I signed a contract with Nova Birth Services LLC in July of 2025. In order to secure the doula…read morebirth and postpartum overnight services, we paid a 50% deposit on both services totaling $3050. In November, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and hospitalized. Due to my condition, I had to deliver my baby early via emergency c-section at just over 31 weeks. My baby is currently in the NICU. I wasn't able to have a prenatal in-home visit due to my hospitalization and was given very short notice of my emergency C-section due to my declining health. After my birth, I was put on magnesium, and my baby was sent to the NICU. My husband and I were both so terrified that the last thing I was thinking about was having my doula attend. I was afraid for me and my baby. I reached out to Shannon after my birth and asked if I could cancel the postpartum doula services because of the new financial strain of NICU costs/my hospitalization. She informed me that if I canceled the postpartum doula services, that both contracts would be void, and all services would be considered rendered. Remember, I did not receive a prenatal visit nor birth services due to my medical condition & hospitalization. The contract I signed stated that if the doula wasn't at your birth, you would be entitled to eight hours of postpartum services. Shannon explained that because I paid a 50% deposit on both services, none of the services were paid in full so I would receive nothing else moving forward. Although we had paid $3050 and the birth doula services were $2100, I would need to pay an additional $900 in order to receive the eight hours of postpartum services. She said I could "take it or leave it" and that she would not move money from one contract to another. I was shocked at her response. There was no solution offered where I could receive any services post-birth for the $3050 we had paid. More money had to be paid. This was literally the worst experience of my entire life, and I received no care or compassion at all from Shannon. She maintained that her responsibility was to her staff/business. During our phone call, I was talking about my hospitalization and she mentioned that all of her clients were hospitalized. I clarified that I wasn't hospitalized because I was giving birth. I was hospitalized due to severe preeclampsia and potential organ failure. Trying to work things out with her made a horrible situation even more stressful and terrible. She refuses to budge and maintains that we will not receive any postpartum services if we don't pay extra. My husband and I feel as though we have paid $3050 and have received nothing. We did not receive a prenatal appointment, doula birth services, or any postpartum care. Please see the last email I received from her.

First -- if you're on the fence about hiring a doula for your first baby, do it. And if you're…read morewondering who to choose, the answer is Shannon. As a first-time dad, I can honestly say Shannon was invaluable -- not just for my wife, but for me too. From the start, she made us feel comfortable, informed, and genuinely prepared for what was ahead. She has this calm, thoughtful, and considerate presence that immediately lowers the temperature in the room. Nothing ever felt rushed or overwhelming because she helped us understand what was happening and what our options were. During labor, Shannon was incredible. She didn't just support my wife -- she supported us as a team. She walked us through next steps, explained the choices being presented, and made sure we felt confident in our decisions. One thing that really stood out to me was how she helped me help my wife. She showed me exercises and techniques I could guide her through to ease labor and keep things progressing. That made me feel involved and useful instead of helpless, which meant a lot. After the birth, Shannon's support didn't stop. She came to our home for a postpartum visit and helped us process the entire experience. She walked us through what to expect physically and emotionally in the days and weeks ahead, what to watch out for, and answered all of our first-time parent questions without judgment. She even helped find us a pump -- such a thoughtful and practical gesture that shows how much she truly cares. Shannon doesn't just provide information -- she provides confidence. As new parents, that's everything. We felt supported, knowledgeable, and empowered every step of the way. We can't recommend her highly enough. If you're considering working with Shannon, you will not regret it.

I'll admit it. I was skeptical as to the role a doula would play in the birth of my daughter, but…read moreafter going through the entire process, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting a doula and hiring Lois and Alyssa. Here's why: 1) Even though I remained calm during the birth of my daughter, it's a high stress situation and it's easy to forget all the classes you attended and books you read. Lois was our doula and her calm demeanor, quick problem solving, and extensive knowledge is what got my wife, daughter, and myself through labor. 2) Lois was our advocate. Although GWU Hospital Midwives are amazing, they see so many babies born each day. Lois was our personal champion and helped us create a birth plan and she fought for us during labor. 3) Lois also provided our birth class at our home. It was way cheaper than other classes and personalized to you and your partner. She comes to you, which makes it easier as well especially if your partner is tired due to pregnancy. 4) Lois has a calming presence and that makes all the difference. She listens to you and empathizes with you. She gets to know you and your partner and then works with you to find labor coping mechanisms, etc. that fit you. Some people make experiences about them, but not Lois. She allows the experience to be about you and supports you throughout it. 5) Lois was available. She would answer any questions we had and even came to our house when my wife started to labor. She sat with her and massaged her and found coping mechanisms that actually works (Like holding a comb). She then came with us to the hospital and stayed until after birth and we were in a good place. 6) Lois has credibility. She worked at GWU Hospital Midwives and is a well respected doula. That opened many doors for us at the hospital because of her credibility and integrity. If you're thinking about getting a doula, call Lois. She'll meet with you over coffee and I promise you'll want to hire her on the spot. Her presence is the best and will make your delivery so much better!

My husband and I had the pleasure of working with DC Doulas (specifically Alyssa) to help us with…read morethe delivery of our baby girl. I can't say enough amazing things about these ladies, they are all truly amazing. Alyssa was everything I could have wanted in a doula and more. I decided to use the midwives at GW for my labor and delivery and I am so grateful that they insisted we hire a doula. I was hesitant about the idea of hiring a doula and I was skeptical of their exact role but I'm so so glad that we ended up using them. They were worth every penny (beyond worth it)! After my birth experience, I recall telling my husband that I would have paid double for their services - that's how invaluable Alyssa was to me. She was calm, she was patient, she was loving, and most importantly she was just there. I was in labor for 14 hours and Alyssa didn't leave my side for a second. At some point, my husband told her to take a break and grab something to eat, but she stayed by my side for 14 hours. She only left to use the restroom and to bring me water. Whenever I was in pain, she massaged me. She knew exactly where to add pressure to alleviate the pain and I would go from screaming to relaxed in seconds - she did this for 14 hours - and these weren't light massages, these were deep tissue/deep massages she had to give me every few minutes. She must have been exhausted but no one would ever be able to tell. Not only was I impressed by her, but my entire family was impressed by her including the staff at GW. Fast forward to postpartum care - I have had the pleasure of working with the entire team - Lois, Alyssa, and Hancie. I feel like there is nothing that can prepare you for the first few weeks of a baby's life but these ladies made it more manageable. They came to the house and did any and everything. I had difficulty breastfeeding and they helped me through that difficult period, they made sure I was eating when I was too busy doing everything else, they did laundry, they did dishes, they helped with the baby - they were once again, invaluable. I will forever be grateful to these ladies and I look forward to working with them again when our family grows.

After reaching out to several doulas and doula agencies in the area, we felt confident hiring Katie…read morebecause of her extensive knowledge, warm demeanor, and focus on education. We learned so much from Katie as first-time parents about the birth process, what to expect in the hospital, and feeding baby. As we got closer to our due date, it was so reassuring to be able to reach out to Katie about symptoms, and once labor began she was able to quickly advise us on going to the hospital and met us there. During labor, Katie was absolutely invaluable in helping support us. We truly would not have been able to do it without her and I would highly recommend her to anyone expecting or looking for a doula!

We are incredibly grateful to have had Katie as our doula. She is professional, deeply experienced,…read morecompassionate, and exceptionally skilled at working with medical providers while always advocating for her clients. As someone of advanced maternal age with a pregnancy complicated by hypertension, I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Katie was a steady, reassuring presence throughout pregnancy, induction, and birth. She helped us navigate complex medical decisions with clarity and confidence, and her calm advocacy made a meaningful difference in our experience. We felt heard, respected, and empowered throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Catherine is truly an amazing doula. From the moment we met during our interview, I instantly felt…read morea connection with her. Her beliefs, experience, and knowledge aligned perfectly with what I was looking for. Even though I was a little late in the game searching for a doula, I knew I wanted someone by my side to support both my husband and me--and Catherine did just that and so much more. She helped me create a thoughtful birth plan, regularly shared helpful information, and was always available whenever I needed her. She even came to our home to guide us through exercises to prepare for labor. When the big day came, she was incredible--staying by my side the entire time, coaching me, encouraging my husband, and providing the positivity I needed most. She also advocated for me and my birth plan after my little one was born, which meant so much. Even after delivery, Catherine continued to check in and support me, showing just how much she truly cares. I 110% recommend her to anyone looking for a doula, and I will absolutely be reaching out to her again for any future pregnancies.

Catherine is a kind and loving person. She has great communication skills and very quick to respond…read morewhen you book a consult. She is very knowledgeable about many different things to help you through your birth process.

The womb room is amazing!! They offer so many classes for before baby or after. I took advantage of…read morethe free virtual prenatal yoga classes, pregnancy support group and baby and me yoga. Yoga is so fun to connect with my baby and also other moms. Plus Amanda is a great instructor! Some of their other classes are on the pricey side is the only thing but it's such a great resource for moms! Also their location can be a bit tricky to find but the main door is off Keswick Rd (and is stroller friendly). Walk in past the dress shop and bare to the right. There's a big parking lot in the back.

This review is is for the doula services and support groups (becoming a mom and breastfeeding)…read more I like that the becoming a mom group has a rotation of doulas who lead the group each week. That way you end up inadvertently meeting the different doulas. We went with Cara. She has a ton of experience and super chill vibe. Our hospital was not allowing extra visitors due to COVID so we signed up for a virtual doula service. She met with us a few times before the birth to review questions, birth plan, and provide support. She was also available via email for random questions that came up in between. The day of my labor I reached out to her as needed and she guided me through some of the decisions we had to make. Her support made it so that I could better advocate for myself and my baby during my labor. She was 100% supportive of all my decisions and in the end I ended up having a beautiful and quick birth. I am so happy we got a doula and recommend it to anyone no matter what type of brith you are planning on having. I found the groups to be more helpful towards the beginning of my pregnancy, especially as it was a time that COVID was just ramping up. The only issue is that the people in group vary from week to week. I think it would be nice to be able to connect with the same group from week to week so there is some continuity.

DC metro maternity was absolutely essential to our family's postpartum experience. As a first time…read moremom the expertise and nurturing the doulas provided was incredible. We are an active-duty military family and had just moved to the area right before our son was born, as such we didn't have a village here. DC metro maternity became our village. I had numerous postpartum complications and I felt all of the doulas I worked with genuinely cared about my well being and recovery. Candace is truly and exceptional doula she helped grow my confidence as a mom and by the end of our time with her I felt transformed. I have already recommended DC metro maternity to friends, and I would recommend them to you reader, they are worth it 1000 times over.

DC Metro Maternity has been an essential part of welcoming both of my children into the world, and…read moreI cannot recommend them enough! Sam and Stephenie were my doulas, and their support made a huge difference--especially in my most recent labor and delivery experience. They were there every step of the way: before, during, and after labor, helping me process my emotions, easing my anxieties, and empowering me to make informed decisions. Both Sam and Stephenie are incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and caring. Sam's calm and steady presence during labor brought so much peace and reassurance. Her emotional and physical support, combined with encouraging words and affirmations, helped me stay grounded throughout the experience. When we needed to make decisions, Sam provided invaluable education and insight that allowed us to feel confident and well-informed. Even in our first labor and delivery experience with DC Metro Maternity, Sam's expert guidance and practical tips were things we wouldn't have known without her. I'm so grateful for the care and expertise that Sam and Stephenie provided. Thanks to DC Metro Maternity, both of my labor experiences went more smoothly than I could have imagined. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive doulas!

I could not recommend Birth You Desire / Ursula / Jenn more. Jenn has been simply the best doula we…read morecould have asked for. During birth, she was able to tell when my husband needed some extra help, asked the hospital staff for what he needed on his behalf when he was not mentally able to, and gave us guidance based off of my preferences and state of mind that led to an incredibly successful birth. Her postpartum care has honestly been the highlight of her services. I did not realize how much help we would need overnight and the help and resources that Jenn provides have been invaluable. Jenn claims she is not magic - but she is. You are in the best hands with Birth You Desire.

I'm located in San Diego and was in need of renting a reliable labor TENS unit. After many…read moreunsuccessful reliable searches online, Birth Your Desires came up and seemed legit and straightforward and it was. She sent me the TENS unit very quickly and included packaging and a return label for easy return after birth.