What My Clients are Saying:
Hospital Birth: 2003
Darla,
Thank you for all of your hard work, support, and encouragement. We wouldn't have wanted to do it without you!
Love,
Suzanne and Brian
Valencia, CA
Hospital VBAC Birth: 2003
I delivered my second son VBAC with the invaluable assistance of Darla. Never having had labor or delivery, I was very anxious while pregnant with my second baby. Darla always answered all of my many questions and provided me with the knowledge that she would be there every step of the way. Her advice, knowledge and comforting presence was very reassuring, both during my pregnancy and during labor and delivery. Although everything may not have gone exactly as I may have planned for it (it never does!), I was very pleased to have been able to deliver my baby without complications and to have had Darla by my side to help. Thank you, Doula Darla!
-Valerie
Santa Clarita, CA
Hospital C-Section: 2003
I am so thankful that I made the decision to have a doula present to help with labor. Although I interviewed several doulas, I felt a connection with Darla. She was someone I was comfortable with and trusted. Darla was very helpful in preparing me for the labor experience. She had such incredible patience with all my phone calls the last month. Her knowledge of the birthing process kept me out of the hospital during the final weeks when my labor was here and there, but still not time yet. Every time I called her, she calmed my fears. During my labor, through the night and early am hours, my dearest memory is of Darla holding my hand, stroking my arm, and telling me that the contraction was getting weaker, and it was almost over. Her encouragement kept my husband calm also through those long hours. When I needed to go to an emergency c-section, Darla got my husband prepared for the delivery room and prayed with him. She was there for me in the postop recovery room with the news of a beautiful baby boy! After I got home from the hospital, Darla visited me at home. She was so helpful and patient, answering my questions and encouraging me with breastfeeding. My husband and I are grateful that Darla was there for us in the delivery process. If we do this again, I will want her there for me!
~Angela and Scott
Granada Hills, CA
Hospital Birth: 2004
Darla was a godsend during my pregnancy! Not only was she available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns, but she also changed gears easily and effortlessly when my baby stayed in a breech position, and I had to schedule a c-section. She knew I was tentative to undergo surgery and didn't know what to expect, so she devised a birth plan which accommodated my expectations for an equally meaningful bonding experience with my husband, mother, and newborn. I cannot express how calming, knowledgeable, and gracious Darla is with her clients. She even gave up her Memorial Day evening to assist me when breastfeeding became too difficult due to engorgement. In essence, I highly recommend her as she will exceed your expectations, not just meet them!
-Lisa
Acton, CA
Postpartum Doula: 2004
My wife and I truly appreciate the time you have taken out of your busy life and schedule to provide us some necessary aid and support in most vulnerable time of need. Everyone in our lives have been very helpful towards us, and you are no exception. As a postpartum doula, you are exceptional, so to you I say thank you so much for helping, and to your family I say you have a wonderful and beautiful mother and wife, you are all lucky to have a woman as great as Darla in your lives.
~Brett and Yael
Sherman Oaks, CA
Postpartum Doula for TWINS: 2004
The decision to hire Darla was the best thing we did prior to the birth of our twins. After their birth, we had Darla come at night for approximately 2 weeks. Darla's help and wisdom was invaluable, and I don't think we could have done it without her. Her presence in our home allowed me to heal, give my 7-year-old daughter some much-needed attention, and bond with new babies. Her quiet spirit and gentle demeanor made having her in our home truly enjoyable.
-Julie and Jeff
Valencia, CA
Hospital Births: 2005 and 2006
You are such a blessing, and we are truly grateful to have met and worked with you.
-Sheryl and Leonte
Valencia, CA
Postpartum Doula for TWINS: 2005
I seriously don't know what we would've done without you! They should have a show for you called Postpartum Doula 9-1-1! Thank you, thank you!
~R & S
Saugus, CA
Hospital Birth: 2005
Everyone told me that I didn't need a doula because I had already delivered 2 healthy babies. Well, they didn't know you! You are the most easygoing, helpful, reassuring, and supportive person. You made me feel like I could handle whatever was to come my way because you would be there to reassure, comfort, soothe, and help me how I wanted to be helped. My husband was great at our previous births; however, he has his own nervousness and worries during delivery. My doctor was great, but she had other moms delivering and you were there just for me. When you're giving birth and you're in such a vulnerable situation and are forced to rely on others, it's the most empowering feeling to know you are there with all of your wisdom, helping me do something that you do on a regular basis. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful work. I couldn't be more pleased and feel I got more than my money's worth. You are amazing and it's difficult to find the words to give you justice for the confidence you gave me before and during my delivery. I recommend your services without hesitation. You were nicer than I could have ever imagined, and you made our special day relaxing and something we will always treasure.
~Ana
Porter Ranch, CA
Postpartum Doula: 2005
Having Darla's help and support in the first 2 weeks of my daughter's life was absolutely invaluable. Not only was she able to care for the baby when I tried to get some much-needed rest, but Darla also gave my husband and me the knowledge we needed to be the best parents possible. Darla is well versed in soothing techniques, nursing methods and all aspects of infant care such as bathing, burping, and changing. The most important value Darla brought, however, was the confidence she gave me as a new mother. Every evening we would excitedly await her arrival so we could plug her questions-she was a living, breathing baby encyclopedia! I look forward to working with Darla again when we have our second child. She is so warm, loving, and generous, and we all felt so comfortable and safe when she was around...my daughter included.
~Amanda and Andy Schuon
Beverly Hills, CA
Hospital Birth: 2005
The decision to hire a doula for my second labor wasn't an easy one. My first delivery, while fairly easy, wasn't exactly the way I wanted it. I looked into hiring a doula to have an advocate during my second labor, an experienced individual that had my interests in mind. Since I had already experienced labor, I was not sure that I needed a doula. Then I met Darla. Her calm manner and endless level of expertise convinced me that I wanted and needed to have her at my labor. The meetings we had before the baby was born answered many questions as well as provided me with considerations I had not thought of before. She was unbiased and informative and helped us form a plan that met our needs. In the week before I delivered, I began to have a lot of contractions that came and went. My phone calls to Darla saved me from going back and forth to the hospital (with a 2-year-old to consider, this was a precious gift). Though Katherine came within 2.5 hours and only 35 minutes at the hospital, Darla's presence at the hospital during the last stages of delivery was wonderful. When she walked (ran!) into the delivery room, I drew from her the calm and focus I was struggling with until that moment. Her remembrance of our earlier discussions helped me to ask for postpartum accommodations I would have been nervous to request. Thanks to her, I bonded with my baby the way I felt comfortable. Her experience, warmth, and passion made it a joy to share such a special and wonderful time in our lives.
-Heather Cunado
Canyon Country, CA
Hospital Birth: 2006
We couldn't have been able to have the birth of our dreams without your encouragement, support, and wealth of knowledge. Nobody should have to give birth without a wonderful doula like you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are glad it was you with us on the most special day of our lives.
Lots of Love,
Kim and Theo
Castaic, CA
Hospital Birth: 2006
Thank you for all of your love and support during the birth of our son. We were so lucky to have you be a part of our special day.
Love,
Martina and Rob
Stevenson Ranch, CA
Hospital Birth
We are so happy that we had Darla to accompany us as we prepared for and brought our son into the world. As first-time parents, we were anxious about the unknown and our own abilities and reactions to labor, delivery, and early parenting. The first time we met with Darla, we knew right away that she was going to make a huge difference in our experience. Her years of experience as a doula and expertise about pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum and newborn care gave us much needed reassurance and peace of mind. Darla was a calm and confident presence from that first phone call when I went into labor at 1:00am through the first time I breastfed my newborn. She kept me focused and without fear throughout the most difficult parts of labor and helped me to stick as closely to my birth plan as possible. My husband appreciated her competence and ability to get through to me when he wasn't sure he could and her support at the hospital, which allowed him to stay rested adn refueled in order to be the best coach he could be on no sleep and a roller-coaster of emotions. Darla is the first person I called when I struggled with the early days of breastfeeding, and she has helped me to become a self-confident and successful new mom.
-Chelsea Crawford
Valencia, CA
Hospital birth:
Thank you so much for the precious memory. I can never thank you enough for that and all you did during my labor.
-Lacey
Valencia, CA
Homebirth February 2007
"Thank you again for all your help today- we couldn't have done it without you!"
~The Fletts
Stevenson Ranch, CA
Hospital Birth: 2007:
Dear Darla -
I was just thinking about you today - another one of my friends went into labor this morning and is going to have a C-Section. This is the 4th person close to me out of 5 to have a C-section. I just wanted to remind you how grateful I am to you for helping to pull me through my labor and get Miles here the way he came...you are the best. Miles is doing wonderful - starting to walk if you can believe it! Breastfeeding is going great - another thing I could have never done without the education you gave me. Thank you, thank you - you are the best doula ever, and truly gifted at making childbirth ed classes fun!
Be well,
Shelby
Valencia, CA
Hospital Birth: 2007
Thanks again for all of your help in bringing our little one into the world :).
Thanks,
Ryan and Annabelle
Valencia, CA
Hospital Birth: 2008
Darla,
We can't begin to thank you enough for being our doula. Your presence during the birth of Ian was a blessing for us. He is doing great, and we are recovering nicely (ok, we're exhausted), and I think we would have been a basket of frayed nerves had you not been there.
Sincerely,
~Steve, Melissa and Ian
Echo Park, CA
Hospital Birth of Twins: 2009
Thank you so very much for all of your support, love, guidance and friendship throughout our pregnancy, birth and postpartum days. I'm not sure where I would be without you and your sister. There are very few words that can express the level of gratitude Peter and I have for all of your help, except for THANK YOU! Thank you, Darla, for making sure I received appropriate postpartum care and for sending reinforcements at times when I thought I was falling apart. I know that I am a better mommy because of your role in my life.
Xoxo
Jena
Tarzana, CA
Hospital Birth: 2009 (repeat client)
Dear Darla,
What a difficult journey this pregnancy was for us! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your guidance, reassurance, but most of all your love. Knowing you were on my team gave me the confidence I needed to go natural again. We are so happy that you were able to be there with us as we completed our family. You are a blessing, and we are so thankful for you!
-Theo and Kim
Castaic, CA
From the sister of a client in 2011:
Hey Doula Darla,
You did such a great job with Liz. She was very lucky to have you. Thank you for getting her through the birth naturally and happy, just the way she wanted.
-Love, her seester
Hospital births 2011 and 2012:
Service was outstanding. Compassionate, loving, amazing in high stress situations, thorough and most of all extremely loving. Cannot say enough wonderful things- above expectations! Highly recommend.
~Marlene and Jorge
Saugus, CA
Hospital birth: 2012
Thank you, Darla, for everything! You are an excellent doula! Couldn't have done my part without you! You're the best!
~Marlene and Jorge
Saugus, CA
Postpartum Doula Services 2013:
...thanks again for all your help yesterday. Matt was skeptical about me hiring a doula, but he was greatly impressed with all you took care of and how much you taught us. Now I'm thinking about getting certified in the future so that I can learn all your tricks and help other new moms ;-)
~Sabrina
Valencia, CA
Hospital Births : 2011 and 2013
"Another beautiful experience with you Darla. It was great laughing with you in between those contractions. Love you so much"
-Lizzy
Granada Hills, CA
Hospital Birth 2017:
"My husband and I welcomed our first baby earlier this year. As a first time parents, the amount of decisions that needed to be made around labor and delivery and the emotions surrounding it all was overwhelming. After talking to plenty of other moms about their experiences, we decided together that a labor and delivery doula may be the best decision for us. We met with a few doulas, all of which seemed qualified; however, the moment we met Darla we knew she was going to be the perfect fit for us. She made us feel comfortable, empowered and confident in our decisions, and she was by far the most experienced.
I can say with great confidence that Darla was absolutely meant to be a doula. Her gentle, sweet soul radiates, she is extremely knowledgable and experienced, and she integrated so well into our labor and delivery care team at the hospital. My husband and I still have such positive, powerful memories of the labor and delivery of my sweet boy six months post-partum.
After birth, Darla visited us a few times and was so sweet to even make us a book of photographs she had taken during labor and delivery. She is extremely responsive - as a first time mom, I text her often and she always responded quickly and eagerly with great information.
We would be honored to work with her again should we be blessed with another baby!"
~Kelly
Valencia, CA
I can say with great confidence that Darla was absolutely meant to be a doula. Her gentle, sweet soul radiates, she is extremely knowledgable and experienced, and she integrated so well into our labor and delivery care team at the hospital. My husband and I still have such positive, powerful memories of the labor and delivery of my sweet boy six months post-partum.
After birth, Darla visited us a few times and was so sweet to even make us a book of photographs she had taken during labor and delivery. She is extremely responsive - as a first time mom, I text her often and she always responded quickly and eagerly with great information.
We would be honored to work with her again should we be blessed with another baby!"
~Kelly
Valencia, CA
Hospital Birth 2015:
"I have known Darla for many years, and when I found out I was pregnant there was only one doula I wanted. I didn't think she would be on board considering I live in San Diego (approximately 4 hours away from her). She accepted my invitation wholeheartedly and provided guidance on every occasion I needed, whether a hormone-driven therapy phone call, an informative email, or setting me up with a supportive network in San Diego. I cannot tell you what a blessing she has been for me and my family throughout pregnancy and birth! On the date I was going to have an aversion attempt for my breeched daughter, she offered to provide support and GLADLY drove to San Diego without us even thinking we would need support. Unknown to us, we ended up needing to have an emergency C-Section that same day! Thank goodness she was there!
She never left my side in the hospital room, in the operating room, or post-delivery. My husband and I agreed that he would tend to our daughter and never leave her side, as I had my other partner, Darla, with me by mine. She even brought along her camera, "just in case" and captured still shots and video of the birth, footage of which remain a treasure of ours that we continuously watch and go through.
I truly don't know what I would have done without Darla. She is incredibly selfless, never made it seem like she was "working" because she LOVES what she does. She even stayed with us for the weekend to help us get settled! She truly is our greatest blessing, and we look forward to more pregnancies with her by our side. I am always at ease knowing that she is always there when we may need. She is the best at what she does because she does it from her heart and soul. There aren't enough praises I can state regarding the invaluable support and guidance we received having her as our doula. Thank you, Darla!
Kelly and Ryan
San Diego, CA
She never left my side in the hospital room, in the operating room, or post-delivery. My husband and I agreed that he would tend to our daughter and never leave her side, as I had my other partner, Darla, with me by mine. She even brought along her camera, "just in case" and captured still shots and video of the birth, footage of which remain a treasure of ours that we continuously watch and go through.
I truly don't know what I would have done without Darla. She is incredibly selfless, never made it seem like she was "working" because she LOVES what she does. She even stayed with us for the weekend to help us get settled! She truly is our greatest blessing, and we look forward to more pregnancies with her by our side. I am always at ease knowing that she is always there when we may need. She is the best at what she does because she does it from her heart and soul. There aren't enough praises I can state regarding the invaluable support and guidance we received having her as our doula. Thank you, Darla!
Kelly and Ryan
San Diego, CA
Hospital Birth 2015:
Darla came highly recommended to me by a family friend and hiring her was honestly one of the best decisions I ever made. I cannot begin to express how instrumental Darla was for me during the birth of my daughter. She guided me in figuring out the birth plan I wanted, calmed my fears and anxieties each step of the way (especially during the 3rd trimester!), answered my questions in a timely manner and was 100% committed to ensuring I was always being heard and understood. Darla was the key player during my birth and stayed with me every step of the way. She was professional yet acted like one of my dearest friends. She is also fabulous with postpartum support. Hiring Darla will be the best decision you will make!! I can't recommend her enough!
Ashley R.
Encino, CA
Ashley R.
Encino, CA
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