"A skilled and resourceful doula, Joanne helped to make the birth of our first child an empowering experience.  She provided invaluable physical and emotional comfort before, during, and after the birth.  Before the birth she met with my husband, my mother, and me to answer our questions and help demystify the entire process.  In the course of my pre-natal massages, she relaxed my body and my mind.  During labor, Joanne helped keep us calm and focused on the baby.  Her touch, encouragement, suggestions and soothing presence enabled me to have a relatively short labor and a natural childbirth.  After the labor, she gently directed me during the crucial first nursing.  During her follow-up home visit, Joanne demonstrated infant massage techniques to comfort our newborn and relieve his gas.  A caring and nurturing person, Joanne called us several times to check on our son’s jaundice and generally ensure that we were adjusting well to parenthood.  I recommend Joanne unequivocally and frankly do not understand why an expectant mother would not consult a doula."

Jacqueline M. Olich, Ph.D. Durham, NC

"My husband and I were so happy to have Joanne with us during the journey of my pregnancy and birth of our twins.  While I was expecting, she guided us in mapping out our plans and expectations for a hospital birth.  This was particularly helpful because we were much better prepared when the time came.  At the hospital, Joanne was the clear thinker who reminded us of what our options were and what we wanted to ask the doctors.  Joanne was our advocate, a soothing and nurturing presence, and the font of knowledge that we could turn to.  I look back on the twin's birth and feel like it was a beautiful experience, and Joanne played a huge part in making it that way!"

Melissa