"Hiring Angie was the best money we ever spent!" That's a quote from my husband, who just months before I went into labor was wondering why on earth we needed to get a doula anyway, because, well, wasn't that HIS job? After learning from a friend exactly what a doula is, I knew I wanted to get one. My husband is a wonderful man, but tends to kind of shut down when he doesn't know what to do. Being first time parents, child birth was full of unknowns, and I knew we would need help. He wasn't exactly sold on the idea, but went along with it anyway. When he met Angie during one of our planning visits, he warmed up to her right away. When the visit was over, he actually seemed relieved to have her on our team. He finally got it, that Angie was going to be there to help BOTH of us, not to take his place. He liked that. The pressure was off of him a little, and she would help him know what to do. My water broke at 9 pm, and at 2 am on my due date I called Angie to let her know we were on the way to the hospital. I felt terrible waking her up, but I could tell it was just part of the job for her. She happily met us there right away. Angie was amazing. She helped us get settled in a little. Most of the labor is one big blur to me, but I remember her being there every time I needed her, whether it was a sip of juice to keep my energy up, a word of encouragement to tell me I was doing a good job, or something from her amazing bag of tricks to help with the discomfort I was feeling, all without me even having to ask. The one memory that is the strongest, over a year later, is one that I feel sums up my experience with Angie so perfectly. I had been moved to the bathroom to labor in the tub when contractions were getting stronger. I was having terrible back labor, and Angie had a heavenly way of applying pressure that made it bearable. I had moved out of the tub and was getting re-situated. I could feel another strong contraction coming, and just sort of blurted out to the room "Where's Angie?" knowing that I needed her help soon. She gently touched my arm and responded "I'm right here." She had been sitting right next to me the whole time. But she is so calm, quiet, and unintrusive that I didn't even know she was there. At the same time, she made me feel safe, and confident in what I was doing. Having someone so experienced with me took away all of the anxiety that was I feeling about childbirth. After many hours of intense back labor, I couldn't take the pain any longer. I ended up getting an epidural so I could continue. There was absolutely zero judgement or pushback from Angie, despite the fact that I went into it saying I didn't want any pain medication. My labor ended up with a c-section after my baby got stuck, and she stayed until the end to make sure he was delivered safely. Having Angie there was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was a little worried it would be weird to have someone I didn't know very well there for one of life's most intimate moments, but she ended up feeling like an old friend. I can't recommend her highly enough! read more

Angie was such a blessing during the birth of our daughter, as well as before and after! Words can't describe how much better she made my husband and I feel. She helped with every single aspect of labor and delivery and made it an incredible experience. She also was so helpful and caring in following up with us afterwards to help calm some of my new mom fears and reassure us. We will forever be thankful for her and all of her help! read more

Angie far exceeded my expectations of a doula with her extraordinary knowledge, compassion, and professionalism. She was an integral part of my support system surrounding my first birth experience, and I can not recommend her highly enough. Angie's calming presence was evident from our first meetings, where she eloquently explained her role in the birth process and provided educational materials to help us prepare. When I needed to be induced at 37wks due to elevated blood pressure, Angie helped me feel empowered to make decisions that aligned with my wishes for minimal medical interventions. Although I work as a healthy care provider, I truly valued her vast knowledge of the birthing process during my birthing time. In the delivery room, Angie instinctively provided emotional and physical support throughout the entire process. She took an enormous amount of pressure off my husband by teaching him how to support me as well. I was amazed at her ability to remain both perfectly present and non-intrusive as my son made his entrance into the world. Angie's postpartum visit was an essential part of my emotional recovery. She offered me a space to express the intense emotions that had been caught in the fog that follows childbirth. The simple act of showing up at my door in the early postpartum time made this phase feel less isolating and more bearable. Angie is tremendously talented in so many ways, and I am grateful that she chooses to share her gifts in her work as a doula. read more

I've had the absolute privilege of having Angie attend both of my births as my doula. She has a wonderfully calm and supportive demeanor that instantly puts me at ease every time I see her, which is a particularly great thing during birthing time. My first birth was in the hospital, and second was a home birth. Angie was able to support me and my husband through both very different births. She served as a birth advocate and helped us make informed decisions, and was very hands on in helping me through my births (literally, I think she was providing counter-pressure for about 8 straight hours ). We still keep in contact a year after my last birth. In fact, she and her family joined us in celebrating my baby's first birthday this past weekend. I'm so grateful to have found such an inspiring, delightful person to be a part of our lives. Thank you, Angie! read more

Hands down, the best decision regarding my pregnancy - was hiring a doula, and Angie at that. As a first time mom, having the jitters when thinking about labor was an understatement. I read multiple books, talked to allllllll of my friends, watched videos and documentaries, changed midwives a couple times, practiced hypnobirthing at home, and tried to mentally prepare for the birth of our child in every way possible. I had all the love and support of my fiance and our families, but I knew adding to that support group couldn't hurt. I hired Angie and coincidentally, went into labor on that same day. When we called her, she came: an hour from her home, in the middle of the night. Labor didn't go exactly how I had planned or envisioned but Angie was there all 40 plus hours of it. She calmed not only me, but my fiance and my family, when we needed it. She was there every step of the way. She knew when to step to the side to give my fiance and I a little one-on-one and was right there, hand in mine, when we needed it. She knew what to say and do at each and every moment. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with my providers and their demeanor toward me, but Angie helped me/us get through it all until the end. She literally was our saving grace when we felt no one else in the hospital was on our team. She was able to shed light on different techniques to help with comfort/pain, always reminded me of my breathing, was the soft and kind voice coaching me through, a shoulder for concerned family members, a mentor when we were making decisions, and above all, respectful and loving. Our beautiful little girl is here and she's happy and healthy. We cannot thank Angie enough for her services, love and support. I'm still texting and emailing her with questions and she graciously responds and goes above and beyond! We would recommend Angie to anyone and everyone: first time mom or mom to multiple children. I and my family can't stop raving about her. "Money well spent" just doesn't do Angie, her expertise and services, or her genuine heart, justice. ETA: I love/loved Angie so much that she was the second person I contacted after finding out I was pregnant with my second child only 10 months after my first was born/my first experience with Angie. Again, Angie met with my partner and I before the birth to discuss wishes, plans, thoughts, and any worries. As my first delivery experience wasn't necessarily how I had hoped or envisioned (because of my midwife) and have had gone through all of that with Angie by my side, it was so comforting to have her hand going into the whole pregnancy and delivery thing a second time. I changed hospitals, clinics, and doctor the second time, but my family and Angie never wavered. She came to the hospital again, right away and supported me 100%. She is such a kind, supportive, and comforting person. These traits along with her positive energy radiate in that birthing room. She's truly a saving grace and sense of grounding at all the right times and throughout the entire process. I'm honored to have had her by my side for both of my birthing experiences! read more

Angie is simply the best! I met Angie in 2015 through a meet and greet of local doulas at Wildwood Clinic in Cottage Grove. I met with several doulas and I knew immediately that I had to have Angie there with me! She had the calm energy I was looking for. My husband didn't quite understand exactly why I wanted someone other than the doctors and nurses there in delivery but after Angie met with both of us and went over what she offers, my husband was sold! He also respected the fact that I wanted to have a natural childbirth versus the epidural experience with my first child. No doula and meds= being stuck on a bed and as my husband would describe me as helpless. Not the case with Angie and my second childbirth. I knew I wanted different for my second childbirth and I was capable of a natural experience. Angie was just the person to take me there and it was surreal. She was immediately available anytime I called her weeks before delivery when I thought I was ready but just experiencing those Braxton Hicks. She helped me with my birthing plan and explained every option in detail. She was professional and respected all of our wishes for that day. I'm proud to say it all went as I wished even though there were several unexpected situations that came up. The evening my water broke, Angie was prepared and available to help with birthing of my second child. Turns out my husband was diagnosed with a double ear infection earlier that same day I went into labor and another patient of my doctor's went into delivery at the neighboring hospital just an hour before my water broke. She was going back and forth from St Mary's to Meriter. You don't ever foresee these circumstances happening to you but life happens and I wasn't stressed one bit knowing Angie was on her way and would be by my side. Angie relayed all my birthing plans to the staff. Again, she's very professional and polite. She worked well with the staff at the hospital. She knew her role and place and only spoke up in a polite why when it was needed. I did not have a midwife team so there were labor nurses and people there I never met. They were fine but Angie has good bedside manner. The nurses would say things aloud and offer suggestions and options were not helpful but Angie was there to step in and put me at ease. In particular, a nurse told me I could be in early labor as I was experiencing for days. Then when Angie and I got a moment alone she reassured me that my body is ready and knows what to do. Angie also has a good professional relationship with my doctor. She was my advocate, friend and savior for one of the most important and memorable nights of my life. The most memorable parts of what Angie did for me that evening was first, made sure I was comfortable at all times, anticipated EVERY contraction before it happened and began massage so I never had any pain for a majority of my labor. When my body was ready and it got a little dark and intense for me she held my hand and said all the right things. My husband was especially grateful to have Angie there so he could sleep and rest before things got really intense. He wouldn't go into another labor without Angie after experiencing two childbirths. One with her and one without. We will forever appreciate what Angie did for us and we would hire her again for a third birth no questions about it! I highly recommend her to anyone looking for that special person to help you reach your birthing goals whatever they are! read more