She did not force her own agenda but gently made informed suggestions and always with a wonderful warm energy.

Rachel went above and beyond in her support and loving kindness in helping bring our baby girl, Frida, into the world. As a first time mother I had concerns and expectations about what my labor experience would be like. Rachel, first and foremost, listened to our needs and goals and reinforced confidence that I had the strength and focus I would need for whatever my labor would entail. She did not force her own agenda but gently made informed suggestions and always with a wonderful warm energy. Needless to say I had a long and difficult labor experience and I can't imagine having the strength to endure it if it wasn't for Rachel. When I was confronting my greatest challenge and felt stressed by just being in the hospital she made space for me to refocus and assure me I had the strength to continue. This was just what I needed. I felt overwhelmed by all that was happening around me in the hospital and she was there to remind me to breathe and center myself. She also made sure my partner had everything he needed. After the labor and delivery she was there to follow up several times postpartum. Rachel went above and beyond our expectations and we consider her family

E & M

She made me feel like I had someone in my corner at all times.

I contacted Rachel very late into my pregnancy. I was nervous and had close to no idea about what was to come or what I was doing. Rachel quickly calmed all of my fears and worries. She was always available and she never appeared irritated by overflow of questions. Rachel sent me additional resources for anything that we would discuss over the phone. She was incredibly knowledgeable and always knew exactly what to say. In the rare event that she did not know the answer to something, she would call me back/ email me with the answer to the question I asked. Rachel was also very helpful and a pleasure to have at my birth. She was so thoughtful that she even thought of minor things like a rounded metal straw to help me drink my water more easily. We then spent over 14 hours together. She helped me with my breathing and with remaining calm. She gave me stellar advice as I spoke to the doctors and nurses. She made me feel like I had someone in my corner at all times. I would recommend Rachel to anyone and I have already actively championed her to everyone who has asked me about my pregnancy.

C

Without her calming presence and excellent recommendations in movement and with massage, I don’t want to think about how my labor would have been without heR.

It is hard to describe the debt of gratitude I feel towards Rachel. I can't imagine the labor without her. My labor lasted for 3 days and she stayed on top of it the whole way through. When we freaked out every couple of hours, she was there to soothe our worries. When we contacted her at odd hours requesting her presence, she was there. When we wanted strange foods at odd times, she came through. By day 2 when the labor was not progressing, Rachel had us over her place and let us use all the facilities as needed. Without her calming presence and excellent recommendations in movement and with massage, I don’t want to think about how my labor would have been without her. She was stalwart through the whole process and I want to thank her so much for all she did for me and my now growing family!

T & P

her specifically inclusive attitude towards my husband made the birth process so much more comfortable for my family.

Rachel was genuinely caring and invested in my birth from the moment we invited her to be our doula. Her calming and compassionate nature towards me, and her specifically inclusive attitude towards my husband made the birth process so much more comfortable for my family. Having Rachel present for such an important day in our lives was a decision we’d gladly make again!

T & E

She provided excellent care going the extra mile even encouraging me to voice my concerns on anything that I was unsure about.

Rachel Andre is an exceptional doula I was so blessed to come into contact with her during my pregnancy. I wasn't planning on having my baby in a hospital, but Rachel made it possible to follow my birth plan as close as humanly possible. She provided excellent care going the extra mile even encouraging me to voice my concerns on anything that I was unsure about. Whatever was asked and things that didn't seem to be the role of a doula Rachel preformed above and beyond. She provided me with all around superior support during  prenatal, labor and postpartum. I want to thank Rachel for loving what she does and sharing her love of her craft with me and my partner. We both learned so much and we greatly appreciate it. 

A & H

Hiring a doula was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I'm very happy to have had Rachel as mine.

When I got pregnant, I wasn't sure I wanted to hire a doula. But because my husband doesn't do well in medical situations, I was looking for additional emotional support. A friend put me in touch with Rachel, and I'm so glad she did. Hiring a doula was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I'm very happy to have had Rachel as mine.

Rachel knew I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to hire someone, but she was open and understanding during our initial call. She never pressured me or tried to sell herself. Instead, we had a friendly conversation and she gave me the information I needed to make my decision. 

Because of the pandemic, our first meeting was via video chat. Again, she made me feel comfortable, even though I was nervous about having such a personal meeting not in person. She addressed my concerns and even sent me helpful articles and videos. When we were able to meet in person, she brought along resources to help me prepare for labor and having a new baby at home. 

The birth didn't go as "planned" - but I think it's fair to say they rarely do. I was induced, and it was a very long process. Rachel was calm and patient. She helped me stay relaxed and comfortable, and provided emotional support for both me and my husband. She talked through our questions for the medical staff with us and helped me stay grounded when I was starting to feel very out of it after many hours in the hospital. I ended up getting a cesarean, but went into it feeling prepared and ready to finally meet my little guy. 

I opted to have a postpartum meeting with Rachel as well, and I recommend the follow-up visit. It was a chance for her to meet the baby she helped bring into the world, and let me talk through my feelings about the experience, learn more about what to expect while breastfeeding and caring for a newborn, and thank her in person for being an important part of such a special moment in my life.

C & B

I interviewed eight doulas before finding Rachel and she was by far the person I felt was not only trustworthy but empathetic, knowledgeable, and balanced.

The process of finding a doula felt like a daunting task to me. To find someone to support you through one of the most intense and important and personal experiences in life is hard but the thought that this person will start out as a stranger made it feel even more stressful. It takes a lot for me to trust someone and I'm not very easy to win over. I interviewed 8 doulas before finding Rachel and she was by far the person I felt was not only trustworthy but empathetic, knowledgeable, and balanced. I am happy to report that she was not only these attributes but also fun and natural. She knew what to do when and what to say and how. She gave us the style of support we needed and made sure we felt up to this most important event. I am so grateful that Rachel was a part of our team and do not want to even think about a scenario where she was not with us. 

E & G

She gave me the tools to be my own advocate, and when I said I was ready to push, she backed me up even When the nurse didn't think I was. Turns out we were right, and the baby ended up coming out before the doctor even got into the room!

I do not want to imagine what my birth process would have been without Rachel. Our hospital and doctors recommended a doula, and during COVID as first time parents, the idea of having someone experienced on our side was a real comfort. We had two pre-natal visits with Rachel where we went over what we wanted, and what we should be thinking about that we didn’t know we should be.

Rachel immediately got our "vibe" and made sure we knew that we were in control of the experience and gave us the keys to know when to ask questions and be our own best advocates. I ended up laboring at home for several hours (Rachel was on the phone with me for a good portion of it) before going to the hospital in the middle of the night, where we confirmed my water broke, and Rachel met us shortly after. It happened to be a particularly busy night and we were stuck in triage for a while.

Rachel was a godsend. She was able to stand in when my husband needed a little break, and came supplied with snacks, ginger candies and face wipes to help stave off the early labor side effects. After 20 hours in labor, Rachel coached me through breathing and dealing with the pain, all while helping my husband provide the best support (physically and emotionally). She identified when I needed to take deep breaths to help the baby's heart rate, and connected with the nurses/doctors when she knew I needed their attention. She gave me the tools to be my own advocate, and when I said I was ready to push, she backed me up even when the nurse didn't think I was. Turns out we were right, and the baby ended up coming out before the doctor even got into the room! Rachel stuck around, took some great pictures of our new family and kept us in the loop with everything that was happening to me and the baby after birth.

Rachel was the perfect combination of a guide map and friend to make us feel supported and as much in the know as possible. 10/10 would recommend and wouldn't have another baby without her. 

L & I

I needed someone to hold my hand through it all, and she did that, plus a million other things.

Working with Rachel as our doula was the best decision I have made as a parent. She is simply the kindest, most patient, most giving person I have ever been lucky enough to meet. She is also just really fun and goofy, you definitely will want her to be your new best friend!
I was very anxious about giving birth, but Rachel was so positive and excited for us, it really did help with my mindset. I needed someone to hold my hand through it all, and she did that, plus a million other things. Even while I was still in labor, my husband was saying he didn't know how we would have gotten through it without her. Hour after hour she was still 100% hands-on. And postpartum she was equally amazing.
Maybe the highest recommendation I can give, is that my Obstetrician asked for her contact! She said she was the most active doula she had ever worked with.
We love Rachel!!

J & P