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

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

I'll admit it. I was skeptical as to the role a doula would play in the birth of my daughter, but…read moreafter going through the entire process, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting a doula and hiring Lois and Alyssa. Here's why: 1) Even though I remained calm during the birth of my daughter, it's a high stress situation and it's easy to forget all the classes you attended and books you read. Lois was our doula and her calm demeanor, quick problem solving, and extensive knowledge is what got my wife, daughter, and myself through labor. 2) Lois was our advocate. Although GWU Hospital Midwives are amazing, they see so many babies born each day. Lois was our personal champion and helped us create a birth plan and she fought for us during labor. 3) Lois also provided our birth class at our home. It was way cheaper than other classes and personalized to you and your partner. She comes to you, which makes it easier as well especially if your partner is tired due to pregnancy. 4) Lois has a calming presence and that makes all the difference. She listens to you and empathizes with you. She gets to know you and your partner and then works with you to find labor coping mechanisms, etc. that fit you. Some people make experiences about them, but not Lois. She allows the experience to be about you and supports you throughout it. 5) Lois was available. She would answer any questions we had and even came to our house when my wife started to labor. She sat with her and massaged her and found coping mechanisms that actually works (Like holding a comb). She then came with us to the hospital and stayed until after birth and we were in a good place. 6) Lois has credibility. She worked at GWU Hospital Midwives and is a well respected doula. That opened many doors for us at the hospital because of her credibility and integrity. If you're thinking about getting a doula, call Lois. She'll meet with you over coffee and I promise you'll want to hire her on the spot. Her presence is the best and will make your delivery so much better!

My husband and I had the pleasure of working with DC Doulas (specifically Alyssa) to help us with…read morethe delivery of our baby girl. I can't say enough amazing things about these ladies, they are all truly amazing. Alyssa was everything I could have wanted in a doula and more. I decided to use the midwives at GW for my labor and delivery and I am so grateful that they insisted we hire a doula. I was hesitant about the idea of hiring a doula and I was skeptical of their exact role but I'm so so glad that we ended up using them. They were worth every penny (beyond worth it)! After my birth experience, I recall telling my husband that I would have paid double for their services - that's how invaluable Alyssa was to me. She was calm, she was patient, she was loving, and most importantly she was just there. I was in labor for 14 hours and Alyssa didn't leave my side for a second. At some point, my husband told her to take a break and grab something to eat, but she stayed by my side for 14 hours. She only left to use the restroom and to bring me water. Whenever I was in pain, she massaged me. She knew exactly where to add pressure to alleviate the pain and I would go from screaming to relaxed in seconds - she did this for 14 hours - and these weren't light massages, these were deep tissue/deep massages she had to give me every few minutes. She must have been exhausted but no one would ever be able to tell. Not only was I impressed by her, but my entire family was impressed by her including the staff at GW. Fast forward to postpartum care - I have had the pleasure of working with the entire team - Lois, Alyssa, and Hancie. I feel like there is nothing that can prepare you for the first few weeks of a baby's life but these ladies made it more manageable. They came to the house and did any and everything. I had difficulty breastfeeding and they helped me through that difficult period, they made sure I was eating when I was too busy doing everything else, they did laundry, they did dishes, they helped with the baby - they were once again, invaluable. I will forever be grateful to these ladies and I look forward to working with them again when our family grows.

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

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

We are incredibly grateful to have had Katie as our doula. She is professional, deeply experienced,…read morecompassionate, and exceptionally skilled at working with medical providers while always advocating for her clients. As someone of advanced maternal age with a pregnancy complicated by hypertension, I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Katie was a steady, reassuring presence throughout pregnancy, induction, and birth. She helped us navigate complex medical decisions with clarity and confidence, and her calm advocacy made a meaningful difference in our experience. We felt heard, respected, and empowered throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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

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

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

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

We had a great experience! Very early in my pregnancy, I reached out to Nathalie for a doula and…read moregot a response right away. She was very informative and provided my husband and I with answers to all our questions. We were initially connected with a couple different doulas that would be available during my due date and had interviews with them -- we ended up hiring Hannah Wright. From the get-go, Hannah was amazing. She was exactly what we needed. She provided great advice throughout my pregnancy and she especially gave my husband a lot of confidence in being my support person by having her there during the actual labor and birth. She provided excellent support and kept me grounded during the entire process and immediately stepped in and started providing all the tips and tricks in her wheelhouse to help me cope during my fast and intense epidural-free birth. I would certainly recommend her to anyone else. As for the more administrative end of things, we also have no complaints. Communication was excellent, the contract process with was very clear and straightforward, and we found the doula rates very reasonable.

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

I struggle to find the words to adequately convey how wonderful working with Gina is. From the…read moremoment we decided to work with her in my 18th week of pregnancy to the delivery of our son, she was a steady, warm, and reassuring presence. She helped me and my husband feel both empowered and prepared for birth and beyond. When our son finally decided to join us, Gina guided us through a long labor with ease. It truly would not have been the positive experience that it was without her! You will absolutely not regret hiring Gina. She is incredibly professional, organized, and thoughtful.

Catherine is truly an amazing doula. From the moment we met during our interview, I instantly felt…read morea connection with her. Her beliefs, experience, and knowledge aligned perfectly with what I was looking for. Even though I was a little late in the game searching for a doula, I knew I wanted someone by my side to support both my husband and me--and Catherine did just that and so much more. She helped me create a thoughtful birth plan, regularly shared helpful information, and was always available whenever I needed her. She even came to our home to guide us through exercises to prepare for labor. When the big day came, she was incredible--staying by my side the entire time, coaching me, encouraging my husband, and providing the positivity I needed most. She also advocated for me and my birth plan after my little one was born, which meant so much. Even after delivery, Catherine continued to check in and support me, showing just how much she truly cares. I 110% recommend her to anyone looking for a doula, and I will absolutely be reaching out to her again for any future pregnancies.

Catherine is a kind and loving person. She has great communication skills and very quick to respond…read morewhen you book a consult. She is very knowledgeable about many different things to help you through your birth process.

I would rate my experience as "Ok". Some of these doulas are contractors and bounce around to…read moredifference agencies. My first Doula I had met me home from the hospital, we actually made sure we left the hospital home on time to meet her needs. She seemed low energy and did not appear to be thrilled to be working on a Saturday, she also made a comment that is missing shopping for her son right now for an event, it made me feel bad. She was supposed to come two days later and she canceled on me at 5:30 in the morning saying she had a birth that went longer. This as my lowest point post partem because I really needed help that day and I actually moved my first pediatrician appointment to accommodate her schedule. By contract, she is supposed to get a substitute. When you interview a doula, ask if they have any births that month and make it clear they need to get a substitute. A few days later I interviewed a substitute to make sure I had back up if she canceled again, I spent 30 minutes interviewing her while I had a 5 day old at home. When that substitute was supposed to come as a test run, she canceled two hours before. I expressed my grievances to the staff and they comped me an extra day, and I appreciated it but it put so much stress on me my first week home from the hospital with a new born. I had a few Night Doulas, I had two but one didn't clean the bottles and the last night she left a sharp can lid on the floor and I almost stepped on it the next morning. I asked her if she was familiar with the snoo swaddle and how the snoo worked. She quickly said yes, but realized she got confused the Happiest Baby swaddle thats for the non-snoo, she didn't know she had to clip it in or how to swaddle the baby with the snoo swaddle and I had to teach her. I did have a different doula that was helpful and arranged way in advance for a substitute when she had a birth coming up. Pros: I got help, they helped with the first bath, helped me rearrange the nursery and pack my diaper back with essential items. I was able to take a nap a few times, they helped clean the kitchen and they helped with laundry. Cons: Consistent cancellations, most of the doulas do not want to work past 3pm and you are trying to accommodate their schedule.

can't even say enough good things about Angie. She was the perfect fit for our family for…read morepostpartum support. An absolute breath of fresh air for me. Among everything else she did, she even brought books from home to share with my 2.5 year old! I COULD have done this without Angie, but not while maintaining this much of my sanity. She will be very sorely missed.