I wish I had a good experience like the reviews, but honestly absolute scam. I inquired about…read moreplacenta encapsulation services. I sent in deposit and kept her in the loop on scheduled c section. i was the one who kept initiating contact for pick up of placenta. she never arranged pick up and I requested a refund of deposit, which I never received. so I got scammed out of $95 because she never answered me after the last texts requesting refund again.

Shantel was a pleasure to work with, and an invaluable part of our child's delivery…read more Her industry knowledge, along with extensive experience put us at ease about the process and the options available to us as first-time parents. We ended up having an unplanned delivery, which couldn't have gone as smoothly as it did without Shantel's support and guidance. She helped bring our daughter into this world, and will always have a special place in our hearts. She was outstanding, and we highly recommend her.

I cannot say enough good things about Wendy and her services. I chose Wendy to encapsulate my…read moreplacenta after she was able to explain to me over video chat more about the benefits of encapsulation and her practices (we had a lot to discuss during my video chat, as she was also designated my back-up doula in the event my doula could not be present at my birth). I definitely made the right choice for myself in choosing her! From beginning to end, she made the process easy and simple. She coordinated picking up my placenta from my doula after delivery and brought the capsules back to me quickly, dropping the products off at my house two days later, the same day I returned home from the hospital. She was available for consultation before and after the process to answer any questions or concerns I had. The most amazing part of the process has been her support and her artistry. Wendy's sharing of her experience with my placenta provided me healing and therapy that I did not know I would need after giving birth. She gave me the beautiful artwork she handcrafted from the placenta, along with a keepsake heart from the umbilical cord. She even made a video of her examining my placenta prior to processing it, and I am so appreciative of her evident expertise, care, and thoughtfulness. After a labor and delivery experience that did not go as planned, Wendy's talents and hard work gave me some closure, and I felt peaceful from someone honoring and attending to me in a way I had not felt at the hospital. Wendy has followed up with me multiple times since she gave me all of the finished products to check on my progress and healing. She has been incredibly supportive and helpful in the postpartum period, and I am so grateful. I cannot recommend Wendy and her services enough!

I worked with Wendy on my first birth and I hope to work with her on my next as well. The placenta…read moreencapsulation package I received was beautiful and the entire process was totally seamless. She's a warm and reliable professional and I can't recommend her services enough.

We truly cannot say enough good things about Meredith. She was with us overnight for the first 8+…read moreweeks after our son was born, and as first-time parents who were truly starting from scratch, she was exactly what we needed. She helped us with everything--from teaching me how to even use a breast pump and helping us find our groove with breastfeeding, to newborn care, postpartum recovery, and all of the million questions that come with bringing a baby home for the first time. She is incredibly knowledgeable, honest, down-to-earth, and completely nonjudgmental. She never made us feel like there was one "right" way to do things--she helped us figure out what worked for us and gave us so much confidence along the way. Meredith is also just the kind of person you want around during those early weeks. Nothing flustered her, she was incredibly calming, and she somehow always knew what we needed without us having to ask. We felt completely comfortable with her from the beginning and trusted her completely with our son. By the end, we didn't just miss having the help--we genuinely missed having Meredith around. She became such a special part of those first weeks as a family, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had her. We could not recommend her more.

Meredith was extremely caring and attentive to our son. She helped us navigate the next steps with…read morehis feedings and diaper sizes. Meredith allowed us to get some much needed rest since we knew our son would be in good hands while we slept. We are so happy we decided to hire her as our doula.

I can't imagine going through my pregnancy without Colleen. She is compassionate, unbelievably…read moresupportive, and highly knowledgeable. From the moment we hired her, she sent over so much information that helped guide me throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Each week she has an optional support group offered for you to check in and ask questions about where you are and what you are feeling. It was fantastic hearing what other pregnant folks were experiencing at different stages to get a head start preparing. This is so clearly Colleen's passion and my husband and I felt at ease from the moment we met her. I'm so grateful for all she did to help me throughout this incredible journey. We love you Colleen!!

When my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we felt uninformed about the birthing process and…read moreonly knew what most deem a "normal" hospital delivery. We have heard of women giving birth unmedicated and wanted to learn more about our options. We reached out to Colleen for support after she came recommended from a work colleague and friend. Upon an initial virtual visit with Colleen, we immediately felt a sense of comfort and empowerment. She supplied us with a plethora of resources to grow our knowledge of evidence-based births that contradicted much of the "mainstream" information that we have received. Colleen guided us in four major ways. The first was to set a foundation to prepare us for the birth of our daughter. She introduced us to Evidence Based Births, Hypnobirthing, Spinning Babies, and other holistic approaches to prepare for labor. She met with us in person to understand our goals, teach birthing techniques and baby basics class! Second, Colleen supported my emotional needs. I am naturally an anxious individual and seek feelings of security in my experiences and with whom I meet. My trust and confidence in Colleen only grew over the course of my pregnancy. She was always accessible when I had a question or needed reassurance. Not only did she answer my questions, but she provided us with articles, links and/or resources. Additionally, her prenatal and postnatal groups fostered a sense of community among the women with whom she works. Third, Colleen helped make the labor and delivery of our daughter what we imagined. Colleen was in contact with my husband from the beginning of my labor to guide us through every step. When she arrived, my husband said I bolted straight for her! Both my husband and I were overall more relaxed and comfortable knowing Colleen was there. She is highly knowledgeable about techniques to help women through surges and deliver without an epidural. She helped us advocate for the experience we envisioned by expressing my birth plan to then nurses when I was unable to do so. I genuinely believe I may not have been successful in my goal of an unmedicated birth without Colleen. Finally, Colleen supported us in the fourth trimester, which many do not hear about or prepare for. She visited with us and discussed my experience giving birth. I almost gave up on breastfeeding more times than I can count. Colleen made me feel like whatever decision I chose regarding breastfeeding was OK and provided encouragement to help me continue as well. She was 100% right to wait until the 3-week mark! I am still breastfeeding now and have successfully started feeding a bottle (with Colleen's suggestions to ensure she wouldn't reject breastfeeding). Colleen also provides an additional service of encapsulating placentas, which we elected to do. I can honestly say I initially did not believe I would feel a difference when taking the pills, but I felt more energized and more emotionally regulated when taking them (opposed to missing a dose). I can say that I appreciate Colleen and what she has done to support us more than she will ever know! While I have known Colleen for about a year, I feel as though I will have a connection with her for life! If my husband and I have more children, there is not doubt Colleen will be present for their births as well.

The universe really blessed me when it had my mother who was pregnant with me at the time, cross…read morepaths with Loretta. She has been a part of my life since birth, and because of her I was lucky to be exposed to the beauty of birth and breastfeeding. When I gave birth to my daughter in December 2013, I was having a lot of difficulty breastfeeding and wanted to give up. However, Loretta spent many many hours with me teaching me different techniques and positions until I found one that was comfortable and worked. I was also dealing with a pretty bad bout of postpartum anxiety (similar to postpartum depression), which made every obstacle seem even worse to me. Loretta was always patient and loving. I honestly do not think she realizes the overwhelming love and gratitude I have for her for being by my side during a time I really needed it. There are no words that can express how grateful I am to have her in my life forever, and for how she dedicated the time, effort, and love to me and my experience !!

Loretta is just one of the most experienced, caring, and understanding professionals that I worked…read morewith after the birth of my daughter to try to get the hang of breastfeeding. She worked with me in my home and she did so on my schedule. She's been doing the work of a doula for decades, and it shows. She is patient and, at the same time, she's honest when honesty is called for. She'll show you what you want, but she'll also show you and teach you what you need.

Vicki was, and I am not exaggerating, the best doula I could ask for. She worked with me for both…read moreof my births, which couldn't have been more different -- 36+-hour induction, ending in a c-section, and then four years later, a 6-hour spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal delivery that was so fast and furious that the anesthesiologist didn't even have time to get to the hospital room. In both situations, Vicki was calm, kind, good-humored, cheerful, and gender- and body-affirming. She helped me make realistic but optimistic birth plans for both births, helped me process my first birth before we planned for my second, and overall was just an incredible support. She was also there for my partner to help him process his own anxieties after my first birth, and to give him some support to so that he could be my #1 person during my second labor and delivery. I honestly can't recommend her enough!

From the owner: Whole Self Doula has provided complete prenatal, birth, and postpartum doula services to clients in…read moreWestchester, Greenwich, the Bronx, and Manhattan since 2010. Certified through Doula Trainings International. Lactation services and placenta encapsulation also available. Medicaid accepted.

I have used Om Mamas for both of my births. With my first we did everything we could to have a…read morenatural delivery but my son was large, 42 weeks, and determined to stay put despite a two day induction. While I was initially devastated at the thought of a C-section Chelsea was there the whole time, helping me ask the right questions of my providers and allowing me to feel heard and part of the decision. When my baby's heartrate started dropping and he was born with severe torticollis it was clear that he was in a very bad position and the surgery prevented what could have been a very serious outcome. With my second I was determined to have a VBAC, but any C-section mama will tell you, this can be an uphill fight when it comes to your provider. Chelsea and Lauren were available to talk after every appointment. I could vent, and ask questions, and figure out exactly how to put myself in the best possible position to have a vaginal delivery. I'm so pleased that I was able to have a VBAC this past April with my second son and I know that a huge part of it came down to the support of my doulas! These women are so dedicated, staying with you for hours and hours, sitting with you on the floor, holding your hand, wiping your sweat, and squeezing your hips. This is the type of support all birth moms deserve!

Great experience working with Elizabeth for her natural birthing class. Everything was explained…read morewell and gave great insight into the process and expectations of having a natural unmedicated birth.

Abby was a godsend throughout my entire pregnancy. I was one of those crazies who started searching…read morefor her entire birth team before the line on the pregnancy test had fully developed. Abby was the first doula I interviewed and I immediately booked her. I actually found her when looking for someone to encapsulate my placenta. My son was diagnosed with a genetic condition at 20 weeks, and Abby was my rock. She gave me a bunch of information on the condition and reminded me I wasn't alone in this. She guided me through everything and kept me level headed when I didn't think I could do it anymore. When I was in labor, she stayed calm and pushed me to follow my original plan of no pain meds. Even when I was BEGGING for an epidural, she reminded me of what I really wanted. She also helped give me LOTS of massages, and forced me to drink fluid. I probably would've given birth to a raisin if she hadn't kept me hydrated! And the placenta capsules have been AMAZING. I have not had ANY post part depression, I have tons of energy, and lots of milk supply (enough for my son and to pump for my emergency stock). I'm 7 weeks postpartum and my body is back to normal, and I feel amazing. THANK YOU ABBY! We love you!

From the owner: Birth Doula and Placenta Encapsulation Specialist serving NYC in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.read more