Testimonial for Akemi Tsuru CD(DONA)
I cannot stop singing Akemi’s praises. We had another doula fall through last minute. We found Akemi, loved her warmth, and liked that she was open to helping us with whatever kind of birth we wanted/had. She was kind (and available) to take us as clients at 37 weeks. She came to our home and gave us two informative lessons and hands-on demonstrations of the TENS unit and other strategies. She also went over our birth plan and options.
Baby came a week early and Akemi was ready! She coached us over text so we could stay home comfortably for 6 hours before heading to the hospital. (She offered to come, but we were ok!) She met us at the hospital at 3 am ready to rock! I planned to try for an unmedicated birth, and I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN EPIDURAL BECAUSE OF AKEMI! I was ready to ask for it when she arrived, but we talked and she had a plan. She made me feel safe and empowered. She helped me move to keep baby coming down and manage my pain through massage, counter pressure, positions, and affirmations. She also advocated for me with medical staff and ensured our plan was followed. When I finally said I can’t do much more pain, and asked her if I should get the epidural, she told me we were at the peak and if I could do one more contraction, I’d be ok. That conversation changed my mindset. I said I could and she coached me through one contraction, and the next and next. Baby was born very soon after that, and Akemi had been right!
She took amazing photos and videos for us, which we will cherish forever. She even coached my husband to drink some water! She stayed with us for two hours to make sure everything was okay. We saw her a few days after for a thoughtful postpartum visit, where she went over the birth with us and answered our infant care questions. She truly did feel like a big sister coaching us through everything, and I would recommend her to my best friends with gusto!
-Hali
September 25, 2026
Akemi Tsuru CD(DONA)
Vida Mia • Doula Services
Birth Fee: $1500 to $2000
