TESTIMONIALS

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Ayanna helped me to feel comfortable from the beginning of communication regarding scheduling and fee. I experienced her as wanting to help me reach my goals of an unmedicated home birth and having a safe and fun person for my older child to be with during the birth. 

Ayanna kept her appointments with me and my partner for our weekly HypnoBirthing classes. I began to look forward to the time of updating her on my progressing pregnancy and learning that week's content, which Ayanna taught in a clear and interesting way. She allowed time for any questions my partner or I had about the upcoming birth.

When it came time for Ayanna to begin visits to our home to meet my child, she was communicative, kind, and fun. My child was immediately comfortable with her, playing silly "make faces" games with Ayanna through the window initially. These interactions between my child and Ayanna put me at ease, knowing that my child would be safe and engaged during my labor and birthing time.

Ayanna was responsive when I alerted her that I was in labor and arrived on time. Ayanna respected my birthing atmosphere and we waved when she was in my home, but because we'd already communicated all that was needed, she did not need to interrupt my birthing mindset, which I appreciated.

During my labor, Ayanna accompanied my child to be close to me at appropriate times to participate as much as possible and Ayanna also answered my child's questions about what was happening for her mama. Ayanna seamlessly prepared dinner and put my child to bed and then asked if I wanted her in the birthing room with me and I did. 

Ayanna helped me in my labor through her calm reminders and encouragement and she also held my hand when I asked for that. At the last moment before my baby was born, Ayanna reminded me to welcome my baby into the world. That last reminder came right before my baby was born, a very special moment.

Part of Ayanna's sibling doula package includes 24 hours from start time with sibling. My birth had some special circumstances which required further care and my partner and I made a decision to keep my eldest child with my partner while I received further care. We did need someone to assist me in receiving the further care and Ayanna, after traveling back to her home, was willing to come back to help me. Ayanna helped transport me, held my hand during a procedure, and cared for my baby all during unexpected special circumstances. 

Ayanna was like a sister and friend to me during a time when I needed one after the birth of my baby.

Ayanna also fulfilled the sibling doula services in coming back to meet with my eldest child to discuss the adjustment to siblinghood. My child asks for her and calls her "my doula." I would highly recommend Ayanna for any type of doula services because I feel like I can speak to each of them: HypnoBirthing educator, sibling doula, and birth doula. 

I could not speak higher of our experience with Ayanna. From the moment I first spoke with her, she felt like a long time friend. She is truly there to help you to have the birth experience that you want. She is a great resource for education, comfort, empowerment, and support. Ayanna provided my husband and I with very thorough prenatal appointments and at the birth was an amazing advocate and support person. She empowered my husband and I to ask for what we wanted and needed. Even when I wanted to change my birth plan, she helped me to decide what I was really needing in that moment and she was there to support me in what I ultimately decided to do. She was very resourceful and I can honestly say I would not have had the birth that I wanted, and ended up having, if it weren't for Ayanna. I would reccommend her over and over again.

Ayanna was a great person to have on my support team. She gave us some great tips for my husband to help support me through contractions when she wasn't there and was very helpful when she was present. I felt that she really listened and understood what I wanted for my birth when we discussed it during our prenatal visits because she seemed to know just what I needed when I was in labor without me having to tell her in the moment, which allowed me to focus.

Personality-wise, she was very friendly and sisterly which is what I was really looking for in a doula. She was easy to talk to and we were able to laugh and have fun conversations to distract me from how uncomfortable I was during labor.

Immediately postpartum, she was very attentive, making sure I was comfortable and had what I needed. I struggled with nausea and she was quick to whip out essential oils to help ease it. My midwife's assistant didn't make it to my birth, so Ayanna stepped in quickly to lend her a hand when she chould. She was so helpful the whole time and I was very happy to have her on my team.

I was on the fence about inviting an extra support person, besides my husband, to the birth of my son. Looking back, I can’t imagine going through it all without Ayanna. When things didn’t go as expected, she was the voice of calm and reason and knew exactly what to do in the situation. My hope with hiring a doula was that they would empower my husband to be the best birth partner he could be and that is exactly what she did. We connected with her right away when meeting during the prenatal appointment. She was down to earth, but also professional. The midwife who delivered my baby asked me to thank Ayanna personally because she played such an important role as a family support during my hospital birth. If you are considering working with Ayanna, I say do it! She is the BEST!

From the moment I interviewed Ayanna several months before baby's due date, I knew she'd be the best support person for my family. Leading up to the due date, she was always available and happy to provide information and guidance. With my first pregnancy and being away from family, it was so important to have a birth team member who we trusted and Ayanna exceeded expectations. 

My labor was long and slow, but Ayanna was there every step of the way - supporting us at home and continuing at the birth center. After my water broke and we had to make a sudden, unexpected change to move form the birth center to the hospital, Ayanna was right there with us. Despite the unforeseen transfer to the hospital, I truly had a wonderful birth experience and Ayanna's humor, knowledge, and unwavering support (both physical and emotional) were essential to the peaceful delivery of my baby girl. I couldn't recommend her enough! I am so grateful. 

Having a birth team you trust and feel safe with, in my opinion, is the most important part of a safe and happy birth experience. I’m a single mama and I didn’t have anyone that I really felt would be a good birth partner for me. I needed someone who was ready to give me lots of support through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Ayanna really did that for me. 

We did a one on one hypnobirth class that really prepared my mind. She helped me with research and helped find resources I was looking for like placenta encapsulation. She gave me exercises to do and was constantly checking on how I was doing and offered possible solutions to any struggles I had. She was so encouraging and helped me build my excitement but also kept it real with me. When it came time for my tiny humans birth day she was with me as soon as I needed her. She put in WORK for me during my labor doing all the hip squeezes and other support techniques, she helped advocate for me when I was transitioning, and loved on us postpartum.

 Pregnancy was a beautiful experience. My babies birth was short, sweet, and pure magic. I felt prepared, excited, and cared for every step of the way. Ayanna helped make my journey into motherhood exciting, low stress, and magical. She’s incredible.

My husband and I spent some time choosing the perfect doula for our very first child. From the begining Ayanna really stood out to us. We felt her compassion and were confident with her vast knowledge. Throughout my pregnancy I had some stuggles and Ayanna was always available to talk things through and offer advice. I really felt like she was my friend and someone I could always rely on. 

Our birth story did not go as exspected and our birthing center idea turned into a transfer to the hospital due to complications. In total we were in labor for 38 hours. Ayanna never left our side and was consitanly there coming up with ideas and pushing me to beleive I could continue. She remined clam and collected while offering support not only to myself but, also my husband. 

I truly beleive that if it was not for her our my husband and I would have been a mess. I could not be happier with our choice in doula and would never go through another birth without her by our sides. 

I was very anxious my entire pregnancy and was on the fence about getting a doula, but once I interviewed Ayanna my mind was set that she would be the one. She is very kind and has a great presence and aura to her. I immediately felt comfortable talking with her about my needs and birth plan which she already had some helpful templates for. She also informed me about my rights and any questions I had, and I’ll even though I was already googling everything, she helped me confirm my research.  

 I was one of the 10% whose water breaks before birth. There were no signs of infection or discoloration so I continued to labor at home until the 5:1:1 rule which was about 24hrs the next day. We arrived at the hospital and they seemed upset that I hadn’t gone in earlier since my water broke. Evidence shows that there is no need for intervention as long as there were no signs of infection and your contractions are regularly increasing. They wanted to put me on pitocin because I wasn’t “progressing” quickly enough. Even though it was against my birth plan they kept suggesting I should take it. I was very skeptical about the risks but did so at the midwife’s advice. I also got the epidural because I knew induced contractions are more intense than natural ones. The epidural gave me some relief, but then my baby’s heart rate started to drop and I was rushed into positions by nurses to deter that. Nothing they were doing was helping and the midwife explained to me that if his heart rate kept dropping I would probably end up having a C-section — my worst fear. 

Right when things were getting really scary, Ayanna stepped in and did a “shaking of the apple tree” trick that stabilized everything and got the baby’s heart rate to become normal again! Even the nurses and midwives were impressed with the move. I was so relieved and from that point forward I knew I needed to relax completely in order to progress.  About 5-6 hours later I was finally ready to push. She really helped guide my partner on what to do and helped us stay connected throughout transition & pushing. She told me when my contractions were coming and advocated for me to push in the position I felt comfortable (side-lying, knees in, and feet outward). I pushed the baby out in under 1 hour! It was such a relief.   

A couple weeks after the birth it was so nice to see and connect with her during our postpartum visit which was included in her doula package. Although we were pretty settled, she offered a helping hand on anything that needed to be done around the house—it really comes in handy because you’ll be so preoccupied with baby.   Although I had a hospital birth and things didn’t go according to our birth plan (inevitable during a hospital setting), I will always remember Ayanna as one of the most positive aspects of my birth experience. I can confidently say that if Ayanna wasn’t in that room with us to save the day with her knowledge and techniques, things would have turned out a lot differently!