TESTIMONIALS

I will be forever grateful that I found Davinah. In my third trimester, my plans for a second home birth were upended, and on top of that I had to begin weekly non stress tests and ultrasounds. It was difficult emotionally. When we met Davinah, we knew right away we wanted her to support us in having a birth that would be truly special to us, and during which I would feel as autonomous and empowered as I had when my daughter was born. We were right. She truly got our family and was as supportive to my husband and 8-year-old daughter as she was to me. At the hospital, waiting for labor to pick up, she helped me to let go of some heavy fear and emotional baggage I was carrying into my birth. She helped me to deeply relax with the best and longest foot massage of my life! When active labor - which was fast and furious - began, she provided amazing hands on support, and was incredibly encouraging. Her presence helped shift me from hospital patient to birthing mama, and I now tell people we had a “home birth in the hospital” because that’s how it felt. We could not have done it without her! -Suzanne, Redmond, WA

Davinah was the third doula we met, and the best was saved for last. I was very interested in finding someone that was not judgmental and helped me make decisions that were in my best interest, as I tend to be a people pleaser. Davinah really got to know me on a personal level and understood the child trauma I had been through in my life, having lost my mother in a car accident at age 8 and my father in 2016. This trauma affects you in many facets in life and especially after having a child. Her background and experience provided comfort and support that was very much needed during this process.

During labor, Davinah showed up at the hospital shortly after we called her. She was a calming and comforting presence for my husband and I. She helped me stick to my birth plan and encouraged me (like I asked in the plan) to try other positions and options before the epidural was given. Although I ended up having the epidural, she offered other solutions first and supported my decision. I appreciated her encouraging words! Having a baby is like running a marathon and as silly as it may seem, having someone say to you, "You got this Mama. You're doing great!" is just what you need to hear during labor, when the stakes and adrenaline are high, and your energy is waning.

I ended up needing a c-section and Davinah provided a safe place, encouragement and in-the-moment education in the operating room, so I understood what happens in the process. She took some AMAZING photos of the birth. And I mean SUPER AMAZING. I can’t imagine not having her there for that special moment. Davinah is forever imprinted on our hearts and the heart of our baby girl. Thank you Davinah for your calming and beautiful spirit and heart. -Tracy, Bellevue, WA

When my partner and I started our search for a doula one thing that was brought up was my partner feeling like a doula may make him less involved in our birth so we knew we were looking for a doula who would be a member of our team not just a partner for me (the one giving birth). The first time we met Davinah she instantly treated my partner and I equally asking him specific questions and forging an individual relationship with each of us as well as us as a couple. This inclusiveness made her stand out from the other interviews we had and carried through our entire relationship. Davinah was/is warm, fun, relaxed and informative. She was always there for us throughout our pregnancy and birth. Our birth experience ended up being drastically different than we expected and for that we couldn’t be happier that we choose Davinah to come on the journey with us. During our birth she was a great advocate, support, and collaborator in making our unforeseen circumstances as good as we could hope for during the birth of our daughter. Davinah also did some postpartum work with us and I can not recommend that enough, having her come and help continue to get us settled into our new roles as parents was so helpful and much needed. Choosing a doula is a very personal and fascinating choice to be made, for us we feel we could not have made a better choice. Davinah just got us, our wants and hope for our birth experience and whatever was going on, wherever the day took us Davinah got it and in the end that’s what we needed; a support person on our team who got us, and that was Davinah. -Tara, Seattle, WA

As my pregnancy progressed and my husband and I learned more about labor and birth (including the realization of how little we knew about such a momentous time in our lives), we decided that hiring a birth doula would likely benefit both of us while we navigated the exciting but stressful time surrounding the birth of our child. We didn’t begin our search until my third trimester and were concerned that our options would be limited, so we were even more grateful to have connected with Davinah! From our first meeting, it was easy to be open and candid with Davinah, which is typically not the case for me when I first meet someone. She has a warm presence that provided comfort and reassurance throughout this process. Davinah provided useful information and support during our prenatal visit, as well as via text and email in the days leading up to my birth; however, she was most invaluable during my labor. It was incredibly comforting to arrive at the hospital (in pain and full of anxiety) and know that we had the support and expertise of someone we trusted. Davinah provided helpful suggestions for positions and strategies during labor and ensured that my husband and I were presented with and understood all the necessary information from nurses, midwives, and doctors, and that we had enough time and space to discuss our options and decisions as they were presented. She was also able to seemingly effortlessly read our emotions and act accordingly, including bringing levity and a sense of humor into the situation as appropriate. I feel very fortunate to have had Davinah’s support throughout my pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum period, and I would highly recommend her to anyone! -Liz, Seattle, WA

During pregnancy Davinah helped us feel empowered and excited to have a home birth in the midst of a global pandemic with no family around — words I never thought I’d write. We made the decision to have a home birth out of fear. The pandemic was just beginning and hospitals were questioning whether to even allow partners in the room. That was it for us. We would have this baby by ourselves if we had to. Then the clouds parted, Davinah came into our lives, and she helped us turn our fear into joy. Soon there was no other world we wanted, we were almost grateful for the circumstances that brought all this support and knowledge into our birth.

There were moments in labor and especially while pushing when the only voice I wanted to hear was Davinah’s. She knew how to talk to me when the experience was rushing over me, she was able to find me and tell me exactly what I needed to do. We felt safe and seen as she helped protect the bond between my husband and me, which was the most important thing to us that we were together and able to honor our intimacy the whole way. Davinah’s dedication was humbling and I can’t imagine how I would have found that deep-down-55th-hour-in-labor power without her. -Melissa, Seattle, WA

I’m so thankful that we chose to work with Davinah for our birth. I appreciated her expertise and support as we made decisions about our birth preferences and navigated prenatal care. She took time to really get to know us, and then was able to provide the guidance, resources and support that fit our personalities and desires. Labor was where she really shined, however. My labor experience was pure magic! I’m not kidding. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and a huge part of that was Davinah. Davinah’s positive energy, encouragement and creative ideas gave me energy and confidence throughout my delivery. One of my favorite things, however, was how she supported my husband. Rather than stepping in, she gave him the tools to be my rock during contractions, which made the birth experience intimate and romantic. We were able to be really present with one another, because we had a kick ass care team behind the scenes. Davinah has also been huge support after she was born. She’s been my go to with questions and ideas for resources. -Amanda, Seattle, WA

Working with Davinah was one of the best decisions we made on our pregnancy journey, the pregnancy and ultimately the birth of our child was marked with anxiety and heartbreak. Having the support, care, compassion, and knowledge that she brought eased so many of our burdens. This was our first pregnancy and we learned that our baby had genetic issues that would mean he would not live very long after delivery if at all. We decided that we needed to find a doula who could help us through this unique pregnancy and delivery. We only had to meet with her once to know she was who we wanted to share this experience with. Davinah was able to help us not only prepare for the known parts of pregnancy and labor but she was able to hold space with us through all the unknowns as we faced the upcoming loss of our child. So much of the pregnancy was about the baby’s issues but she made sure that we were taken care of and helped me advocate for my body and health (which is something I was not doing very well until I met Davinah). I had to be induced unexpectedly due to preeclampsia and having Davinah there to answer questions and be a support relieved so many anxieties for both me and my husband. She helped me navigate and ultimately have the birth experience I wanted, even when a lot of it felt out of my control. Our son did not live long enough to be brought home and she helped me navigate the grief of losing a child while dealing with a postpartum body and preeclampsia. It was a lot, but again Davinah could hold space for me and all that I was going through. She was there to support me in so many ways and just knowing she was available made the days after the birth so much easier for me and my husband. Words can not express the gratitude and love both my husband and I have for Davinah. We feel knowing and working with her has changed us for the better and we can not wait to work with her again in future pregnancies. -Michelle, Seattle

Davinah was a wonderful doula! Her confidence, expertise, and sense of humor helped my husband and i tremendously as we navigated the birth of our first child. She is a prompt communicator via text and email, conducts herself very professionally, and provided us with extensive unbiased resources about a variety of birth topics. I experienced painful back labor and Davinah taught me maneuvers and coping mechanisms in attempt to turn the baby. She also helped my husband and i advocate for ourselves in a challenging moment with a hospital staff member. This encouragement was a pivotal turning point in our birthing experience and i am truly grateful. Davinah was calm and composed throughout the entire labor and birth which is what we needed in a highly heightened personal experience. I communicated my fear and trepidation as the labor progressed and she reminded me of my body's capabilities. This helped me throughout each stage and transition. Finally, her post-partum visit and de-brief of the birth experience was very valuable for my husband and I both to express our version of the events. She shared photos, funny moments, and her own reflections as well. 

I highly recommend Davinah as a doula. Her commitment and passion for her work is evident. She is a kind and compassionate human being and i am so glad we choose her to help us bring our son Jack into the world!  -Bryn, Renton, WA

Davinah has such a warm and calming presence and we knew the moment we met her that she was the doula for us.  We were planning a VBAC for our second baby.  One of my biggest reasons for hiring Davinah was to help support me physically during labor but when our birth quickly turned into a repeat cesarean, I never knew how much emotional support Davinah would provide and how much I would need that.  It was huge to have Davinah in our corner, supporting all of our decisions and affirming that we knew what was best for our family and our baby.  Just having her by my side, sometimes not even saying a word but just holding my hand along the way meant so much.  If I were to have known I would have a repeat cesarean I am not sure I would have hired a doula but I saw firsthand just how truly important it is to have doula support during a cesarean.  Having Davinah there for us in the weeks after another unplanned cesarean and being able to unpack all of our emotions that come with unplanned cesareans with someone who was by our side the entire time was invaluable.  

I cannot say enough amazing things about this human being and the impact she’s had and continues to have on my life but I will forever be grateful to have met her. -Natalee, Seattle, WA

My husband and I loved working with Davinah and would recommend her to any expecting parents! Davinah took time to get to know us personally and provide resources as we discussed our birth preferences. She checked in with us regularly leading up to our due date and following our son's birth. I frequently texted or emailed her questions, and she was always thorough and prompt in her responses. During labor, she provided support for both of us and helped us identify questions to ask our midwife when we weren't sure how to proceed. It was clear that Davinah is excellent at reading people and situations, and she used her strong intuition to provide support at the right moments and coach us through the process. Being first time parents, we were very relieved to be able to leverage Davinah’s expertise, and we really enjoyed getting to know her! She’s amazing, and I hope to work with her again some day! -Shannon, Seattle, WA

The loving support Davinah provided during my labor was only a part of the care she gave my husband and me.

We had a challenging pregnancy, one that required emotional healing before delivery. At 22 weeks, we contacted Davinah. From the moment we met her, there was trust. During our initial meeting, I felt myself opening up, exposing wounds that desperately needed healing. She listens intently when you speak, acknowledges your feelings, and in the right moments gently asks you to dig deeper.

Davinah knew what we needed in order to have a safe and healthy delivery was to emotionally prepare and let go of the things that were holding us back. Through the months leading up to our birth, she worked with us to heal wounds left by the earlier stages of the pregnancy. Davinah created space for my pain, for my husband's concerns, and for our healing as a family.

During birth, Davinah gave me confidence. She reminded me that my body was capable of delivering this baby. She reminded me that this was not something that was happening to me but was something I was doing. She was a calming presence in our birth space. Available always when I needed her, and a silent protector at all times.

Davinah was not only there for me, but for my husband as well. She ensured he was taken care of; emotionally, physically, and mentally. Because of Davinah, he could be present for the birth instead of feeling that he had to take care of me. What a gift! We knew we wanted a doula to help during the birth of our son, but what we didn't know we needed was the love, attention, and guidance Davinah provided us every step of the way. -Rachael K, Seattle, WA

I run an outpatient behavioral healthcare clinic in Seattle that specializes in stress. I have pretty high (probably unrealistic) standards when it comes to whether or not I think someone is good at dealing with others anxieties and helping process their emotions. My expectations are usually set pretty low for this kind of thing, so I was very pleasantly surprised throughout this process meeting with Davinah before the birth of our daughter and watching Davinah interact with my wife Neshia the night of the birth. She had great recommendations and resources to offer leading up to the birth. She was an incredibly helpful and grounding presence on the night of the birth (for both of us). I would recommend her to anyone looking for a birth doula because of her depth of expertise, her great personality, her calm demeanor, her emotional intelligence, and because of the clear values she demonstrates in the way she does this work. -Blake T, Seattle, WA