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KIND WORDS FROM OUR LOVELY CLIENTS
Sara O'Donnell
00:56 11 Sep 21
if you’re looking for support, kindness, safety and knowledge during your pregnancy/birth, look no further then birth first doulas. not only did we get paired with an amazing doula, but had access to videos and resources during our pregnancy made us feel prepared and reassured. having a postpartum visit built into the services made us feel like we were supported throughout our entire parenting journey, not saying goodbyes once we left the hospital.as first time parents, my husband and i weren’t too sure what the experience would be like as we had never worked with a doula before and we are so happy we had alison to help bring our daughter into the world. from the moment we met alison, not only did we feel at ease with her, but felt like we would have a strong yet gentle force behind us making the birthing process as comfortable as possible. she literally had my back (hello, back labor) throughout my entire labor and delivery. she provided us with so many resources to help us make the most informed decisions about what care we wanted for our hospital birth. she not only provided counterpressure for close to 12 hours (hello, back labor) but helped me meditate and focus my breath during labor. she was on top of notifying the hospital staff if i needed anything and grabbed a leg when it came time to push. there was nothing that alison wasn’t willing to do and did it without hesitation. we couldn’t be happier with our experience: trusting alison with the wellbeing of our newly expanded family was one of the best decisions we have ever made.read more
Anthony Quach
13:00 17 Aug 21
My wife and I had such a great experience with Rebecca! This review is long overdue as our baby is now a toddler.It was our first pregnancy so we didn't know what to expect. Rebeca helped my wife be at ease during the process and was a great resource of information. The moms groups that were run by The Birth Doulas was a nice setting for my wife, as she was able to make new friends and connect with others in a similar lifestage. If we were to enlist the support of a doula again, Rebecca would be our first call.read more
Angeline Hill
18:23 13 Aug 21
Having a supportive, nurturing, loving experience for the birth of your child while looking for medical support in a hospital setting is totally possible with the help of Trina at Birth First. Our first birth experience was so traumatic and I knew I wanted to be more in control of my choices for my second. Trina helped walk us through our goals and then supported me as my advocate during our delivery. I was able to have the completely unmedicated birth I wanted- seriously not even an IV! We were ready to accept medical interventions if needed for my or the baby’s safety, but I was educated and informed because of the prep work I did with Trina. She is incredible and makes the experience all about what you want and need. Love her and her great, peaceful spirit.read more
Caio Vinicius Cavalcante Dimov
05:32 04 Aug 21
Alex Phelan
01:57 04 Aug 21
5 Google stars could not possibly represent the value that Kathy, our Doula from Birth First has brought to our life. This was our first child so we had some normal new parent anxiety but we also just recently moved to Portland and have no other family support here. Kathy provided unfathomable levels of expertise and support to our journey that made what could have been one of the most stressful things ever one of the most beautiful and timeless experiences we could imagine. She truly goes ALL IN on her clients in the most genuine and supportive way possible. My wife said that Kathy was like having a second mom for her here and she felt sooooooo taken care of during the birth. Kathy is priceless.read more
Caitlin Dorr
20:56 20 Jul 21
We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Birth First Doulas.Let me first say, I was in labor for FORTY hours and having a doula was absolutely essential for both my husband and I.We were matched with Alison, who was a fantastic wealth of information and resources leading up to the birth. When I went into labor, Alison happened to be tied up at another birth, but she quickly got us set-up with her back-up doula Rebekka. Rebekka was with us in the hospital for nearly the entire labor process. Her expertise, care, and counsel really helped me persevere for those 40 hours. Just as it came time to push, Alison was able to come to the hospital and give Rebekka a well-earned break. Alison was a calming force, coaching me during pushing and took many amazing photos, as we had previously requested.The company as a whole was quick to get us set up with a doula and were great at communicating and great to work with. I can't recommend them enough!read more
Ashley East
04:34 20 Jul 21
My husband and I are so thankful to have had Telia as our doula for our son's birth in June! Telia met with us prior to the birth to make sure she knew our preferences and she was a great resource in the weeks leading up to labor especially when I went past my due date to 42 weeks and needed an induction. Telia provided support through text throughout my entire labor and joined us in active labor at the hospital. She jumped right in when she arrived and knew exactly how to help me cope with the pain. Telia was such an amazing support to both my husband and I during the entire process. We both felt so supported and really appreciated her calm presence. Telia continued to check on us for a few weeks after our son was born and came to our house to help us with some of our postpartum and newborn questions. We cannot imagine our son's birth without having Telia as our doula!read more
Eva Ploscowe
19:32 18 Jul 21
Hiring Alison as our doula was one of the best decisions my husband Matt and I made during our pregnancy/birth journey. From our very first introduction meeting with Alison, she made us feel so comfortable. Matt and I could tell right away how passionate she was about her work and how knowledgeable she was in her field. We both agreed that Alison would be the best fit for our family as our doula. As we began our work with Alison, she was incredible at making me feel supported and empowered during our discussions leading up to labor. Also, she was great at making Matt feel included in the entire process. Alison always made herself available to discuss my progress after returning from my OB visits so that she remained up to date on my pregnancy. She answered my questions and concerns with evidence-based research and made several helpful suggestions about natural ways to get baby and myself ready for labor. All the meetings, both in person and virtual, and text exchanges helped create an incredible trusting relationship that the three of us shared. I have no doubt that the relationship we had built over the several weeks leading up to my delivery was the key to our amazing birth experience. I cannot imagine going through labor without Alison by my side. Thank you so much Alison!read more
Mary D Dockery
20:57 15 Jul 21
Birth First Doulas was absolutely the best decision we made during pregnancy! While I originally planned to give birth at the birth center, my gestational diabetes had other plans… I switched to a hospital and OB care at 32 weeks. Camilla and Atika, our doula team, were phenomenal and made the changes in birth plan entirely manageable. They provided a wonderful sounding board through all of the decision making processes surrounding birth. As a result, I had a spontaneous, unmedicated, 8 hour labor, resulting in our sweet baby girl. I can say with certainty that their assistance is the only reason I made it without an epidural, and the only reason my labor was so short (only had to push for 12 minutes)! I cannot say enough good things about Birth First Doulas and all of their expertise! If you’re on the fence, do not hesitate — you will definitely appreciate having BFD on your birthing team!read more
Larry Huang
23:29 02 Jul 21
Teal was great as our doula for our first pregnancy. If not for her advice, we would not have known when to go to the hospital and would have kept laboring at home! It was great to have a doula for the first pregnancy, even just for peace of mind for someone experienced to be there.read more
Lindsay Aja
16:09 28 Jun 21
Our doula, Liz, was incredible. Before our birth she was educational, accepting, encouraging, and had a great sense of humor. During our labor and birth she brought stability, comfort, and a quiet authority that helped ground my husband and I through the process. I cannot recommend Liz or Birth First Doulas enough!read more
Lara Klein
18:16 26 Jun 21
Our family was beyond lucky to have Kathy as our doula for our birthing experience. She was the perfect advocate and cheerleader for us both, sharing her extensive wisdom, holding our hands as much as needed, and keeping us informed and comfortable every step of the way. We felt so supported knowing Kathy was available to guide us through the process —at home and in the hospital— helping us have the healthy birth we had hoped for. We highly recommend Kathy and Birth First Doulas for anyone looking!read more
Jennifer Birk
16:55 21 Jun 21
I knew that hiring a doula was the right decision for me and my family, and based on the reviews I saw, I decided to turn to Birth First. I’m so glad I did. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my primary doula was unavailable, but Rebecca worked swiftly and I knew somebody would be by my side at the birth because of their backup policy. Rebecca communicated well with me and handled the situation beautifully.And everything worked out as it should because Kathy was phenomenal. I was looking forward to a birth with as few interventions as possible, and Kathy helped me achieve that. From the moment she walked into the delivery room (we’d never met in person due to Covid!), she was a calm, knowledgeable, confident presence. She effortlessly partnered with the medical staff while ensuring that my and my husband’s needs and preferences were met. She always read the room remarkably well. When a slight complication arose, I looked to Kathy for reassurance. I’m 100% certain that the reason I was able to pursue an unmedicated birth was due to Kathy’s support - I never felt pressured, and she provided the gentle, firm encouragement I needed. I’m so glad Kathy was a part of my family’s birth story.read more
Hayley Pickus
19:00 17 Jun 21
Heading into the birth of our first child, it was important to me that we find a doula who could support us during labor and delivery. I found Birth First through an online search and spoke with Rebecca about the match process – she answered all of our questions and more. We were so thrilled to meet Trina and have her present not just during labor and delivery but also for prenatal visits and post-partum support. Trina exceeded our expectations, she was a calm, supportive, loving and resourceful presence before, during and after the birth of our son. We would highly recommend her, and the suite of supports offered through Birth First Doulas.read more
Hannah Bushner
19:35 15 Jun 21
Our experience with BFD was wonderful! From the initial intake interview with Rebecca, to interviewing a few different doulas to see who would be the best fit, to our time working with Kim Kovac as our doula throughout our third trimester. We always felt heard and supported. Kim has a lovely presence and warmth; mixing knowledge, wisdom and know-how with gentle humor and a client-centered, strengths based approach. We loved working with Kim, and with BFD in general. Would highly recommend both!read more
Marla Zyla
12:54 14 Jun 21
My husband and I decided to hire a doula for the birth of our second child, and Birth first doulas helped connect us with the perfect person to help us on our journey! Rebecca was a great doula matchmaker, and after a lovely conversation recommend a few doulas that would be a good match for us. The rest of this review is for the doula we hired- Kimberly Kovac.We immediately felt a connection with Kim during our first meeting- she was kind, knowledgeable and personable. And most importantly, a great listener/communicator. Kim provided a wealth of resources and support to prepare for labor. Her encouragement and guidance during early labor kept me feeling calm and strong, allowing me to progress through much of my labor at home (this was through phone/text- we had planned for her to physically come support me at home, but I was feeling good connecting with my own body and following my intuition at home with my family). When it was time, Kim met us at the hospital and helped create a calm and intimate atmosphere. She provided a great balance of physical and verbal support, and helped my husband do the same. I can still hear her saying “You’re doing it” in response to me saying “I can’t.” I ended up with the unmedicated birth I had hoped for and felt so powerful and strong!We are so grateful for Kim’s gentle guidance throughout our journey to welcoming our son into this world.read more
Kaitlyn Duffy Govea
22:47 19 May 21
I highly recommend Birth First Doulas! Co-Founder, Rebecca Durlin Smith, took the time to have a phone interview with me to listen to my story and needs before suggesting a few amazing doulas she thought would be a good fit. This step showed me Birth First goes above and beyond for their clients right from the start. I was impressed with everyone she suggested, but in the end, we choose to work with Crystal Broer. Crystal is truly an exceptional doula! It was important to me to find someone who knows their stuff, but who can also keep it real, and that is exactly what I found in Crystal! Not only is she is knowledgable, supportive, and organized, but she's equally warm, funny, and personable. Both my husband and I felt completely comfortable with her immediately. She supported us in our prenatal journey, throughout labor, and beyond. I felt informed and in control every step of the way with her by my side, and I know she helped my husband become a more empowered birth partner. We cannot say thank you enough to Crystal for being such a great support through our pregnancy journey!read more
April Huggler
02:12 16 May 21
I interviewed 3 doulas at BirthFirst and knew I couldn’t choose wrong—they were all amazing but Crystal felt like the one for me. I am so glad I had her helping me through my journey. As a Single Mother by Choice giving birth in a pandemic I knew I might only be able to have one person with me, so the selection of my doula was critical. Crystal did a great job of walking me through our prep for labor and then she pivoted seamlessly when the baby turned breech last minute and sent us down a new path. Crystal held my hand and supported me through a External Cephalic Version at 37 weeks and in the operating room before my c-section. She helped me navigate my anxiety when I didn’t know how to ask for what I needed (chatting with me about my favorite sports team). She talked me through what was happening in the OR when that also didn’t go to plan and then took priceless photos of me and my baby once we were together. Crystal used her extensive experience to support me but also listened to me and individualized my care and support to meet me where I was at. I can’t imagine having done this without her.read more
Ashley Goodenough
19:04 10 May 21
I wanted a doula as soon as I found out I was pregnant! Everywhere I asked for suggestions, Birth First came up time and time again! After the 3rd time I decided to call and was matched up to the PERFECT doula for my husband and I's very different personalities. After a VERY long birthing time (75 hours) my little girl was brought into the world with my doula alongside me every step of the way. Would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for the perfect birth <3read more
Sarah McSweeney
05:55 03 May 21
I had a wonderful experience with Birth First Doulas- Bri and Alicia as my doula team. Even during these weird COVID times I felt very supported virtually with Bri and Alicia and then once we were able to- in person! I highly recommend the doula services provided by Birth First Doulas!read more
Yalda Moshiri
23:32 29 Apr 21
I cannot begin to say enough good things about Birth First Doulas. My experience from the first phone call with Rebecca was all the way to postpartum support with my Doula, Atika, was more than I could have ever imagined it could be. The support, the kindness, the thoughtfulness put into the approach of pairing you with the right Doula all manifested into such an incredible experience. Rebecca takes the time to understand who you are and what your needs are and thoughtfully connects you with the most incredible care providers you could imagine. We had a wonderful experience with Atika and we would highly recommend her as a Doula to any one of our friends. She has many years of experience under her belt and is able to guide you through many scenarios come showtime. It's incredible to have an advocate by your side especially if this is your first. Additionally we were incredibly lucky to meet Crystal through Birth First Doulas as well and would also highly recommend her as Doula. We are extremely grateful for both Atika and Crystal for their kindness, compassion, and friendship throughout our journey.read more
Elle Walker
21:08 15 Apr 21
We had the most amazing experience with Birth First Doulas / Emma Anderson. We truly can't recommend Emma enough!!! She was so much more than just a doula to us - she was our lifeline!! We feel beyond lucky to have had her and have already recommended her to so many of our friends. Emma went above and beyond for our family in every way. Having her support and knowledge made our entire birth experience so much smoother and less stressful.read more
Kate Horton
22:30 15 Mar 21
I had my daughter 3 weeks ago and am so grateful for the support that Vera and Elizabeth offered. Even in COVID times I felt like they took all measures possible to make sure I felt comfortable, was informed, and had agency to make my own decisions. Vera was able to come to the hospital and help me through the hardest parts of birth. I would have been far less prepared and much more scared if it weren't for these women. I am grateful for their knowledge and continued support - even weeks beyond the actual birth.read more
Kimberly Phillips
16:28 14 Mar 21
Had a wonderful experience with Telia from Birth First Doulas. Even though we had some bumps in the road and changes in our plans because of COVID 19, she was very responsive and flexible. She made me feel more confident as a new mom and supported along the way!read more
Deborah Zahler
19:13 12 Mar 21
Having Telia as my doula elevated my delivery experience and I would easily recommend her to anyone looking for a doula in Portland. She is knowledgeable, kind, supportive, a great communicator, and really worked with the nursing and midwife team in the hospital to make sure my needs were met. As my birth plan changed, she was an unbiased sounding board that really helped me navigate my change of choices. When things got challenging, I really found Telia's presence helpful, grounding and constant in a chaotic hospital environment with staff changing over constantly. Telia even encapsulated my placenta afterward, which really helped me feel more energized and balanced my mood. So thankful I was able to work with Telia for my delivery <3read more
Maren McCabe
00:22 22 Feb 21
We loved working with Kili. She was the perfect guide for us while we navigated pregnancy with our first child. She was available to answer any and all of our questions and made us feel confident in our decisions. She also went above and beyond and gave me exercises for pregnancy and postpartum and regularly checked in on me.read more
Mandy Garber
22:47 21 Feb 21
Getting our doula Liz with Birth First Doulas was the best choice we did! We got a late start on our journey, starting just 2 weeks before our daughter was born. Rebecca did a great job matching us with Liz. My husband and I felt an instant connection with her and she made us feel supported and at ease. During labor, Liz was there the whole time with us (30+ hours!). She knew just what to do to help me feel comfortable. Liz was an amazing support for my husband as well. She was so easy to talk to and always made my husband and I feel we had a voice, a choice, and a laugh. We could not have felt more cared for during our time with Birth First Doulas, especially during covid times.read more
karen randall
18:37 20 Feb 21
I have been meaning to write this review for so long now! I cannot express how much having Kathy as our doula was such an amazing and fun experience. Kathy is the most caring, beautiful person and her energy and humor created such a calming atmosphere. She literally had just come from another birth, off of 4hrs of sleep, and BROUGHT IT. She was so present despite the fact she was probably exhausted. She has a wealth of knowledge and so open to share her past experiences. Her personality is what really made us connect with her on our interviews and I am so happy we chose her. I honestly feel we gained a friend after having her as a part of such a big event in our life. I still reach out to her if I have questions, or just to ask about other aspects of life. You will not regret having her by your side during this milestone in your life!read more
Kim Garshol
17:35 15 Feb 21
Atika is an amazing doula and I can't imagine having given birth without her. She helped me work through some anxiety I had about attempting a VBAC and provided great resources for my husband and I to prepare for our second birth. Atika really listened to what I needed and provided that kind of support. She was always available via text or call for any questions I had or for guidance during a couple labor false alarms.The day of our daughter's birth was a chaotic day at the hospital, with multiple changes in our care team during a relatively short labor and delivery. Atika was our rock throughout the experience and kept me focussed and calm. She handled distractions, made sure I had what I needed, and coached me through delivery.Atika is a very warm and friendly person, who instantly feels like you've known her forever. I'm so grateful that she was able to join us for our birth and can't recommend her enough.read more
Megan Hall
04:44 15 Feb 21
Knowing how valuable a doula was from our first birth, I had coffee with Kili at 12 weeks pregnant and never looked back! She was AMAZING! She was able to give me exercises to help with the physical discomforts pregnancy can bring and really helped us prepare for the birth. Most importantly she supported my husband and I as a team during labor. She guided him in supporting me in ways I'll forever be grateful for. She got me through 4 hours of an unmedicated labor with Pitocin! Kili and the Birth First Doulas team are the best in the business.read more
Emily Price
23:44 09 Jan 21
My husband and I had the best experience working with Birth First. We had Bri & Alicia. They were both great and always very responsive. Early on in my pregnancy I could just text them with any questions I had and they’d get right back to me. They also really helped me figure out what I wanted and didn’t want during labor and delivery. They are a wealth of knowledge and I would definitely recommend them.read more
Lauren Shapiro-Neiwert
20:05 09 Jan 21
Bri & Alicia were fantastic! They were really supportive all along. We zoomed in advanced and helped me prepare and understand what to except. So much more helpful than other sources and it was like my own personal google :)During birth, Alicia was amazing. It made my birth experience so much better. Helping me navigate the hospital was so important. It also was so helpful to my partner so he could be more supportive.read more
Ashley Hirai
22:51 31 Dec 20
Kim was a fantastic support to both me and my husband during my second labor and delivery. After having an epidural in my prior delivery (without a doula) and not being able to feel the contractions to push effectively, Kim helped me to have the full experience I wanted the second time around. She has a wonderfully calm energy and fun spirit and we quickly bonded over a shared connection to Hawaii. She carefully listened to my desires and preferences to develop a support plan to help achieve my goal while not providing any false hope as births rarely go according to plan. I ended up needing an induction that was quite slow to start and Kim provided some soothing acupressure and massage as we waited. When active labor kicked in intensely (2.5 hours start to finish), Kim supported me in finding my instinctive rhythm and ritual to ride the wave of contractions rather than being pummeled by the undertow. It felt so intense, natural, empowering and exhilarating...I’m talking straight out of spiritual midwifery! She was beaming right along with us as we welcomed our baby boy. Kim also made a postpartum home visit and really helped with breastfeeding tips and support. Doula care should be the standard of care and even if I hadn’t experienced the delivery of my dreams I would have felt successful and supported. Thank you for the tender loving care, Kim!read more
Candyce Monteleone
23:35 21 Dec 20
My husband and I had the pleasure of having Kim with us for the birth of our first child! She is amazing! Kim is warm, compassionate, professional, intuitive, and encouraging.Having her support made an incredible difference for us, both before the birth and during labor/delivery. We’re very thankful for Birth First Doulas and all the resources that were available to us through them.read more
B. Caldwell
01:41 20 Dec 20
Kathy was the most amazing doula! Couldn't have done it without her. What a great help she was. Perfect in every way. Highly recommend.If you are having a baby don't even try to do it without a doula. It's so nice having a helper and counsel on (specifically) your side.Kathy taught us so much and was truly amazing. Certainly feel lucky she was a part of our daughter's birth.read more
Louis E
04:56 17 Dec 20
My wife and I went through the birth process with Camilla and Atika. We decided to use a doula to increase our chances of a natural child birth and to offer her support in areas maybe I couldn’t.Despite some deviations from the birth plan we couldn’t have been happier with our birth experience and ultimately that’s due in large part to the doula’s efforts. 10/10 would birth again with Camilla and Atika.read more
Sara Rabuck
17:16 12 Dec 20
We hired Atika and Camilla as our birthing doula team and they were invaluable to reaching our birthing goals of an unmedicated birth even when I had to be induced with pitocin and because of them- we did it! The meetings ahead of time helped my partner and I feel empowered and they answered all our questions. It wasn't until I went into pre-labor for 2 weeks and then actual labor that we truly needed them more than ever. Texting at all hours, support, questions felt endless for us and they were there through it all. I was a high risk pregnancy, had a long labor with some complications like infections and unexpected twists, compounded by anxiety and they handled it all effortlessly. They advocated for us, kept me & my partner calm, helped us navigate the pain for over 18 hours of labor, supported my partner, provided massage and counter pressure for hours, encouragement and guided breathing mantras as the contractions got more unbearable, wiped my butt, cleaned my puke, took pictures when she was born, helped with the first steps of breastfeeding. They are the most beautiful people and we couldn't have gotten through this without them. They would have been worth double the price because these birthing moments are the most impactful transformative memories we have and the nurses just cannot stay in there to provide that direct support. Thank you thank you thank you❤❤❤❤read more
Claire Alexander
17:13 12 Dec 20
My partner and I had a really fantastic experience working with Birth First Doulas and specifically with Crystal for our labor and delivery. She provided excellent knowledge and support navigating prepping for the delivery, and joyful and much needed support during the event. Having a sense of comfort and safety during a quarantine can be tricky, but having her there absolutely helped us achieve that and the birth experience we wanted. We are both very grateful that she was with us.read more
Jenna Mandzuk
20:02 07 Dec 20
We are so grateful we chose Birth First Doulas!! We had the privilege of having Alicia and Bri as our Birth Doulas and there’s no way we could have survived our birthing process without them. They are the perfect team and are equally loving, caring, supportive, funny, intelligent, and very experienced. The excellent care they gave us when I was pregnant helped give me confidence and reassurance while educating us in everything we needed to know and be aware of. When it came time to get induced, we were scared and worried. They were there for us 24/7 through a traumatic birth experience and words can’t express how much they helped us. Thank you so much Alicia and Bri, we love and appreciate you!!!!read more
Adrienne Cardiel
20:22 22 Nov 20
Choosing a doula for my first birth was, hands down, one of the best decisions I've ever made. Working with Birth First Doula's was a wonderful experience. We really lucked out with Kim Kovac, she was the perfect doula for us. She was knowledgeable, gentle, mindful, resourceful, trauma-informed and calm. Having her in the delivery room was invaluable to, not only me, but also my husband. I ended up having a challenging labor and delivery and she helped us feel more calm and confident during the process. She was attentive and present throughout. She continued to be involved, available and supportive postpartum as well. We will be forever grateful for her presence during that life changing moment in our lives.read more
Alyssa Pearman
05:41 17 Nov 20
Rebecca was our doula for the birth of our first daughter and again most recently in July for the birth of our second daughter. We were so lucky to have her calming, reassuring, and gentle presence during each birth. Rebecca is incredibly knowledgeable and insightful. She helped us think about our birth preferences in ways we had not considered before and provided us with evidence-based guidance to help us make informed choices. Even in the midst of a pandemic, she met with us often over video call and was always available by email to answer any questions we had. Rebecca helped tremendously with positioning to help labor progress. She was also a wonderful advocate for us and our wishes. Even the birth center staff had amazing things to say about her!We also took several of the the Birth First Doula classes (virtually). All the classes were well organized, easy to follow and informative. We really appreciated that they quickly adapted their classes to virtual sessions so we were still able participate before the birth of our daughter.We would recommend Rebecca and the Birth First Doulas team whole heartedly to anyone considering hiring a birth doula.read more
Sarah Jane Kaplan
20:56 05 Nov 20
I am so grateful for Birth First Doulas. We connected with Rebecca for the birth of our first child in 2018 and immediately called her again when we were expecting our second. She was a confident, strong, and loving presence for us before, during, and after both births. She got to know us and our goals and helped us reach them along the way, advocating and guiding us every step of the way. She's truly become part of our family!read more
Margaret Goyette
01:30 31 Oct 20
We had a fantastic time working with Birth First Doulas. Rebecca did a wonderful job explaining the services that they offered and answering any questions that I had. We ended up teaming up with Camilla and Atika and felt so wonderfully supported by them during my pregnancy, labor and birth and postpartum. Working with them gave me the confidence to give birth at a birth center which is something that I was initially afraid of given that they didn't have pain meds at the birth center. I wouldn't give birth without a doula on my team now that I know how special it is to have their support. We hope to have Atika and Camilla as our doulas in the future!read more
Georgia Sinimbu
17:38 23 Oct 20
During the birth of my second child, Kim and I barely talked - our communication was primarily through her warm touch and very caring eyes. All necessary words were said during our various lovely encounters prior to the birth.My first child was born after a very long labor with hours of pushing which resulted on an emergency transfer to a hospital for a c-section. I did not have a doula then, and for many times, I felt lonely while laboring, missing a caring presence and a maternal energy to look after me. My second pregnancy was very challenging, not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by constant concerns from family members, all of that out of love, for my choice to try for a vaginal birth after a c-section (VBAC). Rebecca at Birth Doulas First suggested I interview Kim Kovac for doula and I’m so fortunate to have crossed Kim’s path and have had her as my doula during the birth of my second child. Kim embraced my choice and reminded me of my strength and abilities. When labor started, she met us in our house and helped move my body into comfort so I could focus on the big sensations and emotions. She helped me welcome them instead of fighting against them. She was assertive when we were uncertain of the next step and in a loving and affirmative way made sure that it was really time to go to the birth center.I barely remember what she said to me during the most intense moments, but I very vividly remember her hands on my back, gently rocking my hips and baby as she made her passage through the birth canal. I also remember her gentle eyes, almost as she knew even before I did, that I could and I would birth my child vaginally. And I remember her warm and proud hug, for have helped me not only birth a child, but also heal a past experience and birth a more confident and stronger version of myself.read more
Nancy Eisenmenger
18:13 20 Oct 20
How does anyone survive childbirth without a Doula? That's what I keep asking myself every time I think about how amazing Crystal Broer was at supporting me through labor, delivery, and postpartum. Part coach, part therapist, part advocate, part cheerleader, she was an incredible birth partner who was always in my corner. She combined the perfect amount of evidence based practice with empathy, confidence, and kindness. As I write this, my baby is one month old and still every day I think about how grateful I am that I had Crystal by my side.read more
Lindsay Miller Stokes
22:56 18 Oct 20
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Rebecca and Birth First Doulas!This was our 2nd baby and we loved our doula (back in Colorado) that we had for our 1st baby, so we had high expectations. Rebecca did not disappoint. Because of COVID restrictions at hospitals we knew we wouldn’t be able to have a doula with us in person. We opted to do a couple of consultation sessions on Zoom with Rebecca. This was the best decision we could have made. Rebecca was warm, thoughtful, and able to share her wisdom and experience with us. We felt so supported and well informed and prepared for this labor. She sent us a number of helpful resources and she really met us where we were at and was able to tailor our meetings to best meet our needs! We really felt she was cheering us on even though she wasn’t physically with us during labor-and we remembered her tips and words of encouragement. We highly recommend Rebecca and Birth First Doulas!!read more
Jared Dayton
18:34 12 Oct 20
Rebecca with the Birth First team was awesome. Had a very engaging pre both online session to go over not only useful positions and ways I as the husband can assist my wife in home birth, but also how we should communicate during the process. Thanks to this I was coaching on new positions to try during contractions and it REALLY helped. Not only that but the placenta encapsulation process was quick and efficient. Would highly recommend working with them for your home or birth center delivery.read more
Hannah Lawton
03:02 08 Oct 20
My husband and I were fortunate enough to hire Atika and Camilla through Birth First Doulas, and as my husband said, “they are the best investment we’ve ever made.” Atika and Camilla helped us to feel informed and prepared for our labor, delivery and postpartum.We began working with Atika and Camilla at the beginning of my third trimester (via zoom and outdoor masked meetings). During these sessions, we discussed what my husband and I hoped the rest of my pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum would look like. They offered a variety of ideas and strategies, ranging from evidence-based practices to more spiritual guidance. This was tailored to meet our needs, and I know they have a plethora of resources, experiences and more to pull from to meet the needs of whoever they are working with.During my labor, Atika came over and eased any sort of anxiety that me and my husband were feeling. She helped remind me of a number of positions we had discussed to ease discomfort, as well as introduce some different ideas to target my specific pain. I felt infinitely more confident as a result of her presence which allowed me to spend most of my labor at home. I believe that spending my labor at home, in my natural environment, correlated with the fact that my labor was on the shorter side. When I finally went to the hospital, she helped me to advocate for my birth preferences and continued to help me find comfortable positions. Beyond that, she cheered me on and kept the mood positive.After the delivery of my sweet little guy, she stayed until my husband and I were comfortable. The following day, and coming week, Atika and Camilla checked in on us to see how we were adjusting.When I have had any concerns, both during pregnancy and now postpartum, they are just a phone call or text away. I feel so fortunate to have found them, and any mom-to-be would be lucky to work with them.read more
Ari Bissinger
20:05 05 Oct 20
We hired Kim just after the COVID lockdown started and didn't really know what having a doula during COVID would look like. Thankfully, our hospital started allowing doulas in person again just before our baby was born and Kim was such a warm presence throughout our journey. She really gave us both the confidence to have the birthing experience we wanted!read more
Mikayla Koenigsfeld
18:50 05 Oct 20
I had a wonderful experience with BFD! I can confidently say my delivery was shorter with Kathy's support & guidance.
