Practice overview
Inspired by the education and compassionate care I received during my first pregnancy and birth, I trained as a doula with toLabor in 2012. Since then, I have worked in five different states and supported over 30 families As a postpartum doula, I offer baby feeding support, meal prep and cooking, light housework, baby and child care so parents can sleep, running errands, companionship, overnight care, and help troubleshooting the issues that may arise in the first weeks after birth.
Nino
December 22, 2020 at 6:44 pm | Client reviewIlaria was a perfect Doula match for the birth of our first son. She is greatly responsible for me having a successful natural birth that has continued to empower me since. At our initial meeting before labor I was impressed by her ability to perfectly direct the wealth of her knowledge and personal experience to our specific questions and worries. She listened with care, addressed all our questions and provided us with wonderful resources that we never could have found on our own. My labor did not begin for many hours after my water broke. Ilaria was available on the phone all day beginning at 2am, supporting us and giving wonderful suggestions. I remember spotting Ilaria quietly coming in the birth room with her large suitcase that she queitly placed against the wall. She did not disturb our privacy but then as my initial energy and enthusiasm started fading and I began to get tired and the contractions grew stronger Ilaria was there! She breathed through each contraction with me and I followed her lead, she held me, massaged me, kept providing water and strips of honey to keep up my energy throughout the night. She played a key role during the critical moments by helping to position the baby correctly. Every time things felt too difficult I would look in her face and hold onto her strong, encouraging smile. She was extremely helpful and supportive to my husband. Ilaria visited us after birth and gave wonderful advice about post partum care and recovery. Thank you!
Whitney
December 23, 2020 at 4:36 pm | Client reviewIlaria was one of the major factors in making my son’s entrance into the world an amazing experience for him, me, and my husband. She met me at my apartment early in the morning, despite my water having broken shortly before this. My contractions increased in frequency and intensity quite quickly, and she had the forethought to hand my husband a pile of blankets and sheets in case I had to delivery in the van on the way to the hospital. Thank goodness I didn’t need to do that. She stayed by my side for my 6 hour labor, and met my needs as they came up. She made helpful suggestions such as getting up and walking and changing position; massaged my legs between contractions; helped me to stay calm when the contractions became more and more intense; and worked seamlessly with the midwives to bring my boy into the world. Afterward she offered me some healthy, high carb snacks to help me regain my energy. She also offered to take pictures for us afterward, lifting that burden from my husband. It was such a blessing to have her at my birth to support me and my family. I will never forget it, and I highly recommend her.
Jamie
December 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm | Client reviewIlaria attended our first two births and was absolutely amazing – the only reason she didn’t attend our third is that we lived too far away :(. Not only was Ilaria very knowledgeable and helpful during pregnancy, and helped prepare us for a natural childbirth as well as potential hospital stays, she was incredible during the entire laboring process, the first of which lasted 36 hours. She was always calm, offering words of encouragement and helpful suggestions and just had a natural way of knowing what to do and where to be without being asked. Her gentle presence was very reassuring and she provided both my husband and I comfort and guidance throughout the entire process, including how to navigate tricky hospital situations. She was certainly a rock for both of us and we are so grateful she was there to support and guide us through the most incredible (and sometimes difficult and scary!) journey. We love her dearly and are so appreciative for all she did to make both of our experiences so wonderful!