My experience: I was a 33-year-old woman, on my 4th pregnancy with twins when I met Ms. Andora. I asked around for months for a doula, and in this area, they are virtually unheard of. The WIC office set up our journey.  I met Ms. Andora on a lunch date at Ruby Tuesdays, and it changed my perspective on pregnancy ever since. Ms. Andora was very attentive. She remembered dates, names, things that I've told her. She made sure she was available the many trips I had back and forth to the hospital and made me aware of her availability to be there for me through phone, text, or face-face and she was. Ms. Andora has the capability to understand body language, and always sensed if I was uncomfortable or not feeling confidant in my understanding when it came to my pregnancy or the events that it entailed. Ms. Andora was extremely supportive, of not just me, but my entire family as a unit. She made sure that my children's father was involved, and understood her role as our doula, not just mine. One of the things that I loved about her, was that she asked my permission for things. She never made any moves without asking if it was OK with me first. That made me feel like I was important, my feelings did matter, and she cared about my opinion. Ms. Andora's support transcended from the emotional and mental support to material support. I was out of work and had it not been for her advocating for me and my unborn children, I would not have been prepared for their arrival. Their car seats, cribs, clothing, and equipment came from her and her tribe. I was out of work due to complications from the pregnancy, and money was a resource that I did not have at the time. She took it upon herself (with my permission lol) to make sure we did not go without. I have never felt so supported in my life. I decided to breastfeed my babies, and with twins, this was a task. Ms. Andora supported that as well. Giving me different tips, and resources to help me along my breastfeeding journey. Her advice and help were satisfying to me as she uses both western medicine and a holistic approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.   This is a service that all women should have, but only if they have the doula as I had in my experience. I recommend her whenever I hear that someone is having a baby. 

- Charelle Tarrer 

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My name is Marshalee McDonald, I'm from Jamaica and I move to America three years ago to start my family. I got pregnant and went to the health center in my county where they introduced me to a program they had going on for pregnant women. I had no idea what they were talking about as I am foreign to almost everything in America.  They handed out brochures and further explain the process of having a doula. I was thrilled about it because I had a hard time during my pregnancy and didn't have any moral support or family here. I decided to sign up for the doula support program. I was excited about having a doula and could not wait to meet her. Mrs. Andora called me and we set-up our first meeting.  I was happy to know I will be meeting my Doula.  After our first meeting, everything changed about my connection with myself and being pregnant. My experience of being pregnant was physical but she was able to help me tap in mentally and spiritually.  I had no connection with my baby before meeting her and she walked me through reflective awareness being present, emotional support, breathing, relaxation, and guided Reiki to help me get in touch with myself and start speaking to the little life inside of me, my baby. It was life-changing, she was so supportive and would check on me regularly making sure I was doing light exercises to prepare my body for labor, drinking water, preparing my birth plan. We would have long conversations. She always made herself available whenever I reached out she would get in contact with making me feel supported and confident.  As it came down to my due date, she gave me affirmations to say to connect me with my baby. She always did Reiki which I absolutely loved that allow me to meditate and flee all the negative thoughts and energy from me and my baby. When it was time to have my baby, I was amazed at how fast she came to the hospital as she was on call a couple of weeks before my due date. She brought the candles, and lavender we used cotton balls, affirmations were posted. She had her doula bag with all the props we had planned to make my delivery perfect. She was there from the start supporting me with position changes. My husband and I would do the dance, I used the ball. She made sure I was comfortable and had what I needed right up until I gave birth. She was right there encouraging me  as I pushed my son out and she told me "he got a head full of hair."  She was happy that I chose to breastfeed as you all know breastfeeding is the best. During my postpartum visit, she brought me food and gave me some downtown.I'm absolutely grateful until this day I signed up because Andora helped me in many ways more than once. She has become not just my doula but a great friend to me she became apart of my family.  

- Marshalee McDonald

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My entire pregnancy, I knew I wanted a doula, but I couldn’t find one that I clicked with. When some unexpected vet bills arose, I had to give up my doula dream. Thankfully, I’d mentioned to my midwife I really wanted someone as this was my first birth and she referred Andora to us around 37 weeks.  Andora was an absolute blessing for us. As first-time parents going through natural birth, she was able to calmly guide my husband and me through the labor and birthing experience. Leading up to delivery, she provided various tools (like a rebozo and a birthing ball) for us to use at home. When my labor first began, she labored with us at the birthing center providing emotional and physical support showing my husband numerous ways to help me with the intense contractions. She would give him a break while supporting me with position changes to ease my back pain. She encouraged me to use affirmations and remind me to breathe throughout my contractions. And when we wound up changing our birth plan to the hospital, she was right there by my side holding my leg and giving me words of encouragement as I pushed my little girl into the world.  I can’t say enough about how invaluable Andora’s calmness, knowledge, and strength was for us. She kept our anxiety at bay during the whole process in those final weeks. I plan to hire her again for our next pregnancy, and hope her schedule will be open for when that takes place!  

-Erin Crites

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My testimonial of having Ms.Andora as a Doula was an amazing experience. The majority of my pregnancy was during COVID-19. Ms.Andora was always available to answer questions for me and was supportive through telehealth until I gave birth. Hospitals had just changed there rules before my induction so, Ms.Andora was able to be present during labor. Ms.Andora helped me by reminding me to breath, she kept my partner calm and was able to explain medical terms/procedures (such as turning me every 30 mins while on epidural). Ms.Andora continues to be available after my daughter's birth and hospital stay. She also offered three postpartum visits which I have a year to use. I highly recommend Ms.Andora as a doula she will bring positive energy, positive affirmations, and her spirit is comforting to have around

-A.A.

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