving fast!). Michele was instrumental in our hospital birth; she kept the staff focused on what I wanted and she provided many relief tactics for contractions. Also, I think the 3 person team is a great system for birth, you get to know all of them (take the classes) and you can easily rest knowing that one of them will show up. Many other doula groups set you up with one doula that may or may not be available on birth (because life happens and births don't always happen on schedule :).

Aubrey G

11/2/2022

Michele was there for me before, during, and after the birth of my daughter. It was so reassuring to be able to ask questions and get advice throughout the pregnancy. Michele has so much experience and knowledge and was so crucial in helping me have the birth I was hoping for! During my delivery, labor stalled a bit and she suggested massaging some scar tissue that helped me finally dilate and have the vaginal delivery I wanted. She also knew when to take a break from pushing and try some spinning babies exercises to get the baby into a better position for delivery. All of her suggestions including the exercises, the TENS machine, holding a comb, and all of her guidance during the pushing phase, were the reason why I was able to deliver the way I wanted to. When I was in the middle of meeting my daughter for the first time, Michele made sure that the doctor and nurses honored the requests on my birth plan. I didn't have to worry about advocating for myself because Michele took care of everything so I could spend every second enjoying that moment. She was so great at calming me and helping me to slow my breathing during really tough moments. And she took a bunch of photos throughout the delivery that I will treasure forever. I know that I wouldn't have had the birth experience I wanted without her help! And the post partum visit was very helpful also. She helped me with breastfeeding and provided many other tips during a time when I needed so much guidance and support. Her warmth, wisdom, calming energy, and strength made me so thankful to have her there, and helped me to have the most memorable and sweet birthing experience. 

Whitney

7/31/2022

My husband and I highly recommend Michele and the team at District Doulas. They were instrumental in my positive birth experience. Their classes were highly informative and very helpful. They were responsive and available throughout my pregnancy to answer questions.  District Doulas helped me feel empowered and informed so that I could advocate for myself during pregnancy, especially once it was clear I'd need to be induced. Once I (finally!) went into active labor, Michele quickly came to the hospital and helped us navigate delivery. I truly believe things wouldn't have gone as well without her help! She was also great postpartum and shared her expertise about baby wearing. 

Jessica

6/25/2022

I can't begin to express how thankful I am that I found District Doulas and specifically Michele to support me throughout my pregnancy but most definitely during my labor and delivery experience. I unexpectedly had to get induced a few days before a scheduled induction. My husband and I found ourselves rushing to the hospital, a bit confused and overwhelmed with what was happening. We called Michele and right away, she helped us figure out a plan including what to do both prior to arriving at the hospital (e.g. grabbing a few extra things at the grocery store, all of which came in handy throughout labor). Much of my labor didn't go according to "plan", but we were incredibly grateful to have Michele by our sides, supporting us every step of the way. From the moment she arrived at the hospital (my contractions had already started), Michele immediately jumped in, helping me with positioning, often moving and lifting me to help me get into those positions. When it came to making decisions and communicating with the doctors and nurses, Michele always made sure we understood our options so that we could feel empowered to make the right decision for us. After I got the epidural, Michele continued to monitor me and baby closely and help me with exercises and positions to get the baby in the right position. Although the nurses at the hospital were very kind, having Michele's constant support was truly a godsend. My husband and I would not have known what we were doing and could not imagine what labor would have been like without Michele's support. She was also very supportive postpartum offering advice and helping us ease our transition at home.

Michele is incredibly knowledgeable but also very kind, compassionate and makes you feel comfortable right away. I can't recommend her enough! 

Abigail

1/26/2022

Michele was absolutely fantastic to work with - from pregnancy all the way to postpartum. This was my second time working with her and I can't recommend her highly enough. She wears so many hats, acting at times as a friend, nurse, medical professional, shoulder to cry on, source of inspiration and expertise, etc. She was with me every step of the way during labor and delivery - it was even important to me that she met me at the hospital before my husband! Michele meets you where you are and truly wants to support you have the birth that *you* want - whatever that looks like to you. I attribute both of my wonderful and empowering birth experiences to her and am so thankful for her psssion, support, and incredible expertise. 

Lauren H.

11/22/2021

When people ask how I was able to do an unmedicated, natural childbirth, I tell them that one of the main reasons was having a Doula. Michele was the best we could have hoped for. She was a calm and clear presence during labor and birth. She advocated for us when we were in a system that we weren't familiar with and went over every decision with us. She literally held one hand while my husband held the other through the toughest contractions and pushing. She supported me with trying different positions and encouraging me to move and drink fluids, and she brought me things I didn't know I needed--juice, water, cold towels, a comb to grab, and the tens unit!

I had done a lot of research and taken a natural birth course online prior to going into labor, so felt like I knew the ins and outs of different interventions that would be offered and scenarios that may arise. However, in the moment, the ability to call the doulas and talk to Michele throughout the process was invaluable. When my water broke before contractions started and I was just before 37 weeks, a phone call to them calmed me and was the encouragement I needed to continue with my birth plan. When we arrived at the hospital after laboring at home throughout the night and the receptionist told us there were no l/d rooms left and we shouldn't be there, Michele took over and asked to see the midwife who had told me to come in. We got in to the hosptial and she advocated for me every step of the way from there and even hung out for a while post birth. She continued to advocate and support us through the post-birth questions we had and helped in so many innumerable ways. 

I truly believe Michele is the reason we were able to have the birth we dreamed of and cannot thank her enough for being a crucial part of the incredible birth of our first baby!

Kathi

11/10/2021

Michele was our Doula for the birth of our first child in Aug 2019 and our second in Oct 2021. I cannot say enough good things about her. She has been so helpful in preparing for birth, during labor and delivery and post-partum. For my first, we attended the in-person workshops, which were so informative that we did not even attend a specific child birth class. For my second, I watched the Zoom recordings of the workshops. I feel District Doulas have done a great job taking the workshops virtual, and when they return to in-person workshops the recordings are a great resource to go back to.

For my first birth, there were multiple situations when I needed to advocate for myself, and Michele’s guidance has been invaluable. She helped me understand benefits and risks to make my own decisions, despite providers pushing for interventions I did not want. For my second pregnancy, I decided to switch hospital and providers (we had moved in the meantime). Michele’s recommendation for the hospital and provider have been a great fit. I had a great birth experience for my second, again with her awesome support. She always finds the right words – if you need a calming and supporting voice getting through contractions, or if you need a pep talk when you think you can't make it.

The last few weeks leading up to my due date, she was always available to discuss any issues I had. She was truly my go-to person for any question. She is so knowledgeable around pregnancy and birth, and gives unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. I appreciate that she is totally not judging you for the choices you make, but helps you to figure out what is right for you.

I have met Jackie and Carolyn only online, but I feel they are as knowledgeable and that I would have been in good hands if Michele was not able to attend the birth herself.  

Holly N

10/19/2021

Michele was a huge support for me during a 48-hour long labor with my first baby. She was there to comfort and calm. She was a level head during a challenging labor. We moved from a birth center to a hospital which was not part of my birth plan but her calming and helpful pressence made everything feel more manageable. The hospital staff loved her - the OB who delivered me even commented at my postpartum visit how awesome she was. I cannot recommend her more highly for support before, during and after labor.

Stacy

9/30/2021

I am so happy I had the support of Michele and District Doulas throughout my pregnancy and labor. The monthly classes were very thorough and helped me understand what to expect during labor and postpartum recovery. Michele's support during labor was indispensable. When she arrived at the hospital she jumped right in to do pressure points and other comfort measures that really helped while I waited for my epidural. There were several points during labor where the midwife was considering referring me for a c-section and I am convinced that Michele's support helped me avoid that outcome. While the midwife was losing composure, Michele asked questions that seemed to give the midwife the confidence to continue with a vaginal delivery. For several hours, Michele held the fetal heart rate monitor in place so that it wouldn't register false decelerations (which was one of the things the midwife was concerned about). Throughout all of this, Michele was careful to help me advocate for what I wanted without pushing me in any particular direction. She knew so much about hospital practices and the labor and delivery process that helped me ask the right questions about things I never would have thought of without her.

Marley Ferguson

9/9/2021

I truly can't put into words how happy and relieved I am to have found Michele. I didn't have a doula with my first because I didn't see the huge benefits of having one let alone having the perfect one. 
I found Michele by fate - it's a long story but it was enough for me to switch my OBGYN and hospital two weeks before giving birth. I entrusted in Michele so very much that I uprooted my entire "plan" to have her by my side. It was the best decision I could have made. She was available via call or text ANY time I needed. She has a vast knowledge on pregnancy and birth and I felt comfortable starting from our first exchange- it was as if I had known her for a while. I had the best birth - way better than my first. I truly owe it all to Michele. A big concern of mine was a c-section and I believe it was Michele who enabled me from avoiding this and having the exact birth I wanted. She helped me labor and she kept my spirits up. She made me feel calm and confident. She held my hand literally and figuratively for the entirety of our time together. I questioned even needing a doula, especially for my second time around, and I am so thankful I found Michele to ease those questions and steer me in the right path. She was my guiding white light. I am forever grateful to you, Michele. 

Shirley

7/2/2021

I am so grateful for the support Michele and her colleague Jackie provided during our pregnancy and birth. We had a number of challenges, including a stressful delivery that was 12 weeks early. Michele was so responsive and caring. She was the one who ended up attending my actual birth. She was by my side for every step of the birth and made sure the doctors and nurses were aware of my preferences and concerns. I truly cannot recommend her more highly.

Christine

4/22/2021

I truly cannot imagine my birth experience without Michele there. I was induced, and it was a long almost 32 hours of labor at the hospital. I found out I was being induced the day before and definitely was in panic mode. Michele calmly talked me through the whole process and helped me weigh all of my options. She said that we could be in constant contact with her until she would be joining us at the hospital when my contractions were closer together. I was in a good amount of pain once the induction medications started to really kick in. I wanted to try giving birth without the epidural, but already feared I wouldn't be able to make it. As soon as Michele arrived at the hospital and started working her magic, so much of my pain went away- it was incredible! From then on she stayed the entire time guiding me with different exercises to help with discomfort and to help get baby in the right position. I couldn't of imagined her not being there. Although our hospital staff was great, they really only checked on us every so often. Having a constant person there was huge. Michele stayed calm the whole time and always seemed to know exactly what I needed. When I did end up getting the epidural, she made sure we had truly tried everything (including convincing the staff to do a pain relief treatment that was not typically used at the hospital), and made sure that it was definitely what I wanted to do. Michele is extremely professional, a skilled advocate, calm, kind, and just generally wonderful- exactly what you want while giving birth! Since then I've been able to contact her at any time with questions or concerns that I have and she always gets back to me right away. My husband and I already plan to use her and District Doulas again when we have another child.

Brooke R

4/19/2021

Michele was absolutely indispensable in making my baby’s birth an extremely positive experience, despite facing unexpected issues that I don’t think I would have been equipped to deal with without her. Prior to the birth, she helped me come up with questions for my doctor about a recommendation I didn’t think wasn’t necessary. She stayed with us the entire time of my rather long birth and helped us think through the repercussions of various medical decisions while also doing small but incredibly helpful things like making sure I had water. Most of all, her calm manner and deep knowledge of childbirth helped two bewildered first-time parents understand what was going on and make the best-informed decisions. She is probably is the reason I avoided a c-section. Her presence made what could have been a traumatic medical event into a much less daunting experience.

Let me provide the husband perspective. Bottom line is this is the best money I have ever spent. I have to admit, I was skeptical when my wife wanted to hire a doula, but when the big day came having Michele there was truly a godsend. First, you have someone in your corner who can tell you what is going on. When we hit hour 20 of labor, and there was looking to be no end in sight, I cannot overstate how re-assuring it was to have someone there who could provide an objective assessment of our options. As it became increasingly clear that this was going to be a complicated delivery, Michele really came into her own and honestly, seemed more informed than some of the nurses. My wife really did not want to have a C-section and I think the maneuvers Michele had my wife doing to shift the position of the baby was a key factor in avoiding one. I also remember thinking at about hour 23, “I can’t believe Michele is still here, wow she is so committed.” Gentlemen, if you have any doubts hire District Doulas; again best investment we ever made.

Lindsey Gove

2/26/2021

Michele was incredible frm the moment of us signing on through out every hiccup that took place during my third trimester.  She was empowering and inquisitive, and made my husband and I feel supported, regardless of what decision we would make.  Without Michele's guidance our birth plan and actual labor would have been chaotic, and confusing, yet instead, she helped me feel empowered during my final weeks of pregnancy, although due to COVID-19 we only connected virtually.  After experiencing my work and relationship with District Doulas,  I can't imagine going through birth without their support.

Alexandra Ogden

2/4/2021

Michele was an absolute godsend leading up to and during my labor and delivery (and after!). It was really anxiety provoking navigating the shifting COVID guidelines at local hospitals during my pregnancy and Michele was so helpful and supportive in guiding us through a last-minute change in providers and hospitals in the last month or so of my pregnancy. Although she couldn't be with us in person during my labor and delivery at the hospital, she came and helped us labor at home and was honestly the only reason we lasted as long as we did before going to the hospital. Once we got settled at the hospital, she provided really valuable virtual support as we navigated what turned into a prolonged and more complicated birth than we had expected and helped us navigate making some scary decisions that were less so thanks to her guidance. Her continued support and guidance after birth has also been so helpful as we have transitioned to a family of three at home. I highly recommend her--so kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable!!

Rebecca Hantman

10/5/2020

Michele was our doula for the birth of our first baby and we can't imagine that experience without her. She instantly felt like family! She was there for everything we needed - from education and answering questions during pregnancy to joining us at our house for labor and staying with us all the way until after baby was born and learning to breastfeed. She was always patient, kind, supportive, and helping us navigate through the twists and turns that came our way. We are only half-joking when we say we can't wait to have more kids just so we can work with her and the team again :)

Can't recommend Michele highly enough!!

Deanna

7/28/2020

I highly recommend Michele! We started working with her right before I entered my third trimester, which happened to correlate with the start of lockdown. While we were skeptical at first of the prospects of having a potential “virtual doula” accompany us for the birth of our first baby,  I’m happy to say we were incredibly lucky to find Michele and her partners at Delivered Doulas. Their online trainings are informative and fun, and they even started offering additional weekly video calls during the pandemic to provide extra support and help build a community for their clients. They truly went above and beyond to provide information, knowledge and resources during this uncertain time for new parents, and I can’t say enough how supported I felt by them, and still do, one month post partum. Michele joined us virtually for the birth and has been of tremendous help these past few weeks helping trouble shoot breastfeeding questions and concerns. She helped us effectively advocate for the type of birth we were hoping for while in the hospital, even though she wasn’t physically in the room.  I strongly recommend Michele and Delivered Doulas for pregnancy, birth and postpartum support. 

Lacey

7/8/2020

I cannot recommend Michele or her 2 partners, Jackie and Ashley, with Delivered Doulas, highly enough.  During my pregnancy, I was separated from my husband for his work and also moved back to Virginia from living abroad. All this in the middle of the pandemic. Delivered Doulas became a supportive, caring resource for me throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. There were lots of extra check-ins and I was so glad to have all three of them throughout this unusual time to have a baby. Michele was amazing throughout my labor and birth experience and was the best coach, support person and birth team member while we labored at home. She got me so much farther than I thought I could go and was such a comfort and a resource. Even though she couldn't be at the hospital with us, I never felt like she wasn't present. The video system they have employed works beautifully. She was a priceless addition to my birth team and I am so grateful that I had her with me for the birth of my first child. She is a wealth of knowledge, extraordinarily flexible and patient and helped me to have an absolutely beautiful birth that was different from my birth preferences. Michele is a fierce advocate and a wonderful person to have by your side through this journey. 

Lisa

6/7/2020

My partner and I worked with Michele through Delivered Doulas for the birth of our first child and were very happy to have chosen them.  We selected the group after an online interview that just clicked perfectly - their caring personalities, data-driven scientific approach, and breadth and depth of knowledge and experience (plus a reasonable fee for all that they provide!) made them the perfect choice for both of us.  

We worked more closely with Michele through the end of the pregnancy and straight through labor, delivery and postpartum.  Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic (when things were changing rapidly and there was so much new information to take in, assess, and apply), her support, advice, and 24/7 availability during all of these stages was crucial to our positive experience.  Other than Michele, there was no other care provider, friend, or family member who knew our full story, start to finish, and could retain the details and apply her individual expertise and knowledge of the health care system we were working with.  We gained a lot thanks to Michele's strong relationships, positive reputation, and her advocacy for us as her clients.  

We benefitted from Michele's constant support and advice - when we were passed from care provider to the next due to COVID, she was the continuity of caring support and knowledge of our particular situation that we needed.  Our birth experience would not have been as successful, enjoyable, and memorable without Michele.   

Mike Wolf

5/18/2020

We highly recommend Delivered Doula and Michele, even if they could not be present during our birth because of the pandemic.  Life's full of anxiety, giving birth will be a stressful time, and partners need to focus on their wives during the entire process.  You cannot replace the expertise of these 3, readily available at any time with excellent and experience-driven advice.  Even if you memorize all comfort positions and relevant medical information on every possible process involved, you will not be able to recall it all during strenuous times, and you will not be able to effectively split effort between your partner's needs and advocating for your positions while making fully informed decisions.  On several occasions, we made decisions against or deferred medical advice from nurses or doctors who generally take a non-tailored and lowest-risk approach to medicine that often contradicts evidence-based science (sadly, it's America and a certain percentage of decision-making will be influenced by business and litigation considerations).  And we came out better for it, with less stress and handwringing.  Having the Delivered Doula team available to constantly brief you on the risks, options, and next steps will be invaluable to ensuring you have a positive experience leading up to, and during, the birthing process.  We went with doulas on our second birth without having an option to do so on the first (first child born in France).  In person or not; indispensable.

Harini

5/8/2020

Ashley and Michele (and Jackie, who joined during my pregnancy!) are incredible and embody the qualities you want around during a huge life transition - empathy, fierceness, and a total mastery of all things pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. I had an empowering birth in line with what I had envisioned, entirely because of Michele. She was all business at the hospital, making sure I got what I needed, so that my husband could focus on being with me and neither of us had to worry about any logistics or questions. Michele taught me how to breath productively during labor, helped manage the pain, and made me feel safe and taken care of. We can't wait for her to be there for our next baby, and we are so grateful to her. 

Lise

2/28/2020

Michele helped deliver our first child five years ago, and our twins just this January, and she's amazing. She was really accessible for questions and conversations leading up to the birth--delivering twins was pretty daunting--and even put me in touch with other twin moms so I could get direct advice on breech extraction, which is how Baby B was delivered. We were so grateful to know we had such fantastic care from Delivered, and I would recommend their services to anyone looking for a thoughtful, intentional childbirth, regardless of how exactly you plan to do it.

Colleen Smith

2/27/2020

When my husband and I made the decision to try for a second child, one of the things I wanted to do differently this time around was to find a doula who could be a support through pregnancy and the birth process. Michele at Delivered proved to be an incredible source of strength and affirmation for us. Throughout my pregnancy I felt empowered to reach out to her with questions big and small and never felt judged or pressured into making a choice that wasn't right for us. When it was time for my baby girl to arrive, Michele was a constant source of support and she guided my husband and I through what could have been an incredibly overwhelming and fearful time. Instead, we were able to navigate the many decisions that came our way with a sense of confidence that I did not have with the birth of my first child. The workshops were fabulous -- a hard to find balance of helpful information without feeling overwhelming. I so appreciate the expertise, humor, time, energy, and love she gives to her clients. Michele is an advocate for women, the birth experience, and honoring families in their own birth journey paths.

Rachel

12/11/2019

Working with Ashley and Michele was the best thing we did to prepare to welcome our little girl. I can't recommend them highly enough. We chose an unmedicated delivery and having Michele with us made such a difference. She provided great pain management support and really helped us have a positive experience overall. Their prenatal classes were also great and I appreciated the home visits both before and after our daughter was born.

Jamie F

11/26/2019

Throughout pregnancy and delivery, there are a number of decision points. I will never be as sure about any of the choices we made as I am about our decision to hire Michele. My husband and I both appreciated the classes offered by Michele and Ashley in the lead up to our due date, and I used the on-call number for a variety of questions and concerns throughout my pregnancy. Each time I called on them, Michele and Ashley provided validation, information and tools to move forward. With their support, I felt better prepared for my doctor's appointments and felt more at ease in dealing with issues that popped up.

A few days before my due date, my doctors recommended I be induced. Michele helped talk us through the decision to accept that recommendation and was a crucial resource for me and my husband throughout what was ultimately a 45 hour ordeal. Roughly 24 hours in, Michele joined us at the hospital. By the time she arrived, I was feeling desperate, discouraged and exhausted. Michele infused our room with her energy and gave us the exact support we needed to make it through the finish line. I simply do not know what we would have done without her.

Following the birth, I struggled with breastfeeding. Michele provided crucial support and encouragement through the first two weeks post-partum. Again, she provided the validation and resources I needed to feel confident in myself and do what was best for me and my son.

I will forever be grateful for Michele's expertise, warmth, and talents, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to every expectant parent!

Ana

11/6/2019

Michele was amazing! Truly blessed to have been able to 'run across' her and have her as a doula! 
Couldn't have picked a better person! She is truly invested and passionate about being a doula. 
Will definitely be reaching out to her for baby #2! :) 

Abby

7/15/2019

Words truly cannot do justice regarding how amazing Michele is and how much my husband and I would recommend her and Ashley's services.  Run, don't walk, and hire her! :)

Not only is Michele knowledgeable and talented regarding anything and everything prenatal, labor/delivery, and postpartum, but she brings the added layer of being approachable, honest, hilarious, and unbelievably encouraging.  She is there to support the type of birth that *you* want - whatever that might be.  She made me feel empowered, strong, and prepared.  

We found the three classes that they taught to be very helpful - giving us the right amount of information, as well as the right type of information.  It also connected us to others in the community in similar stages of life.  I always looked forward to attending.  

Additionally, during the labor and delivery, it seemed as if Michele almost served as a family member, doula, nurse, midwife, *and* doctor - she wore so many hats - all while making me feel extremely comfortable and supported.  At every step along the way, and every decision point, I looked to her first for her insight and opinions.  I also heard firsthand from both a nurse and midwife how much they appreciated having her as support to them as well.

Choosing Michele was single-handedly the best decision I made during this journey and I cannot recommend her (and Ashley) enough.  I will definitely use them again if/when we have another child.

Martina Hoover

6/2/2019

Every pregnant woman I encounter, I always encourage them to 1) get a doula and 2) HAVE Michele as your doula!!!

My husband and I are so grateful we were able to have Michele as our doula. Michele, at Delivered Doulas, had several classes that my husband and I attended the months prior to our due date. These classes helped prepare us for the big day of our baby being born. Michele made herself available and appoarchable during my entire pregnancy and was completely resurring during a very unsure (and exciting) time for my husband and I.

From the moment I went into labor to the following months of postpartum,  Michele was not only my advocate but she helped me have the birth experience that I really wanted. After I delivered my son, she stayed in contact with me and made me feel like I wasn't alone in making decisions for my son's health that I needed help getting information and experience in without judgement.

I feel very blessed to have had such an amazing experience giving birth to my first child and I know the help and care of Michele was a huge part of this. My husband and I will definitely want Michele to be our doula for our next child as well.

Glenda Fu Smith

5/10/2019

We cannot say enough good things about Michele! Ashley was our primary doula but Michele stepped in when it came to our actual birth date, and we were so grateful to have her there. Not only was Michele there for the entire birth, she was basically a security blanket for us. She was our advocate with the doctor/nurses, and also helped basically move my baby back into place when she had turned a little before pushing. Michele gave us great advice and really helped me when my contractions became stronger. My husband could not have been more happy to have Michele there, as first time parents -- we didn't know about the process and having Michele as a guide gave us the best birth experience for our baby. Both Michele and Ashley are HIGHLY recommended by our family!

Jen B

3/10/2019

Michele of Delivered Doulas was a huge asset and critical component during the birth of our second child. Though we'd been through the experience previously, both my husband and I knew we wanted to hire a doula the second time around. Michele arrived at the hospital for my scheduled induction once my OB decided they were going to break my water, and boy am I glad she knew that was the perfect time to come! She came, they broke my water and things kicked into gear pretty quickly, just as Michele anticipated. She provided suggestions for contraction relief, various techniques, positions, etc... that helped me work through the pain. She was also super helpful to my husband so that he could assist me. Though I was hoping to go epidural free, I was never super hard core and 100% against it. When I announced that I wanted the epidural Michele was perfect at both balancing some questions about what I really wanted to do with also being supportive of what I would ultimately decide. I appreciated a bit of push back from her to ensure I was doing what I truly desired. Throughout pushing Michele had great suggestions, calmed fears when the baby's heart rate dropped and was an incredible advocate for us with the OB and nurses. Michele worked seamlessly alongside the nurses and doctors in a way that made me confident in knowing they had mutual respect for each other, their techniques, decisions and jobs. Michele was wonderful immediately after birth making sure our son latched and following up at our home and offering some further breastfeeding support when my milk was slow to come in. We love Michele and can't imagine having had our son without her!

Besse Rose

10/29/2011

I could not have asked for more out of Michele during my labor and delivery. She came to our house and helped us through early labor, keeping me calm and relaxed. She stayed in constant communication with our midwives and helped us decide when it was best to head to the hospital.

When we arrived at the hospital, all the fun began. I had progressed well, but was told that my baby had turned his head slightly and this could delay further progress. Michele worked with my support team on comfort measures as well as different things I could do to try to get the baby to turn his head (squats, lunges, walking, etc.). He was a stubborn little man though, so my labor went on for quite a while. As my support team began to get tired, and I began to get exhausted, Michele stepped in even more making sure I stayed focused and relaxed.

Overall Michele was extremely easy to work with, let my family fill roles they wanted to, but still took charge when she had the expertise needed. If there was a rating system, I'd definitely give a five out of five stars. I'd work with her again and have already recommended her to friends.

Carrie McGuire

10/8/2011

Nancy Lueke

8/7/2011

My husband and I cannot express our gratitude enough for the services Michele provided as our doula.  Michele not only provided us with helpful resources and information related to our interests prior to our birth, but was extremely flexible and helpful during and after our labor and delivery as well.  Although we had planned to labor at home, circumstances required us to be at the hospital sooner and longer than planned.  Michele met us there and helped get my labor started, provided suggestions for working through contractions, and was EXTREMELY helpful in helping my husband understand ways to keep me as comfortable as possible during my labor.  She was also very encouraging to me during each contraction, letting me know when the worst was over and telling me to keep going.  We honestly could not have had the birth we wanted without her help, guidance, and encouragement.  Michele also helped us ask the right questions after birth and made it possible for us to spend as much time with our son by asking the nurses to accommodate our wishes.  I would highly recommend Michele to anyone considering a doula - she's respectful of your choices and there to help you realize the birth that you envision.  She was an amazing addition to our birthing team.  

Sarah Cross

2/1/2011

Michele was amazing, and my husband and I could not have been happier to have her support throughout the entire process.  We met her twice before I went into labor, and both times she was incredibly helpful in preparing us for what lay ahead (helping us with a birth plan, sharing videos with us, talking us through various aspects of childbirth, etc.).  She clearly is well-informed about the birth process (often citing the latest studies) and loves her work.  She was very attentive to and respectful of our own vision for our baby's birth and never sought to impose her own vision or judgment.  Michele is very upbeat and easygoing, and was a very positive presence during my labor (and is excellent with the back massages!).  My husband often says he doesn't know how he would have made it through my labor without Michele there to suggest new positions, encourage us, respond to our needs, and keep us in good spirits.  After our daughter was born, Michele even came to the hospital to visit us, and she brought along her mother, who is a lactation consultant, as an added bonus!  Once we were back home, Michele came by to visit us again, to check in on us and again provide critical guidance (such as how to use a Moby wrap and how best to address breastfeeding challenges).  As a new mom herself, she has great experience to draw from, in addition to the research she's done. It's clear that Michele is passionate about and energized by her work, and it was that energy that proved so indispensible to us throughout the whole process.  We are so grateful to her and look forward to hopefully working with her again some day!  We could not recommend her more enthusiastically.

Elle Morton

1/31/2011

I had a great experience with Michele. She was very calm and knowledgable before, during, and after my birth. I was able to have a completely natural birth with Michele on board, which is exactly what I had wanted. Michele helped me to write a great birth plan. After I gave birth, Michele continued to provide me with support and encouragement and has really gone above and beyond what I would have expected. She sends me emails and text messages providing me with information and resources. She has been a great source of information and support, and I also consider her to be a great friend!