I want to give a huge shoutout to Ava Protokowicz for being such an incredible doula!💕 Going into my second birth, I honestly never thought I would be someone who wanted or needed a doula. Looking back now, I can confidently say it was 100% worth it, and I am so grateful that we had Ava by our side. Ava is one of the most kind- hearted, passionate, loving, and caring people. She is an amazing listener, has such a calm demeanor, and brings a gentle, reassuring presence that made such a difference throughout my entire birth experience. My husband and I truly do not know how we would have gotten through my second birth without her. Ava stayed by our side for 12 hours, supporting both of us every step of the way. There were several moments when I felt like I couldn’t keep going and wanted to give up on my birth plan and go straight to the hospital. Ava never pressured me or made decisions for me. Instead, she calmly reminded me of what I wanted, listened to me, encouraged me, and supported the birth plan we had discussed. Her calm voice and reassuring presence helped me find the strength to keep going. And I have to mention the phenomenal counter pressure! Between that and her constant words of encouragement, I quickly understood why having a doula can make such a difference. Ava’s support also started long before the day I gave birth. I probably sent her more texts and updates than she ever expected, but she was always patient, responsive, and wonderful at communicating with me. We also had two prenatal visits where she took the time to really understand my birth plan, my preferences, and exactly how I wanted to be supported during labor. Because of that preparation, when the day finally came, she already knew what I needed and how I wanted her to help. Ava didn’t just show up for my birth—she took the time to get to know me, listen to me, advocate for what I wanted, and help me feel supported and confident during one of the biggest moments of my life. If you’re considering having a doula, I cannot recommend Ava enough. Having her there was one of the best decisions we made for my birth experience. Thank you again, Ava, for everything you did for me and my family. We will always be so grateful for you! 💕
— Riley Shippy