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Birth First Doulas

5.0

Based on 106 reviews

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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 Birkland

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.

Ashley Wu

14:54 18 Sep 20

We had the pleasure of having Atika and Camila as our Doulas. We could not have been more fortunate to have these two support us during our pregnancy, labor and postpartum journey. This was our first pregnancy, which not only comes with its own challenges and unknowns it was also during COVID-19, which added a whole new layer of uncertainties. Atika and Camila worked together wonderfully as a team and were able to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them as they clearly answered our questions and explained different processes and topics. Unfortunately, I had to be induced and because of COVID-19 they were not allowed in the hospital. However, they were still with us during the laboring process via FaceTime providing encouragement and suggesting different labor techniques to use during the laboring process. After our baby was born, they continued to be a great support team with answering all our new parent questions. If we have another child in the future, we will definitely be calling them again. I highly recommend both of them to support you during your pregnancy journey.read more

Jena Passaretti

17:29 09 Sep 20

My husband and I had heard many great things about hiring a Doula and we decided to go with Birth First Doulas. From the get go, Rebecca was amazing to work with and I felt very listened to and cared for. She helped match us with Crystal who was a great fit for us. We were excited to meet Crystal and she really helped us throughout our journey. Crystal is kind, warm, funny and really easy going. What none of us expected to happen was a global pandemic. Unfortunately, this limited any in-person support she had planned to give. Nonetheless, she consistently went out of her way to be available and a fantastic resource. She was very available over text and I felt I could ask her any question. My biggest concern with a doula was having a certain type of birth experience pushed on me, but that was not the case at all. Crystal was very affirming with our choices and if we weren't sure about something, she provided ample resources. She pointed us to some amazing accounts and experts to follow online and they have saved us! Crystal wasn't able to be with us during the birth of our son, but she still was able to provide support via video and help my husband throughout the process. She also helped us make informed decisions at every step in the process. I was induced and she helped us understand what would happen at every step. After 30 hours of labor, my beautiful son was in my arms and it was all worth it. I would have loved to have her in person but that just wasn't in the cards. When I wasn't able to breastfeed for a few reasons, Crystal helped me through my decision to move to formula while helping me feel comfortable with my decision and work through the guild I had. I highly recommend Crystal and Birth First Doulas. Thank you so much!read more

Katrina Rogers

21:47 07 Sep 20

We are so happy we chose to work with Birth First Doulas. They were so good at listening to what we were looking for and hooked us up with the perfect doula for our family! From our first meeting with Kim we knew that she was the person we wanted to help us bring our daughter earth side. Her kindness, warmth, knowledge and wonderful energy were all qualities that helped us before, during and after birth of our baby. She set up in person visits and adjusted to COVID-19 restrictions by providing virtual visits for us to check in and taking all the safety precautions very seriously, we always felt safe. In our visits she provided valuable materials and resources- from stretches and yoga to informational exercises and advice for the both of us to work on to prepare for our labor journey, she had it all! Kim is so easy to talk to and is a great and patient teacher. When the day finally came she met us at the birth center and was such an amazing support for both my husband and myself. She had a grounded and calming energy and knew exactly what to say and do when we needed it. When we were transferred to the hospital she was able to join us, and we were so thankful that she was there. After 19 hours of hard labor we were both exhausted, and when we thought things might be taking a turn for the worst, she helped us remember to advocate for our birth plan and that we were allowed to ask for a second opinion. We will be forever grateful for that, and for her presence with us for those two days. When it was time to deliver she was there to take pictures, hold space, and make sure we had everything we needed. We truly couldn’t ask for a better experience with a doula and cannot speak highly enough about her! We truly feel she was meant for us and our birth story may have turned out very different if we hadn’t had her knowledgeable influence, advise, and support; for that we are SO GRATEFUL. We miss her so much already, and know that we will be reaching out to her when we are planning for our second baby! From the bottom of hearts, we love Kim and would recommend her to anyone wanting a wonderful doula experience.read more

Carmelle Cooper

01:55 07 Sep 20

We had an amazing experience with Birth First Doulas! We hired Kim Kovac, our doula, in the last few weeks of my pregnancy, and she provided incredible support! Her knowledge and guidance was so valuable as I entered the last few weeks of pregnancy and during my labor. We cherished getting to know Kim, even during the pandemic; we were able to foster a wonderful relationship via virtual and socially distant means. Kim was able to come to our house to help me comfortably labor at home, and she helped me get all the way to 9cm! It was truly an incredible experience and I am so grateful for her calming presence, as it made my birth experience so memorable. It was so disappointing that the pandemic prevented her from being in the hospital when my baby was born, but her calming spirit kept me going, as I pushed for 4 hours. Kim is full of knowledge and positivity and will be a wonderful support for every birthing person and their families. Thank you, Kim!read more

Maarika Krumhansl

23:50 04 Sep 20

Extremely satisfied with our experience with Birth First Doulas. This is my second birth. We used a doula from a different company for my first birth, and I am so glad we switched to BFD for this birth because my doula experience this time has been much, much better. We worked with Kili and I cannot recommend her highly enough. What I most appreciated about her was that she met with me and my husband virtually several times before birth, which helped us build a strong relationship and foster trust. Kili also gave me lots of targeted pelvic floor and back exercises, which made this pregnancy the most comfortable pregnancy I could have imagined! No aching back! No round ligament pains! No sore hips! With Kili's guidance, we were able to achieve our goal of a completely unmedicated and intervention-free labor and delivery, and our baby girl was born quickly and without any complications. We are so grateful to Kili and Birth First Doulas!read more

Tara Sova

00:06 30 Aug 20

My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Alicia and Bri during my pregnancy and the birth of our first baby. Although we never actually met in person due to COVID, we had plenty of FaceTime meetings, text conversations, and emails. I never felt a lack of communication! Through the multiple forms of communication, they guided us through the final weeks of pregnancy, helped prepare us for the upcoming labor, and answered any and all of our questions and concerns. They were very caring, fun, supportive, and responsive. They were well-informed, organized (even though this was an unusual situation), and provided a great deal of educational pieces. And even with all of their experience, we still felt in control of the process. Due to visitor restrictions, I was sadly unable to have either of them with me in person during my labor. However, they were available via FaceTime when I needed them. Overall, I am happy with Alicia and Bri (and this group!). Their personalities complement each other well, acting as a true team. I can only imagine how much more elevated my experience would have been if COVID were not an issue. Please consider this group if you are in search of a doula/doulas.read more

Heather Wolfgang

18:02 24 Aug 20

We were blessed to have Kim as our doula and teammate during our pregnancy. Kim was supportive with all of our choices for our birth and we are so grateful to have had her by our side. We <3 Birth First Doulas!!read more

Felisha Bahr

16:48 24 Aug 20

Our experience with Birth First Doulas and specifically, our doula, Crystal, was nothing short of amazing. Crystal was there with us every step of the process. From the planning and counseling to the actual birth - she was the exact support we needed through the journey with our first daughter. The resources provided by Crystal and classes from the Birth First Doula program were invaluable. Thanks so much to Birth First and Crystal for everything!read more

Whitney Riggins

20:11 11 Aug 20

Taking on a doula for my first birth was totally the right decision. Brooke and Rebecca gave me all the resources I needed to feel confident as well as providing emotional and actual physical support if needed! I felt endlessly supported throughout pregnancy and beyond. Knowing that I had assembled the best team I could find gave me so much confidence to birth my baby! Rebecca and Brooke being a part of that team made it 110% of what I needed. They even encapsulated my placenta afterwards which was awesome. These folks rock!read more

Kara Brody

13:51 28 Jul 20

Brooke and Rebecca are AMAZING. We had a wonderful experience with them during my pregnancy, during labor itself, and postpartum. Their expertise and years of experience made me feel supported throughout the process. They both made sure that I was informed, understood my options, and helped me emotionally, mentally, and physically through the birth process. Additionally, they took the time to understand my husband's needs as well which made us both more confident and comfortable throughout the process.I had a very long and intense labor and luckily was able to deliver vaginally. I truly think that without the support of Brooke and Rebecca I would have needed a c-section.I HIGHLY recommend Birth First doulas and Rebecca and Brooke to any expecting family!read more

Joanne Albertsen

21:01 08 Jul 20

Wonderful experience from our first meeting through the birth and after! Brooke and Rebecca were such a knowledgeable, warm and reassuring team at our appointments and were easily available via text and email as we got close to the big day. Rebecca arrived at our house before we left for the hospital to help me through labor, and was so focused, calm and supportive. She offered a lot of different positions and techniques throughout my labor. She was a wonderful advocate at the hospital when I felt overwhelmed and unsure in the face of the staff (who were great too, just not necessarily on Team Me). Even when I decided to get an epidural, she was totally supportive and nonjudgmental. Due the baby's position I ended up needing a c-section, and she stayed until the last few minutes before I was wheeled out. She came back to check on me while I was in the hospital and again after a few weeks to see how we were doing. I was so glad to have her on my side! Cannot recommend Birth First Doulas highly enough for supportive, knowledgeable, and attentive care.read more

Carley Berkey

18:40 08 Jul 20

I cannot say enough good things about Brooke and our experience with Birth First Doulas. Despite having a baby during a pandemic, Brooke managed all of the changing information and guidelines with grace, compassion, and empathy. I looked forward to our weekly calls leading up to the birth because she was able to answer all of our questions, listen to our concerns and give us tools to handle the physical and emotional turmoil that happens in any birth and was especially true for having a baby during the time of COVID. At the birth we had Brooke attend virtually. Even though this was not the original hope when we started, having her support via text and video helped my confidence and I am certain led to a faster and less stressful birth experience. Brooke has the magic of being able to listen deeply and meet people where they are; I felt that she really understood my needs and concerns and tailored our sessions and information to meet my needs.Postpartum I have had the privilege of working with Kili to do exercises to heal and strengthen my body after childbirth. Kili is awesome - she has been so positive, supportive, and attentive to making a program fit my life. I feel like my posture, pelvic floor, and body awareness are improved so much more by working with her after this pregnancy - I only wish I could have worked with her for my first birth as well!read more

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