Everafter, Ali

When making the decision with my husband to grow a family, I wanted to make sure I can have a strong supportive birth coach.  It was very important to me to have an intimate home birth for my firstborn. Ali was referred to me and she was receptive, upbeat, nurturing, and excited about birth.  Answering my questions, concerns, and feeding my curiosity about all things ‘birth’.  I felt seen, heard, and respected very early on working with her which, I believe, resulted in the best pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum experience I could ever imagine.With food journaling, frequent home visits, constant communication, attending doctor appointments, and flooding me with books about birth and breastfeeding, Ali was incredibly helpful with sharing everything and anything. She was very supportive in everything that I wanted. When it was time for labor, she was beyond helpful.  For thirty six hours she was present with me and my husband.  Offering food, positions, guidance, and love, she was there the whole time.  My husband was beyond thankful for her being with us.My baby boy came surrounded with so much love.  It was everything I asked for at home.  Within the first half hour of him coming to this world, he latched quickly and easily.  I knew it was all because of Ali gently guiding us to the next steps with this very new life.   Ali continued to communicate throughout, answering questions and even coming back to our home to check on us and our little boy. Ali coming to our lives was a complete blessing. Truly was a wonderful experience and I know it was because of her and her passion.  Our birth story has been so special because of her, giving us the perfect beginning of this even greater journey.  Ali truly is a gift sent from Heaven.

I dont even know where to begin with this. I dont even know where we would be with Ali. She has been an angel sent to us to ensure we brought our boy into this world the healthiest way possible. My wife and Ali met up before she was pregnant. Ali showed so much passion and wisdom as a doula that we knew we needed her with us through this time in our lives. She helped so much when it came to what to eat/not eat, supplements, exercises, training, books and so much more to ensure we had the easiest and healthiest home birth. She continuously showed her depth of knowledge with every single question we had throughout the pregnancy, while ALWAYS ensureing us that we had the power to chose anything we wanted. Her biggest and strongest message was that we, as parents, had complete control over the process. As a father, I couldnt see myself having another child without Ali, (not any doula, but Ali specifically). Her presence and wisdom helped me understand the process so much more and I was able to be present with my wife while filling the role she needed. Ali was with us every step of the way to keep us on track and healhty all the way up to the day he was born. And she will be with us for the rest of his life. Ali is now and forever will be a part of this family and we both love her SO MUCH! Thank you for doing what you do. This is your calling in life, and there are so many families in this world that need you!

From the first time I met Ali, I knew completely that she is who I wanted to have as my doula. She just radiates positive energy and has so much knowledge about any topic you bring up. I immediately felt safe around her. My boyfriend was extremely wary about a home birth at the start, but after meeting Ali and learning more from her about it, he was completely on board. During the birth, Ali was right there the entire time helping me through every contraction. She gave me such great words of encouragement. She also made sure my boyfriend was as much a part of the birth as he could be. Ali taught us positions that included him and made him feel like he was able to help way more. I adore her and I've learned so many things from her. I will definitely be having her as my doula whenever I have my next child.

I am so thankful to have had Ali as our doula for the birth of our son! After having a c-section with my first, I was determined to do whatever I could to have a successful vbac. After meeting Ali, I knew she would be a great resource to help me achieve the vbac I was hoping for. She provided me with so much information and advice before birth that I was able to feel prepared for a natural birth and confident about the many decisions involved in childbirth. When it came time for our son to be born, she spent the whole day with us, and I was even more thankful to have her there! She helped provide relief and encouragement through contractions, and helped my husband know how to support me as well. It was very important to my husband to be a meaningful part of our son's birth, and with Ali's support, he was able to do that. I cannot express enough how invaluable it was to have Ali at our birth. She helped us make decisions without forcing anything. I can't imagine a birth without her :)

At first, the thought of yet another person involved in our child's birth seemed unnecessary. But as my wife kept telling me all the things she was learning from Alli and all the ways Alli could support us in our hopes for a natural birth, the more I began to change my mind. When my wife and I finally met with Alli together, I was pleasantly surprised. I learned how to support my wife. For our first child, the nurses did little to include me and the doctor forgot I was there, it felt like. Alli supported both of us by teaching me how I could best support my wife during labor and delivery. Once the birth day came, Alli stayed with us 12 hours during labor and helped me help my wife. I was finally useful in the birth of my own child! Alli is very knowledgeable, friendly, and assuring. She coaches both dad and mom; she's not bossy, but helpful. All in all, with Alli's help we welcomed our vbac baby into the world! And I got to help! Praise the Lord for His great miracle of life!

Ali was actually my backup doula but she ended up being the one there with us at the hospital. She was very reassuring and supportive through our day and incredibly helpful especially for my husband because I had to have an unplanned C-section. She helped my husband after the procedure to get our daughter to latch since I was mostly useless at that point! She stayed with us until after we were settled on the maternity floor and continued to help us learn how to breastfeed successfully. I truly believe that it has gone so well ever since because Ali helped give us such a great start. We highly recommend Ali for any services you might need.

This past May I gave birth to my second child, a beautiful baby boy! After a less than desirable first birth experience, I knew for my second I needed my experience to be different. Meeting Ali truly was a breath of fresh air. Ali was everything a birth support team should be. Her knowledge about the woman’s body and the natural labor process excelled beyond that of anyone I have ever met. Throughout my pregnancy Ali was always available with any concerns I had as well as there to give nutritional advice. She even opened her home to us on several occasions for dinner and to keep updated on how my pregnancy was going. During my labor she was so comforting and knew exactly what to do to keep my body comfortable. This included massage, pressure points, and breathing techniques. She believed in me when I thought my body was going to give up. She reassured me countless times that this was exactly what my body was intended for and what I was feeling through the different stages of labor were all normal! Having Ali by my side through this journey meant everything to us and because of her we were able to have the home birth that we dreamed of. I would choose Ali as my doula over and over again. I would recommend her to anyone (and have countless times)!

I decided I needed a doula after the loss of my second child at 35wks. When my husband and I met Ali we knew she was the doula for us. She was the only one who didn't seem intimidated by my history. She was compassionate and understanding. After an emergency c-section and stillbirth I was looking to VBAC and I am 100% certain that Ali is the reason I was able to achieve that. A pregnancy after a loss(PAL) Is so hard but Ali really helped me through it. She provided encouragement and lots of information and great foot rubs!. I am so thankful that we had her by our side during my completely natural labor and delivery. She is an amazing doula and amazing woman I general!

Ali was an amazing source of comfort, encouragement and support before, during and after Labor. She listened to our desires, wishes, and preferences and did everything she could to help us achieve them. This was our second birth using a doula. I don't think it matters if you plan on medication/no mediation having someone there who knows her stuff and will advocate for you and support you is essential. and Ali really knows her stuff. I would recommend her to any and every one.

I write this as I sit here and nurse my baby girl. I am SO thankful to be able to exclusively nurse my baby after my SECOND unplanned c-section. I asked Ali to be my support with my 2nd pregnancy because my first experience was just awful to say the least. I was going for a vbac and so Ali not only gave me every piece of information and advice she had on how to achieve that goal, she also supported me emotionally from the trauma of my first birth. Long story short, I ended up with another c-section after many hours of labor and tough decisions and crying on Ali's shoulders.  but this time I had exhausted all other options and knew it was truly safest for my baby because I had the information and education that I didn't have the first time around. I think it is still super important to have a Doula/support system even if you don't have a home birth or end up with your goal outcome. Thanks to Ali, I had someone to sit beside me when I was being stitched up since my husband had to rush off to the NICU with our baby. I also had her in recovery with me to comfort me and when I met my baby for the first time, she put her on my chest to latch her right away. I've texted Ali countless random questions  during pregnancy and also since I've had my baby. She always gets back to me with great ideas. I'm super blessed to call her my friend and can say she will definitely be there if I have another :)

Ali was a great support for the birth of our child.  Why not have an educated encouraging woman by your side to support you and your partner as you traverse one of the most imporant events in your life:  the birth of a child!?  I would recommend her to my best friend.

A doula makes the difference, but I invite you to check out the “doula difference” in having Ali Glenn as your professional birth assistant. In January of 2016 Ali was what made the difference between a repeat C-Section or an empowering natural VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section). As I write this review I am 3 weeks post partum and feel great! This is almost a night-and-day difference from how I felt post partum with my first via C-Section. Since my time in the hospital I have been mobile, able to do things on my own, and have been positively breastfeeding my daughter. Unfortunately I did not have Ali with me along my birthing journey the first time around but am grateful to have had her constant coaching from conception to birth and beyond with aftercare. Ali coached my partner and I all throughout the pregnancy about how to do this birth better and informed us along the way about the multitude of options available to us and raised our awareness about possible setbacks of the traditional hospital birth. We both felt well prepared ahead of time so that when the day of the birth came we were cool and calm about the next steps. During my labor Ali was the gentle voice at my side reminding me of my birth wishes and praising me through every contraction, change in birthing position, and push. I had an overwhelming sense of comfort knowing that this very experienced, knowledgeable friend was our constant throughout the hours at the hospital. Her shift didn’t end at midnight. She didn’t have to report to a doctor. She was there exclusively for us. I know that without her, I would have been part of the dreaded “once a C-Section, always a C-Section” statistical myth. I will be ever grateful for having a better birth outcome and recovery. I cannot more highly recommend Ali Glenn for any type of birthing, lactation, or post partum service for each of your children. I would rate her extensive doula service as 5 Star!

I cannot say enough good things about Ali, Ali has grown to be not only my Doula but a great friend. She provided me with amazing emotional support throughout my entire pregnancy no matter what was thrown my way she helped me get through it and feel secure about my decisions.My first birth was a traumatic experience for me, starting with one intervention leading to the next and the next and the next. I knew that when I did get pregnant again I would have a much better experience that I was in control of. Ali made sure to let me know all the time that this is something that is achievable and that I CAN DO IT, she was my cheerleader, she believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.I was able to have MY birth exactly how I wanted it to be. I was able to have an unmedicated, intervention free birth that I wanted, that i was in control of! I don't believe I could've done it without Ali and my husband, they made an amazing birth team!What Ali did for me, means the world to me. I could bever repay her, I wouldn't change any of it. We love you Ali!

I don't know if I can ever say enough about the constant help & support I received from Ali. She worked to educate my husband & me during my pregnancy, fielded calls txts and emails, and when the time came, she never left my side during my 38hr labour.She definately should be asking for more money!! Her knowledge base even impressed our OB who asked if she had a medical degree lol!She knows her stuff and I was able to achieve the VBAC I longed for! AND! I am going STRONG breastfeeding!!She got me into La Leche League meetings while I was still pregnant & gave my husband and I private birth classes to accomodate my husbands work schedule, which increased both of our understanding of our past traumatic birth experience as well as helped us to knw how to prepare for this birth.She stayed with me until I was feeding my sweet princess well. My husband was SO thankful to have her at our side and for all the contrabution she was making to our succesful transition to a family of 4, that he hired her as my post-partum doula also as a surprise to me!! She was there to help my breastfeeding succeed and I now know the life long benefits we will all be enjoying because of all she did for our family!!As a side note, her oldest daughter helped with our toddler, even cleaned up in the kitchen! What a great Doula & assistant!!!My husband is even talking about our NEXT BIRTH!! And we want her by our side again.THANKS ALI!!!

Ali was the perfect fit for us  Me and my Husband were very confortable with her.  We met often leading up to our birth.  She built a relationship with us and we trusted to her to help us through the birth proccess we wanted.   I wanting a natural VBAC.   after 31 hours in labor and 4.5 hours of pushing I gave birth to a beautiful healthy boy. Naturally :)  Looking up to my left and right were my husband ? and my doula/friend Ali ?.  It was a long hard labor and I couldnt have done it with her support.

My name is Nate and I'm a father of 4. My wife and I had our first birth at a hospital and the last 3 at home.  Ali has attended all 3 home births and been such a massive support not only for my wife and children but for me as well.  It has been more than great having Ali with us during each home birth to help calm nerves and just truly care for my wife and children through all of our home births.  I wish I would've known about her for our first born to be at the hospital with us :)

I cannot begin to say what a support Ali was for me and my husband during the birth of our son. I had met and built a friendship with her through the Le Leche League meeting she hosted at her home. I spent countless hours learning and getting advice and for that, I am so greatful! I went in for a nonstress test at 40 weeks and after several unnecessary interventions ended up hooked up to pitocin and within hours a c section was being discussed. I called Ali. I was terrified. I needed her help and at the drop of a hat, she drove to the hospital I was at and was by my side for the next 2 days. I was in labor 52 hours and even signed out to go to another hospital because I felt it was best for my baby and my birth and Ali gave me the strength to make that choice. We finally welcomed out little boy after 2 days of waiting and I couldn't have done it without Ali! She supported any decision I made and was there for me in a way I cannot explain. The weeks following Noah's birth were filled with questions and she was always there and still is. She helped me secure an amazing breastfeeding relationship that we were able to maintain until Noah self-weaned. I still call her on occasion just for advice or to chat and love her dearly. She has truly became a friend that I can't imagine life without!