North Dallas Doula Associates — Local services in Dallas

Updated to reply to owners response: It’s never too late to make things right :)

While there are majority positive reviews I did feel like I needed to share my negative experience.

I came across NDDA through a google search. I did not use a doula for my previous birth nor did I know anyone who has used a doula during their pregnancy so I was flying blind. I contacted three doula agencies in the Dallas area and NDDA was the only one I met with in person and ultimately chose to work with during my pregnancy. Due to traumatic complications with my last pregnancy/childbirth I was looking for major emotional support for my next pregnancy. I started the search for a doula before becoming pregnant so that I could have support as soon as we became pregnant. I met with Laura for a consultation, she was wonderful in person and gave me the names of some providers to interview going forward as I was also in the process of switching to a new OBGYN. That information was helpful and I left my consultation feeling very optimistic & hopeful. Soon after that initial meeting I became pregnant & let Laura know. We communicated back and forth that first week or so but after that point the communication between NDDA & I was few and far between. I had hoped for more proactive communication but instead received a couple follow up texts/emails but other than that no real support. At one point I did receive an email that appeared to be sent to multiple clients as it was generic in content and the "To" field indicated "Undisclosed Recipients" and I was blind copied on the email. I wasn't sure what to expect I just know I was disappointed with the lack of communication especially with the amount it cost for the retainer $725 total ($625+$100 for consultation). I paid my deposit and signed the contract as Initially I felt I made the right choice for doula services but as time went on I felt less and less comfortable using NDDA during my upcoming labor and delivery. There was little to no interaction throughout the first and second trimester and I got to think that I'm inviting this person in to an intimate & important journey yet I don't even know them, how am I going to feel comfortable with them on the day I give birth? So when I was approximately halfway thru my pregnancy, i contacted Laura and explained that due to the cost of my high risk pregnancy I would not be able to continue using her services as we still had the other half of the deposit to pay at the time of delivery. I asked for our deposit back but was denied that refund. I understood at the time it was a non refundable deposit, however, looking back on my request I felt it was unethical/unprofessional of them to keep my deposit. Keep in mind at this point, I had only met with her one time for at most an hour long consultation(which I met her at her office). I gave plenty of notice so that they would have no trouble finding another client. Additionally, the amount of the deposit was not commensurate with the amount of work/effort they spent with me (i.e. one hour consultation=$725). As I mentioned, I was considered high risk during this pregnancy and was seeing multiple specialists and when I mentioned this to Laura there was no compassion or understanding (other than to suggest I can use my HSA or FSA funds to pay the rest of the fee, which we declined as those funds were needed for medical specialists).

After speaking with other Dallas area childbirth professionals who are familiar with NDDA about my experience, they expressed concern & frustration at the lack of empathy & professionalism shown for my particular situation.

Fortunately I found a wonderful doula not associated with NDDA who provided exceptional care and understanding and her fee was much more reasonable & fair. I also experienced genuine support and nurturing that I had hoped to receive from NDDA but didn't.

This review is mainly to serve as a reminder to do your research & contact multiple doula service providers before...

I found NDDA through my OB when I was expecting. My doc admitted she hadn't worked with them personally, but had heard good things about them. I called up and scheduled a meeting with Laura Fortner. Our personalities matched up, she gave me a basic run down of what to expect from her during my pregnancy (she asked me to contact her after each doctor appointment and give her an update, in my third trimester we would meet to go over my birth plan a couple weeks before my due date, and she'd come by a few weeks after I gave birth to check on me). I gave it all some thought, happily signed the contract and paid my deposit. I reached out after every appointment and pretty much any other time I felt like I needed support, and Laura was responsive EVERY SINGLE TIME.

In my third trimester, I was told that my OB would be leaving for her own maternity, so I'd be seeing another doc in that practice (who I'd never met before) for the remainder of my pregnancy and he'd be delivering my baby. I freaked out, called Laura, and she offered referrals to other docs if I wanted, suggestions to meet with the new doc and questions to ask, but was also just really supportive as I worked through the decision of either changing practices at 27 weeks in or sticking with the current practice and meeting a new doctor. Ultimately I stayed with the practice I was at, really loved the other doctor, and I felt comfortable with that decision.

When it came time to push out a baby, I was ridiculously unsure of whether I was actually in labor. I texted Laura ALL DAY LONG (and she checked on me) and when I decided to go to the hospital, I told her not to meet me there because I still thought they'd send me home to wait more. Guess who not only met me at the hospital, but called ahead to another doula at NDDA (shout out to Melissa) who happened to already be at the hospital after another birth. You know what they did? Melissa walked me to L&D check in, Laura suggest I request their favorite nurse to be my nurse (who by they way is now another NDDA doula and was f-ing amazing during delivery), and then we went through the messy process of birthing a baby.

Laura held my hand when I was panicking, she suggested alternate ways for me to push when I thought I couldn't push anymore, and then took the sweetest picture ever of my newborn.

Fast forward a few weeks later, she was at my house checking on me and baby, spotted some signs of PPD, and recommended a great therapist who helped me and my husband get through it. On my first day out with baby, I went to the NDDA Mommies lunch (total godsend, btw), and Laura held my newborn while I ate with two hands for the first time in what felt like weeks.

I'm still part of the NDDA facebook tribe which is a huge resource for new and expecting moms - answers to new parent questions, solidarity in times of baby blowouts, and an amazing community of women who have all been served by NDDA. This group of doulas isn't just with you at the hospital. They're there for the ups and downs of pregnancy and have created an ever growing village of parents who may not know each other, but still drop everything to help each other out. I

Laura was with me from 9 in the evening until 6 am the next day. She was with me for 9 straight hours and that was after 15 hours of texting back and forth with me. That time also doesn't include all the times we talked on the phone, emailed, or met. She has a family of her own, but she, and all the doulas at NDDA, sacrifice time with them to be with people giving birth with NO notice. Birth is unpredictable at best, but having a Laura by your side can make you feel so much more prepared than you...

TLDR: GET THE DOULA! It is worth every penny.

If I could give more stars to NDDA I would! As a first timer not knowing what to expect with pregnancy and delivery I knew I needed extra support. I was told about NDDA by both a friend who had used them as well as a family friend who used to be a Doula but has since retired. Both only had wonderful things to say so I figured I would schedule a consultation. I ended up speaking with Laura Fortner and since that first consultation she was everything I didn't know I needed! Any question that came up during pregnancy I was able to text her about (since it was non-urgent) and she replied in a timely manner with a helpful response or next step. She became my google. It brought me SO much peace and made me feel confident each step of the way. Laura's care and services really came into play after my 39 week appointment when I could tell something was starting to happen with my body. I didn't have the words to explain what I was feeling but Laura coached me through it (in the wee hours of the morning let me add!) and asked helpful questions so she could get a better understanding in order to advise on what was needed, if anything. Because of her amazing around the clock support I was able to do 90% of my laboring at home (I arrived to the hospital at 8cm!) and only had to spend about 4 hours at the hospital before my daughter arrived. Every birth is unpredictable. No Doula has a magic wand but having someone who has assisted so many women gave me the confidence and comfort to take on each challenge presented during labor. I truly couldn't imagine giving birth without Laura's support. I know it would've been a much different experience filled with stress of the unknowns and fear without her. My husband has also raved about Laura telling each of the soon-to-be Dads in his life they have to get a Doula :)

My husband and I also attended the NDDA child birth class with Melissa and really enjoyed it. My only regret is that I didn't take a breastfeeding course, but after giving birth when Laura was checking in she connected me with lactation consultant who I could reach out to for expert support as needed. Even now as my daughter is 7 months old I still reach out to Laura on occasion with questions and she answers in a reasonable amount of time.

Laura and NDDA are exactly the supportive, knowledgeable, and attentive people you want on your side as you navigate pregnancy and giving birth. My biggest advice is think about what YOU want and be able to clearly set your expectation during the consultation so you can discuss with your Doula early to ensure everyone is on the same page. Also, read the contract because it is very thorough and honest about unexpected changes...