Love Letters

From the very beginning Renee made us feel comforted, heard and supported to empower ourselves on our pregnancy journey. We opted to take the prenatal course with Renee in addition to her doula service and we are so grateful we did. She is a wealth of knowledge, and truly takes the time to understand your goals and desired outcomes. 

In the weeks leading up to my due date, Renee communicated with me regularly to make sure I felt supported and to answer any questions I had. Going into labor, Renee was available throughout the entire night to guide through checkpoints and to help us decide when to go to the hospital. 

In labor at the hospital, Renee was an incredibly calming and guiding force for both me and my husband. She used many techniques to help manage contractions and pain. In addition, she provided support to advocate for ourselves with medical staff, always made sure we were making informed decisions, and provided emotional support for me, my husband, and family. Without question we would not have been able to do it without Renee and are forever indebted to her – she will always be like family to me, my husband, and our newborn son.

– Danielle H.

I hired a doula to mostly emotionally and mentally prep myself for the journey of pregnancy and birth. 

I knew immediately upon speaking with Renée that she was the right match. I responded strongly to her grounded, approachable, and warm nature— she took her role as a doula seriously but didn’t seem to take herself too seriously and made room for jokes and warmth. 
I loved that. 

Renée really empowered me through our months of working together— it was almost like having a maternal fairy godmother guide my way— she held up the mirror to myself and I strengthened the ability to trust my instincts in working with her. So much so that when I learned I would be induced due to cholestatis at 37 weeks— I felt confident in my ability to trust my gut and make the decisions I could within this new context. The day I was scheduled to be induced, my daughter decided to come on her own terms, and I serendipitously went into labor that afternoon — very quickly, giving birth four hours after arriving at the hospital. 

I am so grateful for all Renée taught me along the way— I have a beautiful birth story and while my pregnancy wasn’t without its challenges, my experience was positive and I strongly believe Renée had a lot to do with that. I will never forget how she guided my daughter to my breast moments after her birth— because of that, and her support in getting Matilda to latch, we’ve gone on to have an amazing exclusive breastfeeding journey. She calmed my body and mind— both so important for any mama to be. 

I will forever be so grateful for her guidance, knowledge, and support!

– Dana Curatolo

What I had planned was a peaceful, serene, birthing center water birth. What I actually had was a peaceful, serene hospital birth… never would I have thought that would happen. But because I was prepared and had such an incredible birth team, my hubby mattb1812 , my doula @tribe_of_mine , my midwives @midwivesofnj , all on the same page of what I wanted & I could NOT do it without their endless amount of support and love, I still had an amazing birth. A Long 27 hours…but amazing. There are a few factors that played into the change of plans, all out of my control. Birth is never to be feared, I think it is such a beautiful part of life that we should all respect and honor. Despite the challenges I faced in my last month of pregnancy me and baby boy made it to the other side of it healthy and strong, thank god. Having a nightmare of a health scare that we thought was stroke but ended up being a seizure was the start of it. I ended up being diagnosed with epilepsy my last month of pregnancy, after a very healthy pregnancy. Having 8 seizures in one month, that which I’m sure put me into pre-term labor at 34 weeks and 6 days. Having to almost come to terms with having a preemie and being broken, terrified… I prayed for him to be healthy and stay in there a bit longer. Then for the duration of the entire month of September being in labor with actual contractions on and off… & I mean actual labor.. not braxton hicks the entire month lol with seizures happening as well, my body was in a battle with itself but baby boy held himself in for a few more weeks by the grace of god. All of the tears, anxiety , being scared, confused, constantly worried about my sweet boy… My strong, healthy sweet boy, we been through it and I’m so grateful for the outcome. We made it and we are thriving I’m so grateful for my hubby & my family and everyone who took care of me during that extremely difficult time during that last month. Birth is beautiful, birth is not to be feared. Things happen, birth plans can change, but you can always be in control when it comes to your desires and being informed. I love you Noah, you are my world!

~ Christina Marciano

When looking for a doula to support our Homebirth, I wanted someone who would help prepare me physically and mentally. Renée did just that.

Equal parts emotional support and physical preparation coach, Renée is a birth worker like no other. She showed up at every phase of my pregnancy—prenatal education, Labor Day support, and postnatal check up’s. 

My husband and I dreamed of a birth experience at home that felt intimate and safely supported. Thanks to Renée and the rest of our birth team, that’s exactly what we got. Throughout my labor, she gave steady encouragement, massage, and gentle direction, all while allowing us to have space for just the two of us.

Our healthy, baby boy Rex was born at home on May 24th. We are so thankful for the support we received from Renée and could not recommend her enough!

– Childers-Baker Family

When I was on my pregnancy journey, I asked a dear friend, “What is the one thing you suggest I have?”— her answer: Renée

I first heard of what a doula was about 5 years ago. I knew doulas were support systems for mom. What I did not realize was all that support entailed— it was so much more…

Simply stated, our birth plan and vision could not have been fulfilled without her. 

She helped us advocate for our rights: Rights that I would not have known we had without her. She provided evidence-based research so that we, as parents, could make informed decisions. She let us know what questions to ask the doctors- things I didn’t even know to consider! We weighed risks vs benefits carefully and made decisions personally and for our family. 

During labor, she supported my weight physically and emotionally. My husband and her took turns comforting me. Thanks to our prenatal visits, my husband was prepared with comfort measures to help me through contractions even without her present. She reassured us – telling us we were doing great, reminded me of breathwork, options for movement, mindset, and I was able to stay present through each moment. 

Renée worked her magic through use of the rebozo wrap, inversions and birth ball. I went from 4-5 cm dilated to 10 cm in about 1.5 hours — even the nurses were surprised.

After what seemed like an all-day process then was shortened to 15 minutes or less of pushing. Little Mia had arrived! 

The doctors and nurses were all impressed of this physiological birth without meds and knew Renée had played a huge role! 

Renée helped our baby latch right away and held her up while I was too physically exhausted. She then supported me to stand up, hydrate me, and walk me to go to the bathroom.

She checked in on us hours later, captured our birth through photographs, and came to visit and evaluate our feeding and birth story shortly after settling back at home.

After my best friend had used Renée with baby #1 and mentioned, she is the one thing I highly recommend you need for birth, I knew I could not go without her! Renée was an investment for our future and helped us achieve the goals and vision we wished for. She continues to support me through this new journey of motherhood and I am grateful to have her as part of my tribe.

– Lara, Michael, and baby Mia (and pup Farley) Kats