I honestly didn't know exactly what a doula did until I spoke to one of my mentors and she enlightened me (and thank God she did!). I quickly asked fellow moms in my area for referrals and after meeting with a few over zoom, I felt this deep connection with Nattasha and decided to go with her. I was planning a VBAC and Nattasha supported my decision from day one. She was kind, attentive, warm and knowledgeable. I did have a traumatic birth experience with my first born and Nattasha was always very eager to listen to my fears and my hopes for my second birth. To prepare for the birth, she came over to our house a couple of times to discuss the process of labor, practice comfort measures, and generally talk me and my husband through our plans and emotions. I was especially grateful for how she worked with my husband, gently teaching him ways to support me in and around labor. It was nice that she included my partner in the process because they also need support to navigate all of this. From 37 weeks on, Nattasha was always available if I needed her. We exchanged texts and I constantly felt supported by her. When I went into labor at 39.5 weeks, she was ready to meet me whenever the hospital let her. During labor, my husband and I felt extremely supported by Nattasha. There was a lot of waiting and decisions to be made and Nattasha reminded me of all the things we talked about and never forced a decision on me. She took care of me like a mother would and I'm forever grateful. My husband was able to be fully focused and present because he was somewhat rested and had the support from Nattasha as well. In the end, I did have the most beautiful birth experience and we know that Nattasha was a huge part of it! After giving birth, Nattasha continued to support us by coming over to the house to talk and check in on us. We talked about my concerns and she provided a wide range of information that really helped me. If you are on the fence about hiring a doula, don't be. It was the best investment we did during this pregnancy and we highly recommend Nattasha! read more

I had always heard that having a doula throughout one's pregnancy and birth would be beneficial. But, I didn't realize how much of a difference it would make until I met Nattasha. I interviewed several different doulas and went with Nattasha because of how open and straightforward she was during our initial conversation - her warmth coupled with passion for creating a memorable birth experience drove me to choose her for our journey! Nattasha is incredible, to say the least! She was so caring from day one and provided so many insights for all the questions I had during our prenatal visits to ensure that my husband and I felt empowered to make the best decisions for our family. The prenatal visits were not only educational, but also provided an opportunity for us to develop a relationship that felt comfortable. With Nattasha, I felt cared for and supported 100%! She was a true advocate for what was best for me and I can't begin to express how important that was for me to feel ready to give birth. I can't emphasize how useful it was to have Nattasha in the room with us during labor -- her presence was calming and energizing at the same time. As soon as she thought I needed her physically present with me, she joined my husband and I at our place (and later in the hospital) to help me get through the hardest part of labor. And, for that, I'm forever grateful. Since this was our first pregnancy, I was overwhelmed and anxious throughout the process, but Nattasha eased my nerves not only during our prenatal sessions, but also during birth. I felt empowered, connected, and present throughout the experience, which is what I had visualized. Thank you Nattasha for being so phenomenal in every way -- we could not have had such a beautiful experience without your varied support. If/when my husband and I decided to have a second little one, I would, without a doubt, want Nattasha on my care team again!! read more

My friend told me about Nattasha and how helpful she had been during her pregnancy and labor. Nattasha provided my husband and I with excellent resources on topics where we felt we needed most support, custom to our needs. For example, during my pregnancy, she demonstrated various exercises and postures for relaxation and working with my body to release pressure. She also guided me on breastfeeding and helped provide advice and resources when I was diagnosed with mastitis after delivery. She was extremely helpful during the labor and delivery process, when my husband and I needed a lot of support. She guided me on pain management as well as supported us during the delivery process and after. Would definitely recommend her services! read more

For the birth of our first child, I knew I wanted the support of a doula. We found Nattasha through the Brilliant Births website, which was recommended to us from a friend. I had done my research and knew I wanted someone with certification, expertise, and experience - all easier criteria to look for. But I was also looking for a connection - which is harder to find. From the first time my husband and I spoke with Nattasha, we felt an instant chemistry. I could go down the list of things that make an incredible doula (e.g., knowledgeable, open, warm, experienced, supportive, encouraging, etc) and Nattasha would check all the boxes, but what left a lasting impact on me was the way Nattasha transformed my pregnancy and labor experience. With this being our first child, my husband and I had no idea what to expect, which can leave one feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and fearful (at least that's how I felt!). This is especially true when, as women, there is so much fear instilled around childbirth. After our first at-home visit with Nattasha, I actually felt excited about labor! Her acceptance and validation of my feelings made me feel safe to express myself and all my fears (rational or not), her expertise and wealth of knowledge made me feel confident and supported in our decisions, and her inner calm and peace eased my fears. During labor, Nattasha gently guided me through contractions with various techniques such as massage, postures, affirmations, and encouragement - all of which allowed me to continue unmedicated. Any moment that could have sent me down a fear spiral (e.g. when I vomited during contractions), Nattasha turned into a positive by normalizing everything that was happening and ensuring me it was all a sign of progress towards bringing my baby into this world. If it weren't for this shift in perspective, I could imagine myself having a very different experience. These small but significant details made my experience transformative. I have only positive and beautiful memories from my whole childbirth experience and I can say this is 100% because of Nattasha. Anyone would be lucky to have her join them on their childbirth journey. read more

Nattasha is a phenomenal doula. It's been seven months since I gave birth and to be honest, this review has been long overdue. Yikes, realized I hadn't hit send in ages. Sorry Natassha, my bad. A little about us, we were having our second baby and were quite jaded about the experience given my first birth didn't go according to plan. But Natasha immediately sensed that and worked on my psyche from day one. It was her ability to read between the lines and understand my implicit needs that drew me to her. All in all, I'm so glad my doula from the first birth was unavailable and we got to experience the magic of Natassha. She is physically and emotionally there with the birthing mom and her partner 100%. Her techniques and voice is so soothing and confident. In the end, my labor was beautiful, intervention free and absolutely magical. Also had my mom and mother in law in town for the birth and Natassha helped us create a beautiful bonding circle to keep them feeling involved and meaningful without becoming overbearing on my space. Seriously if you want someone who will go the extra mile for the birth experience you secretly want then Ms Bender is the doula for you. And yes, she makes the most gorgeous placenta prints. Infact she even helped my mom and me bury my placenta in the garden. My husband and I had planned to plant a fig tree there but we didn't really tell anyone. In spring, we planted that purple fig tree to commemorate that special addition to our family. And maybe she is spiritual or maybe it's coincidence but she created the most spectacular purple and pink placenta art that magically matchs the vibrant colors of a ripe fig well before she even knew that was the plan. That girl is a miracle worker and words simply aren't enough to sing her praises. read more

When we found out we were pregnant, we didn't know what a doula was until we spoke to some friends who highly recommended we look into one. We intereviewed a few doulas but none came close to the comfort Nattasha offered. I instantly felt a connection with her. Her prescense was calm and just what I needed to get through the hardest thing I'd ever do. We found Nattasha through Brilliant Births and it was the best decision we made! Nattasha met with us twice before the big day and twice after the big day. Prior to the birth, she came to our house to help us prepare for the birth. She went over comfort measures, various positions, spinning babies exercises and what to expect during labor. I particularly loved how she included my husband in every step. It definitely put him at ease and calmed any fears he had. My labor didn't go as planned, but Nattasha reassured me and provided a wealth of guidance as we navigated through various decisions. She definitely built my confidence and cheered me on when I needed it. She was always available via text message or phone call during my long induction. At one point, she let my husband sleep to regain his energy and stayed up all night with me ensuring all my needs were met. It was amazing and so above and beyond! I could go on and on about how amazing Nattasha is. We made the perfect decision to go with her and you will not go wrong either. We have already recommended her to many of our friends. I'm so happy she was a part of this special day with us! read more

Having Nattasha as our doula was the best decision we made! Nattasha was very supportive and a great advocate of my birth choices. During our prenatal meetings, she facilitated conversations between my partner and I that helped us to talk about our wishes, concerns, and learn about each other. She definitely empowered my partner and I by validating our choices and by coaching us through exercises that prepared us for the big day. Nattasha also provided us with several resources in preparation for the birth as well as for my post-natal period. She was always available to answer questions and would send us the latest research and information about our questions. She also supported my decision of having my mother in the birth team and facilitated a meeting where my mother could process her fears and at the same time understand and respect my choice of a natural birth, which was very healing for my family. With Nattasha's support, I was able to have an unmedicated birth and labored pretty much at home. She was especially helpful on guiding me to push and focus on my experience despite some adversities in the hospital. Another great plus is that Nattasha is Brazilian and speaks Portuguese, which was a perfect fit for my family as our cultural values were taken into account. You will be very lucky if you get to work with Nattasha! She will offer her gentle and compassionate care as well as her knowledge and great ability to advocate for your needs. Ps: Nattasha took beautiful pictures and videos of my labor! I am so glad she was able to capture the most incredible & sacred moment of our lives. Muito obrigada, Nattasha read more

Nattasha is an amazing doula with a warm and caring presence and I am SO glad I found her. During pregnancy I wasn't sure if I needed a doula, but after speaking with her on the phone I was very impressed with her calming demeanor and experience and knew I wanted to hire her. She facilitated a discussion with my husband and I about options for birth, showed us movements to prepare for labor like partner massages and working with the rebozo, and gave us helpful tips for the postpartum period too. The most phenomenal part was how much Nattasha helped me during labor. (Let's just say I had a very long labor.) In the beginning we kept in touch over the phone and she was very encouraging. After the first day of labor I called her again, this time with more urgency, and she came over to help me labor at home, which was one of my preferences. Looking back, I don't think I could have labored so long at home without her. She was never judgmental, and helped me lead with my intuition, reminded me that I was in charge of my birth experience. She helped me find the best laboring positions, including using the shower, and also provided comfort during/between contractions. She made sure I had snacks and water, and even helped me get around at times I could hardly move from exhaustion. When I felt ready we headed for the hospital and she was a great advocate for me there as well. I felt empowered and supported through my birth experience. I would highly recommend Nattasha as your birth doula! read more

We were so grateful to have Nattasha as our Doula. When we first met her, we were struck by her genuine warmth, open-mindedness, and attention to detail. At our prenatal meetings, she took care to listen empathetically to my partner's and my hopes and concerns and she worked with us to envision a flexible and meaningful birth plan. She helped draft the plan in a way that was perfect for the facility I would be giving birth in (Kaiser). As our estimated due date approached, she helped us navigate the pressure from my care provider to induce at 39 weeks. She provided us some references from the research and other resources to help us think through this situation and make our decision. Ultimately, I was able to avoid Pitocin and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in less than 12 hours of labor. During the birth, Nattasha's super calming and grounded demeanor helped me cope with the strongest contractions and back labor. We thought it was maybe too early to transfer to the hospital, and I really wanted to do most of my laboring at home. But when I started to feel like I needed to go to the hospital, she helped me listen to my intuition. So we headed to the hospital to find out I was 9 cm and I gave birth a few hours later. Nattasha was so supportive during the pushing stage and was always ready with what I needed even before I had to ask. She also made sure the hospital staff knew what my birth preferences were - I was too out of it to do so myself. We would highly recommend Nattasha. She is a knowledgeable, intuitive, and well-organized Doula. Thanks Nattasha! read more

One year ago, on the 29th of April, Nattasha witnessed the birth of our baby boy Zigmas. He was born at Kaiser Oakland. Because of covid I was allowed to bring only one person with me to the hospital. My husband stayed at home with our other two kids. It is hard to describe in words the magic of that birth. Despite all the challenges I had to face in the hospital, Nattasha made me feel calmer, more focused and even cheerful. She is a rare find. Thank you so much, Nattasha, for making the birth of Zigmas such a special experience. We miss you! read more

We are very thankful to Nattasha for her tremendous support through my pregnancy and labour. She built our confidence, helped us create a birth plan that we felt comfortable with, provided us great resources to make informed choices and to comfortably navigate the safety protocols for Covid-19 through prenatal care and birth. She helped us labour at home for many hours, diligently supporting me and my husband so we are well rested for the final stretch at the hospital. Since only my husband could accompany me to the hospital due to Covid-19 restrictions, Nattasha was ready on the phone to answer questions and reassure us as we made decisions while at the hospital. We could not have had the wonderful prenatal and birth experience that we did without her care and support! read more

Nattasha was essential in helping me achieve my ideal hospital birth experience for my second birth. I hired a different doula for my first birth and was not completely happy with my experience so I went shopping for another doula. Nattasha's reassuring voice, calming presence, and training in Spinning Babies led me to hire her as my birth doula. During our prenatal visits, we practiced exercises to help engage baby for birth and discussed numerous comfort measures we could do during labor. Of course, my baby had a plan of his own and went past his due date so I elected for an induction. My birth plan was almost derailed when my baby had a heart deceleration during a non-stress test and almost needed an emergency cesarean. Fortunately baby's heart rate recovered and I was able to labor and birth baby vaginally with the help of Nattasha. When I learned by baby was in an occiput-posterior position, Nattasha assisted me in several maneuvers and exercises to help rotate him into the ideal left-occiput anterior (LOA) position. [Tip: advocate for point-of-care ultrasounds during your labor to identify fetal position if your labor is progressing slowly!] Once he was engaged in the ideal LOA position, my labor progressed quickly. Nattasha's gentle strokes and massages during each contraction helped take my mind off the pain. When the labor got intense, Nattasha got the birth tub ready for me to relax and labor in during transition period until it was time to push. My baby was born 30 minutes later at a whopping 9.5 lbs! I highly credit Nattasha in providing me the emotional and physical support to help me birth my large baby with no complications and minimal tearing! read more

I was pregnant with my first (and only, thus far) daughter when I was connected with Nattasha. The program that we connected through gave us the option to switch doulas if "the fit didn't seem right". I met Nattasha at a Starbucks and right away I noticed how young she was, it surprised me but didn't throw me off. As we got to talking I realized how easy she was to talk to and how mature she was but in a really laidback way. She had a warm presence/personality and made me feel at ease. I knew after that first meeting she was the doula for us! Throughout my pregnancy Nattasha helped me learn so much about pregnancy and birth. She also involved my husband constantly in our meetings. My husband went through a period where he seemed a bit on edge and we had a whole session where (Nattasha, bless your heart!) spent about two hours really working with my husband and I to get to the bottom of these feelings. It turned out my husband was feeling scared that he wouldn't be able to help much or would not know how to help. Nattasha assured my husband and gave him not only confidence but skills he used on the actual day I was laboring (encouraging phrases, back massages & head massages, working with a rebozo, working with a ball, etc). She also had us meditate together which was probably one of the most amazing moments of my pregnancy (just getting into a headspace where we both were at peace, grateful and ready to face labor and meet our babygirl). We talked about Hypnobirthing which is something I really wanted to do and she went above and beyond researching and sending me links. She also took a couple hours (again, you're an angel!) helping me create a very detailed birth plan. The day of my labor I texted her that I was having contractions and she shared some supportive words and told me to keep her updated and reminded me I could do it. The contractions kept getting stronger and stronger but with the help of all the previous meetings I had with Nattasha, I knew I was able to face it and conquer it. My husband ended up calling the midwife and then Nattasha. We all headed over to the freestanding birth center. When I was finally checked and checked in Nattasha helped me try different laboring positions to find what was the best for me. We found being in the bathtub with warm water, lights dimmed, my playlist playing in the background and having ocasional sips of cold water helped a lot for me. Nattasha made sure my birth plan was followed to a tee! Everything was so perfect, I meditated the whole time up to 10CM!!! We then tried to birthing positions until I found the one (I pushed for 15 mins all the while Nattasha kept telling me I was safe and respected and supported; she was coming out in the sac and the midwives asked if they should pop it, Nattasha made sure I was aware and ASKED ME to make sure nothing was done without my permission and consent and I was okay with it, I said no, I didn't want interventions and Nattasha made sure the midwife heard me) and she was out! Nattasha made sure to take pictures and videos of that special special moment for us. Afterwards, Nattasha even brought food for us and continued to check in with us in the days afterwards. I cannot stress this enough I don't know if I would have been able to have the incredible and magical unmedicated birth I had without the help of Nattasha! I did not even tear and I think that's in large part to Nattasha telling me to trust my body and it's power. My husband did an AMAZING job using the skills and confidence Nattasha had helped him build during our sessions. I CANNOT RECOMMEND NATTASHA ENOUGH! She is hands down the epitome of calm and peace in the birth room. If I ever have another child I would run straIght back to her. We love you so much Nattasha and wish you nothing but the best! read more

I found Natasha through a a friend. I was very happy to meet her. She brought me a lot of calmness. At first, we are looking for someone who could speak Portuguese, since I'm Brazilian, it was important for me and my partner have someone who could speak my mother language. More than just a Portuguese speakers, Natasha was very caring. She was always available to answer question. She also provide us with a lot exercise to do during the pre natal and to help coup in the labor. She is a amazing doula and human being. I felt very supportive and safe. Obrigado por tudo flor! read more

Nattasha was an absolutely wonderful doula for the recent birth of our daughter. As my wife and I reflect on her challenging labor, we both feel like we couldn't have done it without Nattasha's support. It's obvious that being a Doula isn't just a job for Nattasha but a true passion. She felt like a dedicated part of our family unit throughout the entire birth process, it was amazing really. Having said that, she takes her job very seriously and we found her to be extremely methodical, organized and professional. I couldn't imagine having had a better Doula! read more

Nattasha was the best! She made my entire process of pregnancy and birth so easy and smooth! She is very patient, calm and good with her techniques. She helped me with breathing techniques during my pregnancy and met me 3 times before delivery to discuss what we will be doing at the time... It was my second baby and I wanted to keep it as natural as possible and knew hiring a doula was something I had to do and she was the best decision.. Will recommend her to anyone. My labor took 2 days and she was here twice at random hours at night and supported me so well through all of it.. Thanks to her I had a healthy boy normally and without any pain medication!! Thanks Nattasha!! read more

As a first-time dad, I was so happy to have Nattasha with us every step of our birth. I really appreciated how much sweet, positive vibes and encouragement she brought to our experience, while backing that up with a well-informed, analytical mindset. Before the birth she helped us talk things through, get a handle on our preferences and what to expect, and problem-solve how we could best plan and prepare. During, she was such a calming, nurturing, and helpful presence (especially amazing when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, which was often). And after the birth she has been incredibly supportive as well. Plus, she made an placenta print for us! I would recommend her to a friend without hesitation. read more

Our baby was born three weeks ago. I am so happy with how my labor went, but I couldn't have done it without Nattasha's guidance and care. We met with Nattasha three times before the birth. She helped us draw up a detailed birth plan, practice breathing and counterpressure techniques for labor, and prepare to navigate the complexities of Kaiser Oakland. I went into active labor around 8pm at night. We called Nattasha a few hours later, and she showed up at our house around midnight. By 1am the contractions were getting serious, and I was starting to talk about wanting to go to the hospital. Nattasha gently reminded us of our plan to labor at home for as long as possible. Thanks to her patient reminders, and her many pain-relief techniques during labor, I was able to wait until 3am to go to the hospital. The baby was born just two hours later, at 5am. I am convinced that if Nattasha hadn't prepared us and helped us labor at home, we would have gone to the hospital too early, and I would probably have demanded an epidural. Instead, thanks to Nattasha, I had a healthy birth without pain medication. Hire this doula! read more