Reviews
I was fortunate enough to have Alyssa as my doula and photographer and had my placenta encapsulated. Best money I’ve ever spent… especially the photos because they are just so beautiful and we look back at them all the time. My birth was fast and furious and Alyssa helped ground me and provided support and she is just so knowledgeable about labor and what the birthing mother might need in that moment. There were so many little things she did during and after that I didn’t notice until I reflected back, and I just really appreciated all that she did for us. Love love love her!
I honestly don’t even know where to start there are so many amazing things I can say about Alyssa but my words don’t even come close to giving you a glimpse of how amazing she is. My search started because I knew i wanted to do everything possible to not end up getting an induction leading to a c section which i have seen so many of my friends go through. I met with another doula in the valley and it seemed if i wasn’t committed to being 100% natural then i was somehow lesser than. I knew i wanted to give birth in a hospital and would most likely get an epidural so I continued my search. I’m so thankful because this lead me to Alyssa. The moment you meet her she is so calming and sweet and in my opinion when looking for a doula, not judgmental at all. I truly felt and believe she wanted whatever i wanted and that was the experience I got. My labor with my first baby was 45 hours and had i not sent her home for a break and to get some sleep I know she would have been by my side for 2 straight days. My baby was in a posterior position and Alyssa worked with me the whole time trying to get her in a better position. She was so unconcerned at least on the outside about her position I was never worried that i wouldn’t be able to deliver her vaginally. She was so helpful and an incredible sounding board throughout the whole 45 hours. After My daughter was born one of the nurses made a comment how i was lucky i was able to push out a sunny-side up baby- as they usually und in a c section. I was so surprised i didn’t even realize this was a possibility and i attribute that to Alyssa for keeping me calm and never letting my mind go to my worst case scenario. Her service as a doula is invaluable and i would make the same decision 1000 times over. I text her to hire her for my second baby before i was even pregnant. Throughout my second pregnancy she assured me that my second labor experience would be even better than my first. I kept my expectations low and just said whatever happens is fine, but less than 45 hours would be nice. My family went through some hard times during the end of my second pregnancy causing my insurance to change and having to change providers at 37 weeks pregnant. Alyssa went over and above her doula services and was such a rock for me mentally my last few weeks of pregnancy. Honestly knowing i would have her with me gave me so much peace since I now had a new doctor. I was on the fence about birth photography but she encouraged me to get it and not from a business perspective, from a place of knowing i would regret it if i didn’t. She was right. The pictures are so beautiful I’m sad i don’t have them from the birth of my daughter. When it was time to have my son, my water broke and my initial reaction was to start crying hysterically, i called Alyssa and she immediately set my mind at ease and calmed me down. My second labor was 12 hours which felt so fast after a 45 hour labor. She was once again so amazing and did exactly what we had talked about for my birth plan the second time around. My husband, who initially did not see the value in a doula has been singing her praises since the birth of our daughter. As soon as i got pregnant the second time, one of his first questions was if I had text Alyssa yet to make sure we get to have her with us again. When we were leaving the hospital the second time he said “it’s kinda sad we are not having a third and we don’t get to work with Alyssa again”, and i totally agree with him. She has made an incredible impact on our lives and I’m forever grateful and indebted to her. If you’re pregnant, work with Alyssa and her team, you will not regret it.
Megan was seriously the best to have at birth with us. She intuitively knew what I needed when without me having to use brain power to figure out what I needed and then find the words to ask for it. She helped my husband feel empowered about how to be helpful during the birth process and be a part of it, rather than a bystander feeling like his hands were tied. Plus she took beautiful photos. 100% recommend. Love you, Megan!
I'm writing this review an entire year late, but it still needs to be written because Alyssa was AMAZING! I wasn't sure I needed a doula, but my husband thought it would be good for him to have someone to help him with advice to better support me. I only made that decision and met Alyssa shortly before the birth, but she made me feel like we had tons of time to bond and go over all of my concerns. When it came to the birth, I 100% would not have been able to continue with my home birth if it weren't for her. She did help reassure my husband, as planned, but she also calmed me down. She knew just what to say to help me believe in my ability to get through the difficult parts and remember the stages of the birthing process. I had such a wonderful birth experience because of her support! Not only that, but when Alyssa dropped off the placenta capsules it was a game-changer! That made such a difference to help stabilize my hormones that I've raved to all my friends about it to save them some tears as well. If I have another baby, there's no way I'd do it without Alyssa and the wonderful services Cherry Blossom Doula provides!
I cannot overstate integral Megan‘s role was during my pregnancy birth process and postpartum. I knew from the moment we met that she saw the vision of what I was hoping for. What I loved about her immediately was that she was completely open to whatever type of birth experience we wanted to create we chose to have our baby in a hospital. She came in the middle of the night and stayed with me and my husband for three days during a really stressful labor and an emergency C-section. She wasted no time creating the environment and making me feel safe during an otherwise scary process. My husband has mentioned more than once that he initially thought a Doula‘s role was really to guide the person actually doing the birthing and didn’t realize how supportive and amazing she would be for him too. I am truly grateful that she will forever be a part of the experience that brought my son into this world. I could go on and on about the support I felt during my pregnancy and postpartum. She connected me with a postpartum Doula when I felt desperate. Overall She is wonderful, Cherry blossom is wonderful and I can’t recommend her or their services enough.
Aleta was the absolute best support during my postpartum journey! Words cannot describe the help and comfort she provided in the 12 weeks we were fortunate enough to have her with us. Being a first time Mom, I had no idea what to expect and she was there to guide me every step of the way. Everything I know about newborn care is thanks to her. She made sure not only that my baby was fed and well rested, but that I was fed and had time to rest. I also had fresh water next to me at all times breastfeeding makes you sooo thirsty! I never had to ask for anything because she was always one step ahead and it was already done. Laundry, dishes, restocking baby supplies, meal prepping, belly binding, grocery pick up, coffee runs, she did it all! I could go on and on, but we are so grateful to have had Aleta and if we could have her stay and help forever, we would!
Rose is an amazing doula. The support she provided during my pregnancy, birth, and in the postpartum period was exceptional. Rose is one of the kindest, sweetest and caring people I have ever known. The love she has for people specifically babies and children shines and her calming presence is exactly what I needed and wanted on this journey of motherhood. I'd highly recommend cherry blossom to any mama!
I didn’t decide to get a doula until late into my third trimester and I am so glad that I did! My original doula was Hannah and when I met with her she answered all the questions I had and really took the time to help me feel supported in every way. If I ever had any questions or concerns, I could contact her anytime. Unfortunately, Hannah wasn’t able to be there for my labor, as I went into labor a week early and she was with someone else, but she assured me that someone would be there for me. She sent Megan in her place and as soon as Megan came in, I immediately felt calm and happy she was there. She was so kind and supportive as I was laboring down and my contractions were increasing. She immediately jumped in and offered so many different tools to help me work through each contraction as they came. My labor didn’t end how I would have ideally wanted it to, but I don’t know what I would have done without her. I honestly feel like my labor would have been more traumatic for me if she wasn’t by my side. I appreciate everything Megan did for me and never felt judged for any decision I made. She seriously has the perfect personality for the job and if I ever have another child I would love for her to be a part of that journey with me again.
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Hannah Alley at cherry blossom doulas. I barely knew what a doula was when I got pregnant. The more books I read and research I did I knew I wanted a doula to support me through my birth. My husband and I knew we would not have any family at or around us for our birth so it was important to me that I carefully chose a birth team who I completely trusted and aligned with to bring into my home and help bring my baby earth side. When I met with Hannah for the first time she said to me “ whoever is meant to be at your birth will be there”. That’s exactly how I felt after talking with Hannah. I needed her on my birth team. She was meant to be there. She showed up for me in so many ways. She was my rock throughout my pregnancy and my birth. My husband was amazing through it all but there’s something different about having a woman like Hannah who is so passionate about serving women through their journey guiding me through it all. My labor was long and felt as if it would never end. There were times I was so discouraged but Hannah’s confidence in me gave me the confidence to keep going. not that I really had another choice lol. Her gentle reminders, words of affirmation, physical support and her presence and energy were exactly what I needed to deliver my baby at home. She left us with a beautiful memory and beautiful photos of our home birth that we will cherish forever. Money well spent. I pray that the stars will align and she can be at all of my births. Hire her. She’s spdecial. You wont regret it.
Alyssa is the best doula you will find! She has been my doula for all three of my children's births, and I can't imagine not having her there for each one, due to the amazing level of support, love, and care she gave for each one. She gives her all and puts 100% of her heart into her work. It's not just a job for her, but a passion and calling to give mothers the best birth experience possible. Giving birth is such a vulnerable time in our lives, and being well cared for at this time, contributes hugely to the wellness and well-being of not only the mothers but also all of the children in our community, by giving mom's this gift of starting out so well cared for, and this is something Alyssa does so well. My first birth ended up being an unplanned c-section, even though I started out at a birth center, and planned on giving birth naturally, things just did not turn out that way. Having Alyssa by my side through all of the twists and turns, turned what could have been a very traumatic experience into one I remember with joy, and the miracle of witnessing the birth of my first son. She turned out to be an invaluable resource of knowledge, recommending the best midwives when I needed to transfer care, and gave me the support and encouragement I needed to be able to make the best decisions for our family, when the hospital was falsely telling me I didn't have any choices. She was by my side, giving constant support and counter pressure in what turned out to be a very long trial-of-labor. And when we needed finally to have the c-section, she helped ease our nerves, and instead helped us to be excited that we were soon to meet our sweet baby! Taking some fun pictures before the surgery and amazing pictures of his first minutes of birth and some sweet snuggles afterwards in recovery. My second son, was born at a birth center, and was the beautiful VBAC water birth of my dreams. Even though I was scared at first, and unsure if I would be able to do it or not, Alyssa gave me confidence that my body knew what it was doing, and stayed by my side with each contraction, offering massage, counter pressure, pouring water on my back in the tub, offering sips of water, aromatherapy, and constantly reassuring me that each contraction was bringing me closer to meeting my sweet baby. She is so good at keeping moms informed as well of each change that is happening, and the progress that is being made, which is so encouraging to hear, while in labor! My daughter was born in the same birth center, and was my second VBAC, also born in the water. Although I came into this pregnancy with much more confidence of a successful VBAC, I didn't even hesitate calling Alyssa, because I knew she was such a big part of my success! With my baby girl, I labored at home overnight, and she met me at the birth center in the morning. I was so happy to see her! It was like meeting an old friend, and right away, she was again by my side, supporting and encouraging, giving my husband a break when needed, and taking the most beautiful birth photos, all at the same time! Alyssa was and is a huge blessing to me, in the birth of my three children, as I know she is to all of her clients. I'm so thankful for her, and hope you are lucky enough to have her by your side, during this sweet time in your life, of pregnancy and birth. <3