Testimonials

“We cannot recommend Elena enough! Not only is she a wonderful and supportive person, we found her knowledge as a doula critical in the following areas:

-All aspects of planning for birth (what we needed at home, what to ask our dr, etc)
-Understanding our traditional and nontraditional options for delivery
-Navigating the in’s and outs of a major health system (UCSF) where we ultimately delivered
-Planning for POSTPARTUM CARE for mom and dad (a subject that I felt was way under-discussed with our dr)
-Staying on top of changing healthcare policies given COVID. This took A LOT of work off our plates.

Even if you’re not sure a doula is right for you, I highly recommend reaching out to Elena to get more information. We truly could not have made it through our birth without her!  – ”

— Margaret B

“We are so incredibly fortunate we found Elena to support us for our second baby and that she was available to work with us.”

I had interviewed a number of doulas and my biggest criteria was finding one that I personally connected with. She came highly recommended by a close friend. As soon as I met her, I knew she was the one with her warm and inviting personality. She is a wealth of knowledge, and met up with us twice at home before our guess date. I especially enjoyed the "labor dance" where she showed us different positions we could labor in at home. I desired a VBAC for this birth and we couldn't have done it without Elena supporting and guiding us along the way. We ended up having a slow and mindful birthing experience at the hospital even with an induction and Elena was with us every step of the way. If you're looking for nurturing and empathetic support with a dash of humor to keep things light, you've come to the right place!”

— Christine L

“Elena supported us through the birth of our second child from prenatal through postpartum. Similar to others, she came highly recommended by our previous doula and after our first meeting we felt confident that she was the obvious choice for our family. Elena was warm and authentic. You can see this in her first smile, when you meet her!

She took time to get to know my partner and I as individuals and our relationship so that she could help us stay connected during our birthing experience. Her prenatal sessions were so educational and tailored to our previous experience with our first child, my wishes and concerns as a birthing person and who we were as a team. During the birthing experience, she brought so much care and thoughtfulness. From the moment she arrived at our house during labor she held our family so gently, immediately lowering lights, lighting candles, gently whispering directions to my partner and quietly checking in on me. Throughout my labor she continued to be there in exactly the way we needed her at every moment. Her connection with the rest of the delivery team at the hospital was so impressive. The nurses and midwives clearly respected and trusted her as another member of our delivery team! After our baby was born, she came to support us at home over the course of 3 visits. In the same magical way, she brought this quiet, steady, loving energy in and lifted us up through the simplest of actions. She helped clean up, she made us DELICIOUS, healing meals and snacks, she talked through concerns, questions and challenges - making referrals to her amazing network of other resources - that I was facing and best of all, she took our baby and wore him around the house so that we could have a break. She is a baby whisperer! I could not recommend anyone more to support you through your birthing/postpartum journey. We are so lucky to had her with us and feel like she is a member of this family now and always!”

— Megan V

“Elena, my incredible doula, was a true blessing throughout my postpartum journey.

Each time she walked through my door, she seamlessly plugged herself into every aspect of my life - whether it was cooking delicious meals, offering a comforting hand, or caring for my baby while I rested - she always knew exactly what I needed just by looking in my eyes.

I honestly can't imagine going through postpartum without her. Elena's attentiveness and care made her more than just a doula - she's become like family.

I am forever grateful for her support and friendship.”

— Julia F

“TLDR: Mama Elena is spectacular. We recommend her fully!

At every step - from pregnancy through arriving home from the hospital - Mama Elena offered the warmth, guidance, and information that empowered me to navigate birth with agency.

When I think back on the time we worked with Mama Elena, I think about how present, clear, and perceptive she is. There are two moments I'll never forget that I think demonstrate what I mean...

Just before leaving our home after meeting us for the first time, Mama Elena invited my husband and I to "support one another from our respective lanes." She had identified (accurately!)  that we were stepping on each other's toes. In response, she clearly and compassionately offered a strategy for helping us to evolve this dynamic. We ended up depending on this mantra throughout the pregnancy and birth.

The second moment happened right after our daughter was born. Without hesitation Mama Elena stepped in to help her latch (which she did!) and ensure I was comfortable.  

More broadly, Mama Elena wrapped us in warmth, kindness and comfort by getting to know us and centering my experience, hopes and fears.

She provided us with all of the resources and templates to help us educate ourselves on the labor and birth process and made herself available to us as a wise partner. Just having her close provided us with more confidence, comfort, and knowledge to navigate the labor and birth process.”

— Sara C

“We were so lucky to have a close friend recommend Elena as a postpartum doula. We really needed some support when we got home from the hospital and having Elena in our home felt like family.

She came for 4 sessions 3.5 hrs each in the first couple weeks. She helped with nursing tips, taught us how to bathe baby for the first time, did baby's laundry, cooked AMAZING meals with ingredients she found in our fridge (or that we'd get Instacart to deliver ahead of time when we knew what she was going to make), and of course cared for baby. We were able to shower and nap while she was here. Somehow she manages to do all these things and take care of baby while we got a much needed break! Can't recommend Elena enough! She is warm, kind, caring, and competent. Just what a new family needs!”

— Christina A

“As a husband it is hard to understand how the role of a Doula impacts you.

In my case Elena was a godsend, not overpowering or controlling as I had feared. On the contrary, Elena enabled me to be present in the best way that I could while influencing from the shadows. Being one step ahead on every front, my wife was thirsty, I reach and I have an automatic refill, perfect choice of music and ambiance (cause our choice of tunes was clearly chosen for a different venue/setting).
The subtleties made the difference, to a point where the Doctor took the back seat saying, you don't need me, you are clearly in great hands.
We were so grateful in the moment that Elena cut the umbilical cord.
Thanks for making our birth the best I could have ever imagined.”

— Joe L

“Run, don't walk to work with Elena! Words cannot do justice to Elena, she is the absolute best and such a gift in our lives!

We were fortunate to work with Elena while pregnant and for the birth of our first son. We were hoping for an unmedicated birth and truly could not have done it without Elena. Elena was an integral part of our birth team.

Elena was present for me and my husband throughout pregnancy. She helped coach us through pregnancy with various physical and mental exercises to alleviate discomfort, mindset coaching to help with labor, and tools for my husband to support me throughout labor. Elena empowered my husband to ensure he had an active role during labor and had all the tools necessary to support me.

On the day of my son's birth, Elena was remarkably present but in a quiet, nonintrusive way which empowered me and my husband with confidence and strength to pursue our birth plan. Elena knew exactly what I needed during each minute of labor. Elena was able to reposition our hospital room to create an optimal setting in line with our birth plan. She worked well with the nurse and doctor to ensure a calm environment with minimal interruption. Elena was full of helpful tools from the perfect playlist, mood lighting in the hospital, honey sticks, back support for my husband, the list could go on. Even the nurse and doctor were extremely complimentary of her work and were able to leave us alone as we were "in great hands with Elena".

If we ever move and fortunate to have another child, we would fly Elena wherever we are so she can join us for our child's birth as we really cannot imagine the process without her.”

— Eve M