As a first time mom, I was focused on building a strong birth team that would support me in creating a positive, natural birth experience. Looking back, giving birth to our little boy was the toughest, most empowering thing I've ever done and Maria was such an essential part of that experience. From the moment we started working with her, we felt totally supported as she sought to understand what we were looking for and helped translate that into a tangible birth plan. She listened to us as we expressed our hopes and concerns and we always felt like she was a strong objective voice drawing on her experience supporting so many other parents-to-be. When it was finally go time, and throughout the labor process, Maria was the calm, encouraging, positive anchor that I was looking for to help bring my baby into the world. I could not imagine my journey into motherhood without her in my corner and would highly recommend her doula support to all expecting mamas!
Hiring Maria for doula support was the best decision I made throughout my pregnancy. Early on she asked us what our goals were and then worked with us without judgment to help us meet them. In particular, we talked through all of the different options and scenarios for pregnancy and I ultimately determined that I wanted to do a fully natural birth if possible. I was only able to accomplish this with Maria as our doula. Every step of the way, she helped us take a step back and consider what was best for me and our family. This was particularly crucial once labor began because every time a different potential medical scenario came up, we could stop and talk through whether we really needed to do the intervention (e.g. inducing). She has a wonderful demeanor and is pleasant to be around (even during labor). She was always available by text or phone at any time and was basically on call throughout the holidays as my baby was due early January. Her postpartum visits were invaluable as well as I was having trouble with breastfeeding. She again helped synthesize information we had received from different sources and provided me with the resources I needed to go towards resolving my issues, including having me reach out to her partner Nancy and a lactation consultant. I implore anyone pregnant to hire a doula, but I especially implore you to hire Maria!
Maria made the transition to motherhood as smooth as possible for me. From childbirth preparation meetings to postpartum sessions, she was supportive, informative, and kind. She met me where I was in terms of philosophy and beliefs and guided me from there. Maria was an amazing resource for me as I learned my newborn's habits and needs and she somehow knew exactly what I needed at every turn. I am so grateful to have had her!
Hiring Maria for doula support and childbirth preparation was one of the best decisions I made during my pregnancy. From our first phone conversation, I knew her calm presence was what I wanted with me during my pregnancy and birthing journey. She also introduced me to Hypnobabies and answered any questions I had regarding the program.
The moment she arrived at our apartment during my birthing time, both my husband and I felt a sense of relief. She let my husband finish getting a few things ready while she applied the most incredible counterpressure for me. Over the next few hours she encouraged me, kept me hydrated, let me go at my own pace, and was always there (with the counterpressure, amen!).
I highly recommend Maria to anyone considering hiring a doula. She has so much experience, is extremely knowledgable, provides encouragement as needed, and is the most genuine, kind, and peaceful woman I have ever met.
I really can't even put into words how grateful I am to have had Maria at my side during the delivery of my second daughter. I had a fairly traumatic delivery with my older daughter 4 years ago, and I approached my second pregnancy and delivery with great trepidation. From our first meeting, I knew that Maria would be the calming presence that was missing from my first birth experience. Maria met with us twice, in our home, to understand our past experience and help plan for this delivery. During the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy, she responded to all my panicked texts and helped keep me grounded and positive. And when I got induced, she stayed in touch all day and showed up at the hospital exactly when we needed her. Labor, transition and delivery all went way faster than I expected, but Maria was calm, collected and supportive the whole way. During our planning session, we had talked about some keywords or phrases that I would like to hear when things got tough - Maria didn't forget, and knew exactly what to say to reach me when no one else could.
There were some complications (with me, not baby!) after my daughter was born, so while my husband was off bonding with baby, Maria never left my side. She held my hand during one of the most painful procedures of my life and was entirely focused on my well-being. Without Maria, it unquestionably would have been a very scary experience. But because Maria was part of my team (along with a fantastic midwife and OB) I felt safe and cared for. That made all the difference in the world.
Before meeting Maria, I was a nervous first time expectant mother, unsure of what my birth would entail. My husband and I had heard of doula support and were hopeful to find a person to be alongside us as we prepared for the birth of our baby. From the moment we met Maria, we immediately felt calmer. She has an indescribable presence that makes you feel secure. Through our childbirth preparation meetings, she took more time that we could have hoped for to make sure I felt calm and prepared. We practiced labor and birth techniques and she answered all the questions my husband and I had. When it came to my birth, she did not leave our sides. She helped me feel strong and in control until the very end. My husband looks back on the entire experience and always says that she was just as much an angel for him as she was for me. The time Maria spent with us once we returned back him with our baby was just as important to us as the birth was. Having her in our home to debrief such a special day for us, as well as to help me through my emotions as a new mother, is a gift and experience that we are forever grateful for. Maria has been everything to our little family and we will without a doubt have her alongside us for our future babies. We are blessed to have Maria brought into our lives, she has given me a confidence and love for pregnancy and for childbirth that I never could have imagined. Maria is truly an angel.
Maria is a lifesaver! After my son was born, I was a typical neurotic first-time mom, afraid to let anyone other than myself hold him, but I trusted Maria. She was an angel - trustworthy, sincere, compassionate, knowledgable, and just an overall breath of fresh air. She taught me better ways to care for my son and helped me around the house while I was recovering from the c-section. I cannot recommend her enough.
I was fortunate enough to have Maria as a postpartum doula when my son was about 3 months old. Maria was a lifesaver. As a new Mom I felt overwhelmed trying to conquer daily tasks like laundry, dishes, meals, vacuuming and self care (god forbid) while caring for and breastfeeding my infant son. Maria started every day by asking "What can I do to help you feel supported today?" (just typing those words bring tears to my eyes). Some days the answer would be definitive "laundry", others it would look more like a shower and space to feel like myself again, she conquered both with smile and kindness.
Maria is perfectly suited as a doula, she is supportive, trustworthy, kind, caring, a nurturer and absolutely wonderful with babies (my son still adores her at 15 months old). I would wholeheartedly recommend Maria to any Momma, whether for birthing or postpartum services, she is a beautiful person. I will absolutely be using her if/when a second child is in our future.
Maria is amazing! I was convinced that I wanted an unmedicated birth but I wasn't sure I had the strength to do it. Maria listened to my desires and concerns and gave us the tools to make it possible. The labor was very long and exhausting and Maria gave us all the physical and emotional support me and my husband needed. She is very calm and confident, and made me feel relaxed and strong at the same time. I highly recommend Maria!
Maria is an amazing Doula! She exceeded our expectations in so many ways. She was very supportive before, during and after delivery. She was a lifesaver during labor, knowing what to say and do. She was calm and somehow knew what we needed at the right times. I would highly reccomend her and would hire her again if we have another baby.
Maria was a great help prior to and during labor with our son. She was patient and warm, helping with ideas and questions we could ask our healthcare providers. Working with her helped us feel we did everything we could to bring our little one into the world the best way possible.
With this being our first pregnancy my husband and I had many questions, concerns, and fears and were considering taking some pregnancy preparation classes when a friend mentioned she was using a doula and referred us to Maria. After an initial consultation, we were impressed with her honest and comforting approach to labor and delivery and immediately knew that Maria was exactly the support for which we were looking. Her pre-birth prep sessions were personalized to our needs and really helped us understand what to expect and how to cope with labor. Maria also ensured that my husband was engaged through all of this and that his concerns were discussed and that he understood what his role could be.
On the day of my delivery Maria was right there supporting me in every way possible. Maria is a genuinely kind and caring person, someone who is meant to be a doula. Her presence brought a true sense of calm and security and we are incredibly grateful to have had Maria at our side during this journey. We very much appreciated her keeping in touch after the birth to see how we’re doing and to offer any additional support or resources. Her guidance, education, and encouragement helped to make the birth of our daughter as safe, comfortable, and natural as possible. We truly enjoyed working with her and highly recommend Maria to anyone seeking the services of a doula.
Working with Maria was by far the best decision I made for my labor & delivery! I wanted to have a natural birth, but given that this was my first pregnancy and I didn't know anyone who had previously had an unmedicated birth, naturally I needed a lot of guidance. Maria was the perfect person to prepare me for natural childbirth and to support my physically and emotionally throughout the process. Aside from being incredibly knowledgeable, she is also incredibly calming and supportive and works with you leading up to your birth to understand which comfort measures work best for you so that she can be as effective as possible in the support she provides. I interviewed quite a few doulas early in my pregnancy, and Maria was leagues above everyone I spoke to in terms of her pricing/value, her demeanor and her level of expertise. I knew as soon as I met her that she would be the doula for us! I will absolutely hire her again for baby #2 in the future and HIGHLY recommend her to other moms, whether this is your first birth or your tenth. She is absolutely fantastic and is someone I now consider a friend!
After having a few horrible experiences with an OB I had horrible anxiety about birth. I decided I wanted a natural childbirth with a midwife and a doula. I talked to a couple doulas but couldn't seem to find the right match. A friend recommended Maria and as soon as my husband and I met her we knew she was the right one! Every time we met with Maria I felt super calm and confident. She has a very mothery, calming way about her.
My labor was very long and tiring. I had times that I wanted to give up, but Maria kept reminding me that I was doing it and that I could keep going. She was right by my side the entire time helping me through each contraction and keeping me calm. She is a big part of what made my natural birthing experience so great. I will definitely have her again for my next babies!
I would highly recommend Maria as a doula for any woman who is planning to have a natural birth. When we were having our first baby, we decided to have a natural birth. Like most first time parents we were clueless on what to expect, how the labor process works and what options we have to deliver our baby. After doing some research online we decided to attend a natural birth class, which we found extremely beneficial for first time parents. During the class our teacher recommended having a Doula during the labor process to help ease our anxiety and to make the experience a positive one. After talking to a couple other professionals we decided to set up a meeting with Maria. She was very welcoming and comforting during our meeting. She explained how she will be there to help us and what kind of support she will provide. Her schedule was very flexible; she even had a back up doula on hand in case she would not be able to come when my labor starts. She was very responsive, always answered my texts even in the middle of the night. We decided to have her meet us in the hospital after my labor started and have her be there to make sure everything will go according to our birth plan. She was very calming and comforting during my labor. She communicated very well with the nurses and doctors to make sure we were following our plan to have a natural labor. Luckily everything went well and we delivered our beautiful daughter without any complications.
Overall we had a great experience and we highly recommend Maria’s services for women who are planning to have a natural birth.
We love to support home births, birth center births and hospital births. We serve clients in the following hospitals: Penn Medicine Princeton, Capital Health Hopewell, Hunterdon Medical Center Flemington, Morristown Memorial Hospital, Overlook Hospital Summit, St Peters Hospital New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital New Brunswick
908-280-0844
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