“Both Tara & Nicki were an email or text away for any questions we had. I am grateful beyond words for them. I cannot wait to come back to Family First Birth Services when we are ready to grow our family even more.”

– Anita T.

“Nicki & Tara provided us with the tools and support we needed to have the birth experience we wanted. They are such a wonderful team and I would wholeheartedly recommend them!”

~ Shannon T

“If I had any ambivalence about connecting with a doula for the birth of our son, it was based on the fact that I knew I wanted to be my wife’s primary support and a totally integral part of the birth process, and I didn’t want to end up including someone in the event only to wind up feeling like I had inadvertently crowded myself out of the picture! After all, I had read “The Birth Partner,” among other books, and together my wife and I had attended labor yoga workshops and hospital birth classes leading up to our due date. So why would we need a doula?

I knew from the stories I had heard and read, and by wading through what oftentimes felt like a minefield of conflicting information, that so many unexpected variables can come up, not just during a birth, but leading up to one as well. I was hoping to find someone who could help us navigate the complicated politics of hospital induction policies, and give us insight into what other factors to keep in mind when choosing a hospital. Which hospitals let you eat food during labor, or have tubs for hydrotherapy? And is water birth even a thing?!

From the moment we spoke with Nicki it was clear that she held an absolute treasure trove of knowledge, and more so, her wisdom was clearly grounded in her own lived experience, not only from creating her own family, but from the countless births she has attended as a doula. Once labor started, I could not have been more grateful and relieved to have Nicki on our team. Any fears I had of being replaced went straight out the window as I knew that we needed the additional support for what would be an overwhelming night. Nicki’s presence in the room was downright artful, as she empowered me to be the birth partner I had hoped I could be.

She gracefully wove herself in and out of the action, never overstepping, but asserting her expertise in just the perfect moments to help keep the process in flow.

She was able to choreograph my wife’s movements throughout labor in ways that I never would have known how to do. I think most of all, Nicki instilled in me a sense of quiet confidence which allowed me to stay present and strong throughout the whole experience.”

— Teddy R.

“I really feel Tara was essential to keep my goal for a drug-free birth possible. I did not even think once about wanting pain medication because she was always there to offer a way for me or my husband to help me feel more comfortable. She was always so sweet and helpful, and even offered the nurses some sweet sustenance!”

– Robyn F.

“Nicki has so many encouraging ideas and made me feel confident in my decisions. She was our support before, during and after our baby was born. She was my cheerleader as I pushed and helped me get that first latch just right while feeding my baby. I felt so much safer and more confident with her by my side.

– Sara C.