Kathleen D

10/14/2024

I highly recommend working with Balanced Birth Support. I hired Liz as my doula for my first child. I liked my midwife, but I wanted more emotional support and guidance. Liz stepped into a role that transformed my pregnancy, labor, and birth experience. She helped my decision-making process in the wisest way--she didn't sway my decision one way or the other but asked important questions and acted as a sounding board. She connected with my support person in such a way that we became a cohesive birthing team that navigated the labor process with a good sense of humor, openness, and warm support. Liz protected my emotional process and was my cheerleader throughout the experience. She worked gracefully with the nurses and medical staff, creating a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. Liz was a key element to the amazing journey I experienced.

Avele

6/8/2023

We used Liz as our doula for both our children.  My first was an almost 70 hour labor that tested every ounce of my being. Liz was there through it all.  She was patient and kind, compassionate and encouraging.  She was my cheerleader, my advocate and through those long hours/days, became my friend.  So when I was pregnant with my second, there was no doubt that I wanted and needed her by my side.   Her ability to navigate my emotions, physical needs and the hospital environment was exactly the right fit for my family.   Her presence was such a calming reassurance throughout every moment of my labor.  She was able to provide physical and emotional comfort while at the same time providing laughter and levity.  I felt a sense of calm and safety with her by our side.  And I'm confident my husband feels the exact same way --- she created a safe place for him to support me, while she was simeltaneously supporting him as well.  I could not recommend Liz as a doula more!  

Cassie

6/7/2023

Being a single expecting mother, my emotions and fears were through the roof. Immediately after meeting with Elizabeth, I felt more at ease about the whole labor process. You could tell from the start that she genuinely cared and was going to do everything possible to make this a beautiful, memorable transition into motherhood for my son and myself, other than the anxiety filled, painful nightmare I was totally anticipating. We set a birth plan that was safe and exactly how I had always pictured my labor being, which of course was totally thrown out the window about 6 hours into labor when the anesthesiologist could not properly administer my epidural. I became anxious and scared which Elizabeth, right by my side, assured me all was still progressing beautifully and myself and baby were doing just fine. Fast forward a few hours and I received the news that I could not have my son naturally. My coccyx had developed towards my birthing canal, making it extremely unsafe to deliver my son vaginally. They were setting the operating room up for emergency cesarean and going to begin prepping me for surgery. I was terrified and felt like I had no voice in the situation at all. Elizabeth was right there to guide me in 
making some of the most important decisions of my life. At first the doctors weren’t going allow her in the room for the emergency cesarean but after she communicated with them and advocated for my needs they graciously allowed her in. She was my eyes, ears, and saving grace through the entire cesarean. After  15 hours of labor, an emergency cesarean and the most insane emotional rollercoaster I've ever been on, the world welcomed 7lbs/12ounces of pure perfection. I absolutely could not have done it as calmly or gracefully without Elizabeth by my side 110% throughout the entire process. My son and myself will forever be grateful for her love and support. 

Emma

6/4/2023

After interviewing several different doula groups and solo doulas, I ultimately decided to work with Liz. Her warm and compassionate demeanor, mixed with her impressive and extensive knowledge, helped me to feel completely supported in every way. Liz was always quickly available when I reached out to her via text with questions and she helped both myself and my partner feel safe and comfortable staying home in early labor because I was really wanting to avoid unnecessary interventions. When we arrived at the hospital in active labor, Liz was an enormous help making suggestions and reassuring me that what I was experiencing was safe and normal. I hadn’t really made a decision either way on whether or not I wanted to utilize an epidural during my birth. At some point during my labor, my strong-willed Taurus baby decided to get herself in a position that caused me to experience back labor and when I made the decision to utilize an epidural, Liz also helped me get through that process, and was supportive of my choices. It ended up helping me relax a great deal and I got to be meet my beautiful baby girl not too long after that. From start to finish, working with Liz was a dream! I am still very connected to her and appreciate everything she did to support myself and my partner during such an important time in our lives.

A

6/3/2023

Liz is very knowledgable and nice, however, when I worked with her, she was clearly overextended and continuosly forgot to do what she said she would. This was pretty obvious from early on, so if you decide to go with her watch for signs that she is able to actually fulfill the commitment she made to you. I hired her because of her expertise in certain and while she promised to send resources, she never did. The few times she did provide timely advice it was very helpful. Due to circumstances beyond her control she was not able to make my birth and neither was her back up, but she then offered a back up doula to me who had very few years of experience and was not on the same level as her or her backup doula. She did not offer me a price reduction for this or anything. After I gave birth, she also flaked on me multiple times and never offered a partial refund. It took me a while to write this review because my birth was so traumatic and I really never want to think about that day ever again in my life, but I just feel compelled to write this so others do not go through that.

Kate

2/24/2020

Liz was my doula for the births of both of my children. She is absolutely amazing. Her calm and confident presence is so reassuring through any type of birth. What I love about Liz is how real and non-judgmental she is. She is extremely knowledgable about the birthing process, has tons of experience, and has all the tools to help you do it however you want to. But she certainly isn't going to hold you to any kind of standard -- she knows all the right things to say, and no matter how you give birth, she will be so supportive and encouraging and really build you up, in exactly the way that you need at that time! My midwives, chiropractors, etc. etc. all knew about Liz by name - she has a fabulous reputation in this area as a "premier" doula. She is truly the best. 

Christine Haven

1/2/2020

I highly reccomend Liz Oldham as a birth doula. My husband and I first met her in 2016 when we asked her to be our birth doula at GW (George Washington) Hospital in Washington, DC. My husband and I both loved her so much that we asked her to be our doula again this past fall (2019) for the birth of our second son. I couldn’t imagine not having her there. Both of my deliveries were extremely positive and empowering despite being in my late 30’s and early 40’s, and I attribute a good deal of that to her smart and steady guidance. She was right there in the right way exactly when we needed her most during both deliveries. Liz is also just a wonderful person. We are grateful that she was our doula for two different births. 

Clare G.

10/12/2019

Liz was the best doula we could have asked for, and made such a difference to my birth experience.  As a first-time mom, I can't imagine having gone through the labor I had without her presence and support.  She was available to us before the birth and was great about answering questions and providing reassurance.  Her kindness and calming presence meant the world to me on the day of the birth as well.  She was able to empathize with everything I was going through and made me feel unquestionably supported and empowered.  She was also able to help my husband to help me, and I know he's eternally grateful for her too.  Not only that, but she is so easy to talk to and made others present comfortable as well.  We could tell too that the nurses and doctors trusted and respected her.  I really think having Liz as our doula made what could have been a scary or traumatic experience into such a positive one, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! 

Eliana and Paulos

6/14/2019

Words cannot express how grateful my husband and I are for having had Liz at our labour and delivery. But even before that she was there for us during the entire prenatal period, answering all our questions, addressing our concerns and providing us with great contacts, resources and recommendations. Liz is incredibly well connected and has a wealth of information to share. On the big day, I laboured for over 30 hours. Liz never left our side, providing us with guidance, comfort and encouragement while helping us communicate our wants and needs to the medical staff. She even stayed in communication with our family members to ensure them we were ok. She truly has her heart invested in this work. I encourage all parents (experienced and new) to consider her and her team of Doulas to support your family during this life changing experience. I can honestly say I came out of the experience with not just a new and healthy  baby but also lifelong friend. 

Noelle

5/31/2019

Liz was instrumental in helping me have an unmedicated birth at Stone Springs Hospital. Throughout my very long labor, she helped me get "out of my head" and roll with what was happening. Once she arrived to the hospital, I was only 4 centimeters and very discouraged. She stayed positive, coached me on what to do to get my baby positioned better and helped me completely relax. I quickly progressed and had my baby in my arms less than three hours later—and I know it was because of her! Thank you, Liz! So happy to have you as part of our story on such a special day.

Kay S

4/11/2019

I found Liz based on a recommendation from my midwife. I told her that having a calm and conflict-free delivery room was most important to me, and asked who she and the hospital staff enjoy having at the birth. Without hesitation, she recommended Liz Oldham. When I first met her, she immediately put me at ease. She was fun to talk with, and I trusted and valued her insights. We happened to see a labor and delivery nurse from the hospital where I was going to deliver, who stopped by our table to give Liz a hug and say hi.

Even though my labor was approximately 36 hours, I left the experience feeling strong, accomplished and proud of myself and the work I did with my birth support team. My husband and I took the Balanced Birth Support day-long comprehensive birth class with Liz, too. When people ask how I managed to stay (relatively) relaxed throughout such a long labor without medication, I credit the class and the support we had from Liz, combined with her fantastic partnership with my midwife and the other women who tended me.

Liz is the most non judgemental, open and caring women I’ve even met. No matter your preferences and choices for your pregnancy, labor and postpartum period, Liz will provide the support you need. Liz was there for my husband just as much as she was for me throughout the pregnancy and labor. She knows that the process of making those decisions is very personal, and would never make you feel judged for the choices you make for yourself and your family. She is incredibly knowledgeable and reassuring. She is a prompt and clear communicator, and she surrounds herself with similarly brilliant women. 

If you and your partner are searching for a doula, I can’t recommend Liz and Balanced Birth Support enough! 

Brooke

4/10/2019

When I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted a doula to help us through pregnancy and labor. When I talked to Liz I immediately knew she was the one I wanted to be there for us during this intimate and incredible experience. I instantly felt like we had known each other for years. She was amazing at keeping me calm when my daughter decided she wanted to remain breech till 35 weeks. When I went into labor she was calm, supportive, and helped keep my husband and I calm. When things kicked into high gear she got us through the process and made me feel strong and confident. When my daughter finally appeared Liz was just as excited as we were. She truly became a member of our family. I could never say enough amazing things about Liz. She is such a beautiful person inside and out and her being there for such an important life event made the experience that much better. 

Lina

4/8/2019

Elizabeth was our doula for our third child.  The doula that helped us with our previous birth was not available and she recommended Elizabeth.  Our experience with Elizabeth was wonderful.  This was by far my most challenging birth experience (which I was not expecting) and I don't think I would have made it without Liz.  The whole time while I was in labor, I felt very safe with Liz being around.  She kept a very calm demeanor and I knew she was always on my side.  She provided words of encouragement when I needed them and allowed me to feel all my feelings (exhaustion, joy, concern, fear) without being judged.  She also helped us feel confident about our decisions.  I am very thankful that Liz was part of our story.  

The Carsons

3/27/2019

Like your big sister, your best professor, and your favorite coach combined. With Liz's help, we had a home birth-like delivery at a hospital known for its high rate of C-sections. Working with Liz is among our fondest memories from pregnancy. 

Renee Goldman

1/30/2019

We took Liz’s hypnobirthing classes and used her as our birth doula, and we absolutely loved her! The classes were instrumental in helping me understand how my body and my baby‘s body would work together during labor, which helped me feel excited and less anxious. I still sometimes fall asleep listening to my rainbow relaxation recording.  

When the big day came, Liz was with us every step of the way, communicating via phone and text while she was en route to join us in person. She did so many little things for us - from reminding me to loosen my jaw, to rubbing my shoulders when they were sore, to just talking and keeping me company so that my husband could have a quick meal before the baby came. She was completely supportive when I decided that I wanted an epidural and worked seamlessly with the various doctors, nurses and midwives we saw during the labor.

Liz’s positivity is infectious! Whenever there was a sign of progress, Liz was cheering and reminding me that we were getting close to meeting our daughter.  Her genuine joy meant that I couldn’t help but feel excited too. 

Liz thought of all those things we either didn’t know, forgot, or didn’t even realize in the moment. For example, she proactively offered to take photos for us so we’d have our daughter’s first moments captured in pictures. She was incredibly resourceful in anticipating our needs - before I even realized I was hungry or warm after the birth, Liz had found crackers and peanut butter for me to snack on and she was creating makeshift curtains for the bright windows in our hospital room.  

Liz’s classes, tips and support helped me have the most calm, happy experience I could have ever imagined. Whenever people ask me about my daughter‘s birth, they’re so surprised to hear how wonderful it was, and we owe so much of that to Liz and her calm, sunny disposition!  

L Bell

1/2/2019

We were lucky enough to have Liz present at the birth of our first child as our doula this past fall, and I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to work with her. From the very beginning, Liz was responsive and thoughtful. Our intro meeting was informative and we knew right away she was right for us —adaptable, non-judging, warm, knowledgeable, kind, and smart. 

While we had our fair share of unexpected issues (which is to be expected!), we ultimately had what I considered to be a very successful birth of a healthy girl, and I don’t know that I could have done it in that way without Liz. It’s a special person who can remain calm and supportive and steadfast (but reasonable when it comes to inevitable changes in the ‘plan’) in the face of wild energy of labor and delivery. Her presence was calming and I always trusted her judegement and advice, which she only gave when asked. I felt no pressure for things to be a certain way. 

In short, I would recommend Liz as an exceptional doula to anyone looking. 

Addar Weintraub

11/12/2018

We interviewed many doulas before the birth of our first child, but from our first conversation with Liz, it was clear that she was the winner. Liz is calm, knowledgable, responsive, and puts you right at ease. She was especially helpful in the lead-up to the birth as a few different complications popped up. She is both an educator and a friend. I would not hesitate to recommend Liz wholeheartedly. 

Lola Elfman

11/8/2018

Liz and her team are amazing. Liz was present for the birth of both of my children and will forever be a part of our story of becoming parents. From our first son, who was a 3-day long labor, to my second son who was a 14-hour induction, Liz was with us for every decision, any moments of uncertainty, and also for many laughs (yes, there was laughter in the room!). She approaches every birth with love, care, and a reassuring presence that is so appreciated in those intense, wonderful moments.

Even after my sons were born and I was struggling with breast feeding, becoming a new mom, or other health struggles, Liz was always a text message or call away. When I was hospitalized just days after giving birth, she sent one of her best doulas to be with me and my newborn son in the hospital so I wasn't alone. 

I know that I could have given birth without Liz in the room, but I wouldn't have wanted to. I am forever grateful for the confidence, strength, and compassion she showed me when I needed it most. Families are lucky to have her and her team with them on this journey. 

Lauren Falotico

9/5/2018

Liz was a true blessing to our family. I knew from our first meeting she was meant to be my doula. She is such a gentle and kind soul. I am a person who is highly sensitive to others energy. I knew I wanted Liz's energy at our birth.

She answered all our questions and concerns through the entire journey and made us feel confident and excited up our soon to be birth story.

Liz made a point to not let my 1st birth story define how this one would be. She was a rock during the bir the of our sweet daughter Avery. I could not have done it without her suport and spirit.

I highly recommend Liz for your next birth journey. She is a true gem in her field and now a forever friend of our family.

Sarah Hastings

7/18/2018

Liz was with me and my husband at the birth of our daughter three years ago, and when we learned we were having a second baby we knew that we would want Liz with us again.  My second labor was fast and intense, and I am not exaggerating when I say that I would have absolutely asked for an epidural had I not had Liz.  Not only was she a calm and reassuring presence, she was able to help me reduce my pain by using non-medical techniques.  I know if we have a third baby, we will hire Liz again.  I encourage any woman to consider having a doula attend their labor, and you could not find anyone better than Liz.

Meghan Benton

5/29/2018

Liz was a fantastic doula, and made a huge difference to my birth experience! She has an amazing calming presence and was able to really quickly tune into what I needed - before, during, and after the birth. She has a huge amount of emotional intelligence and ability to read people, and was able to say exactly the right thing at the right moment - seamlessly moving from positive reinforcement, to humor, to technical information depending on what I needed at a particular time. She is also extremely knowledgable about birth and draws on a very rich personal experience of motherhood and four very different births of her own, and I really appreciated this mix of expertise, personal experience, and the sheer number of women and families she has supported. I wish I had also taken Liz's hypnobirthing class as we found her a little too late (after we had already completed a class), and would definitely take this and use her again as our doula next time!

amanda kloer

5/22/2018

Liz was my doula for the births of both of my daughters and my hypnobirthing instructor, and I could not recommend her more. She brought an incredible calmness and peaceful energy to the whole birth preparation and birthing experience, both through her hypnobirthing instruction and her support as a doula before and during birth. When I had discouraging doctors appointments with doctors who tried to steer me away from the type of birth I wanted, Liz was there to remind me that I was strong and my body was capable. When things didn't always go according to plan during labor, Liz was calm and supportive of my needs and choices. She had great recommendations for positions and approaches to manage surges, and was supportive when I decided I wanted an epidural -- it really was all about the type of birth experience I wanted. The breathing techniques Liz taught me also helped me have very short pushing stages of labor both times. 

In the end I had two empowering, successful births where I felt in control and calm the whole time -- and Liz is a big part of making that possible. I think everyone should have a doula with them when giving birth, and I can't say enough great things about Liz in particular. I always felt at ease and empowered with her. 

Beth E

4/25/2018

Liz was an amazing asset and presence during both of my pregnancies and the successful unmedicated vaginal birth of two healthy babies. Labor and delivery were very different with each pregnancy and Liz was able to support me in different ways with both. She is an incredibly calming presence, providing a comforting touch when I couldn’t bear to be touched by anyone else. I struggle to put into words what she brings as a doula and birth partner. This is not a job for her, but a mission and a calling, and you can see and feel it in everything she does. Liz also took some beautiful pictures of the birth of my daughter earlier this year, which I will forever cherish, and also helped me work through some significant breastfeeding issues in the early weeks with my daughter. I feel so lucky to have had Liz as part of my birth team, and could not recommend her and the beautiful community she has built at Balanced Birth Support more highly.

christian litwiller

4/18/2018

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!

We were referred to Liz by our midwife (Michelle Powers) and could not have been happier with Liz and with her practice in general.

My wife and I are out of towners just in DC for a few years on a military tour and dont have any family in the area but the way Liz is really made us feel like she was our family through the whole pregnancy (and during the labor too!).

Of course Liz was always available to answer the random/off hour questions that come up during a pregnancy but it was her confident nature and ability to build our own confidence levels that really put us at ease.  Extremely knowledgable and extremely personable Liz made us feel prepared and gave us the tools we needed for labor.

She also knows that each pregnancy is different and the hopes/plans for each pregancy change the moment labor starts. With that understanding/perspective she was very supportive when after a long labor we decided to break from our plan and get an epidural.. confident, calm guidance after 40 hours of labor was an absolute game changer - we dont know how we would have done it without her.

When the hard decision to try for a forceps delivery before going in for a c-section was laid out before us, a quick (And probably panicked looking) glance to Liz and she knew we needed more info and, typical to her presence throughout the delivery, she calmly explained the procedure and common risks/concerns for parents in our position. 

Very intuitive, very calming, never judgmental or critical - if you want to have someone who treats you lovingly and with compassion (and can take some of the most moving pictures of you and your spouse) then Liz is your gal!

We are moving away soon but have already told Liz we are going to make her come to whereever we get orders to next to help with our next baby!

Julie Anderson

4/17/2018

As my husband says, "Liz was our angel" during the entire prep, labor and delivery, and post-partum experiences.  We could not have worked with a doula who was a better fit for our needs and preferences.  She was like a friend, mom, and health care extraordinare during labor and delivery.  She helped us make informed decisions about when to go to the hospital and even held my hand during every contraction.  Liz helped me feel strong and empowered during my natural childbirth journey and always respected my decisions.  We can't say enough wonderful things about Liz!  

Stephanie Edelman

4/2/2018

My husband and I had a truly wonderful experience working with Liz for the birth of our first baby. She is an incredible doula, passionate and deeply invested in the families she works with and their birth experiences. Liz established a great rapport with us from our first meeting, and it quickly felt as though she was an old family friend we had known for years. Her warmth, kindness, wealth of knowledge, and calming presence were invaluable throughout my pregnancy, during the birth process, and post-partum.

She was a great source of reassurance and support when, at 36 weeks, I found out my baby was breech. She answered all of my questions and helped me think through the situation, recommended an excellent acupuncturist and chiropractor to help better position baby, and supported us through a medical procedure to manually turn the baby, which was successful.

Liz was an integral part of our labor and delivery experience, and I can’t imagine having gone through it without her. She was amazing at providing physical and emotional support to both my husband and me: she helped tremendously with pain management, and did a terrific job at making sure we were informed and empowered to make choices that were right for us, especially when things did not go according to our birth plan and we had to make some difficult decisions. Although I ended up having to have a C-section, it was a very profound and beautiful birth, and we're very grateful that Liz was such a pivotal part of it.   She helped us to remain positive and calm, and it felt very special for her to meet our baby.

Her postpartum care and help with breastfeeding is wonderful, too. I could rave about her endlessly,  but I'm running up against the character limit, so in closing, Liz is a fantastic doula and human being, and I also highly recommend her comprehensive childbirth class!

April Graham

3/30/2018

From the moment we contacted Liz at Balanced Birth Support, she was friendly, kind, professional, and knowledgeable. She cares so deeply for what she does and for supporting a community of parents. She was completely on board with our desire to have a natural, hypnobirth and she supported us every step of the way. Throughout the delivery, she encouraged me to trust my body, and trust myself, and to breath. And we had an even better birth than we could have planned.  I am so proud of my birth story; my baby entered the world quickly, calmly, and quietly - and I owe that to Liz. After my little man arrived, Liz stayed by my side, helped me breastfeed, and held my hand while the doctors attended to me and my husband went with our son to get weighed and tested. She stayed with our family and continued to support us until we were moved into the Mother-Baby Unit, and then followed up once we were home to offer further support as we adjusted to life with a newborn. I am so grateful to Liz, and so glad to have had her by my side for the birth of my son!

Elizabeth Connor

3/5/2018

From the first time we spoke, Liz was incredibly supportive and seemed to know exactly what I was looking for regarding hypnobirthing. She is very empathetic and it is clear she loves what she does! She was available by text, email, phone whenever we had questions throughout my pregnancy. And finally - when it came to the delivery, she was 100% there for us through my entire 30 hour labor! She had many great ideas to ease my pain and help progress labor. My husband and I are so glad we had her by our side every step of the way! Thank you Liz!!! I plan to use her for our next birth as well! 

grace pulido

1/24/2018

Working with Liz was a fabulous experience—we wish we had worked with her for the delivery of our first child as well! I was very anxious during this pregnancy, and Liz walked me through how to express my needs and desires to my doctors effectively. Would highly recommend her to anyone looking to work with a doula. 

Brooke Biz Becker

1/16/2018

As soon as we met Liz there was an instant connection between us.  After meeting her it seemed like we had known each other for years.  She listened to us about our previous birthing experience and things that we wanted to do the same, and things that we wanted to do differently. She supported our decisions and allowed us to ask questions. She shared her experiences and gave us other options we didn’t know or think about. When she enters the room, she brings a tranquil, confident presence that was exactly what we needed during the delivery. She was super supportive and reassured me when I strayed from my birth plan. When I was having back pain during contractions, she knew the exact place on my back to apply pressure to help alleviate the pain. She was wonderful with my husband, the nurses, the midwife, and our amazing birth photographer. We feel blessed that she was our doula. She is one of a kind and will always have a special place in our hearts. Truly a kindred spirit!

Vasantha Rao-Dowling

1/13/2018

Liz was my doula for the recent birth of my second child, which was a VBAC birth. I had had a traumatic experience with my first birth that resulted in an emergency c-section and a lot of anxiety about having a more positive birth experience this time around. Liz came highly recommended and I am so incredibly grateful to have found her. Throughout my pregnancy she was available and supportive through my many concerns and always made me feel more calm and confident about the birthing process. Liz has a wonderful way about her—soothing and calm—and her and my husband’s presence during my precipitous 2nd labor gave me the confidence to have a successful VBAC. I cannot day enough wonderful things about her and if I ever decide to have more kids, she will be one of my first phone calls! Liz will always have a special place in my heart for the joy she helped bring to my family, and for helping me have the birthing experience I have always wanted.

Deanna RP

1/4/2018

Rarely is there a time where a woman is so open, at times, vulnerable, then during pregnancy, labor, and delivery of her child. Elizabeth (Liz) Oldham is a Doula not only to me, but to my husband, too, at a time in our lives where we awaited children for a very long time. Liz took the time to understand the circumstances my husband and I endured to arrive at having children. She is the kind of professional who pays attention to details, such as when first speaking with you and in truly taking into account the particulars associated with respecting ideas, providing suggestions, giving encouragement, and of course, in answering the many pregnancy-related questions that arise in such a momentous occasion of a person's life. Liz is so dedicated to being a highly-dependable Doula that my husband and I could not overlook her impeccable time management skills - quite frankly, my little one arrived before the EDD & she didn't have to be present during our labor & delivery, as she was with another patient-client who was in L&D. Yet, Liz is so committed to what she loves that she somehow was present during our L&D when it mattered most. Now that ladies & gentlemen is dedication and love of her profession! She even had another Doula, Mary N., be by our side, who was another Godsend and a very strong person, incredibly kind, and has a great sense of humor (laughing during labor is actually a good thing :). My husband and I highly recommend Liz and her team at Balanced Birth Support. 

Henry Crowder

10/25/2017

From start to finish, simply amazing. My wife suggested we find a doula and fully aware of my limited knowledge regarding birth, I quickly agreed. I never imagined it would, without question be our the best decision! That's saying a lot as we REALLY also loved our hospital and midwives! After selecting Liz to be our doula we decided to take her Hypnobirthing class to get to know her better. This reaffirmed our initial feeling that she was the right choice while really opening our eyes to hypnobirthing as well.

As we approached our due date, Liz was always available to help with any questions or concerns. Our baby girl was born 15 days late and Liz was instrumental in assisting both myself and Julie(wife) to stay positive, upbeat and calm during the long wait. When I couldn't find the right words, Liz was just a call or text away offering support and helpful articles.

I'm not exaggerating when I say literally no part of our delivery went according to our birth plan. We were induced, induction caused what I can only describe as involuntary pushing although she was only 3cm dilated, had an epidural, baby was sunny side up, pushed for over three hours, had an emergency C section which required putting Julie under general anesthesia and didn't allow me in the operating room. Yet somehow still felt positive about our experience. In large part because Liz was right there explain what was happening, offering guidance and assuring us that each difficult decision we made was the right one.

Liz even had one of her other doula's Avele there helping us too. I could go on and on about Avele as well, but I'm running out of characters! While Liz had to step away briefly to help another client with Avele it was like she never left. Avele even stay and captured some of our most prized pictures.

Balance Birth Support you won't regret it.

Amelia Scholtz

10/25/2017

Upon interviewing Liz, my husband and I were struck by her combination of experience, competence, humor, and warmth. This first impression was confirmed time and time again during the hypnobirth classes she led and a labor extending over several days in hospital. When I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and admitted to hospital for an induction a day after my baby was due, I was scared and disappointed that the birth would not unfold as I had hoped. Fortunately, Liz provided a reassuring presence, drawing on her extensive experience to walk us through how things might proceed during the induction and bringing us back to the lessons we had learned in her classes. Looking back, I'm amazed that, thanks in great part to Liz's presence and expertise, there were times of fun and even joy during an otherwise challenging 5-day induction process. In those long days, Liz was available whenever we needed her help. She even remained in the hospital for the final 24 hours of the induction, working harmoniously with hospital clinicians, with whom she has great relationships and a stellar reputation. If you're looking for someone who will provide both emotional support when you're struggling and the experience to help you think through some tough decisions, Liz is the best of the best. 

Anne Holsinger

9/19/2017

Liz was a pleasure to work with, and an enormous help both in preparing a birth plan and helping me and my husband make informed decisions as labor progressed. I had a very long labor, and she was available for advice during the early stages, then stayed with us for over 18 hours at the hospital. She offered suggestions for labor positions and pain management techniques, and provided emotional support. Her calm, gentle presence made labor far more bearable. My husband and I are both so glad that we hired Liz, and would absolutely work with her again in the future.

David and Asami Walrath

8/13/2017

We hired Liz for the birth of our first child and it was one of the best decisions we ever made.  We couldn't imagine having a child without her by our side.  First and foremost, Liz is a great listener.  She listened to what we wanted for our birth and did whatever she could to provide what we wanted.  She also has a lot of experience, and has built personal relationships with the nurses and midwives at our hospital, which really helped us on the day of our child's birth.  She has a very mellow personality and is very easy to get along with, which we certainly wanted when choosing our doula.  We felt very comfortable with Liz and knew that we were in good hands.  We plan on recommending her and Balanced Birth Support to any of our friends that are having a baby.

Kieran Kessler

7/10/2017

Liz was absolutely awesome, a true asset to not only our birth experience, but throughout our pregnancy as well!  I can barely express in words what she added to our birth experience, but I will try.  Liz was consistently professional throughout all of our interactions, but she was able to combined that naturally with friendliness and comfort.  She had a wealth of knowledge on all subjects birth and baby - there were several times throughout my pregnancy where I reached out to her with questions and she always provided clear, concise and thorough answers.  Liz was attentive and responsive.  When I reached out to her whether by phone, text or email she always answered promptly.

During my pregnancy we were thrown some pretty big curve balls and throughout all of them Liz stayed positive, calm and helpful by being there to answer questions, give objective advice and most importantly assure me that I was not crazy and that the feelings I was experiencing were normal.  That was something that truly made the difference in an overall calm, healthy pregnancy and birth.  We also took advantage of the Hypnobirthing class that Liz taught and it was phenomenal and really added guidance to our experience.  Liz was a great instructor.

My husband and I both feel that we could not have successfully completed this journey without her and fully plan to involve her in our future childrens births as well as keep her posted on our precious little Louie's life - since she was a major part of getting him into this world healthy and happy!

At the end of my experience working with her I feel as though I have gained, not only strong support for the future, but a friend.

I strongly reccommend working with Liz - she will be an asset in whatever capacity you choose to use her.

Yana Krinker

4/3/2017

Liz is fantastic! As a first time mom and the first of my friends to get pregnan, I was nervous about everything. Liz was such a calming presence in my birth journey. If I had a bad doctor visit or if I just wanted to talk through a decision I needed to make, Liz made herself available to listen, talk and offer words of wisedom. During my actual birth I relied on my husband for physical and emotional support and Liz for spiritual support. I don't know how else to put it. when it got tough, I remember feeling my husband holding me and talking to me, but I remember thinking "you have no idea what I am going through." Then I remember looking into Liz's eyes and her saying to me, "you can do it. You're doing great." And suddenly I felt like someone understood what i was going through, knew it was hard but at the same time knew I could do it. And suddenly I knew I could do it too. It was the moment when everything changed and I will always remember it. After the birth Liz was just as available as she was before the birth for advice and help when we had questions. I could not recommend Liz more highly! 

Corinne Bahner

3/29/2017

Even though my labor went differently than I initially planned, Liz played such a crucial role in still making the entire experience from pregnancy to post-partum absolutely perfect. Liz set such a warm, supportive atmosphere for labor, and I truly felt that she was 100% behind me no matter what my birth preferences were. I never felt that Liz had an agenda in trying to push me toward one type of birth - she only wanted for me to be educated about my options and to be able to articulate my own preferences to care providers, or be able to ask intelligent questions to arrive at the best option. For example, I initially planned on having an unmedicated birth, but later decided to get an epidural while I was at the hospital. Liz was incredibly supportive both of my initial plan to have an unmedicated birth, but she also was supportive when I decided to alter my plan and get an epidural. She also supported me when I was concerned toward the end of my pregnancy about being induced by discussing my options with me, and helping me become a better advocate for myself. Thanks to Liz, I was able to push out my induction date, and as a result, I went into labor spontaneously before the induction date.

At the hospital, Liz worked seamlessly with the labor and delivery nurses, and my two nurses complemented me on how kind, and wonderful to work with she was from their perspective.

After I gave birth, my daughter had to be taken to the NICU for several hours due to a complication, and my husband went with her to keep me updated on her progress. Because I had a healthy pregnancy, and this was my first birth, I was not prepared for the possibility that my daughter and husband might not be with me right after birth at a time when my hormones were surging. Thankfully, Liz was there to stay with me and provide me with reassurance and support.

Overall, having Liz as my doula was definitely the best decision I made for my "birth plan!"

Monica Marusceac

3/1/2017

Liz was our Doula for the VBAC birth of our second son, Mark. She was amazing! In every regard, Liz was a calm, confident, and experienced labor support provider. She did everything right. From the words that she said, to the soft touches, to the firm pressure on my tailbone during more strenuous parts of my labor, Liz knew exactly what to do at all times. She also integrated incredibly well with the birthing team at George Washington University Hospital. She was there when she needed to be, and she melted into the background when it was appropriate. I cannot recommend her more. I feel that working with Liz was  absolutely instrumental and critical to my successful VBAC. 

Kate McDonald

2/28/2017

Liz was our hypnobirthing instructor and doula. She was absolutely invaluable in supporting my unmedicated birth at a local hospital. As a first time mom, I desired an unmedicated birth but was unsure of whether I would ultimately go through with it. I felt comfortable having Liz as my doula because she is so nonjudgmental and seems committed to supporting families in whatever type of birth they choose. I knew that even with more medical interventions, Liz would be a valuable support person for my husband and I. Liz emphasized throughout our preparation and on my delivery day that my husband was my primary comfort measure.  She was so right. She was just as involved as we needed her to be during some phases of my labor and helped my husband to be my primary support person during other phases when that was what I needed. She came to our home and made helpful suggestions that helped me to labor at home for longer than I may otherwise have been able to. She helped my husband and I to assess when it was an appropriate time to head to the hospital. I ended up going to the hospital at just the right time - not too early and not too late.  At the hospital, Liz interacted seamlessly with the nurses, midwives, and physicians.  She is so sweet, I am confident she would get along beautifully with any and all medical personnel. Above all, Liz is simply just a very kind and nurturing person. She is soft-spoken but confident, and her mere presence is comforting, no matter the setting. She instilled me with so much confidence in Myself, which was an important tool for having a successful unmedicated birth. I can't say enough good things about Liz's presence at the birth of my daughter, and my husband and I will definitely have her with us at the birth again if we have another child.  In my view, that is the ultimate recommendation, that we would not consider having another birth without this amazing woman by our sides.

Ashley J. Chavous

11/20/2016

When I asked Liz to serve as my doula for my first pregnancy, I admittedly had a limited working knowledge of what a doula actually does. I knew that my husband and I were committed to bringing our baby into the world in the most natural, umedicated and stress-free manner possible, and I'd convinced him that we just needed a little help to achieve that goal. "Liz can be our coach," I urged. In actuality, Liz was so much more. From the weeks leading up to my delivery date to the days after we welcomed our daughter home, she supplemented (often, elucidated) my OB's medical advice, guided our early laboring and breathing exercise, and answered our many questions on pregnancy and parenting a newborn. But most importantly, in her own special way, Liz imparted a confidence, a serenity, a sense of empowerment that made me feel like Superwoman during labor, magically erasing all of my fears of accomplishing a natural childbirth and helping us succeed at our goal. This confidence absolutely has stayed with me in my nearly seven weeks of motherhood, and I pray it does forever.

Jessica Dalessio

10/11/2016

When my husband and I met Liz for our initial meeting, her calm and pleasant demeanor put us both at ease; and, we agreed she would be a perfect fit as our doula since we wanted to have as natural a delivery/birth as possible. Throughout my pregnancy, Liz was prompt in getting back to me through emailor telephone calls when I had questions. Mid-pregnancy, our doctor diagnosed our baby as “IUGR” and I called Liz right away since I was confused and needed an expert to help me process the information. Liz patiently listened and then offered her insight and experiences which ultimately calmed my nerves. Afterward, she provided me with articles to read about IUGR and a list of suggested questions for me to ask the doctor. Moreover, since our baby was breech (although we attempted to turn her via acupuncture and Liz’s suggested ‘Spinning Babies’ techniques, she just wouldn’t budge!) we needed to deliver via Cesarean Section. At first I was upset that I wouldn’t be able to experience a natural birth; and, since I never had surgery before, I was scared with the whole C-Section process/recovery. But again, Liz came to the rescue and armed me with positive C-Section birthing stories and suggested that we create a birthing plan to make the experience as natural as possible. Due to the preparation we did through Liz, our C-Section delivery ended up being a positive experience and we welcomed a healthy baby girl on 9/6/16. I highly recommend Liz to anyone who is looking to hire a doula since she provides tailored services to suite all her families’ needs.

Esther Cheng

9/30/2016

Liz is an amazing doula! She is everything you would want in a doula: calm, reassuring, and warm, and also extremely knowledgeable, professional, and trustworthy. During our prenatal session, she talked me through my fears about the birth and gave invaluable advice and encouragement. I also highly recommend her birth class -- my husband and I took her 1-day class, which was both engaging and informative, and we walked away feeling much more confident about the birth and armed with resources. During the birth, Liz was instrumental in providing support and guiding me through the unmedicated birth I wanted. While I felt abandoned by the hospital staff, she was there by my side the entire time, encouraging me, coaching me through particularly intense contractions, helping me relax, offering food and drinks, telling me what was happening when I was disoriented -- doing everything she could to help, big and small, and it made a world of a difference. My husband and I are so grateful she was there. Having Liz on board was by far one of the best decisions we made about the birth!

Ashley Spells

9/28/2016

I will not be able to describe how wonderful Liz is but here it goes.

I took Liz’s Birth Education Class before hand. It is very informative and well presented. Liz does a wondering job of giving a very comprehensive class. She gives you the info you need but does not overwhelm you.

She is very attentive. Anytime I had a question or concern she was always quick to respond via text or email. We we did our consult with her she also listens so well! She is able to truly understand your wishes as parents and guide you as your are preparing for birth. In those unsure days leading up to labor she was so much encouragement and reassurance.

During my long, long…Long (52hours in total) labor, Liz never left my side. Her heart of service towards me was unmatched. Gentle touches, affirming words, and a listening ear. It was especially wonderful to have her when my husband needed to sleep. She was there through the long hours of the night. She was also able to suggest several positions to labor in as well as maneuvers to get the babies head in a more optimal position.

From the first moments she arrived with us at our home she set a calm tone. She was able to advise when to start heading to the hospital. My husband was wonderful through birth and with me for most of it but when he could not be i.e…getting the car ready, food, sleep… Liz was there and there was not a beat missed. In our hospital room she brought white christmas lights that also helped to create a warm atmosphere. We kept those lights in our recovery room and all the nurses would mention how nice it felt in our room.

Liz’s selfless attention to myself, my husband and to our little boy was outstanding. Her kindness as a person is heard and felt by her demeanor. We are extremely grateful to have had Liz by our sides for one of the most important days of our lives. Thank you Liz!

Liz Rogers

9/25/2016

We knew from our very first meeting, that Liz was the perfect Doula to help us with the birth of our first child. My husband and I both felt instantly comfortable with Liz and confident in her vast knowledge and experience. Liz has a very calming presence and is inherently optimistic, which was exactly what I needed during labor. She clearly does not have a one size fits all approach to labor, but rather adapts to the unique circumstances of each birth and couple to provide the perfect level of support. She knew just what I needed in each stage of labor, which sometimes included stepping back and merely facilitating my ability to listen to my body to determine what I needed.

I had a very long (44 hours) and intense labor. Liz came to the hospital as soon as we said we needed her and stayed with us throughout, never waning in her support. She helped me overcome my doubts as to whether I could achieve the unmedicated labor I had desired (though I questioned it several times!). Not only did she support me, but she also supported my husband and helped him in his desire to be a very active participant in the birth of our son. She was a great advocate for me and an amazing birth coach. I am truly grateful for Liz’s friendship, support and reassurance. It is because of her that I was able to have the labor and delivery that I had always wanted - and that is the greatest gift. Although it didn’t go exactly as I envisioned, she helped me adapt to each obstacle to achieve my ultimate goal of having an unmedicated, spiritual birth. I cannot recommend Liz highly enough!

Alex Shank

9/17/2016

In brief, Liz was fantastic. She was kind, knowledgeable, easy to communicate with, and quick to respond to our concerns. She also took the time to understand us as a couple, and it was clear that she considered the individuality of our family as important in how she tailored her words, attitude, and overall approach to our prenatal, delivery, and postpartum experience. We could not ask for more.

Some specifics. Our delivery came with some unexpected complications: preeclampsia leading to a failed induction leading to a section, over the course of eight days in the hospital. Liz communicated with us consistently from the time we were admitted until she ultimately joined us, giving us space to process our experience while periodically checking on our needs. At the hospital, she made Michele as comfortable as possible over several long nights, tirelessly helping her through each contraction. Without placing a thumb on the scale, she helped us think through our delivery options when it became clear that a totally natural birth would not happen. And she supported Alex during the times when he could not maintain a strong face. Unsurprisingly, the midwives, nurses, and doctors treating us gave the highest praise when we told them that Liz was our doula. They welcomed her presence, and her presence lacked nothing in inspiring confidence and reassurance.

We highly recommend Liz to anyone and everyone, whatever your birth plan. In Liz, we feel that we gained more than a doula. We gained a friend.

Chrissy Hayden

7/18/2016

Liz is a birthworking super hero! Her presence not only through our birth, but from the time we first met, was calming and reassuring -- we knew from the start that she was the right doula for our family. She is kind, thoughtful and caring, as well as organized and communicative. She has a quiet confidence that immediately put both my husband and I at ease. 

While I was in labor, I had a moment of doubt and concern of whether or not I could achieve the unmedicated birth I had planned for. Liz showed up and began coaching me on breathing techniques that allowed me to work with, not against, my body. She knew just when to step in and provide the right, empowering words or touch and at other times gave my husband and I space to experience the moment together. Her suggestions for different birthing positions, changing locations in the room, and even the occasional massage (how luxurious!) made the experience far more comfortable. As an added bonus, as we were birthing at G.W., Liz had great relationships with several nurses and midwives there. 

Not only is Liz an amazing doula, one that we hope to birth with again if blessed with a second child, my husband and I felt like we made a friend. Birth is such an intimate experience and I am so happy to have been guided through it by Liz from prenatal to postpartum. Despite her kind reassurances to the contrary, I could not have naturally birthed our beautiful baby boy without her. Thank you, Liz! <3 

Ashling Thurmond

7/11/2016

We learned about hypnobirthing at a local store and signed up that night for a six week class.  Towards the end of the class, I knew that I wanted a doula to be a part of our birth story, and the instructor suggested Elizabeth Oldham (Liz).  As soon as I reached out, she responded quickly and with lots of helpful information about her services.  We knew right away that Liz was the doula for us.  She is compassionate and kind and feels like a friend you have known forever.  She answered all kinds of questions for us and provided us with so much support- both before and during birth.  There's no way I could have had the natural birth that I wanted without Liz.  We decided to meet her at the hospital the day of our birth and as soon as I saw her she helped me calm myself and relax.  The affirmations and reassurance she offered immediately put me at ease.  She helped me reach a state of calm that so great that the nurse didn't even know I was having a contraction.  She helped me labor in a variety of positions and even got me into the shower and sprayed water all over my body to help me relax.  She was there every step of the way providing immeasurable support- from the little things like pulling my hair up to the big things like talking me through self-doubt and fear when things got tough.  

Liz also offered amazing support to my husband.  She made sure he had something to eat and offered him breaks during my labor.  Her soothing nature supported him and allowed him to play a bigger role in our daughter's birth.  

I can't speak highly enough of Liz.  She will always have our gratitude and a special place in our hearts.  She was a part of something so incredibly special and part of the reason why it was so special was her kindness and wonderful spirit.

Mimi Wiscombe

5/22/2016

Everett Jung Wiscombe born at 1:24 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. Our baby arrived two full weeks past Mimi's estimated due date, and we were determined to pursue natural birth which we continually sought a second opinion and reassurance on our decision from Liz. After over 30 hours of labor Mimi's many hours of breathing and hard work paid off brilliantly–suffering changed to awe and ecstasy in a moment.

When we had arrived at the hospital by 2 am Monday, Liz had arrived and was ready to go, and she was by our every side. The hypnobirthing training we took with Liz was essential and in the postpartum days since, we've concluded that natural birth is a mental struggle foremost. Liz, in her in-home postpartum visit had said that had any one of many events gone differently, Mimi would have been an easy candidate for cesarian birth. We owe a great debt to Liz for her unflagging support from beginning to end–even as she held Mimi's hand and helped her breathe through all the wrapup procedures.

Liz was attentive and present throughout with cold compresses, water refills, foot rubs, hours of quiet verbal reassurance, photo documenting the birth, pre-birth training, post-partum care, etc. Liz's services were invaluable. We have already started recommending her to the next family member who plans to have children!

Minutes after the birth of our baby boy, our midwife said, "As a child is born, so shall he live. This is why we do natural birth!"

Thank you, Liz, for painting a picture for us of what birth can be and for making Everett's indroduction to life in this world a glorious one! Whether she can be with us for our future children or not, needless to say, we are Hypnobirthing converts and whole heartedly recommend this as preparation for natural birth coupled with Liz as your doula.

-Mimi, Steve & Everett Wiscombe

Steve Wiscombe

5/21/2016

I penned this a couple days after my wife Mimi gave birth to our first child, a litte boy. 

"Everett Jung Wiscombe born at 1:24 pm on tuesday Nov 3rd. After over 30 hours of labor Mimi's many hours of breathing and hard work paid off brilliantly--suffering changed to awe and ecstasy in a moment." 

"The hypnobirthing training was essential and in the post partum days since we've concluded that natural birth is a mental struggle foremost. Liz, in her post. p. visit yesterday said that had anyone of many events gone differently, Mimi would have been and easy canidate for cesarian birth. We owe a great debt to Liz for her unflagging support from beginning to end."

At some point near the very end of that 30 hour ordeal, Liz slipped out quietly for about 10 minutes to take a break. Otherwise she was present and attentive throughout. Cold compresses, water refills, foot rubs, hours of quiet verbal reassurance, photo documenting the birth, pre-birth training, post-partum care etc., Liz's services were invaluable. One chief regret we had in moving from Virginia this year was that Liz wouldn't be able to attend the births of future children.

Minutes after his birth, our mid-wife at GW, Whitney Pinger said, "As a child is born, so shall he live. This is why we do natural birth!" 

Thank you Liz for painting a picture for us of what birth can be and for making Everett's indroduction to life in this world a glorious one! Whether she can be with us for of future children or not, needless to say, we are Hypnobirthing converts and whole heartedly recommend this as preparation for natural birth.  

-Mimi, Steve & Everett Wiscombe 

Katherine Ramish

4/24/2016

Working with Liz was one of the best decisions my husband and I made during my pregnancy!  I had a good feeling about her from the moment we met -- she is incredibly warm, empathetic, positive, and calm -- all of the qualities you need in a doula.

She was exceptionally helpful during my final trimester -- discussing the birth process and my concerns about it in detail, recommending wonderful practicioners (excellent chiropractic and acupuncture help), helping me refine my birth preferences sheet, and checking in regularly to make sure we felt positive and prepared.  We also took her comprehensive one-day class, which did a wonderful job of covering how labor may progress and providing very helpful pain management techniques.

During the actual birth, Liz's help was invaluable.  I ended up with a last-minute induction for medical reasons, and struggled emotionally to wrap my head around the change of plans.  Liz was instrumental in helping my husband and I remain positive about the experience (I was very apprehensive about Pitocin, for example, and Liz gave me the confidence to realize I could still fulfill my goal of laboring without pain meds).  Throughout labor she provided much-needed support for my husband as well, making sure he was able to get quick breaks to eat and working with him to make sure I always had someone I trusted by my side.  Liz had great attention to detail, and provided thoughtful touches to help me relax despite the somewhat tense circumstances -- she even set up battery operated tealights so that I could shower in a spa-like environment!  She worked seamlessly and collaboratively with the nurses and my OBs -- in fact, my doctor (who was initially skeptical of doulas) even asked for her card, which I thought was a remarkable testament to Liz's skill.

I could go on and on...I truly appreciate all of her support, and can't recommend Liz highly enough!

Christina Sheets

4/21/2016

To get ready for labor my husband and I took a lot of classes and we practiced relaxation techniques every night in the third trimester…well, we might have missed a few nights! We started with a full day comprehensive childbirth class and we also took a 5-week hypnobirthing class. All of these were instructed by Liz Oldham. We opted for hypnobirthing because I wanted to learn the relaxation techniques I could call on during labor in the hopes of having an un-medicated birth. We learned so much from Liz and at the very least I can confidently say that we went into this process ready to make very informed decisions! After meeting Liz at the one-day comprehensive child birth class we knew we wanted her to be our Doula. She’s fun, has done this personally (4 times!), and is a huge emotional support. I was a very nervous pregnant woman (I’m a worrier anyway, but there were legitimate family experiences weighing on my mind) and I knew I wanted to have someone there that would make me feel more at ease. Especially since we wanted to labor at home for as long as possible before going to the hospital and we knew we wouldn’t have an opportunity to meet the Midwife or Doctor that would deliver William before I went into labor. Liz was my warm fuzzy comfort blanket, she had a calming energy and I loved her extensive knowledge about everything having to do with pregnancy and birth.

Joanna Wade

4/4/2016

I was torn over which doula to hire as there are so many in the NOVA area. Liz was the most impressive to meet in person. Very experienced and professional and peaceful. After hiring her, we were reassured over and over of all the right reasons why she was a match for us. She was available before birth with any questions. She knows so many midwives and care providers in the industry. It's likely that she's worked with your care team before! My favorite part about Liz is how she served my husband too. His birth experience and emotions matter. She had a great way of connecting with both of us throughout the labor. I felt like she was in awe of my strength and spirit and how I handled labor and I felt beautiful and comfortable being natural and myself around her. She had so many helpful tricks up her sleeve for pain management and to get labor to progress! That was absolutely invaluable. Her experience with hypnobirthing and spinning babies and rebozo all came in handy! We are so thankful for Liz and her contribution to pregnancy and birth. I have no idea how things would've been different without her... probably a lot longer and harder!

Mirentxu Meyer

4/2/2016

Liz is hands down one of the most amazing people I've ever met. We had lined up several interviews with potential doulas, but after our skype session with Liz, we couldn't imagine birthing with anyone else and cancelled the rest. Prenatal, she remained in close contact and even battled a snowstorm to keep our one-on-one session. Even postpartum, she continuously checked in and was able to provide an array of resources and recommendations (always within minutes).

Before, during, and after the birth, Liz created a calming, soothing, as well as empowering environment for my husband and I. She instilled a sense of confidence in myself even though I was nervous and dreading the process a second time. Her judgement-free and supportive approach, made us feel secure in both our birth plan and also should we need to deviate from it. With numerous births under her belt as well as her own four lovely children, she has the breath and depth of knowledge and experience to be your strongest advocate.

With Liz, I had the most wonderful birthing experience. She provided the tools and support needed for me to remain relaxed and in control through every contraction. Through affirmations, gentle massages, calming guidance, and relaxation techniques, she always said and did exactly what I needed to hear or feel. She never left our side for over 24 hours - from our walks out in the brisk early morning air, to the backseat of our car, and the floor of the labor and delivery room. I'm so thankful I had the natural birth I had wished for and couldn't have imagined doing any of it without her.

I highly recommend Liz as a doula, regardless of the type of birth you plan or expect to have.

Mariko Iwata

3/2/2016

I'm so happy to have had Liz at my birth. She was encouraging and supportive throughout. She created such a calming effect and I truly felt empowered throughout. This was my first baby, so I didn't know what to expect. I had a long labor (26 hours) and could not have done it without her!

Avele Conlogue

1/12/2016

We could not be happier with our experience with Liz as our doula.  We met at her hypnobirthing class and knew immediately that her energy, positive attitude, experience and approach to labor and delivery was exactly what we were looking for during the birth of our first child.  She met with us for a prenatal meeting, was available for consultations leading up to the birth - and ultimately ended up being there for dayS (plural) while I labored. Liz shares her in-depth knowledge from extensive training AND her personal experience as a mom of four - all without judgement.  She respects your individual birth preference and creates a comfortable space for you and your partner to create the birth experience you want. While I had envisioned and planned for a very different labor and delivery experience than I ultimately had, Liz was there throughout the entire journey offering reassurance, encouragement, laughter and support for me and my partner.  We both felt like she was a long time friend sharing in the experience, not just our doula. I can't provide a strong enough endorsement for what her being there during the birth provided for us as first time parents.  

Emi Eiting

11/5/2015

I've said it to friends and I've said it Liz herself--- I would never have another baby without Liz there! Truly, my husband and I can't recommend her highly enough. We hired her when I was still quite early in my pregnancy. Because it was our first baby, and because there were a few unexpected bumps along the way we had a lot of questions. Liz was always available via text, email or phone to answer questions, offer moral support, and provide professional consult.   

We also took her hypnobirthing class in preparation for labor. The information we received in class really empowered us to think about for what we wanted in our birth experience in a way I'd never done before. We wound up switching OB practices to make sure we got what we needed from our team. I was worried about switching practices so late in the game (35 weeks!) but Liz assured me that it could be done without worry---and should be done if that's what I felt was the right thing. In the end I couldn't have been happier with the switch!

In the hospital Liz was amazing. From the moment she arrived she was 100% focused on me and the baby. I felt calmer knowing that she was there to offer suggestions for pain management and a constant narrative of positive support/reminders to breathe! I had planned on an unmedicated birth, but I'm not entirely certain I would have actually managed to do it without Liz's support. Even our midwife commented on how great our doula was, and you have to assume she's seen a lot of them in her 20+ years of practice. 

If you're looking for someone to support you all the way through---someone who believes that women deserve to be empowered to give birth to their babies without fear----someone who truly loves what she does and is wonderful at it--- then you should hire Liz. You should hire her now before someone else does!  

Sarah Hastings

10/25/2015

Liz was such an amazing support person during my delivery.  My labor was very intense, likely becaue my daughter had her hand by her face the whole time.  Liz was not only calm and encouraging throughout the labor, but also had very practical tips that helped me deal with the pain naturally.  Liz was also great with my husband and mom, who were with me during the labor--she helped them know how to help me.  I doubt I could have had the medication-free birth that I wanted without Liz's help!  Liz was also a great resource after the birth, both immediately afterwards and after we went home.

Samantha Illangasekare

10/22/2015

My husband and I were so grateful for the incredible support Liz gave us during my pregnancy, labor, and the birth of our daughter. We were both on the fence about hiring a doula at first, but felt so comfortable with Liz after we met her for the first time that we knew it would be worth it and that she would be someone we could imagine being with us during such intense and intimate moments. She proved to be everything we were hoping for and more! First, Liz taught a birthing class for us in our home, which was incredibly comprehensive and helpful as first time parents. Having the class one-on-one allowed us to ask specific questions and practice strategies that we could use to labor at home and at the hospital. It also allowed us to get to know Liz even better, since we spent almost 4 hours with her! It was so reassuring to know that in the weeks and days before my due date, I could text or call Liz if I felt like I might be having contractions and get her thoughts on what to do - she was super responsive and answered my texts within seconds. When I did finally go into labor, my husband was able to keep in incredibly close communication with Liz and she was with us at home and at the hospital for my final 12+ hours of labor. The entire time, she was a source of encouragement when I got tired, reassurance when I didn't know if what I was feeling was normal, and strength when I didn't think I could labor any longer. She also helped my husband in a really subtle way to learn how to coach me and provide me the support I needed. She was clearly comfortable at the hospital and knew her way around. Finally, she helped us out with some very practical and absolutely critical things, like moving our car at the hospital so that it wouldn't get towed, getting coffee for my husband at the 11th hour, and giving me a sip of Coke for some last minute energy to push! I can't imagine getting through the whole process without Liz - she is the absolute best!!

Mary Smith

10/21/2015

My husband and I hired Liz as both a Birth Doula and a HypnoBirthing Instructor. We are so lucky to have been referred to her! As a Health Researcher and someone who feels that learning is a life-long endeavor, I was impressed with and appreciative of Liz’s fountain of knowledge that comes from both her personal and professional experience and extensive training. She has a very calm, gentle, and relaxed nature and as a result, you can’t help but feel calmer and more relaxed after spending time with her, which was so important in my case. I had a lot of emotional baggage left over from my previous birth experience and with her help was able to let go of a lot of anxiety and negative feelings. My birthing experience with Liz was the polar opposite of my previous experience. She empowered me to let go of negative energy and be positive and work with my body – and it worked!! With her guidance and encouragement I was able to have a natural birth without drugs, without fear, without anxiety, and without pain (something I was originally very skeptical of). I am also grateful to the support and encouragement she gave during my many ‘false starts’ prior to the birth and when I got to the point when I thought real labor would never begin. She made me feel comfortable enough to reach out to her and each time I did, she put me at ease and geared me back to feeling positive and calm. During a home visit after the birth she also helped lift me up when I was having a difficult time breastfeeding. Her visit and words of encouragement snapped me out of my funk and helped me feel more positive about all the good things that I was doing but losing sight of. I would love for every woman/couple to also have a positive, natural birth experience and with Liz as their Doula and/or HypnoBirthing Instructor, it is possible!

Kaitlin Johnson

10/3/2015

We simply could not have asked for a better doula than Liz. She is wonderfully kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and has a calm, soothing demeanor perfect for a nervous first time mom. We felt incredibly comfortable with her from the first time we met her and her presence and support during the birth of my son helped me though a challenging labor. I really feel like Liz was the key component in allowing me to have a positive birth experience. She works seamlessly with the medical staff and is completely focused on helping and providing emotional support. I have already recommended Liz to several pregnant friends. Hiring her was one of the best decisions we made during my pregnancy!

Brooke Eberly

9/23/2015

When my husband and i decided we wanted to hire a doula we knew that the most important thing to us was to find someone that we instantly felt comfortable with, like we had always known them. We figured we were going to have to interview a lot of people to find this exact person that we wanted to invite into out most intimate and private moment, the birth of our daughter. Elizabeth Oldham was recommended to us from another doula in the area who was not able to make our birth. From the moment we opened the door to meet her for the first time we both knew that it was the right fit. My pregnancy and brith did not go anywhere close to as planned, but all along the way Liz was extremely supportive and made me feel good about everything to come. She always let me know that my birth was going to be beautiful and special no matter what way she came into the world. My daughter was in the breech position and I tried to have her turned at 37 weeks. Liz came with us to the hospital and supported us through this procedure. I never got to experience labor, but through this I know that she would have been the exact type of support that I needed. I ended up having a scheduled C Section and having Liz there was the best choice we ever made. She was a huge support for my husband when i was in the surgery. I ended up having to go under and he couldn't be there with me, she was his rock. The hours after her birth my husband was alone with our daughter and Liz supported him through the whole thing. I feel so blessed that Liz was there for us and I don't know if breastfeeding would have been as successful if she hadn't been there. The doctors said I couldn't breastfeed right away because I was still out of it, but Liz brought our daughter over and put her right on me. She and my husband held her there while I couldn't. Liz is amazing and we will always have a special place for her in our hearts. 

Tara Croan

8/11/2015

From the moment we met Liz, we knew that she was a very special person and was the one we wanted there for the birth of our baby. I ended up having a pretty stressful and complicated pregnancy and Liz was the best support that I had throughout it. She always made herself available, was a great listener, shared her knowledge and experiences, provided invaluable emotional support, and was a great sounding board for decisions during my prenatal care. If Liz didn't know the answer to something, she was always quick to research and network - whether it was for referrals or for specific medical issues.

I was really hoping for a VBAC; however, our second baby was also breech (!). Liz was very helpful and knowledgeable in giving us suggestions to try to encourage our baby to turn and link us with the best additional providers (e.g., chiropractor). Ultimately, our baby didn't turn and we scheduled a C-section. I was concerned when we were deciding whether to hire a doula that it be a waste of money if I needed another C-sec. Well, we feel so fortunate that Liz was there with us throughout that day! She helped us keep a light mood while we anxiously waited, worked collaboratively with the medical staff and encouraged me to address all of our questions/concerns, was a calming presence in the OR, and took a ton of pictures of our son’s arrival! Liz’s presence was especially crucial post-partum. She knew that I was nervous about getting off to a good start breastfeeding due to difficulties with my first child, so she stayed with us for multiple feeding attempts – helping with latching and was incredibly encouraging. During our post-partum visit at our home, she was also wonderful with our 2yo, helping her adjustment to the new baby. If you’re considering hiring Liz, you won’t regret it! She’s one of the most positive, caring, passionate, dedicated, calming, and supportive people you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing!

Emily McMahan

7/24/2015

I used Elizabeth Oldham as my doula for the births of two of my children. She is a wonderful resource who I would recommend to any family considering a doula. I was always impressed with how well she listenened and how calm she is. She makes sure to always make you feel like your thoughts and concerns are important and valid. She's also very organized and runs a great business behind the scenes. I whole heartedly endorse her services and would use her again in a heartbeat (if I was planning on having another baby!). Good luck -  

Carrie Conway

7/17/2015

Elizabeth assisted me during the birth of my daughter in April 2015.  I can't say enough positive things about her.  She was responsive and helpful prior to, during and after the birth.  I appreciated her openess and non-judgemental approach.  She respected my individual wishes and never imposed her opinions on us.   I wouldn't hestitate referring her to those that are interested in doula services.  She has been a tremendous resource for me and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience her services.

Christina Kim

3/30/2015

I was very happy to have Liz as my doula! I picked Liz because she has a very calming demeanor, but was firm and take charge when it mattered. I instantly felt comfortable with her and knew I would be at ease with having her be part of the birth team.   

Prenatally, it was very helfpul to have her review my birth plan. She had me think about procedures/test for myself and baby that I had not even thought about. She was responsive and followed up regularly. 

My labor started with my water breaking, but no signs of contractions, and it put me at ease being able to talk to Liz when I couldn't get a hold of my midwives immediately. After labor picked up and proceeded quickly overnight my husband called her early in the morning and she met us at the hospital. 

The actual pushing part was a complete blur, but Liz became an integral part of the birthing team when she arrived at the hospital. My charley horses were massaged out, my legs were continuously held open while pushing, and a lot of supportive words and coaching was given. 

And I really appreciated the food/snacks she brought during our post-natal meeting. It was great working with Liz and I would recommend her to any of my pregnant friends. 

Chloe S

9/22/2014

Liz is amazing! Even from our first phone call, Liz had a way of soothing my anxieties about birth. As my pregnancy progressed, she was a wonderful resource. I couldn't have asked for more from her during labor - it was amazing how much more confident and relaxed I felt just having her there.

My labor lasted for 48 hours and my medical team changed several times, but Liz was a constant source of support through all of it. She talked to me through every stage of labor, recognizing signs before I did. She made sure I was drinking, she walked the halls with me, she provided counter pressure, she had ideas for new positions, she recentered me whenever I needed it, she had peppermint oil ready when I felt nauseated. And after the birth, Liz helped us establish breastfeeding.

I just hope Liz is available when we have our next child because we will hire her again in a heartbeat!

Mary T Stiles

9/15/2014

My daughter is 8 weeks old.

Liz Oldham served as the birth doula for my natural birth with the midwives at GW.

Moreover, she taught our hypno birthing course to us in the privacy of our home. Those sessions with her were excellent for three reasons: 1) the class moved at our pace and was coordinated around our busy work schedules, 2) the hypno birthing helped me labor and deliver without any epidural or drugs and 2) having spent so much time with Liz in the classes, we were very comfortable with her when the big day came.

The labor was 27 hours long, and the pushing lasted six hours. Liz was phenomenal. She was a constant source of comfort and strength for my husband and me.

At the time of the actual birth, my husband was holding one leg and Liz was holding the other. She could not have been more involved!

Her calm, supportive demeanor combined with her immense strength and stamina make her perfect for this job.

My husband and I look forward to using her for any and all future pregnancies! We recommend her without reservation.

Alicia Whitney

3/26/2014

Liz was the second doula we spoke with and we basically just loved her feel from the start. She had a great way of explaining to us how she viewed her role and what we could expect throughout the whole process. Liz described her role similar to that of a sherpa or trail guide. We had yet to climb this "mountain"/ever have a baby, and she said to think of it as if, at a time when we might come across something scary or seemingly insurmountable in our path, we could look to her for guidance as she's been there before and could help us with options and a plan, but to realize it was really up to us. That description was why we went with her.

She was equal parts organized, professional and laid-back. We felt like we'd known her a lot longer than we had, which is important when you are talking about someone you're about to get REALLY personal with.

We felt as calm possible going into the birth, and this prepared feeling was thanks in large part to constant support and check-ins from Liz. She was a great resource for HypnoBirthing, even though we weren't taking her official class-you can really just tell that she loves what she does and she really wants to help every family welcome their newest little one as close to their ideal plan as possible.

She ended up being the perfect resource. She was able to be 100% empathetic and read the room to give both me and my husband exactly what we needed. From holding the bucket for me to vomit in (sorry!) to making sure my husband was fed or going to move our car so that he wouldn't have to leave my side, she made every one and every thing more at ease.

Our goal was to have a completely natural birth and she was such a great part of making that a reality for us, from our first consult through all the breathing and until the last push. She even introduced us to an amazing birth story photographer, Becci Ames, which was just icing on the awesome cake. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

Nicole Spencer

3/25/2014

Liz was an amazing presence while I labored at home and when we were at the hospital. She knew when to give my husband and me space to do our thing and when to step in and offer assistance. During my labor, she helped with positions and pain management. At the hospital, she was an indispensable partner to my husband and me, helping us understand what was going on during some tense moments and what our choices were. She helped us make informed, confident decisions. The birth of our daughter was an unforgettable, emotional experience, and we're so glad to have had Liz with us. I can't recommend her enough!

Laurie Desch

10/23/2013

As soon as we met Liz, we knew she would be the perfect doula match for us. She gives off such a warm, caring vibe, it was so easy for us to imagine welcoming her into our lives and inviting her to be a part of our birth team. As I got closer to my due date, it was so helpful to have her only a text or phone call away. She constantly checked in on me and answered any questions I might have. This was our first pregnancy and my husband and I had a lot of anxiety about labor; Liz helped calm our fears and was such a valuable resource as we prepared for the birth of our baby. During labor, she was at my side holding my hand and calmly talking me through the contractions. She was encouraging without being intrusive and a comforting source of positive energy. After the birth she took the most beautiful pictures of our first moments as a family. I really can't imagine my birth experience without Liz. My husband and I can't recommend her highly enough!

Sarah Michalski

10/22/2013

Liz is an amazing doula. She is patient, knowledgable, kind and everything we could have asked for. She met with us twice prior to our son's birth and one time she even brought our back up doula so we could meet her in person. She assisted us with our birth plan and overcoming anxieties and fears. Her expertise and kind disposition not only put us at ease but helped us feel supported and confident in our birthing choices. My husband was not convinced that we needed the assistance of a doula but felt differently after meeting Liz. i was diagnosed at 36 weeks with a rare, life threatening pregnancy condition and was transferred to a different hospital and induced. I was extremely sick and it was a very scary situation for me and my husband. We were at a different hospital with different doctors and presented with medical interventions that we had never considered. We were scared For my health and for our baby. My husband contacted Liz and she came to the hospital ( her contract doesn't start until week 38) and stayed with us through a long and scary labor and delivery. She supported us both through the entire labor and  we are grateful and thankful to her for her support. There are no words that can convey how calming her presence was. she helped us understand what was going on medically and helped us find ways to include our birth plan into the situation. Liz has a very calming personality and she helped us stay calm and in control of our labor and delivery. She also managed to get a few pictures which Due the emergency, we did not have a camera. She followed up with me during my 9 day hospital stay and then came to see us at home. I highly recommend Liz to any family considering a doula. We have no way of knowing what can happen during our pregnancies and deliveries but we can control who we have as a support team and Liz was the backbone of our support team. Her patience and expertise make her an asset before, during and after delivery. 

Sarah Patterson

9/25/2013

Since the birth of my first child, the only advice I give to expecting mothers is to hire a doula (and to hire Elizabeth if she's available).  Hiring her was the best money my husband and I spent in preparation for the birth of our daughter.  (It was also incredibly helpful to take her Hypnobirthing class - she's a wonderful teacher and she was able to coach/support me in all the techniques I had been practicing.)

Elizabeth is competent, compassionate, positive, patient, and truly passionate about supporting mothers while they are pregnant, during labor, and postpartum.  I cannot count the number of times I contacted her prior to giving birth and postpartum.  She was ALWAYS willing to listen to me fully - I never felt like she was rushing me or that I was being a bother to her.  If she doesn't have an immediate answer, she is wiliing to do research to find the answer.

Her presence during my 36 hour labor was a calming and reassuring one.  She fit in perfectly with my family members and was able to help them figure out how to best support me.  She helped me have the birth I had envisioned - I was able to listen to my body, be relaxed and calm, and actually enjoy the process.  She helped me bring my daughter into the world peacefully - something I had not even considered as a possibility until I met her and was inspired by her to really envision the birth I wanted, set intentions about it, and take steps to achieve it.  Without her as my doula I would not have such a wonderful birthing story!

This is very difficult to fully articulate, but Elizabeth has incredibly positive and kind energy.  She makes me feel validated, worthy, capable, confident and grounded.  My husband was on the fence about hiring a doula.  As soon as we got in the car after meeting Elizabeth he said, "Hire her."  I'm with my husband whole-heartedly - Hire her!  

Sarah Yagnow

8/14/2013

My husband and I met Liz during the hypnobirthing class that she teaches. We were both fairly skeptical of the approach considering my first pregnancy resulted in a Cesaerean birth, but that quickly changed!  Liz is one of the most accepting, kind hearted people I have ever encountered and she has made a huge impact on my family.  Once we decided to hire Liz as a doula she provided a ton of support and was available 24/7 if needed. This was such a relief and I'm certain it saved me many anxiety filled trips to the doctor's office. Having a doula a text or phone call away during those last weeks of pregnancy is priceless.  As I approached my "due date" my doctors expressed concern with my VBAC abilities.  Liz helped me to find resources and research the facts and really take on the decision with as much information as possible.  What surprised me most is when I chose to have a repeat Cesarean instead of a VBAC at the last minute, Liz was totally supportive.  When we spoke on the phone about it I was crying and very upset because I'd felt like I had failed, but Liz reminded me that her goal is for each client to have the birth of their choice. She also helped me to realize that I made the decision based off of tireless research and it was an informed decision. When it came to the day of my son's birth, Liz was such a huge support for us.  She was a calming presence in the OR. I suffer from anxiety and without Liz's support and hypnobirthing techniques I do not think I would have been able to remain calm during the surgery. With Liz's love and support my son came into this world and was able to have skin to skin, and start breast feeding right away.  Even though I did not have the natural birth I initially thought I wanted, I was still able to own my birth experience. She will always hold a place in our hearts!  My son even has a tinge of red hair, which I am certain he gets from her!

Mischa Decker

8/13/2013

Our experience with Liz was absolutely amazing. We met Liz through our Hypno-birthing class where she was the instructor. From the first moment, we just loved her- her gentle approach, her knowledge and passion about babies and the birthing process, and her "smiling eyes". She just draws people into her!

We were on the fence about hiring a doula for our birth, but after meeting Liz, we knew we wanted to have a doula and needed it to be her! From the start, she was accommodating, informative and accessible. We had lots of questions and she was always there to answer them. Liz would check in with us and was always available for me to contact her (which I did many times!) She became my number one person who I trusted with anything related to my pregnancy or birth. She answered my questions and knew when to refer me to my midwives for answers.

The day before I went into labor, I was really frustrated. I was 11 days past my due date and felt pressure to have the baby before 42 weeks. She checked in with me and I unloaded all of my frustrations. She was amazing- she validated my feelings, gave me ideas and made me feel at ease.

When labor started, we contacted her and she texted with my husband until she came over. She guided me through contractions, suggested different positions, massaged my back and suggested support positions for my husband. I looked to her throughout the day, especially during the really tough moments, to let me know that I was okay and that I could do this. She also was a huge help to my husband- helping him be the best support he could be for me. She helped us decide when to go to the birth center and then was there with us until the end when our baby was born. I really can't put into words how integral a part Liz played in the birth of our son. She even cut his cord! It was so helpful to have her there for support, guidance, and reassurance. We feel honored to have had her with us for our son's birth!

Cindy E Edwards

4/18/2013

Liz was always there through a challenging and long labor. I did not think she could or would stay through everything but she was always there for me. She was my anchor and was there when midwives and nurses changed; she was there for our entire journey. She was calm, reassuring and patient. She did everything from being sure I ate and drank to helping me to the bathroom to talking me through surges. I looked to her for strength and she helped me re-center and move forward. I am so grateful to her.