I've gone back and forth about writing this review, as a bad review for a small company is not…read moreinsignificant. But after many many months I am still disappointed and angry with my experience. I also learned from my midwife that my experience is not unique and happens to many women who hire Dutchess of Doula.
1. I hired Joytonia under the impression that she was my doula and that she would attend my birth unless some extenuating circumstance came up. This is what she told me. She decided to book a vacation hundreds of miles away on my due date. She told me, "don't worry, your baby won't come on time anyway, I'll be back in time." Well, she wasn't. She sent a doula I had never met to attend my birth. This doula was kind and attentive, but a complete stranger. According to my very experienced midwife, "Joytonia never attends births". My experience, apparently, is not unique.
2. As another reviewer mentioned, the birth class is not worth your time. You read from a packet the whole time and receive outdated, inaccurate nutritional advice. You could get the same quality education from your hospital.
3. Other than my first meeting with her, Joytonia was never on time or, usually, rescheduled the meeting day of. So my husband would take time off work to be at our meetings, only to be told Joytonia couldn't make it and we would have to reschedule. I know birth workers have unpredictable schedules (with babies coming at unpredictable times), but missing our meetings because of attending a birth was never her reason. Her excuse was usually that she double-booked or was too far away to make it to the meeting.
4. I don't care about this one really, but the package included a gift for baby and we never received anything.
5. For a pro in favor of Dutchess of Doula, the price (at the time I paid) was lower than any other local doula. So if you don't mind having a stranger attend your birth, maybe this could work for you. But I would never pay $1000 again for this service. Pay slightly more for someone who cares enough to not go on vacation during your birth.
Take a hint from the misspelled name (it's "duchess", no "t"), this is an unprofessional operation.