Cesarean Testimonials

“We had Niki join our birth team late in the game, in third trimester. Although I was hoping for a natural birth I already knew my baby was breech and there was a good chance I would need to go the route of cesarean. She was helpful in discussing both options and how she could support us through either birth route. As first time parents we came with some anxiety and a lot of questions and her presence and reassurance was a huge part of what made my birth experience so positive. My son was born via cesarean birth and having Niki with us through that truly allowed us to enjoy the birth of our son knowing we were supported and without worry. So grateful she was able to be part of my son’s birth day!”

-Jordan & Ethan

“Niki was a last-minute stand-in doula for our original doula, who had to attend another birth. We could not have been happier to have Niki’s help and presence. Niki had a wonderful approach: helpful in matters that would not have even occurred to us in the moment, while also not inserting herself too much in ways that might have felt odd. I confess that before the birth I was always slightly apprehensive of having a doula present since this felt invasive of my wife’s and my privacy in a highly personal moment. I need not have worried! Our daughter had a somewhat complicated birth and had to spend three days in the NICU. Having Niki on hand allowed me to feel so much better about being in the NICU with our daughter while my wife recovered from her C-section with Niki. I’m truly thankful for her help and the compassion she showed. Final tidbit: she took amazing photos and a video of the moment we brought our daughter to her mother post-op. I highly recommend Niki to anyone!”

Collin Rydell

“Niki is amazing! She made our experience from the first time we met her to the day our daughter was born and beyond absolutely wonderful. We couldn’t have done it without her and are so thankful to have found her!”

Jordan

“I don’t even know how to explain how magical Niki is, but if a wise forest fairy, a therapist, and a birth encyclopedia all got together, that’s her.
From the moment we met her for a consultation, I felt like I’d found my emotional guide for the journey into the birth of my first child. She didn’t show up with just knowledge and handouts (though she had those too), she showed up with presence and heart. She was a calm hum under the chaos of all the unknowns when it comes to the birth journey.
Speaking of unknowns, because baby was breech, I had to schedule a cesarean. When I was thrown this curveball 37 weeks in, the second call I made (after leaving a voicemail with my husband) was to Niki. She gave me the best piece of advice I had gotten all of pregnancy: “To take this moment to feel all the feels”. To process the emotional letdown. And I did. Instead of going into fix-it mode like I normally would, I let myself feel in every way. To be able to process the emotional grief of potentially not experiencing a natural unmedicated labor was what got me through having a positive birth experience with a cesarean.
To be perfectly honest, when we learned I’d be having a cesarean, both my husband and I questioned if we still needed or wanted a doula to be there with us. My intuition told me yes, and I am forever grateful that I listened to that. And I would make that same decision a thousand times over, after having experienced it.
She was able to be in the operating room with me. Breathing with me. Centering me. Making sure I wasn’t swallowed whole by fluorescent lights and sterile energy. She helped make it feel like a true birth, and not just the scary, intense surgery that it is. Like a rite of passage. Like art. Like a sacred unfolding of exactly what it needed to be. She helped to hold the space like it was a sacred dance. Between the calming music that she played, words of affirmation, and gentle massage to keep me grounded, I was able to stay calm and present. And I will never forget her for it.
If you’re considering working with a doula and you land on Niki, congratulations—you just pulled the Golden Ticket of birth support! We are endlessly grateful for her, and the photos!! The photos. To be able to relive the experience through the photos that she took is priceless.
Bless this woman. Bless this work. Bless the weird, wild beauty of birth.”

-Monica

“We hired a doula and gained a friend. Niki is just the kind of person that makes you feel like you’ve known her all your life, like she’s a close friend or family member that you can call on when you need them. After meeting with Niki once, it was obvious that she was the person we wanted supporting us through such a pivotal life moment. We experienced trauma in our first pregnancy, giving birth to and losing our first baby girl, so we knew we needed our next birth to go positively to help in our continued journey of healing from loss. We were passionate about a natural, unmedicated vaginal birth, so we were devastated when our precious boy was breech at 38 weeks, and we were told he’d need to be delivered via c section. Niki compassionately (and with great knowledge) supported us through what seemed like it was going to be another traumatic experience. Niki gave us the confidence, knowledge, and support to make such difficult decisions at the end of our pregnancy that ultimately gave us the experience we needed to ensure postpartum health and continued healing. Our experience was magical and redemptive, just like we had pictured despite being far from what we’d originally planned. She was a blessing before, during and after birth remaining available for any baby care questions and anxieties that arose once we brought our precious bundle home. I had always read that doulas are worth their weight in gold, and Niki proves this to be true!
-Kenzie & Johnny Harris

“Cannot express how thankful we are to have had Niki as our doula before, during, and after the birth of our beautiful daughter. We truly could not have gotten through labor without her support! She helped us to feel calm going into the whole process, and prepared for all of the decisions we would face in the hospital. We are so thankful we had her by our side and as our advocate during one of the most special moments of our life. So happy we made the decision to share our birth journey with Niki! Cannot recommend her enough!

-Samantha Callahan

“We loved having Niki as a part of our team during our birth experience. She took the time to get to know us individually and as a couple in order to help us navigate the birth of our son. I think one of the most valuable aspects of her support was the education before birth as well as just knowing we had another person on our team. Niki was fantastic and we are so lucky we got to share our birth with her.”

-Bria & Marcel

“Niki was a necessary addition to our birth experience. We didn’t have the opportunity to have the training session because our baby came early but she arrived at the hospital ready to coach! She helped me through different positions and had multiple tools available for pain management. She also coached my husband on how he could help me through the pain and have an active and supportive role through the whole experience. We couldn’t imagine doing this alone and are so grateful for Niki’s guidance and expertise. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula and will be reaching out to her again for our next pregnancy. Thank you Niki!!

-Emily & Alan

“I had Niki as my doula for my second C-section! It was such a good decision for me and my husband. Niki really helped us advocate for our wants and the hospital staff loved her as well so there was no awkward friction, just support! I had a great experience and I believe a lot of that is due to Niki. I felt like I received very helpful education and felt very prepared and in a great place mentally by the time my c section date came. When I had a bit of a tough time afterwards, Niki was there with ice cream and a sympathetic ear. My husband really liked having her support as well and Niki is also a wonderful photographer and we got some great family photos!”

Natalia

“Amazing experience with Niki! If you are first time mom or tenth time mom, do yourself a favor and call her! I had great family support but she was a shining star and was supportive to all of us. Having Niki as my doula made a tough birth experience into something we could easily navigate knowing what questions to ask and how to process the unexpected. 110% would hire her again. THANK YOU NIKI!”

-Tawny

“Niki was such a grounding force for both of us. As first time parents, we were new to the labor and delivery process and were very intimidated. When things shifted and I ended up needing an emergency c-section, having her there made all the difference. She kept me calm, comforted me during a very emotional moment and explained what was happening in a way I could actually process. During labor, she worked with and reassured my husband when he was clearly overwhelmed. She brought this steady, comforting presence that somehow made a really stressful situation feel manageable, even after over 14 hours of laboring and surgery. And even after everything, her postpartum visit was incredibly helpful. We honestly appreciated her advice just as much as her support during the birth. Couldn’t imagine doing any of it without her!

She was instrumental in having what could have been a traumatic experience one of the most powerful ones of my life. Thank you Niki!”

-Jenn & Ryan

“As a former midwife, the decision to hire a doula as a first time parent was a no-brainer. This turned into one of the best decisions we could have made, as circumstances arose that took my husband and I from our Plan A to Plan Z and every step in between. Niki was there to offer us encouragement while helping us process and cope, both in the moment and after the dust had settled. She was integral in helping us make smart and safe decisions that led to my husband and I feeling completely at peace with our experience. Niki held space for us to grieve while not losing sight of the happiness that awaited us on the other side of birth. I recommend Niki not because we had our “dream birth” but because through her support we were able to find joy and strength while navigating an unexpected and challenging experience.”

Alyssa

“We all have our perfect birth story in mind. We dream about it for months before the baby is born. When things don’t go as planned it seems the world is turned upside down. There are so many questions, rationalizing, pleading, and anger. I felt every single one of these and I am so thankful that I had Nikki in my corner the whole time. When we found out our baby was breech and we would need a c-section Nikki had resources for every need that came up. She knew the best chiropractor, pelvic floor physical therapist, and acupuncturist. Her unwavering support from beginning to end was priceless.

With Nikki by our side we felt supported, valued, and content with the decisions we made. From kind words of encouragement, hugs, giant mocha lattes, and cinnamon rolls, Nikki provided everything that we needed. She helped me to surrender and embrace our situation and helped my husband to be supportive and anticipate my needs. I can’t imagine going through this without her. From both my husband and myself, we can’t thanks Nikki enough or emphasize how valuable her services were to us. Lifelong friendships have been forged and we consider her family!”

Sarah & Matt

“Hiring Niki was the best decision I made in my pregnancy. We struggled 13 years to get pregnant. During that time I had this idea and dream of a perfect birth and pregnancy. However, everything that could go wrong went wrong. Niki was so supportive and empathic. When we were taken for an emergency c-section Niki was there to help and support my husband and I. She took pictures that I can cherish always. She helped me process my emotions and feelings towards my birth which was so incredibly healing and helpful. I can’t imagine not having her with us. I am so thankful for everything she did for us and continues to do. Without a doubt if I go through another birth I will have Niki there again!”

Calia