BIRTH REVIEWS
“Lola is simply the best. From the moment I sent an email to inquire about her services to the postpartum visit, Lola has been with us every step of the way. My partner and I knew from the moment we had our first virtual meeting, that we wanted to have her as our doula. She was knowledgable, easy to connect with, kind, and had a great sense of humor. To top it all off, it was important for us to find a BIPOC doula, as we identify as such.
Hiring Lola as our doula was the best decision we could have made during our pregnancy. As soon as she was a part of our team, a weight was lifted off our shoulders and we knew we were in good hands. During the in-person prenatal visit, Lola provided great insight on our nursery setup, demonstrated Spinning baby techniques, and overall shared many useful resources. During our postpartum visit, Lola answered questions about pumping, feeding, diaper changes, baby-wearing and what to expect in the days/weeks to come.Lola came to the hospital on my delivery date with an arsenal of coping tools. She had LEDs tea candles to make my bath more relaxing. She had a comb to deflect some of the contraction pain. She acted as our mediator between the L&D nurses and my partner and I. She helped my partner throughout this 20+ hour labor to give him some breaks, and stayed with us the entire time. When it was time to push, she was by my side guiding me and trusting me to know what to do at each contraction. She was even able to capture some photos of this unforgettable moment.We are so glad and grateful to have had Lola throughout this pregnancy. We highly recommend hiring Lola. She knows what she is doing and is there to empower families like us. She allowed us to have the birth experience we wanted. We will see her when time comes for baby #2!” by S. J. and baby K.
“Lola was crucial to our birth story. She was kind, helpful, and enabled us to make tough in-the-moment decisions that empowered me.
Since I got pregnant for the first time and delivered during the pandemic, Lola was flexible with her prenatal consults and spent as much time with us as needed to help answer all of our questions and set me up for a successful birth. I have hypertension, and thus was induced - Lola was knowledgeable about the process, available to show up at the hospital at exactly the right time, and guided me through positions that eased contractions. She guided me to write a birth plan that informed hospital staff about my hopes for labor and put me at ease about making the right choice for my body when it came time to decide on whether or not I would have an epidural. She stayed with us throughout the whole labor and helped relieve my husband when he needed a short nap. When it came time to push, Lola advised me on a better position that helped me to not have any tearing and coached me through how to push.
During our postpartum visits, Lola helped me with breastfeeding tips and debriefed our birth story, which we found helpful since there were some complications immediately after our son was born.
Overall, I cannot recommend Lola more and would be quick to hire her again. She is warm, loving, and embraces birth empowerment as she welcomes us and we welcome her to be part of our new family. Truly, I could not have done it without her. 10/10” by A.L.
“Lola was an integral partner in my birthing experience. From our first meeting she asked thoughtful questions and guided my husband and I through this transition in our lives with patience and knowledge. Everything from our birth plan, to breastfeeding and product recommendations - she shared wisdom that made our journey into parenthood a thousand times better than it would have been otherwise. I will never forget her calm presence during labor - just what I needed to offset my nerves and the intensity of the situation.
The things that really set Lola apart are 1. Attention to detail - she thought to make sure the receiving blanket from labor was kept for our dogs to smell before being introduced to baby E. 2. Practical care - Lola knew that the hospital kitchen would close soon after my son was born, so made sure to put in a dinner order for me right away (even spoon feeding me while I was being stitched up!). and 3. Sense of humor - which is really important for me in stressful situations. Lola is good company and a joy to have by your side in what can be strange and new situations.
"Thank you" doesn't even begin to cover it, but it's a good start. Lola is wonderful at what she does, and working with her as my doula was the best choice I could have made to prepare for my first birth.” by K. N. and Baby E.
“My husband and I were fortunate to have Lola as our doula for the birth of our second daughter, where I had a successful VBAC. We loved Lola's energy from the start. We had scheduled intros with two other lovely doulas, but came back to Lola because she made us feel so confident in her knowledge & education, and her commitment to fully supporting us. She even provided detailed back-up doula info to make sure I was comfortable when she had to be out of town for a few days (even though it was well before 38 weeks).
Lola provided a wealth of information at each of our meetings with her - so valuable for first time parents and also a much-needed refresher for us having our second baby. One thing I loved was how she showed us how to use the TENS unit and left it with us so that we could make use of it during early labor, which we did. Lola made sure we were ready for postpartum too (breastfeeding, etc.), which I was grateful for because I had been so focused on labor & delivery.
Labor started slowly, and Lola checked in frequently to see how things were progressing and provide guidance (when she tells you to try to rest, REST :)). When things eventually picked up, Lola met us at the hospital at 2:30am and brought her calm, measured energy to the room. Sometimes people are concerned that a doula may take the place of their partner, but Lola not only supported me and my partner, she also left space for my partner to support me through labor & delivery. Lola helped us get breastfeeding off to a great start, too. Thank you, Lola!” By A. M. and Baby R.
“Hiring a doula who I trusted was key to being able to relax and focus on what my body was undertaking, and know that someone else was looking out for me so I didn’t have to navigate all of that. The service my doula provided was not only a “good value” but was invaluable. She prepared me so well in the pre-delivery appointments we had together that I actively looked forward to my birthing experience. The best part is that I had a complicated labor, but at every intervention or branching of paths during labor, I felt so empowered to make informed choices, and ultimately, felt like my preferences were honored and that I had a birth I feel great about thanks to my doula honoring my preferences, knowing what I prioritized and cared about, helping me make decisions in the moment that centered me and my baby, and handling communications with all of the other medical staff in a way that felt professional, tactful, warm and proactive. I really feel like my partner, doula, baby and I were a team. Hiring her was the singularly best choice and action I took during my pregnancy, and both my partner and I reflect frequently on how instrumental she was to our positive birth outcome and how we don’t know what we would have done without her. The other best bit was that she works at Swedish regularly and knows all the nurses, midwives and OBs. It was important to me that my doula not be perceived as an “outsider” by the rest of the providers and that there was no antagonism. She had such an effusively warm relationship with everyone at Swedish that it set such a positive and trusting tone in my delivery room and I felt like the communication she had with every medical provider was rooted in collegiality and respect.” by S.P.
“Even before getting pregnant, I followed Lola on social media and I always admired her work. Before I even met my obstetrician, I got in touch with Lola so we could get to know each other, and it was love at first sight.
From informal conversations to the birth plan, everything was available and willing to listen to me, always with a lot of patience and, especially, with a lot of information.
On the day of delivery, Lola assisted me promptly, even though it was early in the morning, she arrived at the hospital minutes after me, from that moment until I went to the room with the baby in my arms, she did not leave me alone, always encouraging me and providing information and listing the choices I had. Everything was perfect and painless.
The postpartum visit was essential, it helped me with breastfeeding and listened to my baby blues cry.
My husband and I would not have gone through this experience without the support of such a competent professional.
Every pregnant woman should have the assistance of a doula. Should have Lola.” by T. M. and baby D.
“We hired Lola as a doula for the birth of our second child. From the beginning, we appreciated Lola's clear communication, passion for birth and babies, professionalism, and sense of humor. During our preliminary meetings, she asked great questions that helped us to build trust and understand our needs during labor. I had a moment of false labor at 39 weeks due to a stomach virus and Lola met us at the hospital with her calm and reassuring presence. Over the next few weeks, Lola offered me many suggestions for ways to induce labor naturally and checked in regularly, helping me find patience, distractions, and humor during that very difficult waiting period. Once I was finally induced, I had also contracted COVID from our toddler. Lola was able to work with us to come up with a plan where she felt comfortable supporting us. During labor, she suggested positions to encourage dilation and comfort, helped me to advocate for myself with the midwife, and gave me a much needed pep talk in a moment of suffering to get me into a positive headspace as I waited for the epidural. Lola is easy to talk to and committed to her clients. She is someone who is a lifelong learner and open to trying new things and asking questions to better her practice. Lola is able to read the room and without being asked, offer the kind of energy that is needed for that moment, whether that is a good joke or some firm coaching. We are very grateful for Lola's support and presence throughout our birth journey and adjustment into life as a family of four. Thank you, Lola!” by C. W. and Baby L.
“We are transplants in Seattle and having Lola in our birthing suite was like having family with us. Lola was there for us In the weeks leading up to delivery, arming us with useful information and fielding all of our many questions. Our Olivia came 2 weeks early and when my water broke at 6am my first call was Lola. Without skipping a beat Lola was right there for us even after just coming off of another late night delivery. She listened to me and did so much to create the exact atmosphere that would make me feel the most comfortable and when it came time we had a techno dance pushing party at sunrise to welcome our little girl! My SO isn't the best photographer so Lola stepped in and took some amazing pics for us with her phone and we are so thankful! I'm so happy that she will be part of our birth story forever!” by S. K. and Baby O.
“From the moment I first spoke to Lola, I knew I wanted her to be my doula. Her energy and passion made me feel like she would be a wonderful fit for my birth. She is a good listener and prepares you well for the labor and delivery process. Also, she helps you figure out your goals and fills in any gaps you may have missed before your big day. Lola is intuitive and compassionate, and just a beautiful human being to be around! Thanks Lola!” by M.S.
“My birthing experience wouldn't have been the same without Lola. From prep, to labor, pushing, and postpartum – I felt better knowing she was there for me (and my husband!). Before and after birth, Lola was available to answer my questions and send me resources/links. During labor, she was a rock star. I felt instantly more relaxed and in control once she arrived at my house during labor. She helped me move and breathe through contractions, always offering the support I needed. The work continued at the hospital and she helped me work through my thoughts about pain management options. I eventually got an epidural, and Lola continued to provide amazing support with positioning and making sure I was getting fluids. After birth, she even fed me so I didn’t have to take one hand off of my baby! On top of being an amazing support person, Lola captured photos of my labor/birth/immediate postpartum that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Lola has an amazing ability at being right next to you without overpowering the situation. I never felt crowded or that my husband wasn’t also a part of my labor support. Lola is an intuitive and caring doula. I would love to have her by my side for any future births.” By H & M
“We are so grateful to have had Lola support the birth of our daughter! From our very first conversation and throughout our journey together, Lola was informative, supportive, and provided valuable guidance at every turn. When the time came for an emergency induction, rather than feeling scared and overwhelmed we felt prepared and empowered. Lola's high level of communication and care are unmatched, and we will forever be grateful to her for her support as we welcomed our daughter into this world. Beyond the preparation and birth itself, Lola has continued to provide us with amazing referrals and ensure that we've remained supported as we navigate this new world of parenthood. I can't emphasize enough how valuable her support has been, and I highly recommend Lola's services to any parents-to-be!” by H.D.
“We absolutely loved working with Lola! It was so helpful to know that we would have someone who was part of the process before, during, and after our birth. Not only did Lola help us with tons of resources as we prepared for the birth (videos, class referals, and even supplies) but she also helped us fine-tune our birth plan. She was ready to answer any questions we had and her expertise was a really important part of our decision making. When it was time for her to meet us at the hospital, she showed up with a calm energy, ready to help and prepare the space for our birth journey. Her presence during the birth was relaxed and encouraging, and she also gave tons of space for my partner to come in and support. Following the birth, she visited our home and helped with breastfeeding, more fine-tuning of our space, and other areas where we needed support. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a birth or postpartum doula- she was fantastic!” By N. L. and Baby T.
“We hired Lola a couple of months before my due date just because we had just moved to Seattle. Lola was incredibly supportive, and always kept us informed. Throughout my pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, we really enjoyed and profited from her advice, attention and expertise. When I was rushed to the hospital week before my due date, she was at the hospital within an hour. I felt safe and confident throughout my labour while she was there. Lola wasn’t afraid to question anything, she made sure i or my partner had any medical intervention explained and questioned. She would answer my late night texts so promptly, she’s honestly the best! When I first met her on Zoom, her drive was so evident, extremely hard working.
During her postpartum visits We were exhausted and trying to figure everything out as first-time parents, she made sure everything was organized and that we got plenty of rest. Even now she continues to shares resourceful information for each stage of baby A development and useful tips for us. We could not have asked for a better experience. If you are looking for a doula, I highly recommend Lola. Can't wait to have her by myside again for my next baby. “ By G. A. and Baby A.
“ Working in the healthcare field myself and it being my first pregnancy it was really important for me to build a team… My husband and I are beyond pleased with our experience, and it really isn’t over yet. Prenatally, we had several Telehealth visits and she was very knowledgeable, encouraging, empowering, and energetic not just for me but for my husband as well. It was really refreshing. I went into labor 2 weeks in advance at 10pm and Lola was there every step of the way via text and call. Unexpectedly I was pushing at 230am and she made it just in time. At the hospital she was more than helpful with making it a wonderful experience by taking pictures in the moment, walking through certain aspects that seemed overwhelming, packing things up for us as we moved to a different room, and being supportive to my husband as well. Postpartum she was really responsive to every single question we had, checked in frequently, and made things easy when we weren’t sure which supplies to get around the house by just sending us the links themselves. Her in-house visit was a God-send because I definitely wouldn’t know what to do as far as getting our baby’s weight back up with so much conflicting information out there. Being 4 weeks out, we are so happy with the progress of our baby’s growth since the beginning of our journey and I know we couldn’t do it without Lola.” by A.B.
“I can’t say enough how much I appreciate Lola’s steadfast support as our birth doula. From our 1st meeting Lola had plenty of advice and resources to offer. She answered all of our questions quickly and without judgement, including the late night “am I crazy for…?” text messages. Leading up to and during our 42 week induction, Lola encouraged me to advocate for myself, ask questions, and think through the risks and benefits of each decision. Lola’s support during labor was quick and efficient. As soon as she arrived, she jumped into action, suggesting position changes, offering massages, reminding me to eat and drink, reminding hospital staff of my birth wishes, etc. My husband especially appreciated her calm and swift presence as we were both becoming overwhelmed. Ultimately, labor was a long 35 hours and ended in an unplanned C-section. I’d like to say I was calm and collected during the C-section, but that would be a lie. In those moments, mentally processing a major surgery, a huge fear of mine, was a lot for my already exhausted mind and Lola never made me feel guilty for that. She was by my side through the entire surgery, trying to distract me with conversation, warm blankets, and baby updates. Lola also stuck around for a few hours post-op, helping with baby’s latch, packing up our L&D room, and seeing me through to a much calmer and happier place physically and mentally. In total, Lola was with us in the hospital for over 24 hours. A few days later, Lola came to our home for a postpartum visit. We spent this time catching up and chatting about our first few days as parents. Once again Lola came through big time, offering a ton of advice, referring us to a lactation consultant, and helping us secure an appointment to quickly address breastfeeding issues. Lola’s support has gone above and beyond expectations. I’d recommend her services to any friend in a heartbeat.” by K.B.
“As our baby boy turns a month old today, I feel hiring Lola as his birth doula was one of the most thoughtful decisions we've made. Lola shared lots of helpful resources with us 3 months in advance which turned out to be very handy for - 1) Mom's readiness for delivery 2) Baby's birth 4) Mom's postpartum recovery 3) Initial days of baby's care.
Even though the hospital's nurses and doctors were present on delivery day, the kind of support Lola provided to my wife was more like having another person from our family in that room on that hectic and stressful day. She was actively assisting with exercises and steps to assist with delivery. Following delivery, Lola was constantly in touch with us, answering many of our questions as a first-time parent.
Overall we are glad that Lola was there to help us. If any of our friends are planning to have a baby in the neighborhood, we will be more than happy to recommend her.” by M.V.
“My wife had to be induced due to late pregnancy pre-eclampsia. We couldn’t have done it without Lola. She came and provided such a calming presence and helped my wife through preplanned stretches during a difficult time. In the end we had a really good outcome considering the circumstances, and Lola also took the birth photos so discreetly that wife said she didn’t even know that happened! During the after birth visit she also live demonstrated on baby some very practical and effective soothing tips which we put to use right away. Definitely hire Lola as your Doula - we couldn’t imagine a better experience with anyone else.” by W. S. and Baby A.
“We are so grateful that Lola came into our birth story recommended to us by dear friends. Lola provided more than just support during birth; she comprehensively prepared and assisted us before, during, and after the arrival of our daughter. As new parents, the advice and tools she provided us at each stage was uniquely helpful and highlighted her expertise she has amassed from supporting so many other families. From the support she gave ranging from how to set up our space for postpartum ease, to hands on positioning and pain management during labor, to support for successful feeding, Lola allowed us to not feel the pressure that we had to be experts ourselves, and trust that we had an advocate and birth team member who could navigate us through the unknowns.” by R. P. and Baby J.
“Lola's amazing. A perfect mix of knowledge, sincerity, humor, and passion for what she does, for both the baby and you. She was there when we needed, and after when i had trouble healing she was kind and really supportive and made me feel like I was taken care of. When we moved way out of the area and I was needing postpartum care, she helped connect me to a doula in the area I moved to. If you're on the fence, don't be. She goes above and beyond, and at a really reasonable price for something so priceless. We love you, Lola!!” by L.B.
