Dara is Amazing! My son was born 6 weeks ago today and I cannot tell you how wonderful his latch and feedings are, I owe that all to Dara. The first week we brought my son home, I wanted to solely breastfeed and I was determined to be diligent about it. But for some reason my son would not latch properly and rightfully son since he was only a few days old. But the end of the week I was at my wits end, my nipples were raw and scabbed and I was to the point of giving up. I'd cry before every feeding and I know my son could sense my anxiety and it would make him tense instead of relaxed for his feeding. I finally decided to contact Dara because I knew I didn't want to give up. She came to our home and assessed the situation with my son and I. I absolutely love her energy and approach to breastfeeding, she made me feel so empowered and encouraged me when I felt completely defeated. After a few hours of Dara being with us, my son latched beautifully and it's been smooth sailing ever since. I honestly cannot thank her enough for being so encouraging and knowledgeable. I was even able to reach out to her after our session with any questions I might've had. I recommend her lactation consulting services to anyone having trouble with breastfeeding or any questions regarding breastfeeding. She's truly magical. read more

Dara and Joy are incredibly wise, warm, experienced, and resourceful women! We worked with them for my second pregnancy and birth after experiencing a traumatic, tough labor with my first. I knew I needed extra support this time around and wanted to work with the very best doulas I could find, and I absolutely succeeded in that goal. Even better, my second birth was an absolute dream, despite giving birth in a hospital during the early days of the pandemic. I never thought I would describe giving birth using only positive words, but it truly was everything I could have hoped for and more. Joy was available virtually for early labor in the hospital and coached us along the way via FaceTime, and both Joy and Dara kept tabs on us via group text, offering encouragement and suggestions as needed. Once my water broke, labor went from zero to 60 and our baby was born before we could get a moment to call her back! In the hospital room, we had print outs of labor positions that they had sent us, we had a variety of labor tools at our disposal they encouraged us to bring and request from hospital staff, and very much felt their presence despite not being able to have them there physically. The early days of postpartum were unique for us in that we had to unexpectedly move houses, and Dara was attentive to our questions and had a lot of creative suggestions for moving our "nest" while preserving a calm, healing environment. They continue to be supportive through the virtual postpartum group they just started for past clients. Working with Dara and Joy has been the best choice we have made while growing our family! In short, we love them! read more

My husband and I worked with Dara and Joy for the birth of our son in November 2019. The knowledge and preparation they provided us, and their calm, sure guidance, helped us to labor and deliver with confidence. My husband felt that they prepared and empowered him to be a strong & confident partner throughout the entire pregnancy (and I agree!). We are so grateful for their support and know, without a doubt, that our birth experience was made better because of their participation. We recommend them to any and all parents to be, and look forward to the opportunity to work with them again! read more

Dara and Joy are amazing! We had our baby last month, and it couldn't have gone better. I know that Joy and Dara were a big part of that. We hired them at the beginning of the pandemic, so we knew that their help was going to be mainly virtual since we delivered at a hospital. I knew it was going to be helpful, but it was 100 times more helpful than I thought it would be, being virtual. My husband and I felt so prepared going into birth and throughout our pregnancy. Our baby was breech for a good month or so, and they helped us navigate all of that. They had recommendations on exercises to do, professionals to see, and other resources. Our baby eventually flipped over, too! The prenatal appointments were so helpful and informational and we took so much knowledge into our birth. When my water started to trickle, they were present with us over texts from then until after birth. If we had any questions about decisions we needed to make or when labor felt stalled, they were always there with encouragement and knowledge. I was nervous that not having them physically there would not feel as supportive, but I felt empowered and so supported my entire birth. If you are on the fence about getting a doula during the pandemic, just do it! And hire Joy and Dara. 100% worth the investment! read more

There are no words that could adequately describe this incredible doula team. I knew within 5 minutes of our first (virtual) meeting that these were the women I wanted to support my husband and I during our first pregnancy. They are professional yet filled an an endless reserve of empathy and love. Never did they try to push their own agendas or cast judgement on any decision. They simply provided a wealth of information and knowledge and when decisions had to be made, they were right there next to us every step of the way. I don't know how my husband and I would've gotten through this experience without them. When our birth plan changed, they were right there to guide us to stay as close to what we wanted as possible. In the midst of a pandemic, they brought compassion and peace and I am so grateful for their help. I cannot imagine not having them by our side (hopefully in person) for future pregnancies. Thank you Joy and Dara! read more

It is hard to put into words how invaluable Dara's support was to my entire labor experience. Dara has helped birth both of my daughters into this world and I cannot imagine doing any part of the journey without her. She is full of advice and knowledge and resources. With every question, she offers evidence-based solutions and options and is endlessly supportive of any question or concern. Dara has a great reputation among medical providers and staff and helped me to feel more confident during my births, as well as helped my husband to support me in the best possible way.During my first birth, she helped me to have the natural birth I desired, even amongst a difficult clinical environment and helped me navigate to find compatible providers for my second birth. I trust her wholeheartedly and credit her for helping me have the most enjoyable, peaceful births possible.Thank you so much Dara! read more

I called Dara in desperate need of help with breast feeding. I am a first time mom and 3 days into BF I was in terrible pain. Dara cane by first thing in the morning and showed me how to adjust my latch and put in place a plan to help me continue to feed my baby but also heal. Within 3 days I was healed up and feeding no longer hurt. Dara's text message support had been invaluable too. She has walked me through clogged ducts, tracked my babies weight gain and much more. I am so thankful to have Dara for support and guidance! I would not have been able to do this without her! read more

Choosing Dara and Joyful Roots Doula Services was the best decision that my husband and I made for our pregnancy and the birth of our son. We could not be happier with the care we received from these wonderful women! Our son is now six months old and we still think and talk about what a wonderful experience we had with this awesome team. From the beginning of our pregnancy, to birth and after, Dara and Joy guided us, comforted us and took charge exactly when we needed it. Both woman were so professional and we really appreciated how easy it was to use their website and all of the resourced they provided. I'll admit that we didn't think about a birth plan much until we sat down with Dara to make one. Looking back on it, it was such a great process that made a big difference when we were in labor. Dara was our doula during our son's birth and we really just can't say enough good things! Dara is amazing!!!!! She is such a sweetheart and at the same is so tough - she gave me the strength I needed during labor! I don't know how she knew, but she was compassionate and nurturing when I needed her to be and she was strong and had moxie when I needed it too! Dara is the best! We had such a positive birth experience and we know we owe it to her. We will absolutely call on Joyful Roots Doula services again for our next pregnancy! read more

I was initially hesitant about hiring a doula for my birth, but I am so happy that I did. Joy and Dara are so great at what they do and I felt comforted from the minute I met them. They both have a wealth of knowledge and a calm, compassionate way about them that put my anxious mind at ease. In the weeks leading up to the birth of my son, Dara and Joy were always happy to answer any questions, or just ease my mind about things. Joy was on call when I went into labor and she was amazing. I can't thank her enough for the incredible support that she provided to my husband and I during my labor and after. My labor and birth experience would have been scary and overwhelming without the strength and encouragement of these wonderful women. Thank you so much Joy and Dara! read more

This review is a challenge to write because it is hard to find the right words for the positive impact Dara had on my birth experience. She helped prepare my husband and I for the birth of our first child and sat with us as we asked a ton of questions as we decided our birth preferences. When it was go time she was a calm, stable presence throughout, reminding me that I was capable of the birth I wanted. She was also hands on and provided the practical support of staying hydrated and continuing to move throughout labor. I cannot recommend Dara highly enough read more

She is known as "Dara the Doula" in San Diego (and beyond) but this name only touches the surface of all that Dara is and offers. I truly can't imagine my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey without Dara. Dara has become part of our family during the most important season of our life. She is extremely knowledgeable and takes her role very seriously while bringing peace and enjoyment to every interaction. She armors and serves not only the mother and baby, but the mother's partner so well - she is there for the entire family. It was a joy watching Dara and my husband work together and take care of me when I was recovering after my c-section. There are so many remarkable things about Dara, but one of my favorites is how she always encouraged me to not lead with fear and to lean into my confidence as a mother. My biggest piece of advice to all growing families is to hire Dara... every mother and baby deserves the honor of working with Dara. read more

Dara and Joy came highly recommended and we are so grateful we were able to work with them. We decided pretty late in our pregnancy to get some extra support for the birth of our son. After our initial meeting with Dara and Joy we knew we had made the right choice and were in good hands. After our following meetings with them, and reviewing all of the resources they provided, we felt more empowered and confident as we approached our due date. They provided a ton of information for us to narrow down our birth preferences - and Dara put it all together for us after our meeting with her. Both Dara and Joy taught us different comfort positions and how to use spinning babies techniques in the weeks leading up to our due date to get baby boy in optimal position. Anytime anything came up, they were an email/text away and were so responsive. We felt so supported. Thankfully our son came slightly early, just before lockdowns happened with Covid. We were lucky to have Dara with us at the hospital. She was calm, caring, encouraging, and helped us so much throughout our son's birth. Things happened very quickly and we are so glad she was there to help calmly guide us. Dara also provided postpartum/breast feeding support and helped us through many challenges we came up against. I texted her with so many questions as things came up with our son, and she was so patient, encouraging, and helpful - I am forever grateful. It was reassuring to have that added layer of expertise, encouragement, and gentle guidance through the challenges that can come with breast feeding. Joy provided placenta encapsulation for us too - I would highly recommend! They are a wonderful team and we feel blessed to have had them help us bring our son into the world! read more

Dara came highly recommended from our Bradley Method Coach, Liza Janda. I have a very low pain tolerance and was very nervous about childbirth, but really wanted to have a natural/unmedicated birth. My husband was incredibly supportive and I knew would be a great coach. We wanted a doula so that we could have extra support for both of us- for my husband in the face of tough questions in a high pressure situation and for me during times when I doubted my ability to have a natural childbirth and push through difficult contractions. We wanted someone with the authority of vast experience to echo my husband's coaching and my instincts. The prenatal visits were fantastic and we were walked through fantastic comfort poses to use during childbirth and also poses and exercises to prepare for an easier and stronger birth. She was extremely organized (the client portal and resources are outstanding) and she helped us create a detailed but to the point birth plan- this was such a huge help in and of itself! We also were able to ask her questions and update her regarding our OB visits. I was one week overdue when I gave birth and the Dara helped me remember what my options and rights were when the doctor started mentioning induction options and also how to best prepare my body for the non-stress test and amniotic fluid test so the results accurately showed I was healthy (and didn't inaccurately show a problem where there was none). In the end, we had the natural birth we wanted and were able to do this because in large part because we had such a wonderful support system! Cannot recommend enough! read more

I recently had Dara's support during my long and hard labor. It has been a month since then and my husband and I both still rave about Dara when we share our birth story to friends/family and say she was an angel sent from above and how there is no way we could have done it without her. She has the most calming, supportive, and nurturing presence which made me feel safe and cared for during my tough labor. Not only was her support critical while I was laboring at home but also she really stepped up at the hospital to advocate for me to the nurses/staff. She just knows exactly what you need and what to do in every moment. We will forever be grateful for Dara. She truly made my birth the best possible experience it could have been. read more

Dara is a priceless gift! I am beyond grateful we hired her as our doula. She is so caring and supportive, yet tough when she needs to encourage things to get moving. We had a really challenging birth experience this week she stayed with us through it all and offered endless support and guidance. We couldn't have gotten through it without her! read more

Working with Dara was one of the greatest gifts I could've asked for - if you are looking for someone to support you through your pregnancy and postpartum period who is knowledgeable, compassionate, intuitive and just going to add peace and remove stress, then Dara is your person! read more

Contacting Dara was our last resort before turning exclusively to using formula. My milk did not come in for weeks after delivery and the hospital lactation consultant told me i needed to use nipple shields. Our daughter was dropping weight quickly. Dara was quick to respond via text and email before coming over for an in home consultation. We have not supplemented with formula since contacting Dara. She gave a me an easy to follow plan that works for our family. I am no longer using nipple shields, we are running out of room in our freezer for our freezer stash and our daughter is thriving little baby rolls and all. I cannot recommend Dara enough! read more

My husband and I have been calling Dara our "birth angel" and hiring her was probably the best decision we made during our planning for our birth. We were hoping to have a Hypnobabies natural birth and we originally found Dara based on her certification as a Hypnodoula. We loved Dara's relaxed, confident attitude and knew that her calm energy would be best for our birth. She was available to us via text and phone call in the days leading up to labor, and she had great referrals for additional services like acupuncture. She even offered to come to my home and give a one-on-one breastfeeding class in lieu of the second in-person meeting. It was so helpful and I think it contributed significantly to my successful breastfeeding relationship with my baby. I ended up being induced and having a very long, complicated labor that ended in an emergency c-section. This was something we were completely unprepared for and I think we would have been totally lost if Dara had not been there. She helped my husband to feel useful and stay calm during some more stressful moments. She brought me comfort through use of aromatherapy and her knowledge of positioning. She was there to massage my feet and hips when things were uncomfortable, and that alone was incredibly reassuring. Birth is an incredibly vulnerable experience, and Dara helped me to feel at ease (even during the pushing stage). She was judgement-free despite the fact that I ended up having many unplanned interventions, uncluding medication for pain management. She just went above and beyond in so many different ways. She stayed through the c-section and was in the recovery room to help facilitate breast feeding. Afterwards, we received many compliments from nurses and our OB on how wonderful she was. Our doctor said, "You guys have a great doula...most of them leave immediately when a c-section is required''. If you are considering hiring Dara, my advice is to DO IT! We are so thankful that we did. read more

I had the honor of working with Dara as one of a two doula team: Joyful Roots. There aren't enough words to describe the two women who graciously, selflessly, and lovingly supported me through the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and left me and my husband with the most precious gift of our healthy baby girl. Joy and Dara were tremendous from the start. I knew at 17 weeks pregnant after a long coffee shop interview (that was more like me chatting to two girl friends) that these women were going to be the ones to support my decision in having a natural birth in the hospital. I felt heard and understood in relaying my birth hopes and was confident in their knowledge and training, but again, felt most reassured by both of their calm demeanors and easy personalities. Between 17 weeks and the due date Dara and Joy were readily accessible via phone call, email, or text and were professional and prompt in arranging follow up meetings to discuss all the upcoming details of the birth. I loved that they both were available and willing to come to our home for 2 different visits to meet my husband, go over the birth plan, and ensure my husband and I both had a hold on comfort measures before the big day. While being a week overdue, both were in communication with me about my OB appointments and natural induction methods. When early labor began and progressed, my husband and I never had trouble calling either Joy or Dara to keep them updated and receive encouragement and coaching in the best way to navigate. Once in the hospital, both Joy and Dara were superwomen. They were the best partners we could have hoped for, by my side constantly, encouraging and supporting my husband in the role he hoped to play and allowing him to rest and recharge as needed. For me, I felt totally supported and encouraged, like I was in competent and loving hands. These women love what they do and it truly shows. They provided us with 18 hours of in person support in the hospital and it was beyond a doubt worth every dollar. Not to mention all of the help in preparation for delivery day. My birth was not the all natural birth I had originally hoped and prepared for due to posterior baby positioning, a short umbilical cord, and a seriously stubborn acynclintic head position (which both Joy and Dara spent hours and hours on with us to correct, offering position changes, spinning babies techniques, and hands on comfort measures throughout), BUT it was a perfect birth and I would not have changed a single thing. I will recommend Joyful Roots to all of my friends who are truly passionate about having a beautiful birth because these women make it happen. read more

Not long after conceiving, I realized how little support we were getting from our health provider, so we immediately sought out resources in our community. We knew we were going to have our baby in a hospital, and this being our first child, it was important to us to have consistency of support and education throughout the pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum. Joy and Dara were exactly who we were looking for - kind, compassionate and knowledgeable birth doulas. They were our birth doulas and provided childbirth education classes, so we got to know them really well in preparation for the big day. We felt prepared and ready to move through the process knowing that they'd be there for us every step of the way. Their support and care throughout the labor and delivery was incredible. We couldn't have had the birth experience we envisioned without them! read more

Dara was an absolute lifesaver as a lactation consultant. We had terrible experiences with the consultants at Kaiser. They have a very formulaic system that did not work for us at all. Dara helped us be successful at breastfeeding without pain and answered so many of our questions. She was flexible with our needs and wants and helped us gain confidence. Her positive attitude and kind reassurance were exactly what this stressed out new mama needed! It was worth every penny to have her help!! read more

My partner and I had the fortune of having Dara as our birth doula in September. Before the birth of our little one, we worked with Dara & Joy to put together our birth preferences and learn about the birth process. From the time I met Dara over FaceTime I felt that she was professional, knowledgable, and very serene. She was always available with answers and suggestions to questions we had while pregnant and I felt sure that I had the best team possible for my first birth. Dara was an angel on my baby's birthday. I tell people now that all I did during labor was breathe because Dara coached us through each position change, made sure I was eating & drinking and kept the mood in the hospital room as homey and tranquil as possible. I had the best birth experience one could have in a hospital setting and owe it all to Dara's wonderful doula chops. She is amazing and I am forever grateful. read more

If you are looking for the best doulas you could ever ask for, look no further. Joy and Dara were absolutely amazing. When we decided to get a doula, we had one overall goal: to have the most enjoyable and beautiful birth experience possible. With the help and support of Joy and Dara, that is a exactly what we got. We met with them before the birth and instantly felt so comfortable and reassured with both of their calming and kind demeanors. We also realized that they are both excellent birth doulas, but that they specialize in different things that complement each other perfectly. It's like you get two amazing doulas all in one package. As a couple about to be first time parents, they took away our fears and made us feel confident and empowered that we could experience this amazing and life-changing event and enjoy it while doing it. During our first visit, they prepared us for anything that could possibly happen and let us know that they were there to support and guide us, no matter what our goals were. They were extremely well prepared and covered everything that we could have asked for. During our second visit, they showed us techniques and ways to manage pain and labor. They were there via phone or text through the entire pregnancy to answer any questions we had, as minor or silly as they may have seemed. They also shared endless resources to help with questions and preparations leading up to the birth. When the big day came, we were so excited and equally empowered and ready for the process to begin. Joy joined us at the hospital when we felt we needed her. She helped me labor in the shower and was such a calming presence. We had candles, music, and dim lighting, and Joy made sure everything in our birth plan was followed as best as possible. She helped to explain everything happening in the hospital so that we could make well informed decisions. For my husband, having a doula present allowed him to be more emotionally present and enjoy the birth, taking away the worry and responsibility of being the sole birth coach but still allowing him to participate fully. He worked side by side with Joy while feeling reassured about what was happening. After 10 hours of labor, our little boy arrived, happy and healthy. We were of course ecstatic. Just as the baby arrived, Dara came to relieve Joy. Dara was there for hours after the baby arrived to make sure we were comfortable, fed, baby was feeding properly and that we had everything we needed. We naturally had questions in the days and weeks following the birth and they were always available to help us. The birth of our son was the most amazing experience of our lives. My first thought after giving birth was "I can't imagine not doing this again". And a huge part of our amazing experience was having Joy and Dara at our sides throughout the entire process. Our doulas helped us achieve our goal of having a beautiful birth experience. If we do have another baby, they will without a doubt be by our side. read more

As a fellow birth doula, I can say firsthand that Dara lives from a very passionate place. I have witnessed her unwavering and compassionate support for families and seen how she shows up for her clients with warmth and generosity. She is a treasure chest of women's health knowledge and has an amazing depth of evidence-based knowledge to share. I can't recommend her highly enough and any family would be blessed to have her support! read more

We hired Joyful Roots in the early part of our pregnancy, pre-COVID, as we wanted a more personal and empathetic support system through pregnancy and birth than we felt we could get just from our medical provider. We are so grateful to both Joy and Dara, who provided this and more. Their client portal was incredibly useful with so many great resources for us to read and learn more about the journey we were on. As first-time parents, it can often feel like there is an overwhelming amount of information and resources available. While a lot changed over the course of our pregnancy due to COVID, Dara and Joy were flexible and remained an unwavering source of support and encouragement, even as services were done virtually. We are so grateful for the noon Zooms that connected us with other expecting families. Even though hospital restrictions prohibited Dara from being with us at the hospital, she did come over to our house to labor there as much as we could before we left for the hospital. She stayed in contact with us through our labor and delivery at the hospital as well as was available for breastfeeding support in the days after birth. Thank you Joy and Dara, we are so grateful to you! read more

Dara and Joy are amazing doulas - I truly cannot recommend their services enough! I entered into this pregnancy uninformed and scared about childbirth. I had fears about what my body would go through and if I would be able to cope. After our initial meeting, I knew they would be invaluable guides for my husband and I to help us navigate pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. They went above and beyond to provide resources on everything from healthy diet and safe exercises to information on what to expect in a hospital birth and how to advocate for yourself (so important!). Not only do they provide a wealth of information, they are also the most kind, loving, and down-to-earth women that you want by your side during this crazy adventure. They helped us gain much needed confidence and I believe they played a huge role in our ability to have the birth that we wanted. I can't imagine going through this experience without them! read more

I literally wouldn't have been able to bring my little man into this world without Dara. I'm not exactly sure what our expectations were when we hired Joyful Roots Doula, but I can say without question, that those expectations were exceeded and exceeded again. We had a long labor, but Dara's patience and persistence helped us to achieve our natural birth plan. Dara helped my husband support me in truly meaningful ways throughout the entire birth. She is truly skilled and an excellent advocate to have by your side. read more

Dara is an actual angel! I cannot stop talking about how wonderful she is (as I just gave birth 5 days ago 5/11/2018). I truly believe that without Dara as my birth doula I would not be feeling this good now postpartum, or had such positive memories looking back to my birth experience 5 days ago. This was my second vaginal birth, and with my first (two years ago) i did not have a doula. I had thought that the hospital nurses would guide me through birth and encourage and take care of my needs. That is not the case! Nurses have a lot of technical and medical responsibilities and so what I experienced was a lot of unknown, scared, painful, highly medicated, forceps and so on.So with my next pregnancy I knew I needed more support for myself and my husband to have a better birth (one to be proud of and one to look back on fondly!) Rigot away I knew Dara was the perfect fit for me because of her sweet, caring, gentle nature. But also her KNOWLEDGE about the labor and delivery process was so key. She knows all of the right elements/ positions to help you labor, handle contractions, move the baby down and dialate. When Dara arrived at the hospital I was asleep/resting with the start of mild pitocin contractions. She immediately came in the room, and changed the mood. She set up spa like music, lowered the lights, candles, essential oils, and massaged my feet and legs and back for what seemed like hours. She was so in tune with what I was going through at every step of the way. It was tranquil and peaceful. Once my contractions amped up she was right there with me, suggesting and supporting every position, keeping me nourished/hydrated. She was talkative when I felt like talking, she was quiet when I was sleepy. She was STRONG and thoughtful when I was pushing for 3 hours and did everything in her power to keep me comfortable (massage/position changes.) I am forever grateful to Dara for what she did for me and my husband, and my almost 10lb healthy baby! read more

Dara The Doula - Doulas Near Me

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I can write a book on how wonderful Dara is. Keeping this to a paragraph is very difficult. In a nutshell, I absolutely, 1000%, recommend Dara. Her depth of knowledge in this field is vast. She will never push her beliefs on you. Instead, she will work with you to make your perfect birth plan. She advocates for your birthplace in the labor / delivery room. My birth did not go how I had imagined it to go. I had to be strapped to a machine for my son's heartbeat to be monitored. Laboring in bed isn't ideal. Dara was my voice and advocated for me to be able to get out of bed and labor the way I needed to in the moment. She helped me with exercises to help with labor. Because of her, I was able to take a warm shower with my husband to help sooth contractions. She helped clear my sinuses when I couldn't breathe. She coached me in my breathing during my time of panic. If it weren't for her, the nurses would have likely kept me in bed and eventually would have taken me in for a C-section. Instead, I was able to deliver a healthy boy vaginally, just as I had wanted. Hiring Dara was the best decision I had made for going into labor. I plan to gift my sister with Dara's expertise and love when she is going into labor. There's no doubt Dara will be there when I birth my second child. She is amazing. Be careful, she will steal your heart. read more

We hired Joyful Roots Doulas as we wanted the best birth and postpartum experience. Joy, Jenn and Dara were absolutely AMAZING! Joy and Jenn helped us immensely with prenatal exercises, nutrition, preparing for birth etc.. I am a first time mom and their client resources are very helpful and informative and this helped me make informed decisions regarding my birth preferences. Joy and Jenn held two virtual birth prep sessions and they were both absolutely FABULOUS! They helped prepare the birth plan and provided a walk through of the prenatal exercises. Joy and Jenn were absolutely fantastic in guiding us in the right direction and preparing us for an easier and gentler birth. They provided various techniques in reducing stress, increasing comfort during labor, including breathing and relaxation techniques and this helped me tremendously during labor and delivery. Joy and Jenn were just a text and phone call away. They provided excellent virtual support during labor. Dara has been extremely supportive throughout our postpartum journey. We signed up for virtual postpartum support. Dara is extremely knowledgeable and provided valuable feedback throughout the process. She is warm, kind and very comforting. Dara held virtual postpartum sessions and provided ample information to help navigate through the postpartum phase. As first time parents, taking care of a newborn was intimidating, but she helped provide a very calm and peaceful atmosphere in the midst of all the craziness. She followed up after doctor appointments and helped answer questions by providing valuable information. Dara is just a text and phone call away. Dara also provided in-home breastfeeding support and she was absolutely FANTASTIC! She helped us navigate through our deepest fears and provided extensive support with positioning, latching, tips and relaxation techniques with my daughter. She also provided education on napping/relaxing/feeding schedule. Dara provided ways to bond with my daughter by helping establish breastfeeding techniques, skin to skin contact, taking care of myself, being calm in stressful times, and identifying and responding to hunger cues. She was so professional, gentle and kind. Dara is an excellent communicator and articulates her ideas and thoughts very clearly! She helped us have time to enjoy the fun moments with the newest member of the family. Prenatal and Postnatal zoom sessions helps connect with different families, share experiences and tips. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Joyful Roots Doulas for birth and postpartum support. read more

Dara is amazing! The birth of my son was beautiful because of Dara's expertise, warmth, encouragement and presence. As soon as I met her for our initial meeting, I knew that I wanted her to be a part of our birth team. Her warmth and positive energy radiate and both my husband and I felt so comfortable and supported by her. She is a great communicator and helped us prepare for our birth and provided insight when I went passed my expected due date. Her many trainings in Hypnobabies and Spinning Babies helped me to get the baby into an optimal position for birth and there are no words for how integral she was at our birth. We were both so relieved when she arrived at the hospital and gently and confidently guided me into positions to move me through labor. She worked beautifully with the nurses and midwife and created a warm, safe space in the delivery room. Our seasoned midwife was so impressed with Dara, her knowledge and ability to navigate the birth, that she asked for her contact information so that she could refer her to other pregnant mamas. Dara took stunning pictures and videos of the birth and the golden hour that followed and I was delighted when I came across them on my phone a few days later and could process the beauty of his birth through those images. Dara also was an amazing support for breastfeeding and her hands on approach has helped to make breastfeeding my son a success. My husband and I are both health care professionals and we needed Dara to help us navigate the process as first time parents. We feel overwhelmed with gratitude and hope that everyone has a Dara to guide them through the journey of welcoming a baby into the world. She truly is amazing. read more

My second pregnancy was fraught with anxiety as a result of my first birth experience. From the first meeting with Dara, I felt amazingly supported as she allowed me to share the story of my first birth. We moved on from there with a goal of ensuring a restorative experience for my second birth. She was supportive throughout the entirety of the pregnancy. She was amazingly responsive to every email, text, and inquiry. She provided links and resources to allow me to continue to learn and process the decisions I was making. At the end of the pregnancy, she supported me daily (multiple times a day) as I held strong in my decision to allow my baby to stay inside as long as she needed (41+6)! The night of my daughter's birth, Dara's support was invaluable. She is the reason we made it to the hospital at the right time. She is the reason my daughter rotated into the right position during delivery. Dara's adjustments of my hips made the pushing process run smoothly. She seamlessly fit in with the other staff at the hospital and knew exactly when to step in and when to defer to other professionals. It was the best compliment to my birthing team! If I were to have another child, there would be no one else I would look to for doula support! read more

This is an overdue rating for Dara. My wife was only 33 weeks pregnant with our first child when she began having some major complications and was scheduled for early delivery. We were quite unprepared for this sudden turn, and started feeling tremendous trepidation and worry and a sense of being overwhelmed. It was at that time that the hospital nurse gave us Dara's name and number since she had just finished assisting a birth in that labor ward the previous day and left a great impression on the hospital staff. We called her immediately and were very fortunate that she was available to work with us on tremendously short notice (the next day). Dara stayed almost continuously through my wife's labor helping her with the emotional and physical process. She showed great kindness, compassion and empathy through a difficult delivery which my wife wanted to do naturally without an epidural. Finally after an extended labor process our baby was born through a C section, for which Dara stayed around to support us. We feel that we were blessed to have Dara to provide us her service, and find it hard to imagine how we would have done it without her. I would recommend her highly for any couple that is seeking a doula to help them with their delivery. read more

I could not be more pleased with the post-partum belly binding and massage and in-home breast-feeding support received from Dara! As a first time mom it was an inexplicably daunting feeling to come home from the hospital with an unfamiliar change in my body and the foreign task of breast-feeding my child. Dara made herself quickly available for an in-home appointment the day after we returned home from the hospital. Her encouragement, support and education on proper breast feeding techniques and feeding timing helped me through my first day with engorged breasts and swiftly resolved the problem. The belly massage was both stimulating (to this newly loose belly flesh) and relaxing (to this overwhelmed new mama) and educated me on how to work on my body to return to it's original state. Dara also offered my husband tips on handling and soothing our baby that he now uses on the regular with success. Our session with Dara brought so much enlightenment and encouragement to us that has the spring board to a successful transition into parenthood with our new son. I would highly recommend this service from Dara! read more

I highly recommend Dara as both a birth doula and lactation consultant. Her assistance was invaluable at such a vulnerable moment in my life. During my lengthy 30 hour labor, Dara offered insight, knowledge, comfort and helped to relieve my stress. She even showed up the following day in postpartum to see how my husband, baby and I were doing. I really appreciate all that you did for us. read more

It's hard to put into words how valuable Dara was to have as my Doula. I interviewed a couple doula's but Dara was the most professional. She is extremely knowledgeable, reliable, and has this strength and warmth to her. I trusted her immediately. Throughout my pregnancy, labor and now postpartum she has responded promptly to all my emails, calls, and text. Knowing she was in my corner supporting me eased my anxiety throughout not just my pregnancy but delivery. I was able to have the natural birth I wanted and I feel it was possible because of her. She encouraged me to labor at home as long as possible and I was able to do so with her suggestions on how to manage the pain. Once at the hospital and in active labor she knew where to apply pressure to my body to help me get through the contractions...the difference was amazing! She suggested what breathe when I was lost, she suggested positions when I grew uncomfortable, but most of all she made me feel safe. I was so close when I got to the hospital that we didn't even have time to bring our hospital bag in. Dara had come prepared with everything I needed. She brought music, essential oils, and honey sticks for energy. She helped my husband who had been worried he wouldn't be able to be in the room by making suggestions on how he could support me. My husband had been very hesitant about the fact I wanted a doula until the delivery room. Once we got to recovery he said to me that she was incredible and that it was worth every penny having her there. That from him was a HUGE compliment! Once I was home from the hospital Dara came to visit and helped make me feel comfortable with a baby in my home by creating a breastfeeding nest, teaching me how to swaddle, and how to use the moby carrier. I really can't say enough how much I appreciated having her help me through this experience. Since then she has checked in and been available to any questions that have come up. She really listened to me and what was important to me for the birth. I am so grateful that I was able to have her as my doula. THANK YOU DARA! read more

Dara is truly a gift from God and I will be forever grateful for her role in the birth of my son! She has a very gentle, nurturing spirit that makes you feel comfortable and safe during a vulnerable time. She is also extremely knowledgeable and supportive. Throughout my entire birthing experience, Dara remained by my side, her expertise and my natural instincts working in harmony. She anticipated my every need, helping me remain strong both mentally and physically in my passage to motherhood. Dara had a very calming presence and an amazing ability to refocus me when I felt overpowered by my body; thus, allowing me to regain my composure and confidence. She played a crucial role in my ability to have a natural, unmedicated birth. Whether it was a relaxing massage, recommending a different labor position, kind words of encouragement, or the offering of a small snack and sip of water to nourish my body, she was diligent in supporting me. She never interfered or neglected my husband's role either. Rather she assisted him in ways to better support me and remain an active participant throughout the process which will be forever memorable to us both. Above all, Dara always remained respectful, compassionate and genuine. She is a true healer and I highly recommend her. read more

Dara The Doula - Doulas Near Me

I am so, so thankful that I found Joyful Roots Doulas and worked with Dara and Joy for my pregnancy and birth! Dara was my doula, and I worked with Joy for placenta encapsulation/art which I loved and helped me tremendously postpartum. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Dara. She was there every step of the way during my pregnancy to answer my questions and provide helpful feedback. Not only did she help me with the facts about pregnancy (like can I eat this thing?) she also always said the perfect things I needed to hear on the emotional side. I felt so supported throughout the process. My labor ended up being a big complicated (I had premature rupture of membranes) and Dara calmly helped me navigate the unexpected challenges that came with this. She supported me during a long natural labor at Best Start Birth Center and her support really got me through! She was strong, supportive, knowledgeable, warm, and so caring. I hope to work with her again for my second baby! I love Joyful Roots! read more

My husband and I knew before we got pregnant that we wanted a doula, so when we did get that positive test my search began right away. We are so incredibly grateful that that search brought us to Dara and Joy! From the moment we met them we felt at ease. We loved their approach, the services they offered, and the fact that we got two amazing doulas as a package. They helped us figure out what our birth preferences were and prepare for the big day. Then when my water broke first and the plan quickly changed, they were there to help ensure we still had the most amazing birth experience possible. Joy was by our side throughout most of the 32 hour labor and was invaluable in assisting myself, my partner, and my family through the process. My husband was especially appreciative of Joy's council when we had to adjust course mid labor. When she and Dara and had to switch in the final hours, instead of throwing things off, it felt like the most natural easy transition. Overall, we were beyond satisfied with Joyful Roots Doula Services and cannot recommend them enough. My husband and I kept saying in the days after what a great decision it was to hire Joy and Dara and how we'll for sure use them again if we have another child. read more

Dara was amazing throughout the entire experience!! From the moment my husband and I met her we knew she was the right fit for us. Dara has a strong motherly presence, and instant calming effect. She is very knowledgeable and we felt like we could completely trust her to guide us through the birthing process. When I started labor we were in phone contact until I felt like things were progressing and I asked her to come to our house. She started by helping me relax and giving me massages in different positions. Then we went for a little walk, and later she helped my husband and I labor together. When I felt ready to go to the hospital she followed us. Although our birth preferences were originally very natural with no interventions, during labor things changed a lot. Dara helped guide us through each option and decision until we felt ready to make choices. The hospital introduced a lot of obstacles and unfortunately after 48 hours of labor I had to have a C-section, which I really had never imagined could happen. Dara supported me physically, mentally, & emotionally, and my husband and I truly believe we could not have survived the experience without her! She was so great about knowing exactly what I needed, and also helping get my husband involved. She is still supportive postpartum and I feel very lucky to have made this bond with her! We will definitely be calling her again for baby #2!!! read more

Dara The Doula - Doulas Near Me