Testimonial for Ari Eisen
Ari was our doula for the birth of our second daughter, and I cannot recommend them highly enough — for her skill in the room and for how she showed up as an advocate before, during, and after.
Hospital providers were concerned about a big baby and, at 36 weeks, strongly recommended a scheduled C-section. I wanted to avoid one if I didn't truly need it, and had a strong intuition my baby wasn't as large as they feared. Ari helped me prepare for and debrief key appointments, walked me through the evidence on suspected big babies, and helped me trust my own intuition amid the noise from the hospital system. That mix of evidence and encouragement shaped how I approached my birth.
During labor, Ari knew our birth preferences inside and out and represented them beautifully. They were attuned to my hope of using humor as a coping tool, joking with me even through some post-birth hemorrhaging (I felt calm and present throughout, so it was welcome). She offered counter-pressure, communicated via a thumbs up/down system when I couldn't talk, and kept providers aligned. When my daughter was born with a shoulder dystocia, Ari checked in on my husband too, not just me — care for our whole family in an intense moment.
Afterward, a couple of provider comments didn't sit right with me, including about how "scary" the shoulder dystocia was. That didn't match my experience; I'd felt safe and capable throughout, largely because Ari and I had already talked through this possibility. Ari privately encouraged providers to adjust how they spoke to me, and later offered to submit formal feedback about a particularly upsetting comment from one OB. That advocacy, for me and for future birthing people, moved me deeply.
At our postpartum visit, Ari helped me integrate the whole story into a narrative that left me feeling agentic and strong. I feel so fortunate to have had her deep expertise and steady, attuned support.
-Emily Wyner
August 16, 2026
Ari Eisen
Hearth Doula Support
Birth Fee: $900 to $1800
