Our family hired Carrie Scott for nighttime postpartum doula services for the first two weeks after…read moreour son was born and we had such a great experience! We trusted her right away and she put us at ease taking to our newborn immediately! She was reliable and took great care of our son. I was able to get some extra much needed sleep. I highly recommend her!

WHERE TO START... The investment is 1000% worth it. For us as new parents wanting to experience…read morepregnancy, labor & delivery and then postpartum season with zero knowledge but as enjoy the process as peace-filled and confident with objective info as possible... (everyone's aim right?!) ...Celina made this happen!! She was a resource for all questions, providing excellent advice that balanced beautifully with her expertise, medical recommendations, and general common sense, making sure to always leave the decision in our hands yet make us feel confident in doing so! She is a patient and calm presence, always temperate and positive! Her class in our home before delivery to educate on techniques, help us walk-through a birth plan, and know what words even meant and what doctors and nurses would ask for was incredibly helpful. On the actual birthday, she was there to equip us in general to make the best choices and move me around in positioning for a really positive birth, experience and healthy baby (including bringing lavender aromatherapy and cozy lights in the delivery room!!)! She taught my husband a support move for laboring that saved me getting to 6cm dilated while I had intense lower back contraction pain and we said we would pay the whole investment of having a doula for that 1 move alone :) After coming home, Celina did night care 2x nights a week literally coaching us and everything from breast-feeding tactics to bottle sterilizing to best holding positions for gassy baby, how to get her to sleep well ... Swaddling!! And so much more! Also, mom healing questions and practices (or "is this normal" texts) -- she is a vast source of information and support, I just could not imagine going through this without her! We felt equipped with what we needed for each step, but never overwhelmed. A doula such a special, and in my opinion 100% necessary part of the family to have for a positive experience from pregnancy to newborn care!! What a blessing we will always be grateful for!

We used Nicole Jolley and had an amazing birth experience with her. She is incredibly warm,…read morestrong, competent, knowledgeable, non-flaky, and funny in an irreverent sort of way (which my husband and I appreciate). She is certified as both a doula and a midwife -- this was important in several ways: 1. It was reassuring to know that she could deliver our child at home if things progressed rapidly. (My confidence in her abilities allowed me to labor from the comfort of my home. It wasn't until I was ready to push that I arrived at the hospital. Of course, she will adjust this based on your own individual birth plan). 2. Her midwife certification also allows her to perform many duties as someone who is only a doula cannot. For example, when she came over to my house, she measured my cervix and made recommendations on exercises to perform during labor based on which part of my uterus was thick. 3. The fact that she is also a midwife is also important for our insurance Fepblue -- which only processes claims for midwives and not doulas. Yes, we used the GW midwife practice -- and BCBS were only concerned about Nicole's certification and did not consider her redundant to the process). Other things that we loved about Nicole: She was recommended by the GW midwives (if you are delivering with them - it is nice that they are very familiar with and like each other). She lives on the Hill ~ so it was reassuring that she is close by. We also loved that were very comfortable with her alternate, Alex, who we didn't have to use but liked and trusted equally. (Make sure that you like both your doula and her/his alternate). She used warm cloth compresses (so no tearing or at least reduces the chances of it). She give really strong back rubs -- this was important for my friend who had terrible back pains during delivery. She has a strong, no-nonsense yet warm and caring presence. I felt completely comfortable in her capable hands. All my friends who have used her would also sing her praises. One friend had an incredibly long labor (over 24 hours) -- and Nicole stayed with her and her husband the entire time. We all have had different births (with varying levels of difficulties) -- but all were able to deliver naturally. I am confident that Nicole had a big part in this success. I would, without any reservation, recommend Nicole Jolley.

I have three children and delivered twice with Nicole. I am incredibly grateful for her and know…read morethat I had great deliveries both times because of her. My first delivery (without Nicole or any doula) was incredibly traumatizing, included an emergency c-section as the kid and I were dying, and resulted in major PTSD. When I got pregnant with #2, I wanted a different experience. I interviewed seven different doulas before deciding to hire Nicole. There were a few factors that stood out with her: 1) I liked that she is very matter-of-fact in how she explains labor and delivery. I like all the information, and am not someone who likes the more woo-y side of natural birth. 2) I liked that she is also a certified midwife, which meant that she could do things like cervical exams if necessary. 3) I liked her sassy sense of humor. If you know you're going to be in a (likely) stressful situation with someone like this for a solid chunk of time, you need to like that person as a person, not just as a professional! Over the course of that second pregnancy, I was extra appreciative of the fact that I could text Nicole with questions or concerns, and that she would get back to me in a timely fashion. I have a great OB (who was super on board with me having a doula, especially given the PTSD), and with Nicole there, I felt like I had an excellent support system. When I was in active labor, Nicole was helping another mom deliver and sent an alternate to be with me for a few hours. She came immediately afterwards. She moved me into different positions, in and out of baths and showers, and worked with my husband to encourage me when I was ready to give up. (This is a great point too - Nicole was as helpful to my husband as she was to me, obviously in different ways. He felt like the situation was significantly easier to manage and approach because of her support.) I labored at home until I felt like I needed to push, then she drove my husband and me to the hospital. (She was with me for about 14 hours at this point.) At the hospital, Nicole worked really well with my OB to keep the hot compresses and oil going to protect my perineum as I was pushing. When I wasn't understanding how to push, she would rephrase so that I better understood. I successfully delivered after 90 minutes of pushing, with no tears. And she took the best spontaneous pictures and videos right after my kid was born! It was 180 degrees from the trauma of my first birth. My third birth was its own experience. I was two weeks overdue and despite all of our best efforts, could not get labor to actively stick. I had to be induced at the hospital. Nicole and I talked through everything prior to my getting to the hospital, so I felt prepared for what was to come. She was at the hospital for parts of the labor (again, coming right after helping another woman deliver that morning), trying to help me dilate. After finishing the first round of pitocin, the OBs decided to break my water, and I was fully unprepared for the level of pain that my contractions would ramp up to after that and demanded an epidural. Nicole made sure this was what I actually wanted given my plan, etc., but when I made it clear it was, Nicole was 100% behind me. I loved that she would help translate what I meant when I was having a hard time being coherent to the medical staff. When it was time to push and my legs were obviously not functional, Nicole was incredibly helpful to get me to successfully get the kid out (again, no tears!). After the delivery, she applauded me for standing up for myself and allowing the plans to change. I am grateful to never have felt judged or wrong with Nicole; she was my ally and cheerleader. So two different labors and deliveries: one unmedicated and mostly at home, the other at a hospital with all kinds of interventions, but both with one external constant: Nicole. Labor is not easy, but if you can deliver safely and be able to feel immense joy once that kid is out and in your arms, that is a success. I owe that to Nicole. TL;DR: Nicole Jolly is a fabulous doula, and I cannot recommend her enough.

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.

We cannot say enough wonderful things about DCBD. This was my/our first pregnancy, and we truly…read morefelt supported every step of the way by their team. Especially in those last 1-2 months, we leaned so heavily on the birth doulas and they responded to all of our questions and concerns immediately. We learned the most about how to care for our daughter and what was happening in my body from DCBD. I went into labor and the birth experience feeling ready and excited, and that's because of the experience, information, and kindness that were shared with us ahead of time. The birth - nearly 4 months later, and we are still talking about Camille! We are going to remember her forever - she was such a wonderful presence during my entire labor and after, and we don't know what we would have done without her. She made sure my husband and I knew what was happening, she advocated for us, she ensured I was comfortable (well, as comfortable as you can be in labor), and she really rooted for us the whole time. I felt safe because she was with us. And Ella - we were shocked that someone who didn't *have* to be there, stayed for the entire labor, participated, and stayed after when we were transferred to the postpartum room! She will be (or already is) a phenomenal birth doula. We felt so lucky to have Camille and Ella. Post birth - Lolonyo came to our house the very first night we were back from the hospital, and what a gift she is. She taught us how to soothe a baby, how to change a diaper (I'm sure they showed us in the hospital... but I could not remember haha). We had her for several nights during those first 2 months and we were so, so grateful to wake up the next morning refreshed, rested, and with the knowledge that our daughter had been held in loving arms all night long. She was never judgmental and was always supportive as we navigated breastfeeding, safe cosleeping, and everything else. We also had Joanna for several daytime visits. She always made sure to check in on my mental and physical health, which was so appreciated, and she was so helpful. We always felt like we were able to reset a bit after her visits, because she'd leave behind clean bottles and pump parts and a rested (and sometimes still sleeping) baby, and we would have had time to ourselves to shower and get a little more organized. She made our chaotic lives feel lighter, and we loved her for that. As a DCBD member you'll also have the opportunity to be part of a postpartum circle of other parents going through what you did. Shaleen and Elizabeth gave us space to talk through birth and everything that comes after, while feeling supported and safe. I'm still friends with some of the parents from my circle. In closing - DCBD is worth every single penny. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Rebecca from DC Birth Doulas was absolutely incredible. From the moment we first connected, I…read moreimmediately felt comfortable with her and the entire team. She has such a warm, genuine presence that made it easy to ask questions and talk through everything honestly. She was always responsive and gave thoughtful, real answers that helped me feel informed and confident throughout the process. I was hoping for a VBAC, and with Rebecca's support we were able to have a successful one. She provided amazing support not only for me, but also for my husband. During labor she was calm, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable, helping us both feel grounded and supported every step of the way. Having Rebecca there made such a difference in our birth experience. I'm so grateful for her care and for the support of the entire DC Birth Doulas team. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly supportive 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.

Katie is exceptional at her job, and an amazing human being. My wife and I were both very anxious…read moreeven before we were expecting for the first time. My wife needed someone who could instill calmness, provide information, and accommodate her preferences for labor. I needed someone who could help me be the involved partner i wanted to be through the childbirth process and after. That is why once we found out we were expecting we were looking for a doula to help us sort through the tons of information on preparing for childbirth, childbirth itself and the medical, personal, and other choices associated with it. Katie is an expert's expert, but is able to talk through different topics in a way that helped put us at ease. She's friendly and funny, which helps when she is walking through medical decisions, how to talk to doctors, how to talk to family, considerations and questions we have as first-time parents. She also makes herself available by phone and text when we have questions at random hours with baby. On top of all that, after our baby girl was born, she was able to follow up with us and help teach us a few tricks here and there as well as answer questions we had as things came up.

Hiring Ashley, Michelle and Jackie was the best decision we made in planning for the birth of our…read morefirst baby. We had a lot of questions and issues toward the end of my pregnancy and having them available to us was truly invaluable. The team was constantly on hand to talk through whatever came up and to help us navigate challenging situations. Having Jackie at the hospital with us was amazing - she worked seamlessly with all the doctors and nurses at GW and lifted our spirits after several challenges during labor and delivery. We can't imagine going through this process without her. The services provided are well worth the price. The classes and workshops were extremely helpful and informative. They also helped to eliminate some of the fear of the unknown for first-time parents. I can't recommend Jackie, Ashley and Michelle enough - you will not regret working with them.

Words truly cannot do justice regarding how amazing Michele is and how much my husband and I would…read morerecommend her and Ashley's services. Run, don't walk, and hire her! :) Not only is Michele knowledgeable and talented regarding anything and everything prenatal, labor/delivery, and postpartum, but she brings the added layer of being approachable, honest, hilarious, and unbelievably encouraging. She is there to support the type of birth that *you* want - whatever that might be. She made me feel empowered, strong, and prepared. We found the three classes that they taught to be very helpful - giving us the right amount of information, as well as the right type of information. It also connected us to others in the community in similar stages of life. I always looked forward to attending. Additionally, during the labor and delivery, it seemed as if Michele almost served as a family member, doula, nurse, midwife, *and* doctor - she wore so many hats - all while making me feel extremely comfortable and supported. At every step along the way, and every decision point, I looked to her first for her insight and opinions. I also heard firsthand from both a nurse and midwife how much they appreciated having her as support to them as well. Choosing Michele was single-handedly the best decision I made during this journey and I cannot recommend her (and Ashley) enough. I will definitely use them again if/when we have another child.

Doula Nathalie & Associates is an incredibly supportive team. Through the online meetings covering…read morepregnancy-related topics, the childbirth classes, and the rental of a TENS unit, we felt truly supported and confident that we were with the right team. Hannah Wright was our doula, and she was incredible from the very beginning. From our first meeting, I knew she was the right person to support me and my husband during our baby's birth. She was deeply attentive, always helping me understand what I wanted and guiding me with clarity, care, and respect. I learned so much from her, and she was always checking in, offering support, and helping us make informed decisions. I had an induction and spent three days in the hospital before our baby arrived, and Hannah was consistently present, checking on us, bringing food, and being there whenever we needed her. When it was time to give birth, she arrived immediately and never left my side. I am certain that without Hannah, I would not have had the birth experience I wanted. She ensured my wishes were respected and supported me through every up and down with confidence and compassion. Hannah will always be part of our family's story.

I had a wonderful experience with my daytime doula Iyonna and evening doula Stephenie. Both were…read morevery helpful and knowledgeable which is so important for expectant mothers who need extra help cause newborns require so much and new moms need the time off to relax or just do... anything else. It feels endless and overwhelming at times. And it was wonderful to have the extra pair of hands so that I could sleep at night and take care of errands, get out of the house, grab food, and visit my older daughter in daycare during the day.

Working with Gina was worth every penny. From a professional standpoint, she was outstanding…read more Knowledgeable, resourceful, and patient, Gina provided excellent information, thoughtful advice, and steady emotional support throughout our time working with her. We were fortunate to find her, especially because we came to the doula search later than we should have. Even with the limited time remaining before our due date, Gina quickly equipped us with valuable educational materials to help us prepare for labor, helped us develop a birth plan, and guided us through the final weeks of pregnancy. She shared helpful advice and supported us in our decision-making process, particularly as our baby arrived later than expected, at 41+ weeks. Once labor began, Gina supported us every step of the way. She was there at home, providing both physical and emotional support, and then at the hospital, where she helped us make the best possible decisions in a challenging and evolving situation. When we had to pivot from our original birth plan, Gina helped us navigate that process with remarkable calm and confidence. She offered insightful suggestions, advocated for us with hospital staff, and gave us clear frameworks to guide our decision-making, always with our well-being at the center. On a human level, Gina is a truly wonderful person. She is kind, generous, and unfailingly calm. She made us feel at ease, which in itself is worth its weight in gold when you are going through the birth process for the first time. There were so many things we did not understand, and many others we did not even know to ask about. Gina's gentle presence gave us the comfort and reassurance we needed to feel that everything was going to be okay. We could not recommend her more highly. We will always be deeply grateful to her for supporting us through the arrival of our baby daughter.

Working with Gina Valo of BirthingKind was one of the most important decisions we made for our…read morebirth, and she was worth every penny. We originally hired Gina because my husband gets queasy, and we thought having a doula to support both of us -- so I would not also have to manage him while giving birth -- would be the best bet. What we received was so much more than that. Gina is so incredibly hands-on, thoughtful, and invested that we never questioned the value for a second. As we moved through Gina's birth prep curriculum, I realized I had very complicated feelings about birth, labor, and the transition to motherhood. I also realized how little I knew and how little interest I had taken in preparing before working with her. Gina's four prenatal meetings were deeply personal, intentional, and never judgmental. She created a space where I could be honest, ask questions, learn, and slowly become someone who actually wanted to understand my options. Gina was warm, personable, and incredibly intuitive. She understood my love of dogs, but she also understood some personal trauma unrelated to birth that was deeply affecting how I felt about the whole experience. She met all of that with compassion, humor, and zero judgment. By the time I gave birth, she felt like the sister I never had. By the end of our work together, I could not get enough of learning about birth. I also started forming opinions about my care in a hospital setting. So many people told me not to bother with a birth plan because I would not be able to stick to it, but Gina's system helped me create a plan that was actually useful, and deviations were made by my decisions or, at a minimum, with my informed consent. During my induction, I was able to navigate, adjust, and advocate for myself in real time. I felt empowered in conversations with my providers, and I was able to face medical decisions with both confidence and respect. During the birth itself, Gina was exactly who we needed in the room. I had some minor complications that would have felt very scary if she had not been there. Her energy was calm and steady. She kept us informed without scaring us. Her massage and comfort techniques were top notch and made such a difference throughout labor. She supported my husband in knowing how to care for our baby while I focused on my own health during those first golden hours. And somehow, she did all of this with warmth and a smile. She also connected us with a birth photographer who was looking to capture hospital birth photos for her portfolio, and that introduction became another unexpected gift. We now have beautiful images of our hospital birth that we will treasure forever, something we never would have known to pursue without Gina. This was my first child, and I truly cannot imagine going through birth without Gina by my side, whether it were my first baby or my tenth. Gina is an incredible birth doula, educator, advocate, and calming presence. I would recommend BirthingKind to anyone looking for a doula in the Washington, DC area, especially first-time parents, hospital birth families, induction births, or anyone who wants evidence-based birth prep, birth plan support, and someone who can help them feel informed and empowered rather than overwhelmed.

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.