Testimonials
Testimonials mean the world to me, they get to the heart of the client experience and show an insight into birth with a doula. Read below about some of my clients' journeys into motherhood and fatherhood. It has been a true gift to serve each and every one of you.
“Helen is quite simply a beautiful soul. Her love for families and birth is immediately apparent. As a labor and delivery nurse I had seen her in action with patients and heard many rave about her. The past few months I was finally able to experience her doula services personally at my own birth. She was an absolute gift. She came alongside me and not only supported and empowered me, but she did the same for my husband as he was by my side. Together they made the perfect duo to get me through my natural labor and successful VBAC. I felt I had the perfect team by my side and couldn’t be more grateful for her incredible doula-ing. Initially my husband didn’t understand why we needed a doula. After our birth experience, he now tells every expectant dad how they need a doula and points them to Helen!”
“To keep a long story short, my first labor and delivery was 37 hours long. I managed to labor naturally for 35 of those hours and ended up with an epidural only two hours before my daughter was born. Having a natural child birth was something that was very important to me, and I was disappointed that right at the very end I ended up being medicated. So when I became pregnant with my son I knew that I needed to do more research and more preparation in order to give myself the greatest chance of having the natural childbirth experience I truly hoped for. This is when I started reading more and more about the importance of Doulas. I was easily convinced that this was something my husband and I absolutely needed during our next childbirth experience. Enter Helen :) I was so confident that having her at my childbirth was going to make a world of difference and I was right on the money! When it came time to have my son having both my husband and Helen there was the most amazing experience. Experiencing the support of a woman who herself has had 5 natural childbirths made such a difference! She was so in tune with what I needed and when I needed it, things such as making sure I was hydrated, knowing the exact spot I needed pressure during contractions, helping coach me in my breathing, the things that I really needed in order to continue experiencing natural labor. I am so happy to report that I did indeed succeed in having the natural labor that I had wanted so much! I truly believe this is a testament to how awesome and beneficial it is having the support of both an amazing doula and loving partner, during one of the wildest rides there is. I sincerely recommend to any woman who is embarking on the journey of motherhood to really take the time to plan out and research the birth you want, look into the history of doulas, and all of the benefits there are to having an experienced woman at your side during your labor. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to have Helen at my son’s birth. I know my husband agrees wholeheartedly! They truly made an exceptional team.”
“Helen, Words cannot express our gratitude for having you there with us through the birth of baby E. We are so thankful that you joined us and helped us to have such a wonderful journey bringing her into the world. Helping families is definitely your calling-you are such a natural. We feel like you are family. Thanks again!”
“I will forever be grateful for the four hands on me this day. I will forever be grateful for the guidance of my wonderful doula, Helen and the way she brought me back to earth and guided my husband to comfort me in all the ways she knew how. I will be grateful for the continuing support she provided when I was whisked away to surgery after laboring naturally and instantly mourning the loss of my birth plan. I don’t know how any woman could make it through labor, natural or not without someone like this.”
“We loved having Helen helping us with my first pregnancy. She was willing to spend time with us prior to the birth and she even met our Bradley class instructor. It was a blessing to have her with us during our long, hard labor and birth. She was awesome! She endured nearly two days next to us in the hospital without sleep; not much more needed to be said... My mother was at the hospital with us and she does not speak English and was having a difficult time seeing me go through a long labor; even though there was a language barrier, Helen took the time to take care of my mother. I ended up having to have a cesarean and she was able to be with us in the operating room and hold our little bundle of joy when she was born (and she took some great pictures that we wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for her!). There’s definitely a connection between our family and Helen that we really enjoy having! She’ll always have a special place in our family. She’s a great doula and friend! :-) We would definitely recommend her!”
“We had never heard of a doula before and my husband and I weren’t sure we needed one. After our friends had a fabulous natural birth experience with Helen at their side, I knew having Helen there for me was what I needed. My husband was not so sure.
Today if you asked my husband about having Helen at the birth he would tell you she was a lifesaver and such an awesome support to us. Helen was simply amazing. She was calm, therapeutic, and relaxed. She knew what I needed and gave me that “motherly” support without overly sympathizing. She was consistently so sweet and upbeat, her and my husband made an awesome duo and worked their tails off.
I truly believe that having Helen by my side made my natural birth such a different experience had she not been there. The work that a doula does is simply priceless. Even though I have only been around Helen for a few hours outside of my labor, she truly feels like family. I still text her with questions and keep in touch with her as she is such a kind and generous spirit and role model for me (plus who can resist that charming accent). I would genuinely recommend Helen to anyone who is expecting, especially (but not limited to) those planning a natural birth.”
“She helped guide my husband and I through the hardest contractions and I felt like she knew exactly what I needed at each moment more than I did. she knew when I needed a cold cloth on my head or when it would feel good to change positions. I felt like I barely needed to think because she was anticipating my next request. Things progressed quickly and she definitely contributed to that in my opinion! The doula experience exceeded our expectations. My husband and I really enjoyed getting to know Helen before the birth and she made the labor experience so much more enjoyable. She lifted a cloud of worry from us because I knew that she would tell us what was normal or not and she could also anticipate how I was feeling at any given stage of labor. The birth went much quicker than I expected, so that was great! She stuck around and made sure my son latched on and she knew when to give us space as well. Overall I had a wonderful experience and look forward to hiring Helen next time I’m pregnant!”
“We were so beyond blessed to have Helen to support us during the birth of our angel. Initially I was on the fence whether I wanted a doula or not but being a first time mom I figured it was a good idea because I wasn’t sure what to expect for labor, boy am I glad we had her!! We would have been lost and I would have had much more pain if it weren’t for Helen. She knew exactly what to do and when with the counter pressure, cold towels, making sure I was staying hydrated, and so much more. Her encouraging words made me know that I could do this and got me through each contraction. There is no way I would labor naturally again without Helen’s support, she was a true God send, we love her.”
“We first met Helen in our natural childbirth class at CMC when I was pregnant with our son, Mateo, who is now 2. We were instantly calmed by her warm spirit and quick smile. After meeting with her, my husband and I didn’t hesitate for a minute in deciding to hire her as our doula - and it turns out our intuition was right. I can’t tell you enough how instrumental she was in helping me to have the drug and intervention-free births I wanted for both our son (born November 2013) and our daughter (born October 2015). Helen was as much of a support for my husband as she was for me. She met with us before the births to develop a comprehensive birth plan and to make sure both of us were well-informed about the options (without being judgmental or pressuring whatsoever). Both of my labors were 15+ hours and both started the evening (not the optimal time, of course!). Helen came to our house in the wee hours of the morning both times and helped me get through those physically and mentally challenging hours at home (think lots of back rubs, hip squeezes, position changes, water bottle refills, etc.). She was just as resourceful and supportive once we got to the hospital, and I am positive the midwives and nurses on duty were just as happy to have her in the room as we were. She stepped in to help when my husband needed a break, but also knew when to sit back and let him help me. Throughout both labors, she reassured me that what I was experiencing was normal, which allowed me to trust my body and let it do what it was designed to do. After both births, she followed up with home visits to check on the babies and me and to answer questions, help with breastfeeding issues, etc. She also did placenta encapsulation with my daughter’s birth, which I have been very happy with and would recommend to anyone. (I’m still savoring the last of my magic pills!) Helen continues to be a resource for me, not to mention a lifelong friend. It’s obvious that she loves babies, loves the magic of childbirth, and loves helping others — making her, at least in our opinion, the perfect doula.”
“She is absolutely wonderful. We felt so supported throughout our labor experience. Helen knew exactly what to do to help me relax and was hugely helpful to my husband, taking anxiety out of our experience. We highly, highly recommend Helen.”
“It has been year since I gave birth to my son, Elliott. I look back on the day of his birth as one the most special events in my life. I believe that one of the things that made my birth experience so lovely was my doula, Helen. I was supposed to give birth at a birthing center, but I had to be transferred to a local hospital. I was concerned that I would not have the natural birth I wanted. Despite the hospital setting, Helen coached me through and I had the natural birth I wanted. I realized that it didn’t matter the location, it was the people involved that made my birth experience wonderful. I highly recommend Helen. She was attentive, caring, gentle and yet strong when I needed to her to be. She was very intuitive to my needs and fears. My husband appreciated her as much as I did. Helen showed him how to best help me, which allowed him to play an effective role in my son’s delivery. We are forever grateful to Helen for being a part of Elliott’s birth. ”
“I met Helen in the first trimester of my very first pregnancy. My husband and I were eagerly seeking somebody who could guide us through what was to us a scary, new experience and we found that exact guidance with Helen.
She loves every second of what she does and that passion is evident from the moment you meet her.
From the coaching of how to breath through contractions to her signature delivery room aromatherapy, she offered me a place of comfort and assurance in a very sterile hospital room. My husband was equally grateful for her presence, and what really speaks to her nature: the entire nurse and doctor staff adore her!
I’ve never felt like a “client” of Helen’s. Once you go through the experience with her, you’ll want to call her family, too.”
“I can not recommend Helen enough! After having a c-section with my first born I was determined to have a vbac for my second pregnancy and wanted extra support to ensure that my wishes were heard! I started searching for a doula and after chatting with Helen on the phone I knew she was a perfect fit. I was concerned for my husband when it came time for labor and delivery wanted to be sure that he was also taken care of so I could remain as calm as possible! Helen is a saint, she listens and understands to what you’re wanting and she knew what to do to help me through labor when I didn’t even know what I needed. I still remember the calming smell of the essential oil she had misting in my room, the dimming of the lights and quieting the beeping machines. She’s like a Mary Poppins; she rolls in with everything needed and is so reassuring without stepping over your wishes at anytime. After 12 hours and vomiting through labor she was there to welcome our baby girl all while documenting it through pictures that I didn’t even realize were being taken. I cannot thank her enough for empowering me and helping me have the birthing experience I desired while putting my husband at ease! If my husband would agree to a third baby (he said no 😉) I would book her right away as she is an integral part to the journey and most certainly will be remembered with love for being there for us!!”
“Karen was an amazing doula. From the moment I met her, I could tell she was knowledgeable, confident and kind. She supported me through every aspect of my pregnancy and birth. She provided me with education, additional resources and round the clock support. When birthing time came, she eased my fears with her presence. She was my cheerleader and my advocate. She supported my husband and I both through labor and delivery and celebrated with us during the birth of our son. She took memorable pictures of us and even shared tears of happiness when my husband and I were about to welcome our son Earth-side. I admire Karen for her patience, optimism, and knowledge. She was just what we needed and I know God put her in our path for a reason. We are so grateful to Karen for all that she did for us during my pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum! I would recommend her one thousand times over! ”
““Having a doula by your side is like having a swiss army knife of birth with you.”
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“Even though I had a great team of midwives and nurses, I know I would not have achieved my goal of a vaginal birth without Karen as my doula. Because Karen is a former NICU nurse, Karen was able to help me understand how my labor was progressing and what the providers were thinking, in a way that the midwives and nurses did not have time for, so that I could be an active participant in decisions throughout labor and advocate for myself and my baby. She really gets to know her clients on a personal level, and she knew that praying with me during a difficult part of labor was exactly what I needed. Karen is a former La Leche League leader, and my baby latched quickly with Karen’s help. We were happily nursing in the delivery room well before hospital lactation arrived!”
I am so grateful that I had Karen with me during the birth of my second child. I had a pretty medical birth with my first (it was a high risk pregnancy) and while it wasn't exactly a negative experience, I felt I had little control over what happened during labor and delivery. I wished that I had someone I could trust who would help me advocate for myself when I wasn't sure what I could push back on and what I needed to accept for medical reasons.
Karen was exactly that for my second birth. She gave us tools to help decrease discomfort in the latter parts of my pregnancy. She served as a useful sounding board in the weeks leading up to the birth when I started to feel like my OBs weren't fully supportive of what I wanted. She was instrumental in helping me labor for over 24 hours at home before making it to the hospital just in time for my son to be born. She empowered me to trust that my body knew what to do when the nurses were telling me not to push until the doc arrived. Without her there supporting and advocating for me, I am certain that I would have given in to a lot more than I was comfortable with (it's hard not to in the thick of everything! That's why doulas are invaluable!)
She provided us with incredible support without imposing which was the perfect balance for the birth I wanted.
Jessica and Gian
Karen was a loving and knowledgeable support for our pregnancy and birth. Every time we spoke on the phone I felt like I was chatting with a friend who made herself readily available day and night after signing our contract and even well after birth. For every question or concern she had answers, ideas, strategies, and often research to support our needs.
Her past doula experiences, love for continued learning, plus nursing background and being a mother herself made us feel totally at ease leading up to and during the birth of our son. My husband said he felt supported by her too, she knew his comfort level and how he wanted to participate in the birth. He was able to stay close to comfort me while Karen more closely watched the progression and offered encouragement to both of us.
She stayed with is a after the birth to help with the first feeding and she felt like part of the family at that point. Our relationship with her continued to strengthen after birth and we loved having her over for postpartum visits where she went above and beyond to help us work through some issues. We are so thank full for Karen and welcome any chance to sing her praises so that others may experience the joy of having her on their birth team.
Kari, John, Jake and Colin
We LOVE Aussie Doula! She is seriously a family member to me now & I knew the minute I met her (after she came highly recommended to me by a friend & previous client of hers) that she was the right Doula for us & my husband who was initially skeptical about "needing" a Doula also loved her right away. We left our meeting with Helen & he said "You pay that woman whatever her fee is, I cannot go through this without her!" :) She was so helpful during my pregnancy & entire labor. She was in constant communication with my husband via text/phone while we chose to labor at home alone & promptly met us at the Birth Center as soon as we arrived. She is always very calm & professional, which I greatly appreciated & you can tell she is very experienced as well. She always made us feel comfortable & at ease. She was INVALUABLE when it came to a Hospital transfer that I decided to do & I never felt judged by her for one second for choosing to transfer. I knew Helen would have my back no matter what & she made us feel important & my feelings justified the entire time. She helped the hospital transfer go smoothly & her calming presence was reassuring for us the whole time. She also was very helpful with pain management (whatever she was doing squeezing my feet was alone worth everything we paid for her because I cannot describe how MUCH it helped during my later contractions!) Again, I simply do not have the words for how invaluable Helen was for us & how much we love her. HIRE. AUSSIE. DOULA :) Monica and Joey L
I can't recommend Helen enough! She was beyond supportive throughout the process. She put my mind at ease and answered all my questions with my birth plan. Throughout the birth process she was there to offer support before I even knew I needed it. She also SAVED the day when she talked to the charge nurse and sweet talked them to allow my mother and mother in law in the room with me. Something that meant so much to both of them as they had never experienced a birth other than their own, especially not a grandchild. She made it such a meaningful process and literally gave me strength throughout. Helen was worth every penny and more! Elly and Aaron K
I cannot imagine going through pregnancy, labor and postpartum without the amazing women from Aussie Doulas in my corner. I worked with Karen and she was nothing short of a God send. She was always quick to respond to my late night questions and calmed my fears as I neared 40 weeks. She assured me that my birth story would be beautiful. And she was right! Karen's calming presence, expertise and hip presses (of course) helped me achieve the unmedicated birth I hoped for. I'm so thankful for Aussie Doulas for making my birth such a great experience. My husband and I agree that they were an invaluable part of our birthing team. Amber B
Helen and team are both very professional and have warm bedside manner. Really appreciated working with Carley. They are people I trust to ask for nonmedical expertise (e.g. natural birth), which is important in holistic care when generally women are getting plenty of medical opinion through the hospital. I really appreciated the stretches we learned in the prenatal visit and having someone i knew and trusted who could quickly answer questions was better than the doctor's nurse line (e.g. sending photo, is this my mucus plug?). Having the additional support is worth its weight in gold just to assuage birthing anxiety.
My second daughter surprised us all with how quickly she made it into the world. It turns out that what I assumed were braxton hicks/another day of prodromal labor was, in fact, real labor. My little girl came rushing into this world 2 hours and 41 minutes after my contractions were painful and clearly ‘the real thing.’
Her quick arrival meant that we barely made it to the hospital for her birth and were sent to the ER because they wouldn’t take us in L&D. As you can imagine a birth in the ER is not quite what we had in mind. My daughter was born under bright lights, on a gurney, in front of too many people. Her delivery was treated as an emergency by virtue of the fact that she was born in the emergency department about 1 minute after we got to the hospital. The staff wouldn’t let Helen come in with us and her first minutes were hectic and not the calm experience that I had hoped for her.
Helen is responsible for returning to my husband and I the experience we wanted to have for our baby’s birth after circumstances took it away; calm, quiet, and intimate. After we were rescued from the ER by two fantastic L&D nurses who took control and got my baby into my arms, Helen quickly started nurturing my husband and myself so that we could focus on our girl. She covered me with warm blankets, got me water, and I am sure did many more things that I don’t remember because I was able to be engrossed in meeting my baby. She even took pictures of her first time breastfeeding and of my husband and I greeting her properly after her birth.
I will forever be grateful to Helen for jumping in and salvaging our birth experience. Our birth story is just one more example of how having doula is so wonderful no matter what your birth experience is.
Rachael Anastasia Collins IBCLC ( and Aussie Doula favorite boob whisperer)
Modern Day Mary Poppins
Carley is not only a wonderful doula, she’s also an amazing person. She’s the type of person that lights up the room with happiness and love. When I was struggling in the late stages of my long labor, she knew exactly how to nurture and help me relax. Carley was also very supportive of my husband throughout the whole process. She also came one night as a postpartum doula to help me when I was struggling and needed some rest. She arrived with a smile and hug and made me a cup of tea before sending me off to bed without a worry. I’m very lucky to have met Carley and had her as my doula.
Mary F
Dads love Doulas too!
It was a pleasant experience working with Carley. She was extremely helpful during labor and delivery. Carley was also very responsive to all of my wife’s needs throughout her time with us. I’d highly recommend Carley to anyone who is in search of a Doula that will go above and beyond to make sure her clients are taken care of.
Andre P
Aussie Doula is the absolute best! I was searching for a doula to assist me with my third pregnancy/delivery due to my previous delivery experiences that were pretty awful. I interviewed quite a few doulas but landed on the Aussie Doula website. As soon as I called Helen she was so welcoming and informative. She took the time to get to know ME and what I was looking for. She told me about all of her wonderful doulas and I ended up hiring Carley. Carley is truly a delight. She is such a beautiful person inside and out. She took the time to find out what I was looking for, what I wanted to happen during delivery, and informed me of all the choices I had as a mother. When the big day came she was there. Not to mention it was her anniversary...she came anyway. Who does that? An amazing doula. She was so supportive during the delivery and after. I know we could not have done it without her. My husband even said “Carley is amazing! I’m this close to loving her lol”. Although we won’t be having anymore kids, sometimes I wish I knew her for my two other pregnancy’s knowing she would be there to support me and get me through. I would recommend everyone to Aussie Doula. You will not be disappointed.
Cara P
Physician Family Parents
Helen is amazing. Our birth with her was one of the best days of my life. She did exactly what I was hoping she would...she sensed what I needed and just did those things...she was calm, quiet and present but gave me direction when she could tell I needed it. I remember thinking "is Helen reading my mind?" She also got some amazing pictures and made a beautiful slide show for us. She continued to make us feel so loved and special after Mac was here...she sees and loves the entire family, even bringing my 4 yo beads to make necklaces while we talked baby things for Mac. Helen is a special person, a kind friend, a loving presence and a wonderful doula
Avee and Lloyd R
Birth and Postpartum Lifesavers
Cannot recommend Helen and the Aussie Doula team enough! They helped us during the birth of my daughter as well as postpartum and have been a lifesaver. They are very professional, knowledgeable, proactive and caring. We would definitely use them again.
Nancy S
Jamie, Russell and Baby H
My husband and I wanted a natural birth, but my husband knew that he would have a difficult time seeing me fight through labor, so after some research, we decided to look into hiring a doula to help walk us both through with the birth process. Quite honestly, I wasn't completely sure about it, as I felt like childbirth was an intimate thing and I kind of wanted to be alone with my husband for it, but I agreed to interview doulas and have an open mind about the idea. Then we met Helen and Carley - they were absolutely AMAZING! 5 seconds after being in the car after meeting them we had already decided we wanted to hire Aussie Doula for our birth. There is no other way to say it : CARLEY IS THE BEST! I had my son a little over 3 weeks early, so we did not get to do the preterm meeting with her to explain our wishes, and even without that she was perfect - as was the care and support she provided! She was there to help, but did not take my husband's place - she made us both feel comfortable, helped reassure and support, and all around made the birth experience even more wonderful. She is very knowledgeable, very calm, soothing, and again - she is awesome! There is no doubt we will want her again for the next one! Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish - Thank you again so much!!
Andrew and Sabrina
Aussie Doula is the best support you can ask for during pregnancy and delivery. I highly recommend to anyone, regardless of the type of birth you plan to have. Carley was our doula and she was excellent to work with. She's knowledgeable, personable, and brings a calming presence into the delivery room.
Ellen D
Helen was a calm, cheerful presence during to birth of both of my children. I will forever remember her cool hands and delightful Aussie accent. In addition, she provided us with priceless photos we never would have remembered to capture of both labor/birth experiences.
Dana and Caleb
Hiring Helen to be our doula was the easiest choice of all the decisions we had to make, surrounding the birth of our babies. She made me feel confident about being able to have the natural birth I really wanted. Though things did not go as planned, and both my sweet babies needed to be born via c-section, it was the best thing I did for my labor. Her love and support throughout the entire process was really invaluable. I cherish our ongoing relationship and am thrilled to recommend her to anyone wanting the amazing support a doula can provide
Elizabeth, Bob, Archer and Felix
As a repeat Mum with Aussie Doula I can’t recommend Helen enough as a birth doula. Helen has an amazing and encouraging energy. She helped me stick with my birth plans and helped me to feel supported with all of my decisions. Even now postpartum I still feel the love and encouragement from Aussie Doula with the provided Hellies Bellies Meet Ups that occur monthly.
Alyssa, Kevin, Trent and Aubrey
Beautiful Unmedicated Birth
"I’m 12 weeks postpartum and just want to give a ringing endorsement to Aussie Doula - both Helen and Carley. I am a first time mom who took a little while to fall pregnant naturally. After getting our positive test, I knew I wanted to experience every ounce of my entire pregnancy - including labor and delivery. We met with Helen and Carley early on and clicked right away, they have such a positive energy. We hired Carley and she was very thorough in our prenatal meeting, reviewing and discussing every aspect of our birth plan. I had my heart set on an unmedicated hospital birth and she really helped me field questions and issues that arose throughout the end of pregnancy (GBS Positive, etc). When I went past due, I panicked about potential induction, she called me and assured me that we’d deal with that if it came to it. I went into prodromal labor on a Saturday and Carley talked me through an entire day of confusing symptoms and pains. Once contractions started to pick up on Sunday, Carley was in constant contact with me and my husband every hour keeping us very calm - to the point that I didn’t realize I was in active labor! At the hospital, she created a very calm and serene environment despite the sterile nature of the hospital. She worked so seamlessly with the medical staff, you would have thought they were old friends! She was an absolute dream to have by our side, especially post delivery. She ensured the baby latched immediately and that both my husband and I enjoyed “the Golden Hours” with proper skin to skin. Carley stayed until with us on a Sunday night in December while I calmed down from the birth and was able to stand and made sure I was all set to move to Recovery. She checked in on us several times post birth and came out to our house for a lovely postpartum visit where she provided a lot of advice and support to a first time mom. If you are a mom that is looking to have an unmedicated birth, I highly recommend Aussie Doula!"
Christina and Kirk A
Heather Fink Photography
Helen and her team are incredible. I met with several doulas before selecting Aussie Doulas. They helped my husband and I feel capable and comfortable before and during my labor. I couldn’t have delivered without an epidural if it weren’t for them!
Gabrielle R
Helen is an amazing soul and was an invaluable part of our birth experience. It’s true what they say about zoning out and going into “Birthland”, but there are a few details I remember... I remember looking up and scanning the room to find Helen’s eyes meet mine. Every. Single. Time. It was long ya’ll. Did she not take potty breaks?! Lol I remember her positioning the birthing peanut before I even voiced discomfort. I remember the essential oils she diffused in the room. I remember her championing for the popsicle I HAD to have when the staff said no more to eat. Lastly, I remember crying tears of joy and gratitude in her arms after our baby was earth-side. We couldn’t have asked for a more knowledgeable, calm, and gentle doula! I look forward to having Helen by my side for our next birth.
Courtney and David
Remote Doula Support
As we prepare for the birth of our second child in a few short weeks, I can’t help reminiscing on our first born. I’m reminded of a few words Helen shared with me then... the only thing predictable with these babies is that they are unpredictable. Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, I’m finding some comfort in her words. Thousands of miles away, now living in San Francisco, California, Helen will be in my heart. I will try to hold just a bit of her calm spirit as we head into this unpredictable time. I’d be overjoyed to have her here with me for number two, but I know that she continues to be a tremendous support to the families in Charlotte. We will always love you dearly, Helen!
Courtney and David
My husband and I had such a great experience using Helen as our Doula. While we were unsure at first about whether or not hiring a Doula would be necessary, in hindsight we were so happy to have such a tremendous resource available for us before, during, and after the birth. The actual birth of our baby didn't happen as we had expected (several weeks early), which made Helen's assistance and expertise all the more valuable. She got to us at the hospital on an hour's notice late in the night on a weekend and coached us through the birth in a loving, caring, and supporting way. Helen ensured that the birth of our wonderful baby girl was as close to our original wishes as possible even through we were a bit a head of schedule. She worked incredibly well with the medical staff which we have come to understand is an important variable and certainly not a given. Helen's care was so personal - caring for and motivating Mom through the difficult hours, as well as looking out for Dad and allowing the attention to be on the couple. We were so thankful to have Helen as our guide through the birth of our first child - it made a blessed experience even more magical!
Annie, Billy and Mary Beth C
I had the pleasure of having Helen attend the birth of my first baby and I truly believe that I couldn't have done it without her! She was an essential part of my birth team, bringing a bevy of expertise and the most positive attitude. She saved the day in the heat of the moment by finding my mother who was coming in from out of town and was lost in the hospital so she could be present for the birth of her first grandchild. It was a wild ride and I can't wait to do it again! 100% worth the money!$!
Helen and were team were incredible. Helen was the capable and compassionate guide through my labor and delivery that was so needed. She elevated my birth experience beyond what I could have dreamed. When I look back on my crazy 42 hours of labor, I remember it fondly as Helen helped my husband and I every step of the way
I cannot overstate how happy I am that I hired Helen and the vital role that she played in both of my births! She answered so many questions and provided such important recommendations throughout both of my pregnancies (most importantly, seeing a perinatal chiropractor), and helped bring my birth wishes to fruition both times. I wanted to do my first birth naturally if I could, but I had a sunny-side up baby resulting in hours of extremely intense back labor. But with the support of Helen, my husband, and my midwife, I was able to have the birth I wished for! I never could have done it without her. Unfortunately, covid-19 threw a wrench in our plans for baby no. 2, but that didn’t stop Helen from providing incredible support! She helped me labor at home as long as I needed before going to the hospital (only my husband was allowed to attend), and it was everything I had hoped for. I was unable to labor at home with my first, so the gift that Helen gave me by being there, providing support and creating a beautiful, calm environment was priceless. I am beyond grateful for everything that Helen has given- and continues to give- to my family!
Erin and Andrew S (Baby Cecilia and Evie)
Placenta Encapsulation Win!
I gave birth back in March right when the pandemic was beginning to ramp up so I didn’t actually have a chance to see Helen. But she was so helpful and came to the hospital parking deck while my husband went down to meet her to give her the placenta for the placenta encapsulation since no one was allowed in the hospital. She returned promptly and met my husband again for the trade off with the pills. I began taking them that day and had no problems with PPD, baby blues, milk supply and or tiredness. So grateful to Helen for going around some funky pandemic obstacles to still make everything work. I will definitely be recommending her services to all moms to be!
Erin Dylan
Preface: I’m a male and medical professional. I’ve worked with many doctors, nurses and other medical staff. Those mentioned are a necessity. When it comes to Labor and Delivery Helen Herzig is a necessity. She went from consultant to family while maintaining professionalism throughout. You NEED someone to be your guide through a shifting territory. Someone that can be your advocate as well. We had a terrific team but Helen’s knowledge, attentiveness to my wife and care was amazing. She even considered my needs (wasn’t expecting that).I cannot state enough superlatives. I rarely post anything and don’t give false praise. Helen’s is number two, after our physician on our call list for our next pregnancy. I know my wife will post eventually (new mom) but I felt the need to share. Helen—Thank you for everything!
Issac H
Just in case you only read 1 sentence... I CANNOT MORE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AUSSIE DOULA!!!
In March 2020, 6 months pregnant, my husband and I temporarily relocated to NC from NYC to escape the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic for what I thought would be a couple weeks. I could never have imagined delivering my first born baby and spending the first month of her life there. Yet, 4 months later, we were still in NC and SO GRATEFUL to have connected with Aussie Doula to help us navigate this crazy, uncertain time. Helen connected us with one of her postpartum doulas, Deidra, who saved us in the first month after our daughter's birth. Deidra brought such a calming presence into our home. I always felt more confident feeding, holding, and caring for my daughter when Deidra was there. Every morning when she left at 6am, her delightful perfume lingered on my baby and it reminded me to stay present, stay calm, and enjoy these sleepy newborn days.
Helen also introduced us to IBCLC, Rachael, aptly named "the boob whisperer." We knew nothing about congenital torticollis when our baby was born, but this condition was impacting her ability to feed and my comfort. I was very sore and squirmed in pain every time my daughter latched on in the early days. Rachael helped us problem solve and get to the root of the issues we were having. Now, 4 months later, our baby girl is chunky and BF is still going strong. Rachael also connected us with an infant physical therapist to work on the tightness in our baby's neck and the impact that was having on her early movement and feeding ability, which I never would have known to do without her guidance.
All in all, thanks to Aussie Doula, the birth of our daughter and first month of life was a lovely experience and I was delighted to have been connected with so many amazing women in the Charlotte area.
If you're pregnant of have a newborn baby, contact them!
Alexandra P
One of our sweet postpartum charges.
Helen was our doula for the birth of our twins in 2017, three years ago. When I look back on my experience one of the things that stands out as an incredibly bright spot is Helen! Her very presence in the room was reassuring and calming. I dare you to find a kinder and more vibrant and warm human than Helen. When the nurses asked me to do a practice push I looked wide eyed at Helen...I didn't even really know how to push. Because I had an epidural I didn't have any “urge” to push and really felt at a loss. She so calmly and clearly explained to me how to push...it was exactly what I needed. One practice push and they called for the doctor...whatever Helen told me...it worked! Because I was having twins, I had to deliver in the OR as a precaution. And because my babies were going to be over 6 weeks premature, there was a very large team of people in the room, waiting to care for each of the babes. It's incredibly vulnerable to give birth...let alone in a room with a dozen people. Between my amazing husband and my amazing doula I felt safe and cared for and empowered. The nurses voice told me when to push, but it was Helen whose face I focused on, and who coached me through each push and kept me focused and relaxed in between. When my daughter and then my son were delivered my husband was able to go to them, and I still had Helen. I needed her more than I knew I would. The whole situation (delivering in a bright cold OR, having my babies early and worrying about them being okay, being surrounded by so many strangers, etc...) was incredibly overwhelming...but having Helen near made me feel seen, safe, and capable. I could not speak more highly of our entire experience with Helen...from prenatal visits to birth to our postnatal visit in the NICU. She is professional, a wealth of knowledge and resources, and a true pleasure to be around! Hiring a doula was a really good decision. Hiring THIS doula was the best decision ever!
Kasey and Brandon H
Wonder mom and her little miracles
We will for sure be requesting the service of Aussie Doula again in our next birth! Carley was very professional and also had a personal touch that made my wife feel 100x better in the process. If you are looking for a great Doula, call here now! Thanks again, Carley, for being a part of my wife birthing our first little one.
A big shoutout to titi Raquel and Aussie Doula. My birthing experience wouldn’t have been the same if it wasn’t because of this lady. She rocks. She stayed with us way beyond the 19 hours of labor. No matter how tired she was, she never left our side and kept encouraging us, loving us, keeping us calm and didn’t miss a single detail of our health. She not only kept me and Jeff calm throughout the process, but also kept the medical team calm and positive. She made sure that the whole experience was what I wanted and advocated for, even when the pain was strong and I wasn’t able to pay attention, she guided the team in the right direction. I never felt afraid or worried because I knew she was watching every move and looking out for our best interests. This really helped to us relax and enjoy each other’s love. These team of ladies are just what you need to make your labor experience your own and truly enjoy the process. So grateful to have meet Helen and Raquel before labor, it made my experience so loving and exactly what I want it. I will share my labor story forever.
Gabriela R
Helen was knowledgeable, caring, and very easy to work with. Her professionalism, sense of urgency and follow through made me feel very well taken care of. I would highly recommend her for placenta encapsulation.
QiQi D
I don't even know where to begin in singing the praises of Helen and her staff, in particular Sabrina with whom we ended up working very closely throughout my wife's active labor. Aussie Doula was recommended to us by our nurse midwives and from the first call with Helen we knew they would be a solid fit. She and her staff went above and beyond to support my wife and I both before our son's birth (through her amazing support network) and during what ended up being long, traumatic birth experience. Despite the challenges of labor during covid-19, Sabrina came to our home and labored with us for many days in a row- further, she and Helen made themselves available to us any time day or night for questions, assistance, guidance etc. I can truly say that Sabrina was as helpful to me as the father and birth partner as she was to my wife and I couldn't have felt as confident as I did through the process without her excellent guidance and support. The team has been equally amazing after the birth, suggesting both a lactation consultant and a bodywork person who have been instrumental in helping my wife and I settle in to this new life. Bottom line is that I would hire Helen and her team a thousand times over as I truly don't know how we would've made it through the challenges we faced without them in our corner. They're the best and get my highest recommendation!!
Mike F
I second everything my husband Mike Flanagan said. I had no idea how important having one of Helen’s fabulous Doula’s would be in our birth experience. Sabrina was so calming, empowering, and everything and anything she needed to be in the moment. She was such a strong support in the whole birth experience and so essential in making us comfortable when we got back home. I cannot recommend Sabrina more highly. It is beyond valuable to have one of these magic ladies with you to support and nurture you when you need it most. I am so grateful to have had her support! Hiring one of the Aussie Doulas is the best choice we made in our pregnancy and birth journey. I cannot be more grateful for their team and particularly Sabrina.
Leila Flanagan
We will for sure be requesting the service of Aussie Doula again in our next birth! Carley was very professional and also had a personal touch that made my wife feel 100x better in the process. If you are looking for a great Doula, call here now! Thanks again, Carley, for being a part of my wife birthing our first little one.
Blaire and Mike B
We had the most incredible experience with Helen and Aussie Doula and could not imagine our birth story without her. Helen’s virtual support throughout the pandemic was so helpful. At our 36 week prenatal visit, she helped us make our plan and gave us tips on how to prepare in our final weeks of pregnancy. But to have her in the delivery room with us was absolutely invaluable. She helped guide my husband to best support me and acted as our advocate with the hospital staff when needed. With Helen by our side, we felt safe, cared for, and were able to achieve our ideal birth experience — and we could not be more grateful to her for that. Not only is Helen a skilled doula, but she is also a wonderful person through and through. We are honored to be part of the Aussie Doula family!
Danielle and Mike P
I wholeheartedly recommend Aussie Doula, and Doula Carley. We hired a doula because we didn't have any close friends or family who had recently given birth, so didn't have any resources for what to expect, whats normal, what to prepare, etc. We didn't want to rely only on the internet and on books. Having Carley and Helen as guides, patient and experienced voices, was PRICELESS. I came to Carley with any unexpected event in my pregnancy, from weird headaches to late night lost confidence. Carley helped me understand my OB's recommendations and make decisions about my care. Because of the pandemic, Carley was not able to be with us in person during labor and delivery, but was in touch and available with me and my husband for the entire process. I will continue to recommend Helen, Carley and Aussie Doula to expectant parents.
Alicia B
Seriously cannot recommend Helen enough after the birth of our second son. It was meeting with another doula that she had a feeling I needed to meet Helen before making a decision. I’m so thankful I did and knew right away I wanted her present and a part of our experience. Sharing with her the difficult first labor I had and change in birth plan, she knew how badly I wanted a redemptive birth. Having a home birth it was comforting knowing Helen had experience in homes as well as having her own home birth. Labor is such an intimate, vulnerable and at times scary moment and she helped lead me through along with an amazing group of strong and brilliant women! We are forever greatful to you Helen!!
Brook and David M
Carley helped carry me through my labor. She was critical in assisting with my natural birth and coaching my husband in how to be a more effective birth partner!
Katherine B
Great Postpartum Doulas
Since our elder family members couldn’t travel to be with our family after the birth of our second child, my MIL purchased postpartum doula services to help out. I had no idea what to expect and was even worried that there wouldn’t be enough to fill the 4 hour visits we decided upon (my older child was cared for by her nanny, it was me and the baby, I was healthy, right?!). I was 100% wrong. Jenn was amazingly helpful with things that I hadn’t anticipated, being a new mom of 2. Her help really was critical to transitioning to a 2 child household while staying (mostly) sane. When you distribute some of the other stuff, you just get to enjoy your new beautiful baby and in that sense, she was really priceless. Owner Helen matched Jenn to us and is also just the most lovely human. I shout my love of Aussie Doula from the rooftops of google! P.S. Get the massage. Kelly is fabulous, and you deserve it.
Renee P
My midwife recommended the Aussie Doula team and Helen helped me pair up with one of her wonderful doulas, Sabrina.. I was trying for a v-bac since my first birthing experience ended with an unplanned C-section that crushed my confidence and made me fear the labor experience. But having Sabrina with me this time made all the difference. She was the perfect combination of encouraging, practical, hands-on and calming. My husband and I are so grateful to have had her guidance and support which got me all the way through an un-medicated water birth.
Jubilee B