Client Testimonials

“As soon as we met Maria, I knew she was a good match for us. I felt like I’d known her for years and she wasn’t earthy-crunchy like I was afraid all doulas were. She is the perfect balance of knowledgeable, kind, professional, and positive. Even though we waited until 2 weeks before my due date to book a doula, she made us feel comfortable and more confident right away about the labor and delivery process as first time parents. I already felt supported by my husband and family, but having someone dedicated to my labor and delivery helped me relax. Maria was great at responding quickly to any questions we had and helped me ask my OB more detailed questions during my last appointments. I enjoyed our prenatal session and I was glad she went into a lot of detail so we could discuss my comfort levels and be on the same page. Once I was in labor, she came as soon as I asked. She helped us stay calm and relaxed, and knew the right questions to ask the nurses and doctors through the whole event. Maria visited us the day after we came home from the hospital and was a wonderful resource during the postpartum period. I plan on recommending her to friends and family in the future and would book her again in a heartbeat if I ever decide to have another baby.”
— Julie
“How do I begin to write a review for Maria? When we met her, we had decided late in the game that we wanted (well, I wanted and my husband supported) a doula for my second childbirth. After a traumatic first birth experience that resulted in a NICU stay, I wanted to feel some relief from my anxiety going into the birth of my second baby. From the moment I met Maria, I knew there had been some form of divine intervention that brought her to us. She was warm, welcoming, encouraging, and all over human in her approach to my anxiety and in making it her mission that I have an empowering second birth. Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, she met my questions with empathy and practical advice, even acknowledging when the advice I needed was beyond her scope of practice. Going into my birthing experience, I felt a sense of peace when Maria arrived at the hospital, just in time for baby Rosie to make her precipitous entrance! She was a calming presence in the room and made me feel like a superhero in the birth of my child. In our postpartum chats and subsequent visit, she made me feel incredibly proud of my accomplishments in bringing my second baby into this world, while facing the anxiety head on. Doulas are magic and Maria is a perfect example of how they encourage moms and dads to tap in to our natural strength and confidence. Thank you Maria, from the bottom of our hearts. ”
— Jen & Pete
“There aren’t enough praises in all the hymn books to sing about Maria! Not only was she always a reassuring, optimistic, excitable voice throughout my pregnancy- she managed to power through a very long, arduous labor with a plethora of complicating factors thrown in. Besides being my labor coach (using all sorts of pain management and calming techniques) she was a team player in working alongside the midwife and nurses at the hospital to determine next steps and assisting in all the delights childbirthing demands of mom and her support crew. Perhaps most importantly, she also wore the team manager hat- by coaching and directing my husband as well as thoughtfully communicating with close family. She also advocated for me with the medical staff about some decisions she knew weren’t in my best interests based on how my labor was going and in understanding my wishes. I could write a million reasons why Maria is THE PERFECT doula for enlisting in bringing your babe into the world... but this box only holds so many words !!! It is not only her professionalism, her obvious love of all things mother + child, and her incredible stamina but that she truly is called by the powers of the universe to do this work.

I don’t know how I would have gotten through my labor without Maria. I imagine that’s what many women say about their birth coaches or partners... but my sentiment couldn’t be further from mere lip service. Her strength, support, and positive energy meant the world to me. Do yourself a favor and let this woman into your world!”
— Kate & Ryan
“I am very enthusiastically recommending Maria Maloney as a doula. Maria is creative, capable, patient, reliable and understanding. Maria has a better sense of humor than anyone else I know and an empathy and compassion for others that is evident in all that she does.””
— Nell
“Maria is a gosh-darn Luck Dragon. For real. Her kindness, wisdom, optimism, and buyout spirit lifted us and helped us find our footing as the parents we wanted to be and that our kids needed us to be...””
— Matt

 

I could not imagine a more perfect prenatal, birthing & postnatal experience from a doula than the one I had with Maria. I cannot express the level of professionalism, expertise, support & overall warmth that Maria brings to the life of a client, but I will try my best! I was incredibly nervous as I entered into my second pregnancy after a very traumatic first birth with my son. I had a doula present at my first child's birth and was receiving care through a midwife at a birthing center, but I ended up requiring an emergency cesarean while under anesthesia in the hospital. Maria's warmth and openness immediately made me feel welcome where I was in my pregnancy and birth journey. Maria makes you feel heard and conversation about anything is welcome. At our first meeting I knew Maria was the kind of warm and understanding doula I would want to help support and coach me through my second pregnancy. She was not only warm and supportive about my expressed birth choices, but knowledgeable and informed about birth and the importance of emotional wellbeing. I was so relieved to tell Maria about my first birth and how I was hoping for an unmedicated, vaginal birth but would welcome what unfolded as labor happened. With Maria, we had discussed all birth wishes and specifically walked through what would happen should the need for a repeat cesarean arise. Maria's preparation allowed me to go into birth without any fear. Maria will forever be the most comforting source throughout my entire labor as she helped walk me through decisions with staff, gave hip squeezes & ALWAYS made me feel safe. As someone who was fearful of hospital settings and staff, Maria made me feel like I was never alone or in danger.The level of safety and security I felt during birth could not have been achieved without Maria. In the end, I had the vaginal birth I had dreamed of with my daughter. It was the most healing moment. I am forever thankful.

-Christina C.