Amanda Boardwine

3/23/2024

From the time my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we got right to searching for who we wanted as support for the birth of our first baby. Before even having our first appointment with our midwives, we reached out to Elaine for an interview. I had some fears around pregnancy and birth and knew we needed someone who would walk with us throughout the whole process. Elaine was the calm, encouraging presence I needed. Every meeting that we had left my husband and I feeling so much more informed, prepared, and capable. 

During labor itself, Elaine was right there checking in and coaching me through early labor even in the middle of the night. One of the most clear examples to me of the distinct difference she made for us though was at the hospital. I honestly had not noticed much of the atmosphere in our room, I was so focused on labor. When Elaine arrived though, she dimmed the lights, gave me essentials oils, coached me through vocalizing. Truly, the whole atmosphere changed and calmed down when she got there. 

A couple of friends have asked us what we felt like was the biggest benefit of having a doula. My husband said something I really like. Your midwife or OB is there to keep you safe. Your doula is there to make sure you are okay. I wholeheartedly agree. Our support team was mostly there checking on the technical health and safety of myself and baby through labor. While Elaine did that too and advocated for us, she added another level of making sure we were mentally/emotionally okay. To us, that was invaluable and made all the difference. 

Wanda OConnor

1/10/2024

We immediately knew Elaine was the match for us given her energy and calming nature. She is very experienced, knowledgeable and confident in her work. Before the big day, Elaine came to our home to talk through our preferences for birth, educated us, giving us tips/tricks, and practiced some labor positions with us. Leading up to the due date she was always available for any questions or concerns that we had, which was  helpful when you are a nervous first time mum like me. She regularly checked in after doctor visits and in general. She really showed us that she cares, which was so encouraging and made me feel very safe and confident. My labor began at 2am. We called Elaine and she made the drive over to our house in the middle of the night to support us. Had she not been with us, we would have gone to the hospital way too early. She helped me labor at home, get into different positions to bring the baby into a good position, had many natural pain relieving methods that we used and just made my “labor at home experience” amazing! Once my water broke we made our way to the hospital. My labor and delivery process ended up taking 32+ hours. Elaine stayed by my side and was a huge advocate for me as we sought to deliver our baby naturally. She kept me informed and calm throughout and helped me take all the steps necessary to get my baby to drop into the final position. I felt in control of my birth the entire time and that is thanks to her! After 24 hours, we had to opt for an epidural or face increased the risk of a C-section. But with all of Elaine's help, we felt confident with this decision and were able to deliver our baby boy healthy and happy. I would recommend Elaine to anybody and will use her services for future pregnancies! I am convinced that I would have not been able to deliver this baby vaginally without her help! I had a very hard and long labor but because of Elaines help it is a very happy memory!

Mariana Beltran

12/29/2023

I am a first time and one of my really good friends recommended a doula. She connected me with Elaine and from the first phone call I knew I had found someone special, who really cared about her clients. Elaine is amazing. She truly cares about you and your baby. My husband was scared about the whole labor and delivery process and my mom was there by my side the whole time but she is also a first time grandma so she was nervous. Elaine guided my husband and my mom on ways to comfort me and help me through labor. She checked up on me while I labored at home and when it was time to head to the hospital she showed up ready and set the ambiance in the room exactly how I wanted in my birthplan. After 30+ hours of labor we had to unexpectedly have a c-section but through the whole process Elaine was there, helping me breathe through every intense contraction, communicating with my mom even throught the language barrier and reminding me that I was going to meet my baby soon. Although there was an unexpected change to my original birth plan I couldn't have done it without Elaine. She reminded me I was strong and capable and that our bodies were made for this. We are so thankful for her!!!

Mallory

9/9/2023

Elaine was such a blessing throughout this journey! Although this was my third baby, this was my first experience with a doula, and it was so worth it! Elaine's demeanor is caring, gentle, and affirming. She is passionate about what she does and offers wisdom and knowledge throughout the entirety of the pregnancy and birth. For my birth journey, the care she provided immediately, post birth, was phenomenal. She made sure I (and my husband!) were cared for as the NICU team came in to care for our baby. I am so thankful we had Elaine on our team for this birth! I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone who is in need of a doula.

Olga Popova

7/27/2023

How do you even begin to thank someone who helped you to bring your miracle baby into this world? We can not thank Elaine enough in helping us to have our  happy and healthy baby and have amazing birthing experience overall. We thank Elaine for being so nurturing,supportive and kind throughout my whole pregnancy.

Elaine gave me confidence to trust my body and my strengths. She brought piece,calm and positivity to birthing suite and I felt comfortable 100% of the time.

We fell in love with Elaine from our first meeting. We were perfect match. Elaine is very knowledgeable doula, organized, very friendly and professional, I knew I wanted Elaine by my side during delivery.

We were not sure if my husband could handle birth and in the end Elaine and my midwife were my team.
During  the process Elaine aleo managed to get great pictures and feed me after with most delicious crackers and peanut butter ever!

Elaine's visits to our home before birth gave us perfect amount of knowledge about the process, I am confident with doula like Elaine you don't need any extra birthing classes.

Elaine was there with us in the hospital and the first one to show me how to breastfeed. I am forever thankful to have her around when everything seemed so new exciting and at times overwhelming.

 I looked forward to Elaine's postpartum visits, asking her million questions and always got answers and reassurance that I am doing great. She lifted me up every time while explaining and teaching in the most caring and sweet manner.

We love Elaine and highly recommend her ??????

You will always have a special place in our hearts ?? Forever grateful, Olga, Jordan, baby Mateo

Brooke

3/26/2023

I could never thank Elaine enough for the role she played in my labor, delivery and even the confidence she helped me feel while pregnant. She was the most perfect match for our family as a doula. While pregnant she had wonderful recommendations of different things to do like a chiropractor or acupuncturist, as well as a wonderful pregnancy tea she made! She supported us in ever wish we had for labor, delivery & postpartum. Elaine was there reminding me as my due date came and went about my goals and about trusting my body. She went above and beyond as my labor support. She helped my husband feel supported in his role as well. Guiding him in supporting positions and techniques he could use. He wasn’t on board with getting a doula initially but he was the first one singing her praises in the delivery room the morning after our sweet girl was born. He was thankful for her guidance in how to best support me through labor. Once I received the epidural she continued facilitating position changes and acupressure. Even though that wasn’t my initial goal she never made me feel anything less than proud of myself and safe in my decision. On top of all of the support and love she showed our family she took the most beautiful birth photos I could have ever asked for. The photos I will treasure for a lifetime. Elaine is amazing and a true gift from God to us! She made my second birth a very redemptive one and I cannot thank her enough for the hard work she put into supporting me through all of it.

Madeline Carmichael

1/22/2023

Working with Elaine made all the difference in my labor and birth experience. 

I first looked into working with a doula a little over halfway through my pregnancy and definitely had a lot of questions. We talked on the phone and she clearly explained why many women benefit and love working with a doula alongside the typical medical professionals. As a first time mom, I held the whole pregnancy and labor process in my mind as very sacred and intimate. I was hesitant to add just anyone into this process. After talking with her and meeting her, I was so much more confident in the positive difference she would make for my husband and I. 

Elaine brought a wealth of knowledge and support that really helped empower me and my husband to take on every change and process with confidence and assurance. We felt very supported and informed in our options and she was a great sounding board for when we had to talk about certain outcomes and options. We never felt pressured any which way yet confident in the paths we took. 

I will remember forever the difference that Elaine made in my labor experience. The way she supported my husband supporting me was invaluable. I can honestly say I don't know what I would have done without her. There was a strength and stamina that came out of me that I did not know I had before. I could truly go on and on singing her praises. 

I am 100% convinced that anyone's labor and delivery experience will be a positive experience no matter what happens with a good doula match. I'm so thankful God wove Elaine into our story. 

Hannah & Skinner

12/6/2022

Elaine went above and beyond anything I could have ever asked for. There are truly no words to explain the comfort and reassurance she brought to me when our birth plan turned a direction I wouldn’t have ever thought it would. We hired Elaine because this was our first natural/ birth center birth and we wanted a little extra support. Elaine was extremely helpful and give us the tools we needed to prepare for birth. When the big moment arrived she was quick to be at my side when I needed her. She was calm and supportive through every contraction. At the moment that should have been joyous as we welcomed our little girl into the world, a sudden, life threatening complication arose that no one saw coming. Elaine remained level headed, giving me the comfort and peace I needed in such a hectic moment, and we all went home happy and healthy. I am so thankful for Elaine! She was a huge blessing to me throughout my entire pregnancy and I can not recommend her enough.

Mary-Kate & Caleb Goins

10/13/2022

We used Elaine as our doula with our third baby, and very much wished we would have used her with our first two babies. The Lord had been challenging my thoughts around the topic of birth for quite some time. We knew our third was going to be our last biological baby and I had felt the Lord impressing on me a deep desire to have a birth that was centered and focused around the Lord. I had attempted to have a natural (no epidural) delievery with my first two babies, but ended up opting for the epidural last minute. So with my third, it was important to me to have an unmadicated birth, and I would do whatever it took to achive that. I had been seeing an OB the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy and felt like I needed to step out in faith and switch to a birthing center. So after my husband and I talked, we agreed that we needed to step out in faith and trust the Lord for the birth that we desired. We soon after met with Elaine and instantly after meeting with her felt so at peace about her being our doula. She prayed for us, and walked us through her process and what she offered. We loved her! Our care with her was filled with intentionality, gentleness, love, knowledge, and joy. The evening I went into labor everything happened really fast! I fell asleep, and at 9pm I woke up in full blown labor! Contractions were close and intense, we called elaine & she was QUICK to get to the birthing center. She made the room feel cosy and peaceful. Elaine prayed with me, encouraged me, held me, and reminded me that I could do it. Right before Wilder crowned I told Elaine I was tired, and I wanted it over, she encouraged me like a sister would and affirmed me that I could make it through the toughest part. Right before Wilder came out, he was stuck for a minute or two and Elaine responded efficently and swiftly, while still remaining peaceful, and within a few seconds Wilder was out! Elaine served us with integrity, kindness, and joy! She is a gift, and a well of knowledge

Erika

9/18/2022

Elaine was incredibly helpful and a calming presence during the labor and delivery of our first child. A lot of what you read in preparation for labor is easily forgotten in the moment, so having Elaine there in the room was tremendously beneficial. During labor, I appreciated how she guided my husband in how to best assist and encourage me so that he could be involved in the process, too. She helped settle in when we arrived at the hospital, prepared ice water for cool washcloths, reminded me to stay hydrated, and overall coached me through the labor process. She also gave me a pep talk when I needed it most. We appreciated having Elaine capture some photos of the labor process and cherish seeing those moments of raw emotion. 

Elaine’s proactive approach during the process is what sets her apart - this was apparent from our very first meeting. The prenatal visits, postpartum visit and check-ins were all great, along with knowing that she had lots of experience and knowledge to share. We wholeheartedly recommend her as a doula and will call her again when we are expecting our next baby!

Sarah Maddox

9/3/2022

We were referred to Elaine by a friend of ours and we could not be more thankful that she was present at our birth. Even though my birth didn’t end up looking how I pictured, I definitely am leaving the experience so empowered and thankful because of the encouragement and support I received from Elaine and the way she made the environment feel while I was birthing. The core of what I wanted the experience to be like was there because of her even though my birth ended up unfolding differently than I had pictured.

In the two times we met prior to labor, she was diligent in educating us about the labor and postpartum experience. While I was laboring at home, she was responsive and was available to respond to any questions I had that arose and checked in regularly to see how I was progressing. When an induction became necessary she met us at the hospital and was a constant support from the beginning. My labor ended up being 24 hours and Elaine was with me for 17 of those hours. She went above and beyond creating a peaceful space with dimmed lights, candles, aromatherapy, meaningful encouragement to both me and my husband, and her presence was always so calm, reassuring, and filled with peace. 

When it became necessary, her backup came in at the perfect time and was also incredible. 

I could not have gotten through my first birth experience without Elaine and I would want her to be present at any future births I may have. She is an invaluable resource throughout the laboring process providing pain relief through counter pressure, being a guiding force with positions, helping navigate the many decisions that arise during birth and helping me to know my options. She also captured many beautiful moments that I will cherish forever throughout the birthing experience. Her postpartum support has also been incredible and such a blessing. I could not recommend Elaine enough to any pregnant mother. 

Carson Smith

8/21/2022

We had nothing but a wonderful experience with Elaine! She was extremely supportive from start to finish. She is very educated and taught me so much about my body during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I was extremely grateful to have her there supporting me with different techniques to work through my contractions. She has a very calming, loving spirit. She was supportive in any decision or direction I wanted to go in and provided me with additional education in any direction I was leaning towards. No matter if I was having a natural birth no medication, birth with medication, or a c section, she was extremely supportive in what I chose! We love Elaine and 10/10 recommend her.

Leiya Smith

7/25/2022

We were recommended to use Elaine as our doula by some friends who knew her personally. With our first delivery (very traumatic) we didn't use a doula as we had a very good friend be with us and explain the process. Although as anyone who has delivered a baby knows, things don't always go how you want them to. So when we got pregnant with out second child, Elaine was highly recommended. We met with her and hit it off quickly! She was so kind. She wanted all the details about the previous experience so that nothing would be repeated. She let us know that we could have a great experience delivering a baby. I wasn't so sure that we needed a doula with our second child however, my husband was especially excited to hire Elaine so that he would have a person to tell him how to support me better. She was communicative throughout the pregnancy and supported us on whatever we chose to do for our delivery method and whether or not we wanted to have a more natural birth. Just having that support was very meaningful to me. The entire delivery and postpartum experience with Elaine was amazing! Even though the delivery wans't completely what we had planned, she took us through every step and helped me feel more comfortable and confident through the delivery process. She will always be my go to doula!

Taylor & Caleb Thompson

7/3/2022

We do not have enough positive things to say about working with Elaine during the pregnancy and birth of our first child. We both felt we needed extra support, but my husband especially felt like a doula would be beneficial to help him know how to best support me while in labor. Elaine made us feel totally comfortable and safe leading up to delivery. We had a beautiful, calm birth experience welcoming our daughter alongside with our midwife and Elaine (with all the positive reinforcement, and cool washcloths).

Hiring a doula is our top recommendation for anyone expecting. Having Elaine specifically was nothing short of a blessing and we are so honored to have her be a part of our daughter's story. 

Aly Elliott

6/17/2022

I absolutely love Elaine & cannot write enough great things about her! This was actually my second time using her as our doula. She is so educated on everything birth related, as she has 5 kids herself & also works hard on continuing her learning in this field and has a true passion for birth work.  I was initially drawn to her because of her extensive knowledge on spinning babies & acupressure techniques, but honestly she goes far beyond just that. She is always such a calm & friendly presence from her initial prenatal appointments to the big birthing day to her sweet postpartum visits. She always has sound advice when questions pop up throughout the entire pregnancy & beyond- it is obvious she truly wants what is best for her clients and is always quick to respond back via text. During my birth, she set up a realxing environment & continuously gave me acupressure to help with the onset of my labor. She made me labor tea & was so nice and personable to both my husband & I as we waited for labor to start. She felt like part of our family! She recommended various things to help progress labor. She always knew what to do and when to do it. I consider her an expert in this field & was respected & appreciated in the delivery room as everyone worked closely together. She was genuinely very helpful to all & never overbearing or annoying. When the pushing stage came, she reminded me how I was so strong and gave my husband support and directed him for what he could do for me. When my pushing became weak, she gave me more acupressure and I would have stronger pushes after that. She also used her rebozo and had me pull it to make my pushes more efficient- and it all worked! She was so awesome from start to finish and I would hire her again and again.  I cannot recommend her enough- if this is your first or fifth delivery you won’t regret it! She goes above and beyond in every category & is just the best!

Emma

12/20/2021

Where to even begin! As a first time mom I went into pregnancy really unsure of myself. I knew I wanted to work towards as natural of a birth as possible but didn't know where to start. While my midwives were amazing, it was Elaine who answered my countless questions, helped me really understand the process of birth and what to expect, guided me in all the decision making involved with birth, and held my hand both figuratively and literally through a very long labor process. She was also a wonderful support to my husband, answering questions he had, and making sure he felt included and heard at every meeting. I really felt like she knew what I wanted and helped me communicate my goals effectively to my midwives while at the birthing center. I can't recommend her highly enough and if more children are in our future we will be calling her again!

May and Tim Miller

7/12/2021

We had an extremely difficult twin pregnancy and things really took a turn for the better and Elaine was a huge reason for that.  She spent time getting to know the two of us and worked with us to change our OB based on our birth plan and to prepare for the experience we wanted. Her two visits really encouraged us before birth, and our twin birth truly was peaceful, beautiful, and supernatural!  She was with us every step of the way as our baby boy arrived and 12 mins later our little girl entered the world!  Elaine's passion is evident in all she does as a doula and she is very knowledgable about birth, hospitals, and health care providers in the Richmond area.  We highly recommend her, and will be forever grateful to her!

Sarah Decker

7/5/2021

Elaine has now assisted with two of my labor experiences, both of which could not be more different. My first labor was very lengthy and assisted with an epidural & my second was a very speedy labor completely medication-free. When we met for our prenatal visits, Elaine helped coached me through some difficult feelings I was having towards fearing another lengthly labor. This really helped me to cope and re-focus during pregnancy. During labor and delivery, the level of confidence that both my husband and I have when she is in the room is unmatched! The minute she entered the room this second time around (I was already in active labor and "in the zone" so my eyes were closed), she just jumped right in where we were and I recognized her sweet hands immediately doing accupressure on my feet with her yummy essential oils and I instantly felt at ease! Other support persons in the room were amazing (husband, midwife, and nurse) but I personally felt like Elaine led the way- from bigger things like repositioning to help get baby out or make me more comfortable & also helping my baby latch for the first time immediately after birth, to some smaller things like giving me sips of pregnancy tea at just the right moment or hunting down peanut butter because that's all I wanted! Elaine ensured that everyone in the room stuck to my birth plan and that all my needs were met. In my eyes, she is absolutely a person you want during any part of your pregnancy, labor/delivery, and postpartum experiences as she makes everything more seamless and gives you confidence and security along the way. 

Nathalie Faupel

7/3/2021

My husband and I are so thankful for Elaine’s services during my pregnancy. She was informative, supportive, and caring. She stayed with me throughout the night when I couldn’t sleep and guided me during some hard contractions. I’m addition, she was readily available to answer any questions I had during my pregnancy and postpartum period. She’s amazing! We are so thankful to have had her by our side. I would recommend Elaine to all my friends and family!!!

Dino Faupel

7/3/2021

This short review is not to oversell the service we received from Elaine. It is to let couples, mainly the men, that a doula is definitely worth every penny. Naturally there are things you have to prepare for but there definitely scenarios that most don’t even bother to think about. She came by the house and gave us a breakdown on how things would play out. Asked us key questions to gauge how my wife wanted to birth our son. She looked over our birth plan and gave us advice. As labor  started, my wife contacted her and she came to our aid in almost no time. She followed us to the hospital and helped us get settled in our room. Elaine gave my wife comfort by giving her shoulder massages, neck rubs, feet rubs and also gave her some good ol’ hip squeezes. Now guys listen, all the above seem simple, but I was tired. As I tried to rest, Elaine kept on her duties to make sure my wife was ok through the whole process. She was fully involved with everything and even help coach me on things she thought would be helpful throughout the labor. My wife labored for just over 24 hours and Elaine was there from the first message that morning all the way until our son was born. A huge thanks to Elaine and I highly recommend her services! As a man that thought this was just something to keep my wife happy, take it from me…. Call Elaine! You will love her and love the experience. Thank you for everything you did for us…  

Carissa

10/18/2020

We were so pleased to be able to work with Elaine a second time! During our intitial visits, she was so kind to help me talk through and process my last birth experience and carefully listened to what I was hoping for this time around, including a last minute provider switch. Elaine is so professional and kind and great at asking the right questions - she even delayed her anniversary plans when our girl came early! Even with all of the Covid weirdness, Elaine was right with us the whole time I labored making great suggestions, helping me with massage and counter-pressure, and continued to encourage me throughout - all in a mask! One thing we were particularly impressed with was how professionally and easily she stepped into the birth envirornment; she was working with a new midwife and nurse and she was a huge assess to my birth team and seemed to work graciously with everyone. I could tell her goal was to support and encourage me, and it made such a difference once labor got inense. Her confident and calm spirit makes for a great team member during labor and delivery.  I would highly reccommend her! 

Claire Lewis

10/4/2020

My husband and I have loved working with Elaine for the births of both our second and third children. She was an instrumental component to me experiencing two successful VBACs. Before labor when I was feeling scared and anxious, Elaine helped me feel prepared and confident. During labor and delivery, Elaine provided practical tools to help me manage pain and find relief. I am most grateful, however, for the way Elaine helped my husband connect to the labor process and to me during delivery, something I’ll treasure forever!

April Michelle Davis

2/27/2020

Please edit before I post: Elaine was my doula for baby #5, but it was my first time using her services. I had had a doula for baby #4, but she was unavailable and recommended Elaine. I contacted Elaine because I really wanted a doula, but I knew I would have a harder time because I don't like change. I found Elaine to be very nice, working with my desires and offering suggestions, which ended up working really well for my family. She was very flexible with my particular circumstances (all my babies have come early), especially with baby #5 being the earliest. She offered helpful suggestions during labor, used touch points to ease pain and as focus points, and even took pictures throughout the event. After the baby's birth, she texted me several times over the next two weeks to see how we were doing and visited my home as well. I will be contacting Elaine for baby #6!

Sarah Decker

12/4/2019

My Husband and I are beyond thankful for the thoughtfulness, guidance, and calmness that Elaine provided for us throughout my pregnancy and through the birth of our first baby. We met Elaine a couple of times before our due date; during those meetings, she was very informative by giving us topics to consider when coming up with a birth plan. Our conversations flowed naturally and she quickly became someone we could confide in and looked forward to seeing! Throughout the pregnancy, she was SUCH a great support and went above and beyond in ways I did not expect from a doula! I had a very lengthly labor (36 hours- some of which were at home); Elaine was with us through the whole process- in the beginning she answered our every question via the phone, offered to come to our home while we continued to labor, and stayed with us in the hospital throughout the entire labor process until about an hour after birth. By the end of the experience, we were so sad to see her leave! She became like a sister to me! Elaine also helped me to navigate some slightly difficult family dynamics, in order to keep the labor and delivery room nice and calm which was super important to me. Elaine brewed some pregnancy tea which ended up being one of the only things I wanted to drink while in labor. She also support my decisions and made sure I was well informed (even during the delirium that a laboring mom can experience). I would HIGHLY recommend Elaine to anyone... even my husband has been singing her praises to our family and friends, telling everyone we could not have gotten through such a difficult labor without her. Thank you Elaine for everything. 

Aly Elliott

5/11/2019

Elaine was strongly recommended by my midwife Leslie early on in my pregnancy. From day one, she was so personable and friendly that she instantly made me feel comfortable. Her initial interview appointment was conducted so professionally, and it was obvious she was well prepared and very confident in her skills. Her knowledge of pregnancy, labor, delivery, breastfeeding, and newborn care is amazingly vast. She not only has gone through it personally 5 times, she also has a firm grasp on updated information on it all for any circumstances that may arise. I specifically was really impressed on her knowledge about spinning babies, as I was terrified I would have another OP delivery like my first. She had so many great tips throughout my pregnancy on how to avoid that. I was also having a lot of “crotch lightening” very early on and she took the time out to give me information on it and suggestions of how to deal with it. She was always available through email, text, or phone and was able to get back to me in a very timely manner. The last few weeks of my pregnancy she talked to me after each appointment. When I was nervous about baby positioning, she always had genuinely encouraging things to say to help calm my nerves and instill positivity back in to my mind. My labor ended up being very fast and my daughter was born at home, despite wanting to make it to the hospital. We called Elaine right away and she gave us the best advice ever- to call 911, which is just what we needed as she was born only 11 minutes later. Right after that initial call, she drove fast to our house and then straight to the hospital.  This was so comforting to see a familiar face after our traumatic ordeal. She followed up with me as the weeks went by and even came over to my house to play with my two-and-a-half-year-old as I took a much-needed nap. Throughout my whole pregnancy and beyond Elaine was a huge asset to us and we strongly recommend her as a doula!

Lauren Smallwood

4/20/2019

I’ve been trying to post this for weeks, but have just found it impossible to find the right words. Elaine was our doula for our third baby last month, and she was truly the brightest star during an immensely dark night. I was going for a VBAC and endured an exhausting induction only to end with another traumatic story complete with scar attached. Having been through a traumatic delivery before, I remember how raw and vulnerable it made me feel. This time, the ONLY reason I am able to process it differently and look back feeling protected and empowered is because of Elaine. Not only do her skills set her apart from countless other doulas, but her compassion and kindness reach a depth which is immensely rare to find. I am absolutely certain that I will want her there for any more births I may have, regardless of the birth plan in place. I would recommend her a thousand times over, and not only for her ability to help you work toward the birth you desire, but for the way in which she will support you and stay by your side whatever the outcome. Whether you’re planning an unmedicated birth or an epidural, a VBAC or a repeat c section, a homebirth or a hospital birth.. I have no doubt Elaine can help you, and likely in ways you didn’t even realize you needed.

Erica Childress

3/15/2018

As soon as I met Elaine, I knew she was the right person for us to work with. Her knowledge and confidence comforted me, not to mention how friendly she is. We found Elaine late in pregnancy because we weren’t sure we were going to use a Doula, but she was still able to work with us and our circumstances. Our daughter came early, and not as “planned,” but Elaine was there for us. She really put us at ease and helped diffuse a very stressful situation for our family. I truly believe she helped to make me feel ok with how everything turned out. Elaine was also great with her follow-up care and assistance with breast feeding; she even visited us and brought a care package when we ended up back in the hospital. If we have another, we’ll definitely want Elaine to be a part of it.

Carissa Godwin

9/27/2017

"I don't know how people have babies without doulas!" is what my husband told me after working with Elaine during our first pregnancy. Even before labor started, we felt reassured knowing she would be with us at home and in the hospital to support us. We so appreciated her calm spirit and support during an intense labor. When we called her to come to our house during active labor, Elaine got right to work and helped me so much with massage, pressure, and coaching me through different laboring positions. She continued to help me work through contractions as we walked to the labor and delivery room and once we arrived. She was always present when I needed something, but never intrusive. Even though we had only met a few times prior to labor, I felt increbily comoftable with her in the room. Overall, hiring Elaine as our doula helped my husband and I feel more prepared heading into labor, comforted during the process, and supported during recovery. I would highly reccomend her to my own friends and family, or anyone who is seeking that type of consistent, knowledgable support during labor.

Elsa Greenfield

4/26/2017

I recently had my second birth with Elaine as my doula. She brings calm to the storm that is labor and delivery, which is why we asked her to be our doula again when baby #2 came along. I spent several weeks on bed rest, then on limited activity because of preterm labor. She was there the entire time checking on me, and encouraging me. During labor she was once again my calm within the storm. she encouraged me to change positions to help baby move into place for delivery, she helped keep my husband calm. She made sure I stayed hydrated, offered suggestions for helping to make me more comfortable. Elaine was ever watchful for my unspoken cues that it was time for a new position or that I was moving into transition phase. She was calm & soothing and even the nurses appreciated her quiet (yet strong) presence. She walked my husband through each phase so he felt comfortable knowing what was going on. She also literally held my hand (or pushed on my back) during contractions. Each time I felt I couldn't go on, she was there reminding me gently that each contraction was bringing me closer to meeting my precious baby and that my body was created to do this. When it was time to push she was there encouraging me & reminding me that I could do this, even though I felt I couldn't. After our sweet baby was born, Elaine brought us food and drinks, and helped baby to latch on.

I truly feel that a drug free birth would have been not doable for me without Elaine. She helped me push through the worst for two amazing deliveries. The first one was done while on pito in to induce my labor. By helping me achieve my goals of doing what I feel is best for our babies, she has proven to me and to my husband, that her services & her presence are invaluable. We are forever grateful for her care and her help through something that is so hard and that has the potential to be awful or wonderful. With her help, both deliveries were wonderful!! Thank you Elaine.

Megan Schad

3/5/2017

I had my second baby this January and I called Elaine again. Just like before, Elaine was excellent. Even more so, because she knew what helped me the first time and was able to work with us from that knowledge base. She continues to learn new skills and applied those with us. She is wonderful and as always made me feel comfortable and strong. We will definitely be calling her again if we have a third!

Amelia Daul

11/16/2015

Would I recommend Elaine Allen as your Doula - HECK YES! My husband and I both have said countless times since our son was born how we could not have done it without her. The way Elaine handled herself in the 14 hours she helped us through labor was in a way full of grace and wisdom. She was gentle and kind but yet had ideas to help change things and push us along. She knew when something needed to change based on the situation. She knew when to call the doctor/midwife. She knew when to step away and yet when to come back in. She was PERFECT. Her wisdom was priceless, her back rubs - priceless, her prayers - PRICELESS. She could not have handled herself in a more perfect way for us. So, yes - if you're questioning whether a doula is 'worth it' or whether Elaine is that doula for you - I would shout it from the roof tops "YES".

Ashley Kilgore

10/22/2015

From the first interview I felt totally at ease with Elaine.  She is warm and so approachable that I felt like I was talking with a sister and could ask her anything without feeling embarrassed! I looked forward to our meetings leading up to our due date as Elaine educated my husband and me on what to expect in the months to come.  At our last meeting she went through helpful labor position demonstrations and gave such helpful, reassuring information.

Elaine cared for me as if I was a family member through over 24 hours of intense and exhausting labor while she was about 6 months pregnant herself and recovering from a sinus infection.  Her dedication, patience and compassion were inspiring and I was and am forever grateful to her for her tender loving care.  Elaine has a keen eye for people's emotions and she knew when I needed her support and when I needed my husband's touch without me having to ask for any of this.  She helped my husband learn how to help me in labor and made sure he took breaks (very important).

After trying and trying through different labor positions and accupressure to have a natural childbirth, my body and mind said "enough is enough" and I elected to get an epidural.  Elaine supported me through this change in our birth plan without any judgement and made sure during our postpartum meeting that I was okay mentally about the change in our birth plan.  She validated my decisions, supported me, and made sure I was at peace with the way our birth story ended up playing out, which was very appreciated.

As a postpartum nurse I felt that I had a pretty good understanding of the process of labor, delivery and mother/baby care, however, to go through labor yourself and become a mom for the first time is a completely different experience.  Both my husband and I agree that Elaine's presence during the labor and birth of our child was invaluable for the both of us.

Julie McLeod

7/8/2015

I don't think that my husband and I would have achieved our goal of a natural childbirth without Elaine's support during... labor. She took the time to get to know my husband and me before delivery during our initial meeting and two pre-delivery in home meetings. We communicated frequently thru text about my OB/GYN and Perinatologist visits during the last few weeks. She was instrumental in supporting us thru the entire labor process, and was especially helpful during active labor when I was scared and in pain. She used effective communication, massage, essential oils, heat packs, counter pressure, acupressure, and many other "tools" to help me labor. Having Elaine as a support person during labor made all the difference to my husband, to me, and (by extension) to our baby. I'm sure a lot of women feel thankful to their doulas for their birth experiences, but we know our birth experience was positive because of Elaine. She is worth her weight in gold and I highly recommend her as a doula.

Crystal Allen

2/13/2015

My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Elaine. I have always known that I wanted to have a natural childbirth and decided in my third trimester to find a doula.  I immediately gravitated towards Elaine's profile as she offered acupressure and took photos during labor and birth. When we had our initial meeting with Elaine we were very comfortable with her and could tell she was passionate about being part of her clients' birth experience. She is a wealth of knowledge and was able to answer all the questions I had about the birth process as well as what to expect postpartum.  During my labor, Elaine was incredibly helpful with positioning, massage, acupressure, and aromatherapy.  My husband felt so much more comfortable helping me during the labor process with Elaine there giving him pointers and putting us both at ease. He tells everyone how happy he is we decided to have a doula!  Both Elaine and my husband were so encouraging when the pain became almost unbearable and I wanted to give in. They were the reason I could push through and give birth to our daughter without an epidural!! I loved that Elaine took pictures and gave us a cd of the images when she met us during our postpartum meeting.  She brought me mother's milk tea and gave me great breastfeeding advice. My husband and I are so happy with our birth experience and we are so thankful that we had Elaine as our doula.

Rebecca Johnson

10/3/2014

When I first decided to attempt a drug free birth I never considered having a doula. In fact, I didn't want anyone in the room except my husband and I. I decided we needed to go to a natural birth class so we signed up & there they talked about doulas. I still was hesitant, but my husband felt he would be more comfortable if "we got one of those doulas." I did a lot of research & read testimonials. We decided to go with Elaine & started with next steps. We met up a couple of times to go over my birth plan & she would text me to check in frequently. The day finally came that I went into labor. It was a long labor starting at 8am on a Sunday & didn't end until 12:12pm the next day (Monday). I wanted to labor at home as long as possible & did successfully with the help of texting back and forth with Elaine to understand which stage I was at. I decided to lay down for the night (didn't get any sleep due to contractions) & Elaine texted me back every time. I wanted to wait for the hospital to meet up with her & when I felt the contractions coming quicker I told her it was time. She was there before us. During the hard labor it was like we were on the same wavelength. She knew exactly what I needed at every stage. She even helped my husband know what he needed to do and it felt like we did it together. It was hard work but I never asked for an epidural. Truth be told-- I never thought I could really do it, but when I did I felt like superwoman (Elaine actually brought me a superman onesie for my son after he was born & she was coming to check in. She said "superman because his mom is superwoman). I know 100% the reason I was successful was because of her. She was my drug. 5 months later & she's still there to answer any questions I have. I know it sounds extreme but I feel like God sent me an angel with Elaine. I couldn't have had a better birth experience & my next child we will definitely be calling Elaine!

Megan Schad

9/26/2014

Elaine was an amazing support for both my husband and I during our pregnancy, birth, and post-partum. She was knowledgable and offered helpful information to help us decide how we wanted our birth to go. The best part was how much she tried to help us prepare for and create our own birth experience. She really wanted to help us on our journey to parenthood. She was incredibly genuine throughout the process. She was also very available both before (of course during) and after birth for questions or emotional support. She was open to discussing all aspects of birth and parenthood - physical, emotional, and spiritual. This made me feel like she was really invested in the whole picture of my family and our journey.

During the birth experience, she was amazing! She was supportive, and advocated for me with the hospital staff. She was not only there for me, but she also helped my husband connect with me during labor and delivery. Even post-partum Elaine checked in with me several times and came by to meet our son and see how I was adjusting to motherhood. I would highly recommend Elaine to anyone looking for a doula who will advocate, support, and help you find your own path to parenthood.

Julia Tompkins

9/22/2014

I feel so fortunate to have worked with Elaine.  I did not have the birth experience that I was hoping for, but Elaine helped me get through every step.  Elaine came to my home in the middle of the night and helped me to labor there as long as possible.  This also gave my husband a chance to rest up before we headed in that morning.  The reassurance that she gave me during this time was so important.  At the hospital Elaine continued to support me and my family. Elaine's serenity helped us all to get through a long and difficult labor. Eventually my daughter was born by c section, and the support that Elaine gave my mother during the surgery meant a lot to us.  We were all pretty devastated by how things turned out.  Elaine continued to check on us and be a resource for us in the months after my daughter's birth while I was processing the emotional impact of the surgery.

Margy Dessypris Thomas

9/22/2014

We contacted Elaine shortly before expecting the birth of our second child. My husband and i had agreed we needed the doula for the additional coaching and support through the birth process. We were committed to having a natural child birth, and even though I hit my wall during labor (as all women do) Elaine was there patiently reminding me why we chose the path that we did. In the end, my daughter's birth was an amazing event. She worked really well with the staff at the hospital. We were exceedingly pleased with how things went. I am proud of what i accomplished as a mother that day. We couldn't have done it without Elaine. Our follow up conversations and visit helped to deal with some lactation issues. Elaine is sincerely interested in the well being of her clients and their experiences with childbirth.

Burnette Hope

11/13/2013

My husband and I felt comfortable with Elaine from the start. She was professional, warm and compassionate. Her knowledge, training and personal experience helped us to create a birth plan that we were comfortable with. Her work began long before the birth of our child -- as an encourager -- as I mentally, physically and spiritually prepared for having my first baby. I went past my due date and Elaine was a constant source of support and guidance as I (not so patiently) awaited the arrival of our baby. The night I delivered, she nearly beat us to the hospital. She provided encouragement for me AND my husband, helping to advocate for our wishes and working closely with the nurses at the hospital. Elaine truly helped make the birth of our first child a wonderful experience and should we be so blessed to grow our family, I will be calling on her again!