Testimonial for Sandra luz Rivas de Alvarado
I hired Sandra as a postpartum doula. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing and stressful.
Sandra was scheduled to start on a Sunday night—our newborn’s very first night home. That morning, she texted to say she had a fever and would not be coming. While illness happens, she did not offer a replacement, despite her contract explicitly stating that she would. As a result, we were left completely without help on our first night home. I was recovering from surgery, my husband had to work early the next morning, and the situation was overwhelming.
Sandra went completely silent the entire following day, even though we had already prepaid her over $2,000. I called and texted multiple times and finally heard back many hours later, when she claimed she had an ear infection.
Once she did begin working, issues continued. She missed waking me to pump on several occasions, and I found her scrolling on her phone while on duty. She later informed us at the last minute that she would miss two nights during the second week and wanted to make them up on nights we did not need her. When we raised concerns, she offered a friend to cover—someone we had never met, who was not a certified doula, yet we were expected to pay the same rate. The substitute also planned to work different hours than agreed. We were not comfortable with this and were again left without coverage. Sandra refused to refund our prepaid money so we could find another doula.
She also wore a strong lotion or perfume that caused a reaction in our newborn and continued wearing it even after I told her our pediatrician advised avoiding scents. Additionally, she allowed our baby to sleep nearly six hours without feeding, despite clear instructions to wake her every three hours because she had not regained her birth weight.
Overall, I did not feel supported or cared for and would not recommend her services.
-Pegah Morse
December 17, 2025
Sandra luz Rivas de Alvarado
Doting Doulas
Postpartum Rate: $45 to $60
