I first worked with Michelle during the birth of my oldest child in 2020. As a first-time mom, I felt excited about giving birth but also overwhelmed by all the unknowns. I wanted someone who could help me understand my options, prepare for labor, and provide support beyond what I expected from my medical team. Hiring a doula gave me the reassurance that I wouldn't have to navigate the experience alone. Knowing Michelle would be there to guide, educate, and encourage me made me feel much more confident and prepared going into my first birth. After that, having a doula, for me, was a non-negotiable. Michelle has been by my side for the births of all three of my children, and I can't imaging a birth without her. Each experience was so unique and different, but her support, knowledge, and encouragement were invaluable every single time. I wanted unmedicated births, and Michelle gave me the confidence, preparation, and tools I needed to achieve that goal. During labor, she knew exactly how to support me physically and emotionally, helping me stay focused and calm through some of the most challenging moments. When I doubted myself, she reminded me of my strength and helped me trust my body. What sets Michelle apart is that she doesn't just show up on the day of your birth. She invests in her clients, provides evidence-based information, answers questions, and helps you feel empowered to make decisions that are right for you and your family. Her presence brought a sense of peace and confidence that benefited not only me, but also my husband. She helped my husband understand my needs and how to be a source of strength. She guided him through ways to encourage and comfort me during labor, which allowed us to work together as a team and made the experience even more positive. Because of Michelle's support, I look back on all three of my birth experiences with gratitude and pride. If you're considering hiring a doula, I wholeheartedly recommend the Modern Momma team; they are compassionate, knowledgeable, professional, and truly passionate about helping mothers have positive and empowering birth experiences. read more

I hired Michelle as my birth doula through Modern Mama and overall had mixed feelings about the experience. She is clearly knowledgeable and experienced, and I am thankful for the role she played in my birth. During transition and pushing, she offered guidance and support that was helpful in those intense final hours. I do believe she understands birth well and brings expertise to the room. That said, there were a few things that did not sit right with me. At multiple points during contractions, when I looked up, she was visibly on Facebook and Instagram. I understand that long labors can involve downtime, but she was only physically present at the hospital for a few hours during transition and pushing. Given the relatively short window of in person support, it felt disappointing and inappropriate that she was on social media during that time. It made me feel like she was not fully present in such a vulnerable moment. There were also moments where her reactions felt disproportionate, such as when the toilet water unexpectedly splashed up. Her response heightened the situation rather than helping me feel grounded and calm. In addition, I found the overall value of the package to be underwhelming compared to other doulas I interviewed. Many offered formal childbirth classes (which were extra through MM) and ongoing support groups as part of their services, whereas Modern Mama primarily offered monthly mini classes on rotating topics, which did not always feel directly relevant or comprehensive. For the investment, I had expected more structured education and support. Though I was appreciative of the nice photos that were included. I am grateful for her knowledge and the role she played in helping bring my baby into the world, but I do wish the level of presence, professionalism, and overall value had been stronger throughout the experience. I likely won't hire Modern Mama again although I don't have experience with the other doulas. read more

I want to share our experience honestly so other expecting families can make an informed choice. We hired this doula for full birth and postpartum support, and we came to them through a trusted family referral -- which makes what happened even harder to understand. When my wife's water broke, we let the doula know and headed to the hospital. She was also told my wife was contracting. Despite knowing all of this, the doula never came and never once called to check in. We went through the birth of our son without the support we had paid for and counted on. What happened afterward was just as disappointing. Rather than taking responsibility, we were told it was our fault for not explicitly instructing her to come -- even though she knew we were at the hospital and in labor. Instead of accountability we were blamed for not "telling her to come" -- as if a laboring mother at the hospital isn't signal enough. When we asked to speak with the owner, no one had the courtesy to call us directly. read more

The support, care, and commitment that we received from Modern Mama and our night Doula ( Kristin) truly allowed our family to get the jump start that we needed. As first time parents, we found that we didn't have a true understanding of what was best to do once we brought our little guy home from the hospital. Sure - we had read a lot and had additional support to help us get ready, but with Modern Mama, we found a professional who specializes in exactly what we needed - "what does good look like?" / "what should we be doing?" / "what are we doing right/ wrong?" From the moment that Kristin walked into our door, we were met with a calm and welcoming presence that shared recommendations for getting to sleep, eat, and dressed appropriately. She shared with us what most parents do and what is truly a choice for us. What's more, she was an incredible support for my wife who was breastfeeding for the first time, encouraging her and helping her to establish appropriate techniques and set her up with pumping appropriately, which would have taken us weeks without the support. Lastly, Kristin also followed up with us multiple times after the nights that she had stayed, seeing how we were doing and following up with great resources tied to the questions that we had + other professionals that could help with some of the areas that we were looking to develop. We'd highly recommend the support from Modern Mama and specifically Kristin as a doula for and first time parents - I truly believe they were a primary reason for us to start off on the right foot at home. (For reference, we had the 3 night package for the first couple of nights at home) read more

We cannot rave about Modern Mama Doula enough! Patricia was our AMAZING doula and nothing short of an angel on earth. Our plans changed the morning of our delivery and she stepped right in to fully support us. She was the light and encouragement we needed during our first birth. She made the experience magical and so incredible from the minute we started working w her. So incredibly thankful! We took advantage of the monthly classes also attended at least 3 of those and they were very helpful and quick so easy to fit in the schedule. We also did the child birthing class which was very helpful. (Side note: I was convinced my birth experience was not the norm and went through my notes from the classes and turns out it actually happened exactly like we learned it was meant to!) Patricia took photos during our birth and that was probably the most special part of all to have that gift after the birth and coming home with baby to have the experience documented so beautifully. We also did placenta encapsulation and they did a very very nice job with that and very professional. We don't know what birth without modern mama / Patricia and her team would be like nor would we want to! Our birth was perfect and exactly the way we prayed it would be. There was a moment, which is common, where I thought I needed drugs, she knew exactly how to support me through that moment and turned out we were able to stay on course without needing pain meds and our daughter was born naturally and perfectly healthy. I have her to thank for that encouragement and empowerment. I didn't even need IV fluids! Everyone's birth story and experience is unique but I am lucky that our birth plan/preferences were basically carried out to a T and I am CERTAIN 100% no questions- without Patricia, it would not have been the outcome we had. We are so grateful. And can't wait to share the birth story to our daughter one day. Thank you Patricia & Modern Mama Doulas, you are heroes! Xoxo Todd, Julie and Abigail :-) read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Modern Mama Doula is wonderful! Postpartum was incredibly tough for me, but it was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders to have Kristin help me with overnight care. She has the "touch" with babies, my daughter was always so well loved and cared for with her. The extra sleep in those early days is well worth the investment! read more

It is so difficult to fully describe the positive impact that Ashley had on our successful birth, so I am going to briefly describe our journey: My wife went into labor at night and as soon as contractions started, we had an open line with Ashley giving her updates on timing and intensity. Once contractions had severely picked up and the intervals were close together, it was difficult to stay calm. Anticipation and nerves were growing and trying to remember all of the tips we learned in classes and books became harder and harder. That's around the time Ashley showed up at our house and completely changed our lives. Upon arrival she could hear my wife having a contraction and was so calm that it immediately put us all at ease that everything was ok. She stayed with us helping provide support and encouragement until she determined it was time to head to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, Ashley immediately became our advocate. As to-be parents at a hospital, you are in a daze. There is so much going on that it all feels like a blur. But something I'll never forget is Ashley stepping in and ensuring my wife was well taken care of. From having enough water, to requesting my wife stay in the gown she came in, rather than getting changed into the hospitals gown - the little things really added up and removed so much unnecessary energy expenditure allowing my wife to give 100% focus to her first birth. Immediately after the birth, our son swallowed some amniotic fluid and needed to be taken to the warmer for observation. It was very difficult to attend to both my wife and my new son (a scenario my wife and I had not considered when envisioning our birth journey) but having Ashley there, I was able to monitor my son with the nurses while Ashley was with my wife providing her support. That's a memory my wife and I treasure the most about the birth of our son: No one was left alone. On top of all of that, she took photos of the entire journey. While there was so much running around and nerves during the actual day, being able to relive it through photos is another thing we would have never thought of but are so grateful for. The birth of our son was the best day of our lives, and Ashley is responsible for that. Thank you so so much for everything. Anyone who is looking to take the fear and uncertainty out of child birth should book Modern Mama Doula ASAP! These guys are truly heroes! read more

I cannot fully put into words how much having a doula helped my birthing experience. Having a difficult labor and delivery with my first baby, I knew I wanted a doula for my second. This time around was completely different for me, and I attribute that to having Patricia and the support of modern mama birthing classes. I felt so empowered, plus there was a sense of peace knowing I had Patricia there to advocate for me during my most vulnerable moments. She kept in touch prior to my labor, took my calls, and raced over when I was at the hospital. She also empowered my husband and made him feel much more involved and confident in the birthing process. I would absolutely utilize them again, and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quality doula. read more

I've used Modern Momma services for both of my pregnancies (2021 and 2023) - the experience has been truly amazing and I'm so glad I found them. They offer a wide range of support services and all have been great - I've taken their birthing classes, Patricia has helped support me through both a C-section and VBAC delivery, I've used their placenta encapsulation, and I used Caitlin for postpartum doula support in my first pregnancy. Pregnancy and delivery were something I was super nervous about but having Patricia's support and having someone to talk through throughout helped me feel a lot of confidence. She helped me understand my options along the way, helped me create my birth plan and what to pack for the hospital, offered suggestions to help address how I was feeling, gave me the confidence to advocate for what I needed, gave my husband a bit more support and confidence during deliveries, and the birth photos she took are super special to me. It's been fantastic and if I have another baby, we'll definitely work with them again. read more

I'm seven weeks postpartum and I can't stop thinking of how lucky I am to have had Michelle by my side during my pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My husband and I felt so at ease knowing that we had a knowledgeable, strong, and caring person to help us along the way. Without her, we don't believe that we could say that we enjoyed the entire process as much as we did. The icing on the cake- we ended up with Time magazine worthy photos of the delivery- full of nothing but raw emotion and love. Morgann's labor class was exceptionally informative and so much fun. We highly recommend this company for all of your mama and papa needs! read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Scottsdale Shea Labor and Delivery - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Every mama deserves to have a doula to help guide them through their birth. I was lucky enough to have had Patricia to help guide me through mine. She exceeded every expectation I had. First of all, her support leading up to delivery day was so reassuring. She provided evidence based resources to help answer (what seemed like a million) questions, helped us create a plan, checked on me often and was always available via text or phone call. She always helped me see through the fog of mass information and the opinions of others when what I really needed to do was just listen to my body, my baby and my motherly instinct. On delivery day, she was my rock. The second she walked in the door of my hospital room, I immediately felt more at peace. Her energy was so calming yet she was visibly excited, almost giddy. It was so clear to see that she loves what she does and was happy to be there guiding us. She gently coached and guided me to work with my body in ways that made a huge difference with each contraction. She coached me through positions and places that I never would have thought to use. She coached my husband through support poses, touches and phrases too. She was our roadmap on this journey into the unknown. After several hours of labor, our situation took a sharp turn from natural and beautiful to high pressure and alarming. Her reassurance, calm face, gentle touch and guidance to simply focus on giving my baby oxygen through my breath was what I clung to in the midst of all the turmoil. An emergency c-section was the path that my daughter needed to arrive safely. Patricia was by my side every second. Gripping my hand in the OR, helping me relax after surgery, and reassuring me that we had done everything right after I was processing what had just happened. I will forever be thankful to her for the difference she made. read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

I can't say enough about Modern Mama and specifically having Patricia as our doula. Our daughter is 2 years old now and we are pregnant with our second and I was just thinking I should probably contact Patricia and see if she's available hahaha! As a first time mom I needed more hand holding before labor and delivery which Patricia happily provided. She helped me make a simple and easy to use birth plan and came over to show my husband all kinds of positions to do hip squeezes and whatnot to ease my sciatica pain as well as labor pains. She was extremely accessible pre-delivery. When we tell anyone the story of our daughter's birth, my husband is the first person to sing Patricia's praises and also admit that when I told him I wanted a doula he was thinking it was some kind of hippy dippy nonsense. Now he would tell you there is no way we could have made it through an unmedicated birth at Scottsdale Shea on a day when they also delivered 29 other babies and barely had any nurses available. Patricia reassured me and my husband through every single phase and feeling and confidently directed me to do things that would ease the pain and/or make my contractions more productive. I 100% would have not been able to have the unmedicated birth I wanted if it hadn't been for her. Instead I had a less than 6 hour labor from start to finish and felt absolutely great and back to normal immediately after giving birth which is what I wanted. I had a pretty traditional OB up in North Scottsdale, and I was worried about them potentially butting heads or a too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen situation, but my OB actually came by the next day and during her checkup of me and the baby brought up how wonderful Patricia was:-) Patricia also came by my house after birth and offered support with breastfeeding. Overall, hiring Patricia was THE BEST decision and best spent money ever. My husband has told so many people "oh it was worth like $10,000, definitely do it" to anyone on the fence about wanting a doula lol. Biggest skeptic turned into biggest fan! Also, we took classes from Morgan that were awesome! Jess did a few of them as well and she was great too. My only complaint would be that as a completely inexperienced parent I could have used more how to take care of the baby now that she's here stuff. The birth stuff was all very useful though so I wouldn't cut it! Mind you, this was all during Covid when things were really crazy, and Modern Mama did a great job still offering their class in person and in a safe way. read more

Where do I even begin and how do I put it into words. Patricia was my doula and I couldn't have asked or picked a better doula to support my husband and me. From the start her and I felt like friends who had known each other for years. I wanted a doula knowing with COVID restrictions I could only have one non medical support person. Patricia made sure I always felt like I could reach out to her with questions. Being a higher risk pregnancy since my last baby was born 9 weeks early that meant I had a lot more questions. She was always an amazing resource for those times I was feeling unsure or uneasy. She also helped me right in the beginning before we even made our doula/mom relationship official she helped me choose my perfect midwife! I was unhappy with my OBGYN and felt very lost in a sea of patients. We found a midwife that took my insurance that she also had years of experience working with. They kept in close contact with each other and it really made me feel like I had a tight circle of girl friends to support me. Nothing ever felt weird or medically formal and I really appreciated that. Having just moved to Arizona last year I felt like I had known my midwife for years. When I went into labor she was attentive and responsive over the phone until it was time to head to the hospital. The second my husband and I parked she was by our side in the hospital. She helped us with bags and checking in. We walked the halls for an hour while I labored making sure I was dilating so I could be admitted from triage. The stretching and support she offered allowed for a seamless admission into the hospital. We talked and chatted to keep my mind light and stress free. I wasn't forced to sit on monitors in a hospital bed. She was there to advocate for my wishes and desires to labor walking, sitting, and stretching. Even through the early hours of the morning her and my husband sat by my side while we all tried to catch some zzz's before my daughter arrived. Minutes before she was born I was in pain and doubting my own strength. Patricia didn't miss a beat! She quickly grabbed my hand and said the most encouraging words that reminded me I was capable and I was successfully doing everything I needed to do in the moment. I have nothing but happy beautiful memories about my delivery even through pain and 2 epidurals. I really can't even put into words how much I recommend modern mama doulas and their whole team! First time moms to third time moms like me! read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Feeling confident an hour before delivering my bundle of joy - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Oh my goodness, we had such an incredible experience with Modern Mama Doulas. We worked with Carena Post Partum, and I wish I could adopt her. She seamlessly tidied our home, wrangled my two older children, and helped me in every meltdown, of which there are many. The team is so accommodating and wonderful to work with, especially when birth and postpartum can be stressful! I'd recommend them to everyone! read more

Absolutely love the service I received with Modern Mama Doula Services! They were very communicative and helpful, answering all of my questions as a first time mom. When the hospital gave us challenges with keeping our placenta for encapsulation, I was able to give the doula a call and she advised me on the best verbiage! Once the placenta was delivered, I received it back in less than a week with clear instructions. They were even available weeks later when I had a question come up. Absolutely recommend!! read more

We worked with Patricia for the birth of my son. When it came time for me to give birth I stayed in constant contact with my doula and updated her about everything going on shortly after I first started having contractions. Patricia gave brief text and phone support but ultimately did not show up at the hospital until the moment I was about to deliver my son. In fact, her communications caused more stress. When I arrived at the hospital after approximately 24 hours of managing contractions at home, my husband called Patricia and she asked him, "why did you go to the hospital?" He said he was at a loss for words but basically responded, "because Kristina is having a baby." At one point during one of my phone conversations with her I was feeling very defeated and Patricia said to me, "well you are just in early labor now so how do you plan to get through the rest of your birth?" I wanted to say, "well I had hoped you would be here to support me," but I was so taken aback that I just mumbled that I didn't know. Had I known that their model of doula care was to rely so heavily on phone support throughout the duration of labor I never would have worked with Modern Mama Doula. That is not the vision I had when I dreamed of being supported through my second birth. At no point did Patricia communicate that she could not show up to do her job and she never made any attempt to request a backup doula to be present. She was kept in the loop in terms of my pain level, progression in labor, and admittance to the hospital with ample time to show up. All of the nurses and my OBGYN kept asking where my doula was and we did not have a response for them. The main compelling feature of a birth doula is a supportive person who is PRESENT during labor. By not physically being present, they failed to provide that service. read more

Modern Mama Doula was extremely thorough in their methods of labor prepping exercises and knowledge based understanding of what to expect the day of birthing. I had a 50 hour labor and had the support the entire time. I never once felt like I was going through any of it alone. I was so exhausted at hour 36 & my doula continued to encourage me, help me into different laboring positions for ease and to move things along, as well as massaging my back in between contractions. I was considered a geriatric pregnant Mama and high risk because of previously having a c-section so most of the medical professions told me my likely hood of c-section were slim. I honestly believe that I was able to have the birthing experience (VBAC at 40) because I had such an amazing Doula. In addition, I have the most beautiful photos I could have ever hoped for. My Doula also happened to be a crazy talented photographer. read more

See all

Working with Patricia from Modern Doula made my labor the MOST BEAUTIFUL experience. My labor was 40 hours long and she was with us every single moment encouraging me, advocating for me, making me comfortable, and updating all of my family on my progress and explaining to them what was happening. My mom and husband were very unsure of me having a doula and by the end the were both believers and said she was a God-send. I truly feel like she was put on this earth to support women during their labor and delivery. There are not enough words to describe what she did for me and my family during the rollercoaster of labor. She took the most beautiful photos of the entire process and I will forever cherish them. I can't wait to show my daughter when she is old enough. Patricia, you are my hero! An added bonus is the Circle of Mothers group you get to attend after your child is born. This helps you connect to other mothers who are on the same journey as you. read more

Hire yourself a Modern Mama doula!! We were on the fence about having a doula and we're so glad we had the support from MaLaura and McKenzie. Initially MaLaura was our doula and we did our prenatal visit with her. She educated us and helped us prepare. When I went into labor, MaLaura was sick so she couldn't be there, she was available via phone and coached me through questions I had in early labor. When it was time to head to the hospital she sent McKenzie who was so wonderful! 100% loved my experience with our doulas, read more

I decided I wanted a doula about 8 months into pregnancy, but I wish I had McKenzie with me from the start! We met online, and she emphasized how a doula does not replace a partner, but more complements the partner so my husband and I could both focus on the birth. We also had a home visit which helped me a lot even though I was in the home stretch. She texted me throughout my labor at home to make sure I was progressing ok, then she met us at the hospital when it was time. I think we were there for over 24 hours before my baby was born (VBAC). She was so patient and helpful throughout. She helped me relax during contractions, and even took photos of the special day. When my FSA denied my doula claim multiple times, she and Patricia worked with me so that I could get it reimbursed. I had multiple postpartum doulas help throughout the first two weeks after birth. They were so helpful and made sure that I could catch as much sleep as possible or had time to shower or eat. If you're on the fence about getting a Postpartum Doula, DO IT - for yourself!!! Modern Mama Doula is a one stop shop, and I am so grateful that I was able to work with so many awesome ladies from there! read more

I have nothing but great things to say about Modern Mama! Our doula Patricia was absolutely nothing short of fantastic. Without going into too much detail, we were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with my obgyn toward the end of my pregnancy. Patricia helped to guide us to a provider that was a much better fit. I can't help but think that our labor and delivery experience would not have been as good as it was and I may have had worse outcomes and more interventions which I did not want. I did have to have an induction and while laboring with Pitocin was tough, I was able to get through it with the amazing support of our midwife, my husband, nurse, and of course Patricia! She really helped me to get into labor positions to help move the baby along and to manage my pain so that I could remain unmedicated. My husband was wicked impressed and I cannot recommend her enough. We did have another doula for the birth of my first daughter, but I'm so glad we chose Patricia this time around. Her support throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and beyond has been top notch. We are so grateful for our experience with her. Working with a doula is beneficial and I believe that it really helps you to be in better control of your birth experience. If you choose Patricia, you will be working with the best of the best doulas around! read more

This place is amazing! Michelle was my doula for my firstborn and she helped my family through an intense and beautiful hospital birth experience. She was there for me during my entire pregnancy and birth, helping me educate myself and make the best decisions for my body and my baby. The support groups for moms on Tuesdays are also amazing. Hiring Michelle and working with Modern Mama was hands down the best decision of my pregnancy. Bonus, she also takess great photos during the labor and birth. read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I haven't felt the need to write a review in a while, but after having this experience it's the least I can do. Listening to my wife and getting a doula, was the absolute best thing I could have done for the pregnancy and my family. Mind you... Michelle isn't a typical doula. She's the doula your doula wants to eventually be, and a he's absolutely on it all...the...time. During a pregnancy that had as many twists and turns as ours, it was more than comforting for her to say, "I promise you will have a beautiful birth." She skillfully navigated us through leaving our original OB, and placed us with a team we really really love and trust. We went with her hospital suggestion, and it could not have worked out better. I thought having a doula would be helpful, and I wanted to support my wife the best I could during this process, but I had no idea how valuable and life changing Michelle's support would be. She is such a genuine person, and you can just tell she has a great heart. Quite frankly I'm a bit upset she doesn't charge more for the amazing service provided. I'm thankful beyond any words I could write here. read more

I have nothing but praise for MMD! We just finished their in-person Lamaze class and it was amazing! We learned so much, everything was so practical and the time flew by. Morgann & Cheyenne created an open learning environment that was hands-on & approachable. I would sign up for any of their classes! read more

Michelle was the most amazing doula and support person I could ever imagine! I am so lucky to have had Michelle part of two of my home births. Her presence is so uplifting and brings such a positive energy to her surroundings! She helped my husband with pain relief techniques and encouraged me through every contraction. Michelle also gave me some of the best pictures which I will always treasure. If you need a doula, whether you're a first or seasoned mom, you'll be well taken care of with Modern Mama! read more

I hired these lovely doula's for postpartum doula, 5 week Lamaze class, and placenta encapsulation. We have finished our 5 week Lamaze class and the instructors where very educational and taught a great class! I'm very happy with all the resources they provided and I really appreciated the activities they had done as a group getting to know the other couples in the class and really created a fun environment! Definitely recommend the 5 week Lamaze class, and I'm very excited for the postpartum doula service, so far they have been very quick to respond to all questions regarding logistics and providing more information, so I'm very excited for the help after baby boy comes! I couldn't recommend this company enough for better help with preparing mom and baby for motherhood! read more

My decision to hire Michelle as my doula was one of the worst decisions I have made. Taking her advice during my labor put myself and my baby at risk and it ruined my birth experience. Deep down I don't think she cares about your birth. She cares about her business and her time. In my case it resulted in my baby being born in the front seat of my car which was a traumatic experience. This was my fourth baby first unmedicated birth. I met with Michelle twice during my pregnancy. Both times we talked about either meeting at my house or at the birth center and it would just depend on how my labor goes. On the morning of my labor I started having contractions around midnight that were 3 minutes apart. This lasted until 3:30 am and then the contractions became spaced out to 10 minutes apart still very strong. 6:45 I called Michelle and told her what was going on. Her initial tone was very dismissive. She told me that it could be false labor and that contractions 10 minutes apart were not significant. After this conversation my entire mindset was skewed. I thought I must be overreacting. I even told my husband to go to work for a couple hours. contractions started increasing in frequency and I got in the tub to help manage the pain. I called my midwife at 8:26 and told her I'm pretty sure I'm in labor but I wasn't ready to come in. At 8:45 I texted Michelle and told her they were definitely picking up. I wasn't timing contractions as I was alone and trying to relax. Michelle- "have you tried taking a tub or shower?" "I'm in the tub" Michelle - "perfect, how often do you think they're coming now?" "Maybe 5-6 min if I don't move" Michelle- "That's good!" I remember looking at this text and feeling confused. I wanted help and didn't understand why I wasn't being offered it. I was in a lot of pain but felt uncomfortable asking for help. I figured we must not be at that point yet or something. I didn't want to be that mom who goes in for false labor. I had told my husband to come home but did not communicate with him the urgency of the situation. 0850 call from Michelle that lasted 6 minutes wanting to listen to how I sound. I was Laying in the tub and had two contractions while on the phone with her that were at least a minute long. I told her they were very painful. She told me since I sounded good in between contractions I was ok to wait longer and that contractions need to be consistently under 5 minutes apart to cause cervical change but if I wanted to go in she would support me. If someone tells you that basically you shouldn't need help yet but if you want it they'll support you that is not very encouraging. At 9:30 my husband came home and I had him time a couple contractions thinking this information was important. They were 2.5 min apart lasting longer than a minute. I texted her and told her we were leaving and she responded that she would meet us there. I got out of the tub to non stop contractions. I was shaking and nauseous and could barely come up off my hands and knees. We had a 25 minute car ride. Contractions became unbearable with an uncontrollable urge to push. My water broke We pulled into the parking lot and I pushed my babies head out. It was a Saturday we were alone in the parking lot no one else had arrived yet and no one was inside. My midwife and Michelle both pulled up a couple minutes later. My husband screamed for help and my midwife ran over and finished delivering our baby. We were helped inside. Michelle stayed for a couple hours which was slightly awkward as she really had no purpose. At one point she was helping me get my baby latched on and I noticed her hands wreaked like cigarettes! I should have trusted my instincts that day but her voice had me second guessing everything I was experiencing. During my prenatal visits my midwife always said to not even worry about timing contractions. I should have listened to my medical provider. It was my fourth and last baby. I labored alone with my 3 kids and birthed her in my car. That is my birth story. I've since talked to numerous birth professionals who have told me contraction frequency with subsequent babies does not matter. I've also been told that Michelle has a habit of coming to labors late. She mentioned during our prenatal meetings that she doesn't take first time moms as clients. This is a red flag. The only reason for this is that she doesn't want to be present for a lengthy labor. Other than getting my photos and placenta capsules to me, Michelle did not reach out to me after my birth. She did not offer a postpartum visit. She never asked me how I felt about how my birth went. I sent her a long email pouring my heart out about how I felt which she did not respond to. I was pretty hysterical for the first couple weeks over it. My daughter is healthy thank god but a healthy baby is not all that matters. My birth mattered and this is something I'll never get back. read more

If you're looking for a Doula, stop here, Michelle is the one! Hiring Michelle was the best decision we made! She changed our entire birthing experience. Michelle guided us to resources and tools so we could make informed decisions about our care. The information she provided led us to change our medical provider and hospital (we ended up at Premier Care for Women in Surprise and delivered at Banner Del E. Webb). That change allowed us to make the decisions we wanted without undue pressure from our Dr or the hospital. I really believe that one of the main reasons we were able to have the birth we did was because of having Michelle with us the whole time. Leading up to our birth Michelle was always a text or phone call away, she always got back to me and never made me feel silly for asking questions. I can't say enough about the positive impact she had on our experience, she's absolutely worth every penny and then some! read more

Modern Mama and Michelle are beyond amazing. Michelle was my doula for both of my deliveries and frankly, a lifesaver throughout the whole process. From the first meeting at our home, to early back labor and recommending a chiropractor to turn my baby, to labor support when things didn't go as planned, to being my biggest cheerleader the second time around. Michelle is so well connected and knowledgeable, knowing the perfect people to help you achieve whatever it is you want out of your birth and postpartum experience! read more

Our entire experience was beyond amazing! We worked with Patricia. She helped us prepare a few weeks before our due date with different exercises and stretches. Every week she checked in on me to see how baby and I were doing and always had so much advice on any questions we had! When it came time to have our baby she was there every second of the way. With our package we also received photos of our delivery and an at home lifestyle shoot to capture our new little girl and family together. A huge bonus for me was the included Lactation consult at home! I was having a hard time with her latch and having the help of a pro helped ! One of my favorite parts of our service was the included placenta encapsulation!! My only regret is that I did not think to hire a doula for my other pregnancies! They made this the best pregnancy! I highly recommend them! read more

I cannot say enough great things about Modern Mama. We just finished the Lamaze classes and they were a wealth of information based on science. The classes and activities they do really helped my daughter feel comfortable about the birthing process. Morgann is amazing, compassionate and quick to help find us resources. We will also be having a birthing doula and post-partum doula to help us. Their response time is very fast and the authentic care for the mamas is very special. I highly recommend Modern Mama to any mama. The support, love and education you receive is incredible! read more

Patricia was absolutely incredible and a god send. She was always available to answer any questions throughout my entire pregnancy. She helped me through labor with so many helpful tips for pain management at anytime of the night or day while I labored at home and was at the hospital with me as soon as I got there! She guided my through labor and my experience would not have been as amazing without her. I could go on and on about my experience but I would 10/10 recommend any expecting Mom to use her or this company! read more

I had an amazing labor experience for the birth of my son and I credit so much of that to Michelle! I knew I wanted to have a doula to help during labor, but I wanted to make sure my husband didn't feel like anyone had taken over his role in the process. It wasn't like that all! Michelle came over to our house and helped me labor for a couple hours before we headed to the hospital. Once we got there, she continued to provide the confidence and calmness I had been envisioning for the day. She was also an amazing advocate for us with the hospital staff. We walked around the triage floor for a while before getting a room and then we labored in the tub. It was so amazing. Looking back, I love knowing that was my birth experience because I couldn't believe how calm everything was at the time. The room was so quiet and peaceful - she helped me breathe through contractions, played some soft music and kept the lights dim. She also helped my husband by having him massage my back and keep me relaxed. Once my baby boy was born, she helped me breastfeed and left shortly after starting our hour of skin to skin time. The images she captured during the process were amazing and they're ones I treasure so much. I highly recommend Michelle!! read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

My wife and I took the Modern Mama Lamaze class and we loved it. We feel so much more prepared for our birth. Morgan and Jessica were excellent teachers they bring the perfect amount of real-life experience and facts based research. We will meet with our Doula Patricia today and if she has even half the knowledge as the Lamaze class instructors then we will be very prepared. We are very excited to meet our baby girl and we believe that Modern Mama has given us the tools we need to bring a baby into the world. Modern Mama also took our HSA which was super helpful. read more

I love this team's philosophy: Your Birth. Your Baby. Your Body. Everyone deserves to have an informed birth experience where their wishes are respected and their voice is heard. This doula team will work along your side to be sure you are prepared and supported in your birth experience! read more

Lamaze classes with Morgann and Jess!!! I absolutely had the most incredible time with these classes! Me and my boyfriend learned so much in these 5 week classes, I am so grateful to have had the time to come after work and learn so much especially both of us being first time parents! Morgan is incredible she's laid back very down to earth, loving caring person. Every class with Morgan I felt comfortable asking her any type of question and she always had an answer! She's funny she has a wonderful way of explaining everything visually! I am a visual learning so it's great how she teaches! Jess was incredible as well, she has no filter and lays it all out for you! I absolutely love that! They make a great power duo! If you are a first time mom I would recommend this Lamaze class to infinity it was incredible! Now this is a health education Lamaze class so we did not go over breathing techniques. It was more learning about your body, learning about what to do in labor with your partner, learning about how to choose your provider, tips on what positions you can do with giving birth. Also postpartum! So we go over a lot ! I would say it would have been nice to do a couple breathing techniques but if you have a doula she can go over that with you. I give them 5 stars all the way, incredible I am due in two weeks and I'm ready ! read more

Modern Mama Doula Services - Lamaze class with Morgan! The boys changing diapers - Doulas Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

When my wife and I found out that we were pregnant we did not know what to expect, so we decided to get a doula. This was well worth it. Michelle was like a tour guide throughout our whole pregnancy. Any concerns or issues we had, she was always there to calm me down and give us answers. Michelle was absolutely necessary for our pregnancy journey. The leadership and support she showed to my wife and I during labor gave us tremendous confidence and helped us deliver our beautiful baby boy. If you want a doula to prepare you in the best way, I highly recommend Michelle!! Thank you Michelle for all your help!! read more

Patricia at Modern Mama was like the gatekeeper to my amazing birth experience. I relocated to AZ in the middle of my pregnancy last year and I needed an entirely new care team. I didn't even know the the value of having a doula and was just trying to be open to any resources since this was my first pregnancy. I was interested in their website and the focus on evidence based Medicine. Patricia was an awesome fit and thanks to her, I had a great OB and midwife, a massage therapist, acupuncturist and chiro. I also did the lamaze classes at MM and Morgan and Cheyenne were incredible. My labor was long and Patricia was there for support and guidance so I never felt like we didn't have an expert. She helped coach me through the unmedicated birth I was hoping for at St. Joe's and I felt really informed about an my options. I recommend modern mama all the time and truly don't know what I would have done if I had not found them. read more

I couldn't be more thankful for Michelle. She is truly an angel on earth. She helped guide, educate and support my husband and I throughout my first pregnancy. It was one hell of a rollercoaster from issues with my initial medical team to the unknown unknowns of pregnancy l, and I had her trusted hand and heart every step of the way. Before contacting Michelle, I was stuck in a horrible situation with an OB who made a large chunk of my experience horrendous. I was treated horribly, and it made anxiety for delivery skyrocket. Michelle is very knowledgeable of what goes on in the environment of Phoenix and has value in her recommendations that are life changing. When i expressed my situation she said to me " I promise you will have an amazing birth" and guided me to a new team and hospital, and it was the best decision I could have made not only for my little girl, but myself and my husband. She was beyond quick to respond when I (or my husband) reached out with concerns and her guidance always lead me in the right direction. Every..Single..Time. Fast forward to my precipitous birth. I went into labor and delivered my LO in less than 2 hours. It was insane, and I couldn't imagine what the experience would have been had I not had Michelle by my side throughout my journey. Somehow she arrived to my delivery room so fast given the circumstances and because she'd prepped us, we felt very prepared to be strong together for a safe, healthy and successful delivery. Whether it's your first or your fifth, if you're feeling lost, alone or well prepared, the value she brings unimaginable. My advice is to Trust her and you'll have beautiful memorable experience. If you are doubting for even a second whether you want a doula or to use Modern Mama Doula Services look no more. Thank you Michelle & Modern Mama Doula for making my experience one I never want to forget! read more

Modern Mama Doula is by far the best place you will find for your needs! They do it all, from doula services, placenta encapsulation, lactation consulting... they just do it all. My due date was 3/9, and I was told by my doula (Michelle Ludwig) that if I delivered late, she was going on vacation 3/16-3/20. Well, it happened, I delivered late. So she had to transfer me to another doula (Malaura) which was absolutely amazing! Michelle and Malaura have so much knowledge its unbelievable! Although, I had transferred doulas, my daughter ended up making her grand entrance the day after Michelle had come back from vacation. So, in the end, Michelle was at the birth of my sweet daughter! From about 36 weeks, until my daughter was born at 41 + 5 days, Michelle was always in contact with me checking in on me. She came to my house to meet me for a 2 hour sesh! She always text me good information about what to do to prepare for delivery day. I could text her any time of the day and she would QUICKLY respond! It was nice to be able to get answers in a prompt manner every time! My birth story: My water ended up breaking spontaneously at 6 am on Monday morning 3/21. I texted Michelle that I was headed to the hospital since I had been contracting every 4 minutes. I got to the hospital, they checked and I was dilated to a 4, so they admitted me to a labor and delivery room. By time I got into the room around 7:45, am, I was contracting every 2 mins for a min like clock work. I texted Michelle. It was perfect timing, because she was just about to take her kids to school then head my way. Michelle was at the hospital by 8:30 am. When she arrived, I was already in a lot of pain, and she took over in full force. She had me try a lot of different positions, massages, counter pressure, talk therapy, during every contraction. She was there for my every need (even the L and D nurse said she was making her life easy) getting me water, blankets, pillows, helping me change... just anything to make me comfortable! After laboring and contracting every 2 mins for 5 straight hours, and getting very intense contractions in the bath tub, I couldn't take the pain and asked for an epidural. Michelle talked me through this transition phase and let me know to get checked before proceeding with the epidural. If I were to be dilated close to a 10, there would be no need for an epidural. I got out of the bath and they checked me and I was still at a 4. This was discouraging and I proceeded with the epidural. Michelle supported every decision I made for myself and wasn't pushy on not getting the epidural at all, especially not dilating at all after 5 hours of hard work. After the epidural was placed, I dilated from a 4 to a 10 within 45 mins, then an 8 to a 10 within an hour and a half. After I dilated to a 10, I pushed for an hour and a half, then my sweet daughter was here! If Michelle wasn't there to have me try different positions while pushing, I probably would have been pushing way longer! After my daughter was born, Michelle stayed for a few hours helping me with anything needed after. Actually, the first thing she did, was being me in a huge fruit plate, well, more like 3 of them, pudding and juice. She knew mama was hungry! Overall Modern Mama Doula is hands down the best services for hire and Michelle was exceptionally talented and knowledgeable. She is super cool and funny also! That helped a lot! Thank you for everything you did during my pregnancy, labor, and delivery! read more