Client Testimonials

I had done so much preparation for a natural, vaginal childbirth. I started as soon as the strip turned pink (although if we’re being honest, I started long before that). My husband and I read so many books from Ina May to the Bradley Method. We watched documentaries from The Business of Being Born to The Nine Months that Made You. To say we were prepared for childbirth may actually be an understatement. However, no amount of preparing could have gotten us ready for the marathon of labor with my son. The only thing that got us through was having Devastasha there as our doula.

Devastasha met with us before birth and was available to answer all of our questions we had as our baby bean grew big enough to make his way into the world. She is a fountain of maternity and birthing information, and, just as importantly, knows just what to say to encourage you. She also makes sure to get to know YOU: who you are not only as an expectant mother, but as a person, as well as exactly the kind of birth you want along with realistic concessions that may need made along the way.

When I went into labor on April 3rd, she walked me through laboring at home until I felt ready to go to the hospital (something she knew was important to me). She encouraged me to listen to my body and my gut on when it was time, and didn’t force me one way or the other. “This is YOUR birth,” she kept reminding me.

When we arrived at the hospital, a solid 7-8 hours after going into labor, and we found out I hadn’t dilated, she reassured me and made sure I didn’t feel discouraged. When the resident immediately started suggesting drug-based options to progress, something I didn’t want, she made sure to speak up on my behalf. When we settled on a foley bulb to help with my progress, and the team came to insert it, she double checked that there were no drugs being used with it, and thank God she did because the resident had ordered it without my consent!

When the bulb was successful at 4 cm dilation, she celebrated with my husband and I. When I progressed to 5 cm on my own, she celebrated with us again. She walked the labor and delivery suite hall with me more laps than I can even count, encouraging me, reassuring my husband, and helping calm us both.

When my labor stalled and I was unsure of how to proceed, she brilliantly suggested time to think. And when I finally agreed to having my water broken, she held my hand and helped my husband clean the gushes that, I kid you not, would have filled a kiddie pool. When my labor was still stalled, and I finally agreed to pitocin, she held my hand through my fear and reassured me that I had made the right choice and that we can get through it. When the contractions took over in a transition-style intensity and I still hadn’t made progress and I begged for an epidural (probably a solid hour or 2 after I should have asked), she sent my husband to RUN to find the nurse and ask for one and held my hand and reassured me that it didn’t make me weak and that, again, I was making the right choice for the circumstances. When after making some progress on the epidural, but not enough to birth my baby vaginally, the doctor began discussing a cesarean section, she asked the doctor how much time we had to try to avoid that. During that given time she pulled out all of the stops, right alongside my husband, to help me dilate that final centimeter. When my cervix made it known that it was never going to cooperate, she reassured me that it wasn’t my fault and that she’d be there for the whole procedure. During the surgery birth, she supported my husband as my blood pressure drastically and dangerously dropped and then comforted him in post-op until I was brought back.

Throughout my whole 62.5 hours of labor and the hour of my belly birth, she laughed, cried, and labored right along with me. She truly takes her doula role seriously and goes above and beyond to make sure you get the best birth experience that you possibly can given the unpredictable and unplanned cards we are all dealt in labor.

With Devastasha as your Doula, you will truly have A Safe Journey, and you’ll forever have a friend.

-Laura O., Pittsburgh, PA

I’m a First time mom full of questions and I’m so grateful I was able to turn to Devastasha. While our communication was a bit unconventional due to Covid-19 and the birth of her own youngest son, she was still there for me 100%, virtually. When I asked questions, she provided me with factual resources, utilized her training and experience rather than just her opinion. She was there to talk me through my anxiety about birth and breastfeeding. Even though I ultimately decided not to breastfeed, Devastasha never once showed anything but support for me on my journey. Following the birth of my little man, she’s helped provide me with resources for proper baby wearing. Overall having a “coach" like Devastasha really made me a lot more comfortable through my birthing journey.

-Melissa W., Vandergrift, PA