Clarissa Alves

Having Clarissa as my doula was truly a once in a lifetime experience! Straight from the beginning, she was there for me throughout my entire pregnancy. Whatever questions I had, she helped me answer. She also helped me create a personalized birth plan step by step. When my water broke, I called her immediately and she was on her way. She showed up with things to decorate my hospital room, as well as pain management items, and a peanut & labor ball. Ambient lighting, oil diffuser, and words of affirmation on cards. These things really helped set the tone for my whole labor. As I progressed, I got good use out of all the pain relief items Clarissa brought. My personal favorite was the TENS machine and comb. Clarissa also made sure to advocate for my wants, needs, and rights as a patient. This truly meant a lot to me, as I feared a hospital birth due to hearing about mistreatment of new mothers who aren’t fully aware of their rights. As I started experiencing more intense pain, Clarissa jumped into action to help with pressure points and positioning my body in a way to ease pain. She helped me with breathing techniques and ways to move my hip on the birthing ball she brought along. All of these things made such a tremendous impact on how beautiful my whole experience was. Clarissa was right there squeezing my hand tight, holding my leg, and cheering me along so I knew I was able to do this. That was the strength I needed. Finally, my daughter was born! Clarissa made sure I got immediate skin-to-skin and a good deep latch to kick off my breastfeeding journey. We both laughed and cried when my daughter came out, it was truly one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had! Throughout my postpartum weeks, Clarissa made sure to check in with me daily as she did when I was pregnant to assure I was doing okay, and to answer any general questions I had about breastfeeding, postpartum care, and being a new mom in general! All her advice was so helpful. Choosing Clarissa as my doula was one of the best decisions I could have made. If you want an individualized experience with someone who is passionate about helping moms, Clarissa is the perfect person for that!

- Maya D.

Literally the best doula out there! She’s so dedicated and passionate about her work and always there for you at anytime when you have questions, she’s so kind and gentle and very very informative! She traveled all the way to Maine for the birth of my son, she came early then expected because I was having so many false labor scares that she came a whole two weeks early just so she could be there! My family holds so much love for Her and we will be definitely having her again for a doula

- Jenna B.

I was having a stressful pregnancy, and I knew I would need support. Someone recommended for me to get in touch with Clarissa, and I'm glad I did. From our first conversation, she was knowledgeable and had a warmness about her. It was that warmness that ultimately set her apart from other doulas, and shone through all the time she spent with me. Clarissa joined me before I went to the hospital and provided a safe space for me to labor outside of the hospital. Once we got to the hospital, she stayed with me for over 24 hours! She provided emotional support, guidance during contractions, as well as had various pain management measures. One thing I really appreciated is that she supported my decision to include my faith in my birth, and comfortably included prayer and worship as part of my experience. She also took beautiful pictures of moments I now have tangible reminders of. I am grateful for all she did for me, and she was a great doula.

- Brianna Galluzzi

Me and Clarissa became friends about three years ago, and when I heard she was going to become a doula, I knew that when I planned to get pregnant again, she would 100% be my doula. So when I got pregnant, I hired her to be my online doula because she’s in New Jersey and I’m in Maine, but it quickly turned into an in-person doula for birth. I just had to meet her and have her here in person for my birth. She keeps it professional and gives lots and lots of information when needed. She planned to come the first of September, but because I was having prodromal labor, she came a few days early just to be safe. Once she got here, she had me up and moving around to get me labor-ready. The morning of my birth, things were moving fast, and all I can say is if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have made it to the birth center. She was so amazing and helped so much! I was in a lot of pain, and it hit so quickly that I didn’t have time to process what was really happening. As we got to the birth center, I had to push immediately, and she was right there by my side, making sure everything went smoothly and making sure she was capturing everything in the moment. She was amazing, supportive, and so compassionate about her work. I very much recommend her for a doula if you are looking for one! And I will be having her again for a doula for sure!

- Jenna derrah

My pregnancy was both exciting and stressful. It was my first, and because of my age, it was considered a geriatric pregnancy. I often felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect. A dear friend, who’s a midwife I've known and trusted for over 15 years, recommended Clarissa. I wasn’t sure what to expect but came into it with an open heart — and choosing to work with Clarissa was truly one of the best decisions I made. From our first meeting, Clarissa made it clear that her priority was to advocate for me. While my hospital offered a doula at delivery, the bond I built with Clarissa from five months pregnant to giving birth was incomparable. She gained my trust early, was incredibly patient, and always made herself available for my many questions. When the time came to give birth, nothing could have fully prepared me — but Clarissa’s support made all the difference. At the hospital, she made her presence known in the most comforting way, especially when I felt overwhelmed. She even bonded with my mother and partner, helping them feel at ease too. I always felt her eyes and energy focused on me. After a complicated labor that ended in a c-section, Clarissa remained calm and steady. She helped coach my partner on how to support me and kept reassuring me through it all. Thanks to her, I welcomed my healthy baby boy feeling as calm and strong as possible. Even after delivery, when I faced complications that impacted breastfeeding, Clarissa didn’t stop supporting me. She provided tips, checked in constantly, and helped me create a plan to boost my milk supply. Today, my baby latches beautifully, and I have an extensive freezer stash that I’m so proud of — something I once thought would be impossible. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything she's done for me and my family. I will forever be grateful!

- Stephanie Galette

It was my second time birthing and my first time with a doula. The differences between my births were astounding, and I know that having Clarissa there played a huge role in my second birth being so beautiful rather than traumatic, like my first. Not only did she coach me through the most painful contractions with breathing techniques, but she also made sure I was being heard and that my needs were being met by the hospital staff. When things got rough, she got right on the bed with me and applied pressure points while I was in agony from my Pitocin contractions. She brought along her own items for pain management, such as a birthing comb, TENS unit, and hand gripper, all of which I used when my contractions were at their worst. They helped me get through the pain before I got my epidural. Even during pregnancy and postpartum, she was there day or night if I had questions or non-medical concerns. Any time I needed to know something or wanted to make sure I was doing something right, she was there with the answers I needed. She stuck to my birth plan and communicated it to my nurses and doctors, never straying from it unless I explicitly stated that I wanted something different. She made sure to double-check with me before making any changes to ensure that I actually wanted something, rather than feeling pressured by hospital staff. When my daughter was finally born, Clarissa helped her get a good latch and kickstarted my breastfeeding journey in the right direction. Clarissa is an incredible doula. I felt so safe in her care, and she made me feel like I could conquer the world during my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience. I cannot recommend her enough. If you are looking for a doula who fights for your rights, your care, and your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, look no further. Clarissa is absolutely, 100% top tier!

- Maya S