When anticipating giving birth for the first time, I couldn’t have imagined just how crucial Tynesha’s role would be at my natural birth. Our prenatal sessions were informative and important for building a rapport that enabled her to support me exactly as I needed during my labor. During contractions, she offered pain relief by using counter-pressure techniques and heat application, as well as massage between contractions for my aching back. She anticipated my needs to suggest new positions and helped me establish a focal point (a candle) that became critical to staying calm during intense contractions and during the pushing phase. She supported my husband throughout the process as well, guiding him in assisting me. I labored at the natural birth center for 30 hours before giving birth, and Tynesha stayed by my side for almost the entire time - taking only a few very short rest breaks for herself - never showing me her fatigue but always providing calm, steady encouragement. The emotional support she provided reassured me when I felt overwhelmed. In addition to the important help she offered during my labor, Tynesha’s prenatal and postpartum visits have been wonderful. She has given me many ideas for caring for myself and my new baby as well as hands on support at my home. She provided a referral to a lactation consultant by contacting the consultant on my behalf with all of the information she had collected regarding my breastfeeding, streamlining the process. Her detailed written notes on my labor proved valuable as well when I had questions weeks after giving birth. I also need to say that Tynesha has a great sense of humor! Our appointments were truly fun and we shared lots of laughs, which has been especially important to me amid the challenges of the postpartum period.

I can’t say enough good things about Tynesha. When my wife and I talked about what we wanted and needed in a doula, we firstly needed someone that we trusted and could give calm clear guidance to my wife through the birthing process, it was also crucial that I as the husband felt like that if I needed to step out of the room for anything that my wife would be totally supported in anything she needed. Tynesha checked all of those boxes and more! We really couldn’t have asked for anything more and are so grateful we found her to walk through such a special experience for our family!

Tynesha was our doula for the birth of our first child. She wrapped us in her calm, loving experience through the entire process, from 8 months to postpartum. I appreciated her knowledge of natural and western practices, calming presence, massage, and willingness to travel with me through the ups and downs of the whole day of my baby's arrival. It was an amazing experience.