My Modern Doula

I can’t say enough about Tamara. As a first time (and very anxious) mom, Tamara support both my husband and I through preparation of birth, the delivery, and post delivery. We immediately bonded with Tamara on our first meeting. Her calm energy and vast knowledge of the birthing process (and then some), gave us comfort in knowing we could this… and we did. She was supportive, yet not invasive; she guided my husband when he needed support and kept me calm throughout labor and delivery. I had an amazing birthing experience because of Tamara. And to top it off, post delivery, she was there to support me through my early struggles with breastfeeding and recovery. She’s an amazing woman and we are so happy to have gotten to know her through this most intimate experience!

My first pregnancy went smooth, except delivery. It took me a long time before I could even talk about my labor without crying. I did not want to go through my first experience again. So we decided to hire a doula. The first time I met Tamara I knew she was the one I wanted to hire. She is so caring, passionate, and doesn’t nickel and dime. She goes above and beyond and she is worth every penny! I chose package A and so she came and did 2 educational sessions where she comes to your house and explains exactly what happens during labor. By educating me about the laboring process it made so many fears go away. She was with me my entire labor. She helped me get through it by massaging me, talking to me, coaching me to breath and moan and move in certain ways. My babies heart rate starting going all over the place and she put my fears at ease. Every time I got scared she explained to me what was going on which helped me relax and re-​focus. Another thing I loved is that she advocates for you but also works with your doctor so it’s not like there is a power struggle. She works with the nurses and doctors in a healthy way to have the best possible outcome. She took pictures when my healthy baby boy came out free of charge. She then stayed with me for a few hours to make sure I was in a good place. She then came to the hospital the next day for a few hours for a breast feeding session. She then came to my house the next day at midnight for a few hours. I constantly texted and emailed her questions all hours of the night and she got back to me instantly. This labor I felt so empowered because of Tamara. I think every pregnancy should come with Tamara. I would recommend her to everyone.

How Tamara changed our life.. .
05.02.2012 4.41PM was the reason We got a chance to meet Tamara. A Day when our first daughter Adriana was born. The moment I saw my baby’s face for the first time I forgot everything, including my name. But the very next thought after my brain came back to reality was: «I am so happy that we decided to hire Tamara to be our doula!»
Moving to San Diego in March, on the last month of pregnancy was not the easiest thing to do. On top of it the fact of getting closer to my due date which was April 16^th, 2014 started to stress me out even more. Zero experience with newborns, we never had little kids in our family, big fear of labor process itself and being an immigrant in this country with no family around were adding up to my anxiety level. I knew that I needed someone’s help for me to go through all that.
After I personally called through a list of 40 doulas in San Diego, I picked 3 for in person interview. Tamara was one of them. She sounded very confident on the phone and I was very comfortable asking her any questions that I had. After meeting her in person we immediately felt connection with her and knew that she is «The One». We loved the fact that she combines experience of being a Doula for over 10 years, medical background and being a Mom of her own 5 children.
Tamara did several prenatal visits every time making sure all my questions were answered. She gave me educational materials to read and was happy to discuss them. She showed me exercises to practice as well as other tips to help me better prepare mentally and physically for the childbirth. She responded to my text messages almost instantly and I always felt as if I had an angel behind my shoulders ready to come any second if I needed so.
I delivered my baby at 42 weeks and 1 day via scheduled induction. 2 weeks that I was overdue I was so thankful that I had Tamara by my side. My boyfriend has a traveling job and he was not able to be with me every day. Tamara visited me several times to make sure that I am doing fine, there were times our conversations went far beyond topic of labor and I felt that I am just having a tea with my family member. She has such a great sense of humor and great personality!
On the induction day Tamara picked me up at my house at 6 pm. Naturally having a fear of hospitals and doctors I cannot imagine me being there by myself. At 9 pm nurses started me on pitocin. Shortly after contractions started, they were getting stronger and stronger. Tamara was there with me for the whole time helping me to go through each one of them. She quickly figured out what kind of touch or way of holding of my body I needed and was able to do it for me without a word. I was just making a different sounds or a some kind of gestures and Tamara knew what exactly I was asking for. It was amazing! I was so irritated by some nurses that were coming in the room asking me how I was doing in the middle of my contraction when the least thing I wanted was to tell them how I was doing. I was in my space and didn’t want anybody disturbing my rhythm. With Tamara though it was completely different. I felt as she was my shadow. She was so silent and respectful to my needs but giving me what I needed.
My labor went all night and continued through the next day. At 4 pm we already knew that baby was at risk and we had to go with C-​section which was another biggest fear of mine but Tamara helped me to conquer it by sharing her own stories of birth and encouraging that everything will be okay with me.
After we had a healthy baby-​girl born we already saw what a Wonderful Doula Tamara is. My boyfriend was so happy with our birth experience that he was telling to other guy friends that having a Doula is the best investment you can have. And having Tamara as your doula is The best experience you can have before, through and after your child birth!

Five stars just not enough for Tamara!!!
Coming from Russia I knew nothing about doulas but since I wanted to have a natural childbirth my yoga teacher suggested I hire a doula. I wanted some support because I don’t have any family members here but my fiancé.
I had two more weeks to go when I met Tamara and I was amazed by her she’s simply the best!!! I can’t say enough about how great she is at what she does! She was born to be a doula and not just a doula she’s also a lactation consultant, the best postpartum doula, amazing cook, homemaker, good friend, wonderful mama of five and my Wikipedia :)
Tamara is very professional and is all business — always prepared for a meeting with you to inform you of any and all aspects of birth and answer all questions that come to mind. She helped me to make my birth plan and was persistent in making sure I had what I wanted. She helped me to get ready mentally and she was there for me day/​night.
When my labor started I called Tamara to let her know and she suggested to go to the hospital because I explained to her how I’m feeling and good thing we did because I delivered my baby four hours after we got there. Thanks to Tamara I didn’t wait at home because that’s what they teach you at the childbirth prep classes I didn’t have this magic 511. Tamara met us at the hospital and I remember only seeing her from there. Her familiarity with the hospital was very comforting. I don’t think she even left me for a second, she made me feel like I got this :) She knows so many different things to try to make you feel better.(breathing technics, massage, positions etc) She also helped my fiancé because he didn’t know what to do and was scared I think. But she told him how and what he can do to help.
I was able to deliver my baby in four hours with no interventions or drugs and now I smile when I talk about this day and It’s all because of my doula. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her because so many times I wanted to give up but she knew what to say and what to do to encourage me and she did an amazing job.
I don’t know if I would survive without her help and tips on how to take care of a newborn. Any question I had she new the answer and sometimes I just wanted to talk to someone who understand how I feel and she was always there for me and she still is even though my baby is 11 weeks now.
Tamara is truly gifted and dedicated at what she does. I highly recommend working with Tamara who is not just knowledgeable in her respective fields, but willing to go an extra mile for you. I can’t thank her enough for everything she did and does for us. She will always have a special place in my heart.