Some Things Clients Have Said To Me
"You're an amazing doula and any woman would be fortunate to have you." - Megan
"Words just can't express how blessed we feel to have had you at our birth - it was amazing and your help was invaluable. Thank you so much." - Holly
"Are you always this calm?" - Dalrik
"Our labor and delivery experience is one we will look back on fondly and so much of that we owe to you. Thank you! - Marc and Meghan
"Words just can't express how blessed we feel to have had you at our birth - it was amazing and your help was invaluable. Thank you so much." - Holly
"Are you always this calm?" - Dalrik
"Our labor and delivery experience is one we will look back on fondly and so much of that we owe to you. Thank you! - Marc and Meghan
Testimonials
"When the big day came Johanna arrived quickly, was completely focused on me and helping me through my surges, and made valuable suggestions to maximize my comfort. She shared her knowledge freely and brought a gentle, knowing, positive energy to all of our interactions. We would choose her again." - Kristin
"Johanna is the reason I can look back on my births and remember them with fondness as opposed to times of failure.
I gave birth to my first son naturally. It was an intesnse and fast labor, because of this she met me at the hospital. I was begging for an epidural when she arrived. She helped me remember my birth plan and her calm spirit helped me to settle down, let go of my fears, and let my body do what it was made to do. If she was not there I would not have been able to make it through the pain. I am so grateful she was there and I was able to deliver naturally.
I gave birth to my second son, via c-section. I learned at 36 weeks he was a double footling breech. Johanna was an immense help and resource in that stressful time of trying to get him to flip. Unfortunately he did not, and came only a few days later. I went into labor naturally and so while I was at the hospital, dealing with painful contractions, it was really difficult to endure them because I knew I wasn't going to get a natural birth. Once Johanna came, she once again helped me refocus and endure the pain before the c-section. After the c-section she let me know how brave, courageous, and loving it is to endure a c-section for your child. At first, I didn't know why she was telling me this, but as the days went by I was tempted to feel guilty or like a failure for having to have a c-section. But her words resounded in my mind, and so those feelings never lasted. Now when I look back on that birth, I remember Johanna and what a blessing it was to have her help me through the difficult moments before the c-section and how she helped me not view that birth as a failure, but as a loving sacrifice for my son." -Rebekah
"Johanna was a very calming presence for both me and my husband. I was induced 11 days before my due date, and my natural, unmedicated birth went out the window. Despite this, I am still very happy with my birth and labor story, and every choice I made felt like the right one—I believe that it was because of Johanna's help and encouragement that I did not end up getting a C-Section, although I know if that had happened, Johanna would have been the calming presence that we needed to get through it.
She made sure my husband had guidance on where to be to help me, and he was able to feel fully present for me and our daughter. She also made sure he ate, which I'm sure he would have forgotten to do!
Labor was difficult and traumatic, but I am still able to reflect on it happily. My favorite part was speaking with Johanna after the dust had settled. I was able to review all of my choices, and was able to look back at them and see why we made them. It made me so happy and so proud that I was able to bring my daughter into this world and be filled with love for her, for my husband, and for our delivery team." -Briar
"We loved Johanna. Prior to labor, she came to our house at least twice to talk to us about our birth vision, breastfeeding, options, and contingency plans. She was very informative and gave us a lot of information.
During labor, she was a rock star. She was absolutely loving towards both of us (especially Amy). Her rapport with the OB was great. She gave us pertinent information so we could make informed decisions. Whatever decision we made, she supported us whole heartedly.
After labor, she came to the house (again) to check and see how Amy was nursing or if we needed any other help.
We were incredibly sad that Johanna was leaving town. We would definitely would have used Johanna again and would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a nurturing and professional doula." -Michael
"We loved Johanna. Prior to labor, she came to our house at least twice to talk to us about our birth vision, breastfeeding, options, and contingency plans. She was very informative and gave us a lot of information.
During labor, she was a rock star. She was absolutely loving towards both of us (especially Amy). Her rapport with the OB was great. She gave us pertinent information so we could make informed decisions. Whatever decision we made, she supported us whole heartedly.
After labor, she came to the house (again) to check and see how Amy was nursing or if we needed any other help.
We were incredibly sad that Johanna was leaving town. We would definitely would have used Johanna again and would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a nurturing and professional doula." -Michael
"Johanna was the perfect doula. I ended up needing to be induced despite my desire to have a natural childbirth, and she completely supported me. Despite the induction, I had a beautiful birth with no need for pain management. Johanna was psychologically invaluable to both me and my husband. I knew I would give birth in a hospital and Johanna worked well with all of the nurses and the doctor who delivered my son. She is a calm, knowledgeable and reassuring presence, and I really can't recommend her enough!" - Kathleen
"Words just can't express how grateful we are to have had Johanna as our doula for the birth of our beautiful baby girl. Because of her I had the positive birth experience I had envisioned and hoped for. Through out my labor she kept me comfortable, calm and focused. She was incredibly knowledgeable and intuitive in her guidance throughout my labor. She was my voice when I couldn't find mine and strength when I thought I had none. I will forever be grateful for the loving care she gave us." -Nishka
"I recently had a baby with the help and assistance of Johanna as my doula. I cannot give enough high praise for her part in my birthing experience. I decided to contact Johanna from a list of recommendations I received from the North Shore Birth Center. She was very gracious and accommodating. After emailing back and forth about my first birth experience and what I was wanting with this one, we decided to meet and officially hire her as our doula. She is very knowledgeable with everything pregnancy, birth, and baby related. She was happy to provide any advice or information I could want and was also supportive and encouraging. She made herself available for any questions or concerns I had and also made a point to contact me as we were nearing our due date. I called her when I was in labor and she was able to meet us at the birth center shortly after our arrival. She mentioned getting some food to my husband (this was around 5:30 PM so none of us had eaten dinner yet) and offered to get us some subs, but made sure it would be okay for her to leave first. This was greatly appreciated. She was amazing with alleviating my pain and coaching me through my contractions. She instinctively and skillfully knew what to do to help me birth. She used a calm voice to tell me to soften my forehead and relax into the pain and let my body do what it needed to in order to get the baby out. She also told me how to moan which totally helped! She said to relax my jaw and make low sounds, and this was incredibly effective. She also knew where to apply pressure during my contractions starting with my foot, hand, hips, and finally my tail bone as my contractions progressed. It was like she could read my body and where I needed pressure at the exact time I needed it. She also told me to stop making noises once I transitioned to pushing which caused me to push silently and efficiently. She helped me be successful and is an excellent doula. I highly recommend her." -Megan
"Johanna has been our doula for two separate births, in 2011 and 2012. I cannot speak highly enough of our experiences with her as our doula. She is a calming force in the midst of a sometimes uncertain and high-tense environment of a birth. My favorite part about having Johanna with us is that she provides so much information before, during and after childbirth, which really relieves much anxiety. We desired the most natural birth possible in a hospital setting. Johanna was able to tell me what the doctors were doing, and gave me to option to say yes or no to various medicine/procedures that I never even would have known the doctors were doing had she not clued us in. And throughout labor, she was always able to tell us what stage we were at in labor and what was coming next. She is so sweet and helpful, and I absolutely recommend her!" -Lindsey
"We could not have made it through labor & delivery without Johanna. A strong, gentle, brilliant soul - we are so grateful she was with us." -Rachel
"My husband and I had Johanna as our birth doula for our two sons born in September 2011 and July 2013 and I cannot imagine the births without her there. She was available for questions and support throughout the pregnancy, during labor, and postpartum. I also know I could go to her with any "baby" related question at any time, whether it be for breastfeeding help, postpartum issues, etc . She is always willing to help and support you.
For our 2011 birth, labor was quick and intense. Being my first time through, I was panicky and wanted an epidural. Without Johanna's encouragement and support I would not have been able to push through the pain. She helped me calm down and work with my body to help deliver baby naturally. It was a wonderful experience.
For our 2013 birth, baby was a double footling breech. I found this out at 36 weeks and Johanna was extremely helpful with emotional support about this news and also gave me practical tips and ideas for how to try and get baby to flip. Unfortunately, baby had his own plan and came only 6 days after I found out and he didn't rotate, meaning I had to have a c-section. This was very upsetting for me. Because of this I had mentally checked out, which was making contractions before the c-section very painful. Johanna helped me to focus on our baby and work with the contractions during the surgery prep. This might sound silly, but having her there was like having a warm blanket of comfort wrapped around me, and gave me the extra strength I needed to get through it.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Johanna as a doula, and anyone looking for a doula would be blessed to have her!" -Rebekah
For our 2011 birth, labor was quick and intense. Being my first time through, I was panicky and wanted an epidural. Without Johanna's encouragement and support I would not have been able to push through the pain. She helped me calm down and work with my body to help deliver baby naturally. It was a wonderful experience.
For our 2013 birth, baby was a double footling breech. I found this out at 36 weeks and Johanna was extremely helpful with emotional support about this news and also gave me practical tips and ideas for how to try and get baby to flip. Unfortunately, baby had his own plan and came only 6 days after I found out and he didn't rotate, meaning I had to have a c-section. This was very upsetting for me. Because of this I had mentally checked out, which was making contractions before the c-section very painful. Johanna helped me to focus on our baby and work with the contractions during the surgery prep. This might sound silly, but having her there was like having a warm blanket of comfort wrapped around me, and gave me the extra strength I needed to get through it.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Johanna as a doula, and anyone looking for a doula would be blessed to have her!" -Rebekah