Nesting Instincts Doula Care & Perinatal Services

We weren’t sure if we were going to have a doula or not, so we talked to a few who just didn’t seem to be the right fit, but once we met Cheryl, we knew immediately that we wanted her there to support us through the birth. It was the best decision we could have made! She met with us twice before I went into labor and explained everything in detail including how labor would progress and how she would help both of us through the process. She really put our minds at ease and reduced our anxiety about labor. Once I started having contractions, she came over and helped me labor at home for as long as I could — this support was invaluable. At the hospital, not only did she continue to help me manage through the contractions, but we really felt like we had an advocate who was looking out for me — there was so much going on, it was great to know she was there and had my best interests in mind. She has so much experience, we felt like she would know how to handle anything that happened, and that really let me relax (as much as you can in childbirth :-) She has such a wonderful calm and caring energy while being a total professional. She checked in on us a couple of times once we were home, and was available via phone/​text for all my questions in those first few crazy days. I can’t express how wonderful it was to have her there through everything — I would absolutely recommend her to anyone!

This review could be three pages long but I will try and keep it concise. Cheryl helped me achieve the unmedicated vbac I really wanted after a c section with my first. I interviewed three doulas before Cheryl and liked two of them. It was an easy decision once I met Cheryl. Someone else in their review said that she was steadfast and that is a really great way to describe her. She exudes a calm, quiet confidence that I was immediately drawn to. I knew that I wanted her in my corner during my birth.
Our first official meeting with Cheryl was great. She went over some birth basics (a good refresher for us) and then we got down to practicing with all the tools and props she brings. My plan was to labor at home for as long as possible but my baby had other ideas. I went into labor 6 weeks early. Nobody (myself, my OB, or Cheryl) thought I was really in labor but my OB suggested I go get monitored to be sure. Well I was in labor and when I called Cheryl at 9am she came to the hospital as quickly as she could (rush hour up to Cedars).
During my labor Cheryl was very unobtrusive. It is clear looking back she was orchestrating my position changes etc but at the time it just seemed like things were happening. I think some people (esp spouses) think that doulas come in a take over. It was not like that at all. My husband, mom and sister were all in the room and Cheryl gave them all a job to do. I felt like I had the most supportive team behind me through every contraction. During the pushing stage Cheryl at one point looked me right in the eye and said «you need to push this baby out right now» and I did. She knew what to say and when to say it. Cheryl would have stayed to help with the first latch but because my little guy was early he had to go to the NICU. Cheryl stayed to make sure baby got to NICU ok, and even called room service to order me food.
Cheryl has checked in on me and baby several times via phone and she has come over twice. My husband walks around telling everyone who is pregnant they should have a doula, and he is always saying he doesn’t know how or why anyone would give birth without one. I could go on and on but I hope its clear that Cheryl is awesome :)

This review is LONG overdue. With this being my first Unilocal review I hope I can accurately describe my experience with Cheryl. To start, I’m what you would consider to be high maintenance and had difficult long labor for my home birth. I wasn’t supposed to ever meet Cheryl. She was my doula’s back up. My doula was at another birth when my labor started picking up. She notified Cheryl and Cheryl got in touch with me right away offering to come down and be there with me. I was reluctant and wanted to wait for my doula because we had already established rapport with each other. She completely understood but kept checking in with me. Later the decision was made and she came right over. Everything changed. Cheryl was amazing. She was so steadfast, caring, and patient. Being high maintenance and difficult, I didn’t surrender to the process till the very end. I got the «hospital card» thrown at me (which I needed ;) but she didn’t care, she was there with me going through it all no matter how long it took. She didn’t care that she never saw my face before or that she never had a conversation with me. She went above and beyond. It really showed her true character and passion for this process. I recently went to my midwife’s annual picnic and my midwife and her assistants still can’t say enough about how great she was at my daughters birth. You forget most of the details during labor (God and nature’s way of wanting us to have more children :) but one thing I will never forget was Cheryl holding my hand during my last few pushes. I looked up at her and saw her true empathy for me knowing exactly what I was going through. Not everyone has that gift. It was the most surreal, amazing and difficult experience I’ve had and wouldn’t change a thing!!! Cheryl was an intergal part of that. You’ll want her to be by your side for the incredible experience of child birth.

I’m so glad we found Cheryl!
She is the perfect mix of professional skills and personal caring.
All doulas love the birthing process, that’s a given. But many of them lean on that «I love being a doula!» credential, and not enough on professional training, and modern evidence-​based practices (such as… making sure you have a flu shot and TDAP before being around my newborn baby — something several doulas we interviewed refused to do).
Cheryl is both professional (with certifications and a high amount of attended births), and INCREDIBLY warm. She put my wife and me at ease, explaining every step of the process, being there for us whenever we needed (and as much as we needed — many doulas stick to a strict schedule of visits), all with a calm demeanor, before, during, and in the follow ups after our daughter’s birth.
Not a boss, not a follower, but as a partner in the process, looking out for my wife’s interests and being there for her.
We interviewed a LOT of doulas, and actually found two we liked (before meeting Cheryl), both who ended up being unavailable. In the end, we’re glad that happened, because we knew within minutes of meeting Cheryl that she was the one for us.

I’m her significant other so I’m clearly biased but wow does she go the extra mile for her clients. She cares so much and has so much experience that I can’t imagine being in better hands than hers.

Cheryl and Sindea are a really strong team — they were both attentive before, during, and after the birth of my first child. They together and separately met with me a few times before I went into labour — they brought a wealth of experience and empathy, and also listened very carefully as I outlined my ideal birthing experience. Ultimately, I was presented with some realities that made it difficult for me to follow my birth plan, but Cheryl (who was with me at the birth) was supportive all the way, and was a significant part of why I ended up not feeling disappointed with myself when things turned out differently than I’d hoped. My husband was also happy to have her with us in the delivery room — Cheryl stepped in with the calming and breathing exercises and allowed my husband to be a part of the day without feeling that he had to remember everything from our birthing classes. He was also happy to have someone there who was supporting him as well. All in all, you can’t go wrong with these ladies and having Cheryl as a doula made me feel as though I had a strong advocate in the room when I was at my most vulnerable.

Cheryl is extremely, knowledgeable, caring, friendly, patient, attentive, enthusiastic, very very very supportive, and very talented. It was a blessing to have her involved in our pre-​during-​post labor & delivery experience.
As first time parents, her knowledge and reassurance made a huge difference and her caring support helped us have a very positive experience when we started out with lots of anxiety.
Before arriving at the hospital she helped keep us calm and work through contractions. Her TENS unit (electric pulses that distract the mom) made each contraction easier to manage (although I was skeptical it would really make a difference, it did). She really helped us know when to go to the hospital so we did not spend too much time at the hospital but got there in time for some much needed nausea reducing medication and an epidural. She fit right in with our OBGYN and the nursing team and helped coach the delivery (giving great advice before the pushing began). After we came home she helped answer our brand new questions and made a big difference with breast feeding advice and technique.
Before the pregnancy I did not even know that doulas existed and I am not an «eastern/​old/​alternative» medicine enthusiast (at least not as a complete replacement for research based care). Now I can say that having the additional support and care of a doula is one of the most valuable resources expecting parents can find.

Cheryl is amazing– plain and simple. She is so knowledgable, so patient, and such a calming presence in one of the most intense situations a woman will ever find herself in.
She takes the time to meet with you multiple times prior to your birth and really gets to know you and your spouse. She has one of those personalities that just brings calm into a room when she arrives. I am so impressed with her expertise and experience and would recommend her to anyone who is considering doula services. Having a doula present at my birth made all of the difference between a c-​section and a vaginal delivery. After 49 hours of labor I was exhausted and scared and Cheryl was able to provide that extra support and confidence in me that I needed. She is amazing in a hospital setting as an advocate. I’m really grateful she was present at the birth of my first child and I know my husband feels the same way.