Rooted Birth Doula Services — Local services in Seattle

It’s hard to describe how valuable and integral Davinah was to our birthing process. She helped me think about what my experience as the non-birthing partner would be like, enabling me to mentally and emotionally prepare to witness the person I love most be in pain. She asked about my needs and expectations, which I hadn’t considered prior to our conversations. She normalized and validated thoughts we hadn’t even had yet, so when they came up, we didn’t for one second shame ourselves over them.

On the day my wife gave birth, Davinah was perfectly present and yet not at all in focus in my memories. Her calming and steady spirit was thick in the room, but she held so much space for my wife and I to connect and zoom into each other. In the toughest moments, she looked me right in the eye and mouthed “she’s ok.” It was a split second of reassurance and it made all the difference. In terms of Davinah’s practical expertise and skills…

She made our labor efficient. In her first pregnancy, Nikki arrived at the hospital 6cm dilated. This was thanks to the exercises Davinah led us through at home. Her knowledge and expertise ensured Nikki’s pain wasn’t in vain, but that every contraction had purpose. She helped us avoid intervention during the pushing phase. Our little nugget wasn’t in the optimal position. He had his hand up right by his face which meant Nikki’s hours of pushing hadn’t been effective. Our midwife suggested some manual manipulation, which could lead to forceps, which could lead to an emergency c-section if the baby didn’t tolerate it well. Davinah asked if we could try a different pushing position first. In just a few minutes of pushing, Nikki and Nugget were making tremendous progress. We never again discussed interventions. She provided postpartum support we desperately needed and hadn’t anticipated. My wife has said over and over that the hardest part of the journey was postpartum. Physically, emotionally, relationally – It. Is. Hard. People don’t talk about it, but Davinah does. And then she shows up for it so you can talk about it.

I feel unbelievably privileged and grateful that Davinah was a part of one of the most intimate, vulnerable, and truly magical moments of our lives. She is a gift I wish we could give all...

Investing in Davinah's support as our postpartum doula was such an important decision for our family. The first three months of motherhood were so much more difficult for me than I could have anticipated (even though I did as much preparing for the difficulty as I could have...the sleep deprivation and endless infant screaming still humbled us in a major way)! Having Davinah's presence to look forward to got me through. On multiple evenings when I reached what felt like the end of my capacity to mother, I would remind myself, "Only two more sleeps until Davinah comes.", that thought gave me the hope and energy to keep going.

Her presence in our home gave us so much! Never before have I felt hosted in my own space. She was warm and attentive, and did everything from wiping down my kitchen counters to holding my fussy baby to giving me reassuring hugs while I wept on the couch. I felt like I could truly invite her into the mess of my home and emotional state. The postpartum months are uniquely vulnerable, and she was able to listen and respond to our families needs with so much thoughtfulness and depth.

From my husband : As a new Dad, I didn't expect to need or want support from a postpartum doula but I can't imagine the transition into parenthood without Davinah. She works fluidly, flexibly, and tirelessly. I was so impressed by her ability to intuit our needs and remind us to take good care of ourselves. The mornings of sleeping in while Davinah fed or soothed the baby were magical. When we woke up breakfast was ready! It was such a blessing to have...

The loving support Davinah provided during my labor was only a part of the care she gave my husband and me.

We had a challenging pregnancy, one that required emotional healing before delivery. At 22 weeks, we contacted Davinah. From the moment we met her, there was trust. During our initial meeting, I felt myself opening up, exposing wounds that desperately needed healing. She listens intently when you speak, acknowledges your feelings, and in the right moments gently asks you to dig deeper.

Davinah knew what we needed in order to have a safe and healthy delivery was to emotionally prepare and let go of the things that were holding us back. Through the months leading up to our birth, she worked with us to heal wounds left by the earlier stages of the pregnancy. Davinah created space for my pain, for my husband's concerns, and for our healing as a family.

During birth, Davinah gave me confidence. She reminded me that my body was capable of delivering this baby. She reminded me that this was not something that was happening to me but was something I was doing. She was a calming presence in our birth space. Available always when I needed her, and a silent protector at all times.

Davinah was not only there for me, but for my husband as well. She ensured he was taken care of; emotionally, physically, and mentally. Because of Davinah, he could be present for the birth instead of feeling that he had to take care of me. What a gift! We knew we wanted a doula to help during the birth of our son, but what we didn't know we needed was the love, attention, and guidance Davinah provided us every...