She is the best birth doula in the world She is kind and compassionate. I recommend her for sure. read more

This is a long overdue review for Renata as my son is almost 3 1/2 years old! My son's delivery did not go as planned but Renata did everything in her power to make me comfortable and help follow (for as long as we could) what I had in mind for the birth. She supported me and my husband for about 24hs straight and even though I ended up having an emergency C-section she only left the hospital after baby & I were out of the OR. We got a lot of knowledge from the office meetings with other couples and after our son's birth she did multiple house visits and referred us to a wonderful lactation consultant who saved my sanity in postpartum. I really can't thank her enough! read more

Renata is truly an angel on earth, she went above and beyond what I expected from a doula and I will always recommend her to anyone I know having a baby. During my labor she reminded me to breathe and relax, made beverages to help with my hydration, massaged my cramping hands and legs, suggested position changes to help facilitate progress, everything. I ended up in the hospital and despite that set-back she was non-stop advocating for my needs and informing us how things go in the hospital setting. She pushed for providers to help me, she questioned staff about things, she was all over it. Despite my long labor she stayed with us until I was resting in my hospital room. Back at home, postpartum, she helped prepare my partner and I for the days ahead. All subsequent meetings always left me feeling relieved and at ease, not crazy like hospital appointments make you feel. Renata has such a wealth of experience and knowledge, it's part of what makes her a great doula, but in my opinion her personality, energy, and soul are what set her apart from others. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up , highly recommended! read more

My husband and I hired Renata for private birth doula services in 2022, which included education sessions and postpartum support. I feel Renata's support far exceeded the value of her fees; she really was incredible. Our first in-home visit with Renata involved an in-depth conversation to get to know each other. I was impressed with her method; it was very clear that her many years of experience allow her to hone her ability to understand new clients and build connection between her and both parents. We had really interesting conversations that delved deeper into knowing each other. I felt relatively prepared for labor and delivery based on research I had done. The information and Q&A that Renata provided in her education sessions, however, extended beyond what I could read about online or in books. Those sessions were very applicable and beneficial for both my husband and I. One of Renata's sessions was about advocating for yourself and finding your voice at the hospital during the birthing process. Renata talked about several scenarios where birthing parents' consent and needs are overlooked during childbirth. My initial response to this was surprise. I thought, how bad can it really be, isn't the medical team there to take care of you and your baby? Now, in hindsight, I totally understand why Renata goes over this. In my own labor process, I was ignored/treated poorly by a nurse. It does happen even at the best hospitals! The day came when labor began. As we planned, we texted Renata when it started and kept in touch as my husband helped me labor at home. When contractions got more intense, Renata came over and helped us both. What I remember in the moments before Renata came over is that we were both starting to feel anxious. When Renata arrived her presence allowed us both to feel calmer and more confident in the process. What Renata did for me in those moments made all the difference in the experience of my labor. My inner monologue went from "This is getting too hard. I don't think I can do this" to "This is really intense. I am focused. I surrender to my body. My baby is coming." Renata was truly incredible in her labor support. She read me like she could hear my thoughts; it was like she was in my head and I didn't have to speak for her to know what I needed. Renata helped me find my breath and the positions that worked best for me to surrender to the work of my body. She used her touch to calm me and help me focus through the intensity. By the time we got to the hospital, most of the work had already been done at home. Renata's genuine care and wisdom throughout the rest of the labor and delivery process was just as tuned in to me as it had been at home. Again, I felt like she could just read my body and mind and spirit and know how to help direct my focus. I know we had a much less stressful and more powerful birth experience thanks to Renata. I would hire her again in a heartbeat. I can't say it enough - Renata is incredible! read more

When anyone in the Bay Area says they're having a baby, my only advice is "get Renata as your doula, NOW!" My wife gave birth in Dec with our 2nd child. Her first delivery was a c-section and she was determined to do a vbac. Renata was amazing leading up to the delivery with a series of classes and then became superwoman when my wife went into labor. Compared to our first delivery with no doula, the 2nd delivery was less stressful because Renata was there to help at every step. She came over to our apartment in the middle of the night when contractions started getting more serious. She told us when it was time to go to the hospital. And once in the delivery room, Renata had my wife in 99 different positions to help facilitate a natural birth. There's no way my wife would have been able to deliver naturally without Renata's help. She was a god-send, especially for a husband who gets a little queasy around medical things. We can't recommend Renata enough. I would sell organs if necessary to ensure Renata would be our doula for any future children. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Renata! We worked with Renata through the Sister Doulas, and I am so glad we did. Renata offered several different pre-natal classes that helped prepare us SO much more than the hospital pre-natal classes we took. She was unbelievably supportive and helpful during the labor process. I had to be induced and it was taking a loooong time for my contractions to start. Renata stopped by the hospital to check in on me -- she led me through a few exercises and within about 10 minutes I was finally experiencing contractions. They came on very fast and strong, so Renata quickly returned and guided us through the next 15 hours or so until the baby was finally born -- happy, healthy, and without any complications. She was an incredible support system, helping me to find strength I didn't know I had, guiding me through breathing, different positions, and muscle relaxation/control. She is also amazing at helping the partners of the birth parent; this was our first kid and we didn't know what we were doing at all. Renata knew exactly how to guide my husband to help support me. I didn't know what to expect at all, but now I truly cannot imagine going through the labor process without a doula like Renata by my side. I had a very positive birth experience and I attribute so much of that to Renata's warm, caring, and supportive presence. read more

I literally am joining Yelp to leave this review. I don't know how I would have gotten through the birth of my son without Renata. She was wise, so in tune and incredible. A great advocate in the hospital and knows all of the magical techniques to support a birthing mama. So grateful. My only regret is that she wasn't there for the birth of my first! read more

I'm convinced that Renata is hands down one of the best doulas in the Bay Area. We interviewed six doulas during the interview process and instantly knew Renata was the one for us. We felt very connected to her energy and calm demeanor. Once we enlisted her to be our doula we got signed up for her prenatal sessions. Renata is extremely knowledgeable in the space and her prenatal meetings showcased her expertise. They were very valuable in preparing us for the birth and postpartum process as well as helping build our confidence towards becoming parents. Her classes were open and honest about what we could expect, and I appreciated her candor. My husband and I walked away from each session with a ton of information and felt much more prepared for the big day and thereafter. We actually got much more value from her sessions than we did from the childbirth classes we took elsewhere! Throughout our time working together, Renata was very responsive via phone and text message. I had a 20-week scare that took me into triage in L&D and Renata comforted me afterward and shared some insight. She is a very caring doula; you can feel just how genuine she is. This is what really drew us to her and one of the reasons that we enjoyed our time together so much. The big day arrived and I went into labor at home! My husband was on text/call with Renata before she came over. She coached me through some breathing exercises and assessed the situation before we decided it was time to go to the hospital as things were progressing quickly. She rode in our car and kept me comfortable in the backseat. During another 10 hours of labor at the hospital she was by our side the entire time and very hands-on with acupressure (this helped me beyond belief!). Her verbal affirmations and support helped me achieve my goal of an unmedicated natural delivery! I literally couldn't have done it without her! My husband was so grateful that we had her as part of our birth team because he needed the support much more than he realized. We will definitely be working with her again for baby number 2 as she is truly a phenomenal human. read more

Thank you for being our doula! You have helped empower me to have the hospital birth of my dreams! I gave birth to my baby boy with the labor guidance of Renata and my husband, and it was the greatest experience of my life! Your labor prep meetings with us and your presence during my labor, helped ignite the fierce feminine within me to have the completely hands off birth I prayed for. Starting with the prenatal home visits, labor management, birth, to postpartum, Renata helped me tremendously!! We rolled into the hospital as I was 9.5 cm dilated and fully effaced. We had about 40 mins in the delivery room before he was born and I roared him earth side without even being on a blood pressure cuff or monitor. I was completely off wires, no IV, and thanks to Renata gently reminding me my wishes, I caught my babe. Additionally, I was able to advocate for a lotus birth by using her trick of asking for more time for the placenta to be born and the cord to be white (my husband also got in on the advocation!)! I had a whole detailed birth plan outlined (which she helped me work through in the months prior) and I didn't even need it! My voice was through my body language, and the occasional continuous 'NO', and we got everything we wanted out of our experience! Her postpartum visits were incredibly healing. Prior to birth, I never thought I would get the postpartum blues or anything along those lines, as I felt I was strong headed in that regard. But boy did the blues hit me. Those visits were so therapeutic. And she helped my breastfeeding journey! I always felt like a weight was lifted every time she came over to check on me! Renata will always hold a special place in my heart as the guardian doula who helped protect my birth space. I pray I am blessed with her presence for my future births! read more

This is way overdue. As my baby just turned 1 year old, I now reminisce about that special day. This being my first pregnancy, I was having a hard time connecting with a Dr, since every appointment I went I saw a different Dr for only 5 minutes. That was my biggest trigger to look for a doula, and oh my, Renata offered us SO MUCH more. I found Renata through the amazing reviews I saw here and the Brazilian community on a Facebook group. My pregnancy was smooth and no risk from the beginning, so when we talked to Renata, we shared our desire to have the most natural birth possible (even though it was in a hospital)....and we did it!! Renata was there by my side, giving me pressure points during contractions (and those helped a ton) and reminding me to breathe. But not only that, we had 3 pre labor meetings with other couples that were so helpful (especially to my husband) and I love how she includes the partner in every conversation sharing how they can be helpful. After my baby was born, Renata visited us 3 more times. And those visits were really light and so focus on my well being and comfort. She helped us navigate all sorts of things, from postpartum questions, breastfeeding, sleep, baby poop, tips on how to calm baby, swaddling, and SO much more. Renata is a dear friend and I will be forever grateful for her. Without her, my hospital birth experience would have been very stressful. She was by our side the whole time and I trusted her fully. She knows she'll be back next time around when the next baby comes. We love you, Renata. read more

Renata Provost - Doulas Near Me

Renata is a gem. Our first one-on-one meeting, she made me feel at home. She has such a nurturing spirit, immediately feeling like a friend, combined with knowledge and confidence in all things labor and birth .. I knew immediately I wanted her by my side during labor. I had interviewed over 7 doulas, not feeling sure about any of them, but with Renata, it was immediate. Her prenatal classes/meetings she offers are so helpful and unique. This was my second pregnancy, and as confident as I felt with this pregnancy since I just had my first 2 years ago, I still greatly benefited from these classes. I shockingly went into labor 7 weeks early. This didn't change anything on Renata's end .. she was ready to go and arrived as soon as we requested her to. The labor itself was a frightening experience, given how early my baby came and the blood loss I was experiencing. Renata remained calm and supportive, she helped ask all the right questions to the staff when necessary. I had gut feelings regarding unexpected decisions that had to be made, but I didn't know how to express them, as I was inbetween intense contractions and couldn't think quick enough and clearly .. and she helped guide me through it all, without ever influencing me in any way, just helping me articulate my own feelings. I truly feel that if it weren't for Renata, my birth wishes would not have happened. I'm so grateful that despite all of the unexpectedness, I was able to have my desired birth experience, with her support. Renata has continued to check on me and provide support, postpartum, which has been so helpful and comforting to know I have her for any needs or questions. I will forever cherish her. read more

Renata was an incredible part of our home birth experience and I am so grateful for her. We found her from a referral who similarly had a fantastic experience with her and she made us comfortable from the start. She has a very calm and relaxed energy, but at the same time is very thorough and knowledgeable when it comes to all things prenatal, birth and postpartum. The documents she sent us when we first spoke very clearly outlined what we could expect from her and what she expected of us to make a successful partnership. I loved that the relationship with her really started during the pregnancy, specifically with her classes. My husband was a bit skeptical and thought we would just be all deep breathing together, but we were both bowled over by all the information she gave us - about postpartum recovery, about breastfeeding, and more. We found ourselves talking to all our friends and family saying, "Did you know this??" Many people that we spoke to had gone through their own birth experience without anyone ever telling them what to expect in as caring and informative a way as Renata did with us. For the birth itself, I was in contact with Renata from the moment labor started. She had said she would come when it really leveled up to the point where we would need her - otherwise, if she's underfoot for 48 hours it can feel more like a hindrance than a help. She was never more than a quick text or phone call away as the labor progressed, and within 15 minutes of the first Big Contraction, she was by my side. It was a huge help having her there to make both me and my husband feel like someone knew what to expect and could reassure us that everything was going normally. Possibly the most wonderful part of working with Renata was the postpartum care. Even though she had a family vacation planned for shortly after my birth (which I was aware of when we signed with her), she texted myself and my husband regularly to check in on us, offer advice and hear about our new life as a family of three. Once she was back in town, she came for regular visits. She really made all three of us feel cared for, which was especially important to my husband - she made an effort to also ask how he was doing and ensure that he was feeling supported with everything happening. To put it simply, her support, energy and experience were truly invaluable for my family - if we have a second child, we have already agreed she would be one of the first phone calls as we would absolutely work with her again and recommend her wholeheartedly. read more

There are not enough words and emotions to explain or show how grateful I am for Renata. I am a first time mom which played a huge part in our decision to hire a doula. I had a goal in mind and that was to make this experience the best it could be for me and my husband and to deliver naturally. I know I could have, but I feel like I couldn't have gone through labor without Renata. Her meetings helped prepare myself and my spouse for what to expect during labor and post partum (as much as possible lol). When I was admitted to the hospital she arrived shortly after and she was by my side for 18 hours guiding me and my husband until our son arrived. She is supportive, encouraging, an advocate for your wants/needs, knowledgeable and loving. She is meant to be a doula! Labor is hard, but she and the hospital staff we had made the experience the best I could have envisioned. Again, there aren't enough words for how valuable Renata is, but if I am to do this again, I want her by my side. We love you Renata and you will forever hold such a special place in our hearts. The picture is thanks to her, taking photos was the last thing on our minds:) read more

Renata Provost - Doulas Near Me

I really thought a lot about whether I should leave a review or not. My husband and I decided to go ahead and leave a review in the hope that it may improve the experience for future parents. To us, the most surprising and disappointing thing was that in the two full days we spent in the delivery room, Renata never felt it might be a good idea to show up and check how things were going. When we went in on Friday we knew it would be a long process, so we didn't expect much on that day. But after a full day and a full night of contractions, stress and anxiety, we would have expected Renata to come and provide some help. Even just some reassurance and support. Sure, she said, "call me when the pain is nearly unbearable and I'll come and play my magic". We didn't think much of that at that time, because we never had a baby before, and honestly we didn't really know what it meant. In hindsight, this is ludicrous. Renata is the one who has gone through 400+ births. We hired her to play an active role and help us when we were too tired and overwhelmed to fully comprehend what was going on. The idea of providing guidance on the phone is not only unhelpful, but it actually makes things worse, because it insinuates doubts, without providing the tools to have a meaningful discussion with the medical personnel. If she thought that smthg might not be the best approach, she should have come and talked to the doctor and nurses, instead of ranting on the phone with kids screaming in the background and then leaving us hanging. During the day on Saturday, there were a ton of things she could have helped us with, from breathing to exercises to help through labor, even if the pain was still not excruciating. Thankfully the nurses were great and did what I thought the Doula was supposed to do. We were not that far, a visit would have been helpful or, at the very least, it would have shown that she was on this journey with us and that she cared. She said herself that 80% of the value she provides is in the delivery room. We didn't get to benefit from any of that. It is that simple. read more

Renata is an incredible doula! She is the most supportive, caring, knowledgeable, and empowering person you could ever pick to have on your birth team. We worked with her with our first baby and will certainly be asking her to come back for any future children. Renata started out meeting with us a few months before our due date. The prenatal sessions were essential in preparing for birth and post-partum - way more so than the classes we took through our hospital. She gets to know you and your partner during these sessions to help best support you during birth and post-partum. For the actual birth, I labored at home as long as possible texting and calling Renata for tips. Right when it was getting super difficult, she showed up at our door in the middle of the night and then came with us to the hospital. At the hospital, she helped us navigate all the choices we had to make and empowered me to advocate for my own wishes during birth with the hospital staff. She also helped my partner know how to best support me as well. Ultimately I was able to have the unmedicated birth I hoped for and Renata was key for support! The post-partum visits were also wonderful. In the fog of newborn life, we asked her all our new parent questions and she walked us through all the challenges we were facing. Her guidance helped to bring more ease to one of the most intense periods of our life. read more

Ser doula é ter passagem por outros mundos. Foi assim que eu te vi Renata, durante o nascimento da Maitê. Transitavas pelos multi-versos de minhas águas, entre o visível e o invisível, dentro e fora. Hoje eu vejo, na hora eu sentia e confiava. Foi ainda mais fácil de me entregar, você estava lá como a guardiã de um caminho me mostrando que havia passagem. Me lembrando de que se ficasse muito escuro eu tinha minha própria luz pra levar comigo. Segurou na minha mão como quem segurava a mão de todas as mulheres que já pariram, ela sabia da força e da capacidade. Trouxe pra mim e pra Pedro uma memória que ainda seria vivida, através do olhar e das palavras carregadas de amor e compaixão. Feito luz que ilumina um caminho todo, assim foi sua sabedoria e entrega ao que faz. Meu coração se enche de amor e gratidão toda vez que lembro. Do dia em que renasci só consigo pensar e agradecer não só por uma vida, mas por duas. Obrigada por ser e estar. Eu honro e celebro sua vida e seu caminho nessa jornada. read more

I would give 10 stars if I could! I had no idea what a doula does but now I highly highly recommend Renata! She has this positive vibe and totally works her wonder through all the stress and anxiety during labor. She is all about "team mom" and does everything she possibly can to make the mom feel more comfortable during delivery. She absolutely one of the main reasons my wife's labour both times were smooth and without any hiccups. She will take care of you well before the delivery date and much after baby's arrival for postpartum support. I am forever grateful to her and can't thank her enough, this review is just a small token of how I feel. read more

After a long and challenging first birth that ended in a cesarean, I had a lot of fear going into my second birth experience. I so deeply wanted a VBAC and decided to search for a birth team that could hold me and my emotions and help me find my confidence for my second birth. In my first meeting with Renata a wept cathartic tears as I told her the story of my first birth. She was able to help me reframe what had happened and honor what a good job I'd done in that birth. She helped me understand that my body had experienced all of birth except for the final push and that it would remember the path forward in this second birth. Honestly the prenatal work we did was more healing than the months of therapy I'd done to process that first birth. Her grounded presence, encouragement, and guidance during my second birth helped me relax and trust and open to what became a beautiful and redemptive birth experience. My birth was a fast, smooth, unmedicated VBAC. Everything I'd wished for. In the final stages of pushing, my fear rose up and Renata was there to reassure me and suggest a pose that ended up being the magic pose I needed to help the baby in his final descent. It was all so incredible that I had one more baby! Of course Renata was there for my third birth and was again absolutely critical in helping me get labor going, relaxing my body in contractions through her strong and loving touch, and regain my faith in transition and pushing. She knows birth so deeply and is truly a healer in her birth support. You are in such good hands with Renata as your doula! read more

As first-time parents, my wife and I were very anxious for our baby's arrival. Renata came highly recommended and I am so grateful that she was part of our birth journey. I found her classes informative and helpful in determining and crafting our birth plan. Of course, the plan went out of the window when our baby decided to come 10 days early. We are in the South Bay but Renata came within the hour after we called from the hospital. She was a source of strength and calm as my wife labored for hours. She created a welcoming and warm atmosphere with string lights and trinkets. She gave my wife different exercises to try and stayed with us until my wife delivered (8 hours later). With her guidance, my wife was able to give birth on her terms. This was very important to us. Even after the birth, Renata continued to provide support with breastfeeding, scheduling our days, and was available via text for any questions. We are incredibly grateful for her. read more

Simply put, Renata is the best. I cannot emphasize how critical she was in making sure I had as supportive and positive birthing experience as possible and I don't even want to imagine what my birth journey would have been like without her. I wholeheartedly believe I had a positive and safe birth for my daughter because of Renata, and my husband and I will be forever grateful to her for this. When I mentioned to my OB that Renata was our doula, she perked up as she explained Renata is the "favorite doula" of the doctors in the Berkeley/Oakland area. She also was the doula for several friends who raved about her as well - we were so fortunate she was available for our due date! She provided us with the most holistic type of care from pregnancy, birth itself and postpartum afterwards that truly exceeded my expectations. Pre-Birth: we met with Renata 1:1 and for several group sessions to cover the most important topics of birth and postpartum care. I wasn't expecting the first 1:1 session to be as in-depth as it was, but as Renata explained the way she would be able to best support us was to get to know us as people first. My husband and I were very pleasantly surprised to have these conversations with Renata that revealed important things to us we weren't even conscious of (such as what are our triggers, what makes us feel vulnerable, etc that were incredibly helpful to have awareness of during our birth experience). The group sessions were very educational and created a shared sense of community, with Renata always encouraging us to ask all the questions. She is incredibly warm, caring and kind, making it a welcoming atmosphere at all times. Birth: I went into active labor quite quickly and unexpectedly at home (at night) and after my husband called to say contractions had started, Renata was at our house in less than 15 minutes. I cannot imagine how I would have dealt with getting into the car and making it to the hospital without her helping me with breathing exercises and focus techniques. I was in incredible pain (being in active labor, nearly about to give birth in the car) but yet simultaneously felt safe under Renata's care. She helped give specific directions for how to breathe and push during labor to make for as efficient a birth as possible (wow, thank you for that!). She also went above and beyond in offering to drive back to our house to pick up a hospital bag we forgot to take and dropped it back off at the hospital for us (very late at night too). Postpartum: I also don't know how I would have navigated the postpartum journey without Renata. She was an endless source of support in-person and was always available for any question I had via text, somehow always quick to respond no matter how busy she was. She came by for house visits 4-5 times and continued to provide honest, supportive and encouraging care during my breastfeeding challenges - I feel that I went through all the challenges one could face with this and Renata had advice and guidance to help me through it all. It is clear how much Renata loves what she does and cares about the people she helps. Should I hopefully continue to expand my family, I will call to book Renata's doula services the moment I know a due date! Thank you for everything Renata! read more

I couldn't have done my delivery without Renata. My husband and I started working with Renata since we wanted a doula at delivery but we got so much more than that since the prep meetings were incredibly helpful in helping us understand the process, setting clear expectations for what post-birth will look like and helping us think through what we wanted our delivery to look like. During delivery, Renata was very responsive and it truly felt like she was in it with us. Few months post birth, Renata still checks in on us. She really cares about her families. I've already recommended Renata to many of my friends. I'm grateful to her for helping to make my delivery smooth and on my terms. read more

Renata is the shining star of my birth experience, and I only want to have babies with her by my side! The prenatal meetings gave us a good foundation of knowing one another. She creates such a warm, nurturing environment. Renata arrived as soon as I told her I needed her. Once she got to the hospital, the environment immediately changed to a nurturing and positive space. She helped me to tolerate contractions for far longer than I thought I could! The most incredible part of her work was helping my husband to help me. She coached him so that he could be the primary face I saw and the primary person supporting me. She was also incredibly helpful of letting him know when was a good time to take breaks, which was crucial. She was so helpful with positioning, offering acupressure beads, and other amazingly helpful strategies. Renata collaborated in an amazing way with my medical team, and I credit her knowledge and encouragement for achieving the birth I was hoping for. I really think that my delivery could have ended in a C-Section if it wasn't for her noticing something critical that could have stalled the labor, and then suggesting many different strategies during pushing. After the birth, Renata was so supportive during the postpartum period. I still check in with her from time to time for any questions I have! After our final visit, I was feeling sad to see her go and she told me not to worry, as she would always be my doula. She has been completely true to her word. read more

Working with Renata was a fantastic decision for the birth of our first child this past fall. Throughout the pre-birth, delivery, and post-birth process Renata was warm, caring, and made an experience that felt at times intimidating or daunting just a lot more approachable. The classes she organized before the birth were really helpful, they made me feel excited about what my body could do and knowledgable in navigating the birthing process. Prior to the birth Renata was frequently in touch over text and it felt easy to ask her questions. During labor her reframing and guidance helped make the experience a really positive one. She also helped us navigate a series of complicated choices during labor when our delivery became more complicated than we had initially hoped. I would 100% choose to work with Renata again. read more

Renata is amazing, and I would recommend her to anyone. I'm a first-time dad, and my wife labored for ~19 hours (7 hours of pushing) -- which includes a transfer from a birthing center to a hospital. It was all very stressful, exhausting, and scary. But Renata was a source of strength and calm throughout. It's hard for me to imagine how we could have done it without her. Not only that, Renata provided extraordinary support after the birth. Our baby struggled to breastfeed, and Renata went above and beyond to help support us through this, even covering the cost of an initial visit with a lactation consultant. I can't thank you enough Renata :) read more

Renata is amazing! She supported our 3 pregnancies (4 births). She did a great job working with myself and my husband to mentally prepare us for the birthing process. Renata is a fantastic advocate for mother and baby. She stays calm and eases tension with the nursing staff, as they are at times reactive to fetal heart rate changes. During labor with our first child, Renata showed me breathing techniques and position changes that helped with fetal heart rate abnormalities. With calm position change, baby's fetal heart rate abnormalities resolved and anxiousness by the nursing team also improved and an emergency cesarean section was prevented. When contractions were picking up, she had me squat during contractions to help expedite the baby's journey, which was very helpful because time was of the essence, as my water had broken prior to onset of labor and the clock was ticking for risk of infection for baby. When I declined a procedure (episiotomy) from my OB physician, she amplified my voice, reiterating my request multiple times to make sure he understood that I was declining. Renata coached me on relaxing all parts of my body during labor to allow the uterus contractions to do their job and to not add stress and strain to the rest of my body. During our twin pregnancy, Renata advocated for my wishes to avoid an epidural, as I was being pressured by the provider team to have an epidural. She asked what I wanted and made sure that she amplified MY voice and MY wishes with the provider team. She also kindly took photos of our twin delivery which of course are sacred and precious moments that she captured for us. With our 3rd pregnancy, Renata supported us even so far as to text while traveling internationally with her family when I had a false alarm "dry run" to the hospital for "false labor". She texted position recommendations during contractions and other ideas to stimulate labor after we arrived to the hospital and labor slowed. Renata is more than a labor doula. She has provided countless resource recommendations, including pregnancy-specific chiropractor, post-partum pelvic physical therapy, support groups. She gave me the recommendations for the midwives we used for our 2nd and 3rd pregnancies which were all fantastic. After our first child passed away of SIDS as a young infant, she connected us with another client who had a similar tragedy so that we could support each other. I cannot express how meaningful and powerful this connection was for me during a very tough time. Renata is kind, loving, direct, thorough, a fast talker, detail-oriented, energetic. She is calm and quiet during labor bringing a peaceful, calm mood and when not in labor at times asks questions, shares great wisdom and recommendations at rapid speed, so full of energy and caring it's contagious. She is extremely focused on making sure that mom and baby have everything they need, and especially that mom has everything she needs in the prenatal, during birth and postpartum period. I would recommend Renata to anyone and everyone that would like a low-stress birthing process, anyone that wants a support person that is dedicated to thinking about your wants, needs and preferences as the laboring mom. Renata is a cherished member of our baby growing, delivering and raising team. My husband and I are so grateful that she has been on this journey with us and our family. Many thanks and much love to Renata! read more

We had renata as our doula for our second child and I couldn't have asked for a better person. Renata was wonderful throughout my pregnancy and gave an amazing support during the birth our baby boy. She was always ready to answer any question, and we always felt very comfortable with her during all visits. She also provided plenty articles for us to ready to get us ready and she has a lot of experience which helped a lot. She was always on time and she worked around our schedules when we needed. read more

Renata is incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, she really was the perfect person to assist my husband and I. We spent a lot of time with her prior to L&D and she got to know what we wanted from the experience. This was my first child and I knew I wanted to deliver naturally. Renata never pushed an agenda or an approach, but always supported what we wanted to do. When my baby decided not to make an appearance on time, we talked every day and she helped me with patience and guidance on natural ways to induce. Once active labor started, she was right there by my side and there is no way I would have made it through without her! She coached me and my husband through a very intense five hours and I never doubted that I could do it (thanks to their support). Renata has also been invaluable in the postpartum period as we worked through difficult latching and general parental ineptitude :) I love her direct, no nonsense way of explaining things and really appreciate her grounded spirit. An old soul with healing ways! I highly recommend her to anyone considering a doula for their birth experience. read more

Renata has a down-to-earth, confident presence and was our doula for the birth of my daughter in August 2015. She was fantastic. This review would be very long if I typed everything I loved about having Renata as my doula so I'll pick a few of the best benefits: Phone/text support the nights, days and hours leading up to the birth. Renata responded to the things I was experiencing and gave great advice on things to communicate to my nurses. Also, I wanted an unmedicated birth. Moments after I arrived in the hospital, I was sure I'd need an epidural to get through it. Then Renata arrived, got me to relax my body through the contractions and everything changed. With her support, I did almost all my laboring on my feet and I am convinced it helped the labor progress quickly. And she was great with the medical team! Our nurse was wary at first and asked Renata about her experience. Renata was cool and cooperative and they were like old friends by the time the baby arrived. And when I held my daughter and realized I'd gotten through it - I gave Renata a kiss on the cheek before my husband! (Don't feel too bad - she also did a great job keeping him involved as a support person.) If I ever give birth again, I'd want Renata by my side. read more

Renata was my doula for the birth of my daughter in late November. She was phenomenal. From the pre-birth visits in our home to talk about the birth process and familiarize ourselves with her (husband included) to her bedside manner when I was in labor, to her postpartum visits, she's is amazing. I highly recommend her and strongly encourage you to meet with her if you're considering a doula. A bit about my labor -- Renata supported me in the labor "I wanted." I labored at home, quietly until contractions became very strong and she suggested we transfer to the hospital. She assisted me and guided my husband through 7 hours of active labor (she suggested different positions and methods to help the baby move down), and she was a champion of encouragement and power during the pushing phase. She also supported me in the unmedicated labor I desired but was also supportive when I changed my mind and requested nitrous during the pushing phase. I believe my labor was faster and in line with what I desired because of Renata's support. read more

Renata is an amazing doula, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Giving birth is a major life event and it truly takes a team. Renata's experience, caring and compassion is unbelievable. My husband and I planned a natural birth, and Renata helped me through every step of the labor, guiding me through each and every contraction, through pushing and stayed until we were all settled in. You wouldn't think you'd need to hear the exact same instructions to breathe and focus over and over, but you do. Each time I was having a contraction, Renata knew it and coached me through-she knew when it peaked, and she knew when it was over, even though i said nothing. It was strange (in a very good way) to have someone knowing exactly what you are feeling or experiencing at that moment and talk you through it. I recall asking myself, how does she know??? But she just does. She is gifted, and this is her calling. My husband was able to stay focused and calm, and when he needed to interact with hospital staff, Renata kept her focus on me, so he could do what he needed without getting overwhelmed. We had a very fast labor, start to finish 7 hours, with no easy stage. Because I was not prepared for things to become so intense so quickly, having Renata's support and experience meant that much more. She knew exactly what was going on the whole time, when I was unable to communicate or unaware of what I was experiencing. One of the things I really like about Renata is that she has a no nonsense, straightforward approach to birth. Some doulas get very into the spiritual, empowering goddess side of pregnancy and childbirth, and that doesnt feel right to me. When I first met with her, and told her I expected labor to be like a war or a "hell" I had to "get through" she respected my perspective and didn't try to tell me about the empowering joys of childbirth. Later in the pregnancy, I started to feel more positive, but it meant a lot to have someone listen and validate my opinion without judgement. Overall, we couldn't have been more pleased with her. I cannot recommend her highly enough, and especially for anyone hoping for a natural birth, she's worth her weight in gold. read more

Renata is an angel in the flesh! Doulas obviously don't get into the profession to get rich. The amount of compassion, care and effort that are required of a doula is amazing. What Renata has done for our family is so incredible and words can't describe how valuable and critical she was in our pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum process. After interviewing a couple of other doulas, we decided to work with Renata because we loved her no non-sense, practical and non-hippie/new age approach to birthing and labor support. We were looking for someone who would give us practical advice, hands-on support, and concrete tasks/assignments and not a doula who focused on us communing with nature, birth art, and getting in touch with our inner children. Also when I hugged her, her warmth and smile instantly calmed me. She is originally from Brazil and has a sweet accent, which I love, because I am an immigrant myself. The vibe just felt right. During our meetings, she gave us a lot of helpful information and gradually prepared us for labor & delivery as well as infant care. She helped us feel less afraid and more confident about having a natural birth and overall less anxious about the huge change that was about to happen in our lives. My labor came on very suddenly and was very fast and furious. Renata came as quickly as she could. Her face and voice became the single source of continuity and familiarity that grounded me and helped me through each contraction. She reminded me through each contraction to breath, to remember that the peak only lasts a few seconds and I will get a brief and much needed break between each contraction. It's very hard to rest in between contractions but Renata enabled me to rest as much as I could. She also reminded me how strong I was and how well I was doing. Her words of encouragement carried me through and renewed my energy and confidence to give birth to our beautiful baby girl naturally with no pain medicine and medical intervention. She also took some amazing photos while we were laboring at the hospital. My husband was so focused on supporting me that he didn't think to take pictures. I'm so glad Renata took photos of the labor and delivery. After the baby came, Renata stayed with us until we felt settled. She checked in with us and came to visit to check up on us and how we were doing with the newborn. Our girl is a little over a week old now, and Renata continues to check in with us to make sure that the mommy, daddy, and baby are doing well. Throughout the whole process, we always felt supported and comforted by her kindness, warmth and devotion. If we have another baby, we'd love to work with her again. Choosing a doula is very personal, so Renata may or may not be the perfect match for you but she has been for us and I strongly encourage all expecting parents to consider her. We certainly are grateful that the universe led us to her. read more

I can not say enough wonderful things about Renata. She was an intergral part of my birthing team. First off she was kind enough to take me as a client even though I was close to my due date. Her kindness and confidence made my husband, mother, and I all confortable so we all worked together seamlessly-as though she was an old family friend. We were truly blessed to have her there to keep me focused, breathing, and staying present on the day of Lauryn Rose's birth. When my stepdaughter asked my husband who Renata was and what a doula was his responce was, "When you have your children you MAY want to have your husband and mom there, but you will NEED a doula to be there to help you. I am getting you one." This coming from a man who a few weeks before meeting Renata said: "What do you need a doula for? You have me and your mom. We can't afford to have a doula". HA!!! One last thing...she completly included my husband. When we met she would ask my husband questions and wanted his feedback. She wanted to know directly from him what he wanted from the birth and respected his decisions. Renata was by my side nonstop from bed to bathroom to shower back to bed and over and over again. She is simply awsome. If we have more children Renata will diffenataly be part of the team. She brings peace, patience, and comfort. read more

I could not recommend Renata more. She was our doula for the birth of our second child this past spring. Not only did she provide amazing support and insight both before our birth and during, she is also just awesome to be around. She was instrumental in helping me get through most of my labor unmedicated, too, which I never thought I could do! read more

I had a great VBAC with Renata. After an awful experience with my first delivery (no doula!), Renata helped to alleviate my fears and address my individual needs that I faced during my second pregnancy. When labor started, she met us at the hospital and was attentive and thoughtful. She knew the baby was in not in a favorable position and helped me with positions during my contractions to turn the baby.. And they worked! I asked for an epidural around 6cm, and Renata was supportive of my decision and encouraged me to do what I thought was best (an epidural was always in my plan). When it was time to push, she was an excellent coach and advised me on positions and techniques to make progress... No pitocin needed! I pushed for 45 minutes and when they put my baby on my chest I started crying- I couldn't believe I had my perfect birth experience!!! Thank you Renata!! read more

Renata Provost - Beautiful baby! - Doulas Near Me

Renata is a huge blessing to our family! We are new to the area and have no family to rely on....my husband needed to watch our 2.5 year old while I labored.....Renata was right on time for our induction and guided me through the labor process. I was able to deliver our son without an epidural and her positive words and directions kept me positive and feeling empowered. The prenatal visits were incredibly healing and educational. We were able to process our last birth and feel ready for our son's arrival. The postpartum visits and texts were wonderful. Renata checked in, delivered my placenta capsules on her first visit....48 hours later....and on her last visit, which was at the 6 weeks mark, delivered my placenta tincture. She held me when I cried through my toddler's initial rejection of me when I arrived home and reminded me that this is a short window of time (it was, our toddler feels safe, secure, and happy once more). I cannot say enough about Renata and how happy we are to have her in our lives. As my husband stated, 'Renata's presence made all the difference in us creating our family in a peaceful and empowering environment.' read more

I cannot believe how lucky my husband and I were to find Renata and to have her as our doula. She is incredible at what she does, and because of the support we received from her, the birth of our first child was the most positive experience for everyone involved, and I was able to have an all natural birth, exactly the way I planned. Her confidence and wealth of knowledge made me feel so comfortable with her, not to mention her great sense of humor and upbeat disposition! I should also mention that despite the fact that I went into labor a month before my due date, Renata was there for us and never missed a beat. She is a true professional!! Something that Renata did such a good job of was finding a role for everyone in the delivery room with me. She made sure that my husband was, of course, my main support, by coaching him on how to coach me. She also found the perfect jobs for my mom, my sister, and my best friend, who were also in the room. She encouraged me when I felt weak and suggested different positions that made labor go more quickly! It felt so great to have so much love and support in the room and to know that Renata was there to advocate for us and guide us in having the all natural birth we wanted, despite being in the hospital. Although she will never tell you what decision to make, she is excellent at communicating with hospital staff and asking the right questions to help you make decisions yourself. It was also incredible to have her there to immediately start support with breastfeeding! I found the continued support during the postnatal home visits also to be invaluable. Even when I felt great and wasn't sure what she would help us with, she always had a new tip or a new technique to try out when she came. I cannot speak highly enough of Renata or her services! When I was researching doulas, I read a review that said she is "worth her weight in gold" and now I know from experience that it is absolutely true! read more

Renata was our doula for the birth of our second child around 6 months ago. She's such an amazing and caring person, which makes her an awesome doula. She really listens to her clients and truly cares. What I loved most about our experience with her is how flexible she is with change, even when our birth plan changed, she was 100% there. She gave suggestions and techniques on pain management, positioning and made sure to include my husband in all aspects of care. She is so knowledgeable and experienced in her field. She communicated well with the nurses and doctors and it was so reassuring to have someone 'have your back'! We were truly a team in that L&D room, and I consider her to be not just our doula but a friend. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Renata, and her doula services. As a first time single mom, I had a laundry list of fears and concerns that she helped ameliorate. I literally had the labor of my dreams: unmedicated hospital birth with most of the labor at home, and Renata gets a lot of the credit. She is so incredibly kind, warm, and knowledgeable, I felt prepared and calm when my time came. She even told me which rooms were the best at alta bates, and how to request them :) She worked seamlessly with my doctor and family members to support and encourage me during the labor, and provided helpful breastfeeding tips during her postpartum visits. She was born to do this work, and I'm so lucky I had her in my corner when I brought my little guy into the world! read more

I could not have hoped for a better birth experience and it's all thanks to Renata. She's both knowledgeable and experienced. She seemed to intuit what I needed before I did. She helped me communicate my needs to nurses and doctors without alienating or offending anyone. She also provides an incredible level of support for pregnancy and postpartum. I recommend booking her as soon as you know you're pregnant! read more

We have worked with Renata for the birth of both of our children and could not be more grateful to have had her as part of our birth team. She took the time to get to know me and my husband as a couple in order to best assist us through the birth process - deftly diving into what we were nervous about, inciting conversation and providing emotional support without passing judgement. Her understanding of our hopes and fears allowed her to navigate the delicate work of advocacy at the hospital, whether suggesting that we try a different position to manage the pain of a contraction, move to the tub, or speak up for our needs or wants. One of my favorite tenets that she holds to is the belief that she is there to help the birth partner be the main support to the birthing parent, versus being front and center for the birthing parent herself. With this in mind, she was very intentional about ensuring that my husband was literally front and center for me, looking me in the eyes, being a physical support when resting during contractions and gently coaching him on ways to make labor more manageable for me. Renata is also thorough about checking in with us after birth - texting to ask how we are doing and visiting a few times after delivering. We're so grateful to have had her as part of our story! read more