Brewster doula Testimonials
Most referrals come by word of mouth and testimonials/reviews. If you were pleased with my services, I would very much appreciate you telling others. The links below are to my Doula Match profile as well as to my business page on Google and Facebook. Thanks for your support!
Doula Match:
https://doulamatch.net/testimonial/12258
"My husband and I chose Janet to be with us as our doula for the birth of our first child, and it was one of the best decisions we made during the pregnancy. Janet is warm, friendly, funny, and professional. During our first phone call and subsequent meet-up prior to hiring her, I never felt pressured to choose her. What I did feel was confidence - confidence that she was the absolute right support person to have with me (and my husband) the day I would give birth. Her calming presence, sense of humor, and insightfulness were indispensable during our pre- and post-natal meetings, and most importantly during my labor and delivery. Janet's care and concern for her clients is palpable, and she comes prepared and ready for anything (I will be eternally grateful for the peppermint oil and breathmint she offered me during and after labor!). Perhaps my only "regret" is that my labor was so short that I didn't get enough time to work with her on the big day! (Of course, the short labor was a godsend and I wouldn't change anything about that, but I think readers here will understand what I am saying!) I have nothing but the highest praise for Janet and her abilities as a doula, and I most enthusiastically recommend her to others seeking a doula for their birth experience."
E.A., Astoria, NY
"Janet was my birth doula and my husband and I couldn't be happier with our decision. Janet is patient, kind and welcomed all of our questions. She is an incredible listener and took everything we said very seriously, which made us feel validated and secure. Choosing a doula is not an easy task, but you can't go wrong with Janet. I started feeling contractions very early in the morning. When I called, she promptly picked up the phone and arrived at my house quickly. I labored at home for several hours and during all this time, Janet guided me through different exercises and positions, which was exactly what I wanted. She was very supportive, even when my labor stalled. Once we got to the hospital, she continued to be very hands on, and made sure I was comfortable despite all the changes that occured next. I ended up having an emergency c-section, which was definitely not part of my birth plan. Janet waited for me to come back from the operating room before going home. Not a lot of people would do that - especially with a smile on her face. Janet's professionalism is outstanding, therefore I recommend her services to anyone who wants to feel supported during such a special time in their lives."
M.S., Westchester County, NY
"Brewster Doula was my post-partum doula, and I couldn't have asked for better support with my new baby. Not only was she there for me, but she took the time to ask after my husband's post-partum needs as well.
I highly recommend her services to anyone searching for a the support of a doula. She is exceptionally kind, careful to listen to what mom needs, and willing to give 110% to make sure that you have a beautiful post-partum recovery."
S.M., Putnam County, NY
"I had the pleasure of having Janet (Brewster Doula) as my first doula for my first natural birth experience. Although it was my 4th birth, I had never birthed without medication and outside of a hospital. I knew I would require some support and encouragement. Janet truly was a godsend and I felt a connection with her immediately. She was very resourceful and knowledgeable, providing me with information to better prepare me for birth and breastfeeding and general decision making. She was genuinely caring, encouraging and very attentive. Her presence alone calmed me and she was very supportive not only of myself, but of my husband, empowering him to be a useful birth partner. She always communicated with me to be sure what she was doing was helpful to me. When we got pregnant again Janet was one of the first people to know - we knew we wanted her to be by our side for this birth also. My family has received so much love and support during and after our pregnancies/births from her and we know she would provide that same attention, love, care and knowledge to anyone who invites her to come alongside them during such a special season of life. We truly treasure her and you will too! "
D.K., Waterbury, CT
"Janet came recommended by my OBGYN and my husband and I couldn't have been more pleased with our experience working with Janet. She immediately put us at ease in that she was honestly interested in knowing what we wanted our birth experience to be and aimed to help facilitate our wishes, while simultaneously providing us with tons of useful information and suggestions. During the birth, Janet was extremely attentive and helped me stay focused and work through the contractions. At times, when I was feeling overwhelmed, she was able to be a calming presence and to help remind me of some of the things that were on my birth plan, which was fantastic. Our postpartum visit was perfectly timed -- it was enough time for us to get settled with our new baby so that by the time we met she was able to answer many of our questions. Janet was able to help me with my feelings of anxiety about all of the changes and made me feel even more supported with her resources and professional connections. I really believe she made labor an experience I can look back on favorably and I would highly recommend her."
M.B., Westchester County, NY
"We loved working with Janet. She was wonderful. Very helpful, attentive and knowledgeable. A real pro! Once my contractions started, Janet was with us from the very beginning and coached me every step of the way - met us at our apartment, traveled to the hospital with us and spent 36 hours with us in the hospital throughout the labor. She was a calming / soothing force that really helped me get to the finish line! She guided me with good breathing techniques, had different tools she used to help calm me / keep me focused and was just by my side the entire time, doing everything she could to help me successfully manage.
I cannot say enough how grateful we are to Janet. Highly recommend her!"
S.H., New York, NY
"Let me first just say I could not have given birth without my doula, Janet! She kept me (and my husband) calm during my 24 hour labor. She was there all day and night by my side helping with pain managment, and overall encouragement, calming and helpful during the delivery of my baby. She was there during all my contractions, both pre and post epidural, trying different positions, walking with me, massage, getting me (and feeding me) ice chips, and ice packs when i had a fever, etc. She went above and beyond for me and my family during my labor and delivery. She also met with me and my husband prior to birth to go over birth plan and help me go over all my options in preparation for that day. Additionally she came over post-partum to go over how everything went and to see how I was doing. Labor/delivery was tough, but Janet really got me and my husband through it. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend using her, she's the best!"
E.S., Westchester County, NY
"I used Janet as my doula for my second baby. I immediately found I was able to connect with her. She was calming, reassuring, realistic, and encouraging. When discussing my desires for my ideal birth I never felt judged for certain decisions. Janet was always available to answer my texts or emails. I'd send her updates after my appointments and she would help navigate what to do next, or if I was feeling ok she was there to cheer me on. She empowered me! She gave me confidence. With Janet's help, she guided me as to what questions I should be asking, and mainly to not be afraid to ask my doctors WHY?! It wasn't medical advice she gave, it was decision guidance! Day of, She was super flexible with meeting us either at our house, the hospital, or both. I never felt like a burden to her. During labor she was a quiet enforcer. She breathed with my labor moans, Hearing her kept me focused on my own breath. She helped with counter pressure on my back, and acupressure points on my shoulder. She helped keep me hydrated, she would gently suggest new movements or to labor on the toilet or in the shower. A few times the contractions got very overwhelming and she would barely raise her voice, but she told me to stay in control! It was a good reminder to hear that. She praised me during labor (it truely is helpful to hear you're doing a good job, because it can feel like you really aren't at times). When it was time for baby to make her way earth side, baby did so very quickly. Janet stayed calm the entire time. She held my hand during the after birth part. She felt more like my mom at that point rather than my doula. She stuck around until we said we were good. I have absolutely no regrets hiring Janet as our doula. She was absolutely amazing from the moment we met, thru and beyond delivery. She was my ultimate support system, my cheerleader, my coach, and my friend during my birth. I am deeply grateful for everything she has done for me."
S.B., Brewster, NY
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Janet is one of the most caring and thoughtful people I have ever met. During my pregnancy she went above and beyond to make my husband and I comfortable and confident that everything would be ok, even though we were both nervous and a little anxious. Janet is very knowledgeable and provided us with all the information we needed. Janet met with us several times before the delivery, she came to our home, and the day of the delivery she was there to support us even before I was admitted for labor. Thanks to Janet I had the delivery I had wished for. Janet was at my side the entire time I was in labor and even stayed after the baby was born. I would definitely recommend Janet as a doula. My husband and I are eternally grateful to you."
A.N.L., Westchester County, NY
"Working with Janet was indeed a joy and a blessing. She was both my birth and postpartum doula. Janet was so warm, caring, and intuitive. She truly was concerned about me, not just as her client, but as a whole person. I gave birth in the middle of a major snow storm. Our birth plan took on a life of its own, as the roads were closed and we could not travel or reach my midwife on the phone. Janet trudged through the snow, rode with me in the ambulance and made sure the doctors and nurses were aware of wishes, making my delivery as comfortable as possible. She had my bag, my medical records and snacks already prepared. It was a fast birth, about 2 hours, but I would not have been able to cope with such sudden and drastic changes had Janet not been there as a support and voice for my son and I. As a postpartum doula, Janet was amazing! Having a newborn with toddlers was no small feat! Janet was there for me, helping me rest so I can heal. Whatever I needed, there was never a question of whether it would be done. She offered suggestions about adjusting to this new life, many times just jumping in and doing what she saw was necessary to help our days go smoother during those delicate first few weeks. Her check ins, phone calls and texts let me know that she genuinely cared. Janet truly embodies the definition of a doula with her support, assistance, gentle guidance and listening ear. I will forever be grateful for having Janet as a part of my birth experience."
C.G., North Salem, NY
"Janet is a wonderful doula! She's responsive, knowledgeable, and most importantly she makes you feel as comfortable as you need to feel during the process. She's a wealth of information, but she doesn't burden with extra clutter unless it's useful.
She was an invaluable support for both me and my husband.I would highly recommend her to anyone."
L.M., Jersey City, NJ
"I wanted to have a vbac- vaginal birth after c-section but didn't know if I could. There was no way I could've done it without Janet and her amazing services. As my "baby" is turning 4 years old in a few weeks I still marvel on the skills and love that Janet showed before, during and after my sons birth. She is truly a blessing!"
J.Y., Rye Brook, NY
"Janet was incredible. I had a very hard labor (38 hours!) and she was actually the supporting doula for our original doula who had a family emergency a day before I went into labor. She was extremely flexible and available for us. She was able to guide and help me through the beginning stages and came with us to the hospital. She had a calming and supportive presence, which for new parents, was crucial to our experience. She stayed with us the entire time! We are so thankful that she was there for us and could not have done it without her. Would recommend her 100%!"
J.Y., Westchester County, NY
"We are so lucky to have found Janet to help our new family! Janet has been an excellent postpartum support for us. She has cooked, cleaned, and even walked our dog. She provided a warm caring ear when I needed it, and sweetly taught me how to bathe my baby and helped with breastfeeding."
A.G., Darien, CT
"If you're thinking about getting a doula, ask yourself, how important is the birth of your baby to you? To me, it was incredibly important. And I knew I wanted to be informed and have the best birth and start to my first childs life I possibly could.
Janet was a miracle. If Janet wasn’t my doula I would have had a unnecessary c-section. Once Janet was hired, I knew I was in the right hands! I was determined to have a natural, unmedicated birth. Things changed quickly when I went past my due date and my OB was pressuring induction early on. Janet taught me how to be informed, what to ask and how to ask it. I am a pretty assertive person but believe me, you need someone to help you advocate in a time like this! She stood by my side every step of the way. It was not easy feeling the pressure of being induced and I pushed back until I was ready to be induced! As I said, my birth plan changed but I was still able to have the most natural, vaginal birth as I could with being induced! She was right by my side with every move in the hospital and I turned to her for guidance the entire way. I will always be thankful and know that she was worth every penny because I know that if it wasn’t for her I would have had a different outcome. I am over the moon with my birth experience, it was amazing and I am 1 week postpartum and feel awesome!
Thank you Janet, I am forever grateful!"
H.R., Putnam County, NY
"Janet has been an asset to our family since the birth of our third son. She has been nothing but supportive of both my needs postpartum, as well as the needs of our new baby and of our family as a whole. Janet is such a warm, caring person and makes us feel so at ease, that it feels like she’s another member of our family. When she comes over she gets right to work and helps us prioritize our needs. Within hours, our laundry is done, dishes cleaned, house tidied, and dinner is on the table before she leaves for the evening. In addition, she’s been incredibly supportive helping me with nursing issues, quieting a colicky baby, and entertaining my other two children while I rest. She’s even made grocery trips for us! We are so grateful for her service; we could not have gotten through this hectic time without her!"
J.M., Westchester County, NY
"Janet was absolutely terrific from our first meeting through delivery and beyond! She is extremely passionate about being a doula and facilitating the best possible birthing experience for her clients. She was very knowledgeable about our chosen birthing style (Hypnobirthing) and was great at coaching us through the various techniques we learned in our Hypnobirthing class. She also provided us with additional techniques that we had not learned, which we found to be very helpful. Janet has a calming presence which was very comforting and reduced our stress levels throughout labor and birth. At times, I became overwhelmed and lost focus on the birthing methods we wanted to use and she helped remind me of my goals and assisted me to regain my focus. My husband wanted to be as involved as possible. Janet was great at coaching him and making suggestions to ensure he had the tools he needed to help me through this process. Our postpartum visit was great and it was very beneficial to review everything we experienced and get some additional advice from her as new parents. We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Janet and would recommend her to anyone!"
E.P. and A.P., New York, NY
"If we could give Janet ten stars, we would. She is warm, professional, and has a multitude of tools and suggestions that helped us achieve the birth experience we wanted.
We were hoping for an unmedicated hospital birth, and with her help we were able to have that experience, even though it was not typical at our hospital. During labor, she did a great job collaborating with our medical providers, making suggestions that aligned with our birth plan without becoming strident or confrontational.
She also provided exceptional one-on-one support and labor coaching. We used Hypnobabies to prepare for our baby’s birth, and Janet was able to translate her extensive experience with Hypnobirthing (a different hypnosis-based birthing program) into highly effective Hypnobabies support.
Janet describes herself as “the support boat navigating alongside you as you swim the English Channel”, and she delivered on that promise. She took care to avoid imposing her own opinions on us, and she always put our needs front and center. We were so grateful to have Janet’s support at our birth and we highly recommend you choose her for yours."
K.G., Manhasset, NY
"From the moment that my husband and I met with Janet, we just knew she would be a great fit for our family! As first time parents, and a doula myself, I was not going to allow just anyone into our home. I know the value a great doula brings and Janet did not disappoint. Even before I gave birth she would check in to make sure I knew I was supported in any way that I may have needed. Then once our beautiful baby was home, she was ready to immediately help us. Janet was such a breath of fresh air! Due to Covid, and my own personal postpartum wishes, we REALLY limited visitors. Our minds were at ease with all the safety protocols she electively put in place for herself. She came in and quietly took care of us (and loved on our pups!) so wonderfully. She allowed us time to rest, bond and recover, all while making sure we were fed and the house wasn’t upside down! She answered all questions that we had, because let's face it, even though I am in the field, being a first time mom is no joke and I am still learning! We are forever grateful that we hired her and would do so again in a heartbeat. Thank you Janet. We will forever appreciate you!!!"
J.G., Pawling, NY
"Janet was such an enormous help to me during my postpartum period. Given the pandemic, I was concerned about bringing in someone to give me assistance and coaching. But I felt very comfortable and confident that Janet was taking the appropriate precautions during COVID. She wore a mask, changed shoes, and did not hold my son; she also made sure I was comfortable before she touched anything in my home. Janet and I definitely "clicked" - I felt like she not only helped me with physical tasks and with coaching, but she also took an emotional weight off my shoulders during this difficult and sometimes scary transition to motherhood. I felt that she truly cared about me and my wellbeing, and would do everything she could to help me build my confidence as a new mom. I also appreciated how honest and straightforward she was - she will not tell you what to do, but she'll tell you what she's observed working through her extensive experience as a doula to help guide your choices - as there's no one right way to be a mom. I found this refreshing and helpful. Janet was also a listening ear to me as I shared my thoughts, struggles, and concerns, which was such a relief to me. Janet also helped with light housework, which was a godsend when I didn't have time or energy to handle these tasks, and getting them done helped put me at ease. I highly recommend working with Janet."
K.Y., Millerton, NY
"Getting to know Janet is the best thing that happened to us in 2020 (off course apart from having the baby). We chose Janet for both labour and postpartum. Janet is very caring, helpful person with a good sense of humour which comes handy during tensed situation. She really likes being a doula and is up to date with the latest information. She provided me with a lot of material to read pre and post partum, exercise to focus on during labour and also connected me with Chiropractor, and lactation support group. She always checked with me after my visit to ob/ pediatrician. Her strong mental support helped me achieve unmedicated normal delivery.
She also had a lot of tips for the support person and helped my husband understand how can he support me to alleviate labour pain.
We are also glad that Janet followed all the necessary precautions asked by our hospital during COVID time. We are really thankful for having her around in the times like this."
R.G., Peekskill, NY
"I can't say enough good things about Janet. She's like the grandmother for our kids we wished we had!
Sure, she was game for taking care of our twins -- holding, feeding, burping, changing diapers, and so on. And yes, she helped us wash, dry and fold our laundry, and cooked for us, and wash dishes, and bought groceries. Helped my wife out with breastfeeding, and with her talks with lactation consultants. All that was great, no doubt. Freed our hands up to take care of other chores, or for me to work from home, or to go have a coffee with my wife, or to take a much needed nap.
But what was best about Janet was how she was just such a bright soul. Always cheering us up and cheering us on. Always a smile and a laugh and a kind word. Always asking if she could do more for us, looking for times in which she could come by and help out.
People go to postpartum doulas when, for whatever reason, they can't get enough help from friends and family. And Janet really did a great job buoying us up when we really needed help. Can't recommend her enough."
C.C., Bronx NY
"Janet was a total lifesaver! It was like renting a super helpful, non judgmental mom to help with your newborn. She cleaned the kitchen, was amazing with the baby, offered helpful advice and even cooked dinner. Truly invaluable. I would recommend her to anyone!!!!"
K.P., South Salem, NY
"Janet is wonderful!! My partner and I found Janet at a time in our pregnancy that was full of uncertainty and unanswered questions. With her experience, wisdom, and humor she helped guide us through some really important decisions about shaping the birth experience that we wanted. Those decisions, and Janet’s support all the way through the birth of our beautiful daughter at home and beyond, lead to a birth experience that we’re so grateful for and proud of!!
Thank you, Janet!!"
N.J., Bedford, NY
" Would add more stars if I could! We hired Janet for postpartum doula services. After returning to work 5 weeks after our baby was born, she came in and kept the house in order and imparted invaluable wisdom on not only infant care, but all aspects of parenting, time management, self care and more. Not to mention, she has a wonderful caring, warm and down to earth presence that helped keep us all calm :) If we could go back, we would have hired her to come immediately after returning from the hospital, rather than waiting until my return to work. Janet is the best, I highly recommend her services! "
A.W., Ridgefield, CT
" I would highly recommend Janet Gordon for postpartum support. She is very trustworthy, professional and flexible to meet your family needs whether it's taking out the trash, to cooking a meal, to really anything you ask her. She genuinely does what she can to help you and get you rest. She has a great temperament and plenty of experience required to care for a new baby. From bathing, to reading, to feeding she's always talking and engaging with them. We will miss her; I felt she was a friend during the hard transitional time every new Mom goes through after birth."
S.Y., Greenwich, CT
"I cannot say enough good things about Janet from my experience taking her birth education course. From the get-go, she put me and my husband’s hopes and fears at the center of the conversation and tailored her teaching to ensure that we left our conversations feeling empowered and knowledgeable about our choices during childbirth. We gained a ton of information on how labor is likely to progress, helpful positions/breathing techniques to manage pain, the pluses and minuses of epidurals/inductions/c-sections, and a crash course in newborn care and lactation. Throughout it all, we felt supported rather than judged for our preferences (e.g. our intention to have an epidural) and now feel really excited about the birth of our baby – rather than terrified. A game-changing course from a fantastic doula."
R.L., New Fairfield, CT
" We cannot say enough good things about Janet! She helped us with our twin preemie infants from the time they got home from the NICU until we finished our parental leaves and found a full time nanny. However , we (and our twin boys) loved her so much that she continued to help us sporadically after we had a full time nanny in times when we needed extra coverage. Janet is punctual, extremely knowledgeable about infant care, and a pleasure to be around! We were extremely selective about who helped us with our preemie boys and Janet was our #1! Our only complaint was that she would not stay and help us with the kiddos forever!"
E.C., Mt. Kisco, NY
"Janet was a comforting and reassuring doula for my wife and me during my wife's pregnancy, labor and delivery. Our conversations prepared us for how to make decisions while keeping an "ideal" plan in mind. Of course, when my wife did go into labor, we encountered several surprises and had to make some quick decisions. Janet's experience and guidance was a constant throughout, and we felt comforted by her assurances. She was very professional and prepared for all different eventualities. She had good suggestions during labor (for position changes, reminding of breathing, etc), and seemed to know when to step in vs stand back. We also appreciated that Janet included a postpartum visit at home. Finding a doula whose personality and methods you agree with is important and challenging; Janet's style fit in perfectly with what we needed, and we recommend her services, experience, and calming presence to anyone."
H.R., Yonkers, NY
"Janet is an amazing human and I can't recommed her enough to expecting parents. From our first conversation, she was extremely warm and welcoming, especially for us as first time parents navigating all the changes that come with pregnancy. We used her for her childbirth classes and feel extremely well-equipped for upcoming labor and delivery. She made our sessions amusing, fun, and informative all the while with a smile. Her resources are incredibly helpful as well and so appreciated as we head toward meeting our son. I'm so happy that I found her and was able to use her services for my childbirth education. Her warm personality put us at ease, and her professionalism and knowledge gave us confidence. Thank you, Janet!"
K.J., Brewster, NY
" Janet is incredible! TLDR: she is a compassionate, well-trained, consummate professional, and fun to boot.
Our family has had the pleasure of working with Janet in each of her many capacities – as a birth doula (including lots of helpful childbirth ed), as well as a postpartum doula, and in providing transitional care for our baby. She was beyond helpful in each of these dimensions. Before our baby was born, she visited us, went over the important things to know to have the kind of childbirth experience we wanted, and built a strong connection. Her professionalism really shone through at our birth – what could have been a stressful experience or one outside of our control turned into exactly the kind of (physiological) birth experience we wanted. Janet was cool-headed, supporting us physically and mentally throughout the labor process. She melded seamlessly with the birth-partner (husband in our case) acting as a true support and partner to him and facilitating the exact amount of involvement and support that we wanted. After our baby was born, Janet provided invaluable postpartum support to all of us – from psychological support to exhausted parents, to bridging us to her network of professionals as needed, to helping with logistics, to taking care of our baby while we rested/ate/lived. As we transitioned out of the newborn phase, Janet continued to be an invaluable source of advice and support for us, and fun and professional care for our baby.
In sum, Janet is an incredible doula in every way – informed and knowledgeable and yet always putting her clients wishes first. To top her experience and knowledge off, Janet is just an all around great person – funny and kind, always responsible and communicative, and beloved by babies and parents alike. We recommend Janet enthusiastically."
A.W., South Salem, NY
"Janet was a wonderful addition to our pregnancy team! She is a wealth of information and was willing to answer any questions my husband and I had and if she didn’t know something, she went above and beyond to do the research. Janet did not push any of her opinions on us and instead supported our decisions and was a wonderful advocate for what we wanted in our birth process. What we loved most was how we instantly connected with Janet and felt very comfortable talking with her during every visit (including our dog who loved her). We would highly recommend Janet as your doula!"
P.E., Poughkeepsie, NY