“Lou provided excellent prior care. Our birth preferences were thoroughly covered. We did a walk through in our home. Brainstormed nursery layout ideas and labor at home ideas. She gave my husband really good advice that he acted upon. She also helped me feel very calm, heard, respected, and ready!
We then met Lou at the hospital where she was wonderful. She didn’t change the vibe or dynamic we had going on with our midwife but she added to it giving me reminders of my preferences and remembering my hopes.
She kept the vibe of the space really nice playing our music when requested and knew exactly where to find it. Kept the diffuser filled. Kept me fanned and cool. And then massaged me and put me to sleep right when I needed rest but didn’t think I did. Overall she was incredible!”
— HS, Clinton Hill 2023
“Lou supported me with the birth and delivery of my daughter. She was extremely helpful and literally an angel. She checked in on me frequently before and after the birth. Lou provided outstanding support mentally and physically.
I had a difficult labor due to having been induced as I had low water and restrictive growth and Lou provided assistance every step of the way. My labor lasted 2 days and Lou brought such a calming energy, always keeping me motivated, and although I was in distress mentally and physically, her presence was a breath of fresh air. She taught me breathing techniques as well as exercises that helped induce labor.
She encouraged me to make the best decisions for me and my baby and provided me with an in depth explanation of what my options were, advocating for my needs at all times with hospital personnel. I am eternally grateful for having had Lou present during one of the most important moments of my life, she is truly a caring and genuine soul. ”
— Gabriela, Tribeca, 2023
“Hiring Lou was a wonderful decision. With humor, openness, warmth, and knowledge, Lou guided my husband and I through making choices about our baby’s birth and supported us through labor and postpartum.
In the days before I went into labor, having Lou to call and text as I tried to figure out what my body was doing and how to best physically and emotionally prepare for labor was extremely helpful. She gave me suggestions for activities for my body, but also listened to my anxiety and helped me feel more patient about it all. When I went into labor, I was so relieved to have Lou to call. It was the middle of the night, but she answered on the first ring and sat with me on the phone through some rough contractions. When I decided I had had enough and needed to go to the hospital, she was completely supportive. I was working with some excellent midwives, but I did feel that they were not taking seriously my dehydration (I was unable to keep any liquids down) and were pushing for me to stay home longer.
Having Lou in my corner to say that I should go if I feel I need to go was centering. When I got to the pushing stage, Lou guided me to push on my side, cooled me down with a cold compress, and gave me helpful visualizations. She also gently advocated for me to wait to push until I was fully feeling the urge - and I’m glad I waited because I pushed for less than 15 minutes!”
— Caroline, Long Island City 2023
“We loved working with Lou and felt like her approach was really well aligned with our preferences for a lower intervention hospital birth.
Lou was a wonderful guide for me prenatally. We met a bunch of times both in person and virtually. She was flexible, affirming, and made the process of birth prep feel fun!
On the day I went into labor, Lou helped me to make decisions and made sure we got to the hospital in time. She knew the hospital and staff well and was calm and reassuring in moments of potential stress.
Postpartum Lou checked in on us and helped connect us to lactation support and other resources as needed. So happy we had her on our team. ”
— First-time parents, Bed-Stuy 2023
“Lou brought a sense of calm, reassurance, and thoughtfulness into the hospital room. Especially when things got tough and stressful, she was our anchor! ”
— First-time parents, SoHo 2023
“Lou was the perfect “angel on the shoulder” throughout the later months of pregnancy, deep in the trenches of our labor and birthing experience, and as a helpful postpartum friend.
She helped us understand what we needed to think about, questions to ask our providers, and the best ways to prepare for birth. She did this all without pandering to us, never afraid to tell us how she felt or when we were in the wrong.
Throughout the birthing experience, my partner and I constantly turned to her for guidance. When things were going well, we looked to her to ask if this would continue. When complications arose, she helped us breathe, think, question, and move forward with our preferred method.
To be honest, we were hesitant to hire a doula and Lou herself, but now couldn’t imagine going through that experience without her. She’ll forever be deeply embedded in the memory of our child’s birth, and also a friend borne out of that experience. ”
— AH, Greenpoint, 2023
“Without Lou my labor experience without a doubt would’ve gone sideways.
Her presence allowed me to be calm. Her expertise in reading monitors, asking the right questions, reminding me of my patient rights, and knowledge of positions allowed me to remain strong and achieve my wish of a birth canal delivery (even after induction).
My labor was extremely long and difficult; my partner could not do all that needed to be done. Lou stepped up to help both of us during the most important time in our family’s life.
I recommend her to my pregnant friends and am grateful she was present for my labor and delivery.”
