Loretta Jordan was my doula for the birth of my daughter in February 2016. I had no idea what to expect as a first time Mom, and Loretta was absolutely amazing.

She kept me calm, and made me feel confident in my body and my choices. Her support was priceless. I truly do not know how I could have done it without her! Loretta has DECADES of experience and knows how to advocate for you because she meets with you multiple times before your birth to get to know you and your partner. In addition, her post partum support with breastfeeding was amazing. She is so knowledgeable and makes you feel comfortable and confident, while giving you all the tools you need to successfully breastfeed. I would highly recommend Loretta to anyone looking for a doula or lactation consulting.

 

After the birth of my second child in June 2018, I was having some trouble breastfeeding, specifically a painful latch. Although Loretta wasn't available to meet in person, she made the time to speak with me over the phone and FaceTime on multiple occasions to try to help me. This was extremely helpful for me because I knew there was just something small I was doing wrong. In addition, Loretta suspected that my son had a tongue tie and recommended a specialist to take him to. He in fact did have a tongue tie and after having a procedure done, breastfeeding is going very well. I can't thank Loretta enough!

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~ Deniz Akiska Vergara, Yelp Review

Mother of two Children Born Winter, 2016 and Summer, 2018

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I chose Loretta to assist me with my 3 natural births; in 1998, at Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, In 2001, and again in 2010 at my dwelling.

Loretta spent days with me as I labored. She knew exactly what I needed throughout every transition of my journey. Loretta was very in tune with my needs, the needs of my body, my family and worked seamlessly with my midwives.  She is very knowledgeable and experienced with childbirth, breastfeeding and post-birth care. She has a deep understanding of the need to avoid unnecessary interventions as well as a complete understanding of when intervention is critical.  Anyone who hires Loretta will not be disappointed unless- you think natural childbirth is a cute trend - then pick someone else, she won't play along with your delusions.

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~ Vanessa, Yelp Review

Mother of three Children Born 1998, 2001, 2010

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Lijah Friedman was my amazing doula when I gave birth to my third daughter Asha in my Brooklyn, NY apartment.

My first two daughters were born in a hospital with a doctor and no doula, which was a stressful and uncomfortable experience. In contrast, my third birth with Lijah as my doula was joyful and empowering. During my entire labor, Lijah was present and by my side when I needed her. She was also invaluable to my husband and children-- talking to my kids about the birth, helping to prepare the birth pool, and showing my husband how to be the best possible birth partner. Although it was my third labor, I still needed coaching, reassurance, and encouragement, and Lijah provided all of those things. Lijah has a very earthy, motherly way about her, which coupled with her knowledge (and her good sense of humor), makes her an ideal doula. My memories of Asha's birth are so happy and celebratory, and Lijah was a big part of that. 

 

Asha was born around midnight, and Lijah spent the night at our apartment. She made sure the baby and I were comfortable and checked on us regularly, cleaned, and in the morning made a delicious pancake breakfast for the whole family. Lijah helped to make my transition from mother of two to mother of three as easy as it possibly could be. She also took beautiful photos of Asha and the rest of the family.

 

As wonderful as Lijah was during the birth, I love her most for her postpartum breast feeding support. I nursed my oldest baby for only a few months before I was unsuccessful with pumping at work, and I started supplementing my second baby with formula very early on because I was so worried about my milk supply. She ended up being nursed for an even shorter period of time than my first daughter. I came away from those experiences with a deep sense of sadness that I wasn't able to nurse my babies, as well as with absolutely no confidence in myself that I would succeed in nursing my third baby. Indeed, when Asha was born, she was not getting much milk at first, and she was starting to show the beginning signs of becoming dehydrated. I was depressed at the thought of once again failing at nursing. However, I called Lijah, and she changed everything. She showed me how to get Asha to latch on better and get more milk, brought me natural milk boosters to take like fenugreek, assured me that I was providing Asha with what she needed as evidenced by her diapers, and most importantly wouldn't let me give up. Although I spent the first couple of months still doubting my breast feeding abilities and questioning my supply, Lijah was right. Asha gained weight quite normally, and I am happy to report that I am still nursing her after a year. 

 

Lijah gave me such beautiful gifts--a positive and loving birth, the self-confidence and knowledge I needed to breast feed successfully, and wise advice on my many questions throughout Asha's first year of life. I will always be so thankful.

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Jordan A.

Mother of three Daughters...Sanaa born November, 2001, Skye December, 2003 & Asha October, 2008

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I gave birth to my first born April of 2014. I could not get her to latch properly therefore I wasn't producing enough milk and I couldn't breastfeed as long as I wanted too.

It was a terrible feeling.I gave birth to my second child this December and I still felt a little insecure about whether She was getting enough from me. Loretta came to my house and gave me all the tools I needed. She's super knowledgeable. She fixed things I was doing incorrectly, she showed me new ways to hold my baby while breastfeeding and since our session, she's followed up with me to make sure all is going well and to see if I had any questions. I now have so much confidence breastfeeding my baby knowing she's getting everything she needs from me. I'm forever thankful to her.

 

~ Vanessa V, Yelp Review

Mother of two Children Born April, 2014 and December, 2018

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We hired Loretta Jordan, after interviewing several other doulas, for my first birth because I wanted someone to protect me and advocate for me in the hospital as well as navigate between me and others.

She did all of this skillfully and I was able to have a natural, unmedicated birth without trauma to me or the baby within a hospital setting, which was what I and my husband wanted. In addition to providing me with precisely the type of support I asked for, she also increased my confidence as a mother in such subtle ways that it was not until giving birth the second time, also a natural birth in a chaotic hospital setting, that I realized just how much I had learned from her. I felt confident to labor at home on my own, I felt I knew my own body and could cope (dare I say I kind of enjoyed it?!). My husband also knew how to advocate for me effectively so that I did not need to do any talking when we arrived at the hospital and I could concentrate on my own inward experience, which was important to me. He had gained confidence from our experience with Loretta, too.

Immediately after I gave birth, all these skills kicked in, from breastfeeding to changing diapers, and I suddenly realized how many of them I had learned from Loretta! She had taught me in such a natural way that it felt entirely my own and, most importantly, she helped me trust in my own ability to mother my child, from the get-go, which is not always the message you get as a mother, to put it mildly. The ability to trust in my abilities and feel confident in my mothering skills is the best thing I can think of anyone doing for a fellow mom.

~ Tara Lewis, Yelp Review

Mother of Two Children, Born Spring 2013 and Winter 2019

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The universe really blessed me when it had my mother who was pregnant with me at the time, cross paths with Loretta.

She has been a part of my life since birth, and because of her I was lucky to be exposed to the beauty of birth and breastfeeding.

When I gave birth to my daughter in December 2013, I was having a lot of difficulty breastfeeding and wanted to give up. However, Loretta spent many many hours with me teaching me different techniques and positions until I found one that was comfortable and worked. I was also dealing with a pretty bad bout of postpartum anxiety (similar to postpartum depression), which made every obstacle seem even worse to me. Loretta was always patient and loving.

I honestly do not think she realizes the overwhelming love and gratitude I have for her for being by my side during a time I really needed it. There are no words that can express how grateful I am to have her in my life forever, and for how she dedicated the time, effort, and love to me and my experience !!

~ Brooke L, Yelp Review

Mother of a Daughter Born Late Autumn, 2013

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Loretta is just one of the most experienced, caring, and understanding professionals that I worked with after the birth of my daughter to try to get the hang of breastfeeding.

She worked with me in my home and she did so on my schedule. She's been doing the work of a doula for decades, and it shows. She is patient and, at the same time, she's honest when honesty is called for. She'll show you what you want, but she'll also show you and teach you what you need.

~ Aleksandra S, Yelp Review

Mother of a Daughter Born Spring, 2016

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Loretta was our doula for the birth of our first child this May. We met with Loretta several times before the birth, and it was instantly obvious that she was a perfect fit.

Although she has tons of experience and was highly recommended, what stood out was not her medical competence (which was exemplary) but her character, posture and (I say this as a non-granola person who is rolling his eyes at himself) her Spirit/Aura. Put simply, she has an incredible calming presence, and also an ability to modulate her behavior to suit the mood perfectly.  We've had numerous lively conversations and if anything I would describe her a fun, outgoing, and gregarious. But my wife's birth plan (which we had discussed) was pretty quiet and low key- not a lot of people in the home, just me and the midwife and Loretta, and lights low. When labor began, and we called Loretta, she came over quickly, took care of all the preparation that I had failed to do, and then practically melted into the wall. She was like a benevolent version of the Cheshire Cat - fading in in anticipation of my wife's (and my) every need, and then fading out so that at no point, during that very intimate experience, did we ever feel like there was a stranger in our house - just a shadow of familiarity. 

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~ João C, Yelp Review

Father of a Daughter Born Spring, 2018

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Loretta Jordan was my precious guide as I transformed from maiden to mother! I am very grateful that she was a part of my daughter's birth in our home.

I met with Loretta before bringing her on as my doula and during that conversation I was really impressed with her experience and depth of knowledge regarding childbirth. I mentioned to her at that time that I'm a pretty private person and I wanted to labor without a lot of fuss and she really respected that.Loretta visited my house twice before the birth to get to know me and my husband and see our apartment. Those meetings really were valuable because when the time came I felt that we already had an intimacy with Loretta and she fit right in to our family. At that point in my pregnancy my midwife and I had reason to believe that I might have trouble with milk supply postpartum, and Loretta very helpfully put me in touch with another mom who had dealt with that particular issue so that I could be prepared. When the birth began and Loretta arrived, she had an amazing way of bringing calm and keeping the energy peaceful. I remember being in the toughest part of my labor and feeling so comforted by her presence.  As it happened, our daughter was born just before the midwife arrived, and I felt happy and at ease as Loretta tended to me and my baby in those moments.

 

From start to finish my husband and I were thanking our lucky stars that we found Loretta. On top of her wealth of experience, she's sensitive and kind and funny and just the kind of person you want by your side when your child comes into the world. She's truly exceptional and she means so much to me and my family!

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~ Brit S

Mother of a Daughter Born Spring, 2018
 

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Lijah, I don't think words will ever express the depths of our thanks for your support and ministrations during Isaac's birth.

Your presence provided a centerpoint of stability and calm and love and guidance around which we were all able to whirl. Without being overbearing, you taught me things I thought I knew, in a gentle and loving manner. Your support during that case of mastitis gave me hope and confidence that the fevers and pains would be short-lived and soon recovered from. You gave me what my own mother would not have been able to give. What you do is both subtle and crucial, you are gifted and a treasure. We will always feel grateful to have had you with us during those first days. We love and thank you.

 

~ Audrey Walen

Art Editor, Writer, and Researcher. Mother of a Son, Born June 17th, 2010

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Loretta Jordan is the finest caretaker/doula I have known and worked with in my years as a midwife in private practice for the last 21 years. She was my birth assistant for over fifteen years.

Loretta walks into every birth with humbleness, tenderness, and watchful attention. She anticipates the needs of women and their partners before they ask for help. She brings a mother’s warmth where there is fear, reassurance where there is doubt, service where there is need. She is impeccable in detail.

 

I have also experienced Loretta’s personal care when I was incapacitated with back pain, pre-corrective surgery. For Loretta, care is not centered on one thing, ie- childbirth. Loretta brings her conscious care, her loving touch, her warm and intentional presence to the human experience, whatever the need. She is a wonderful advocate when one has to interface with the daunting healthcare ‘system,’ a needed skill that adds to her field of talents and skills.

 

I am honored to highly recommend Loretta Jordan as a talented, loving, experienced and skilled caretaker; a ‘doula’ for all needs.

 

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~ Marcy Tardio, CNM

Homebirth Midwife

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I had opted for attempting a home birth with my first child 10 years ago. I was accompanied by family and friends in the comfort of my own surroundings as I prepared to welcome my son into the world. Around hour 25, my midwife decided that perhaps a change of energy would shift things to move along. In swept Loretta, a doula she had worked with before. 

 

At a time when the hours had become meaningless and my support system was at a loss for how to help, this complete stranger came into my home and uplifted me in a way I did not expect. She brought a grounding yet uplifting positivity to my experience. She normalized and accepted and encouraged and made something universal of my frustration and pain. She made me feel strong and capable and connected to something much greater than myself.

 

Despite meeting her through deep groans and burning contractions, her presence to me immediately became that of a sister, friend and sage all in one. Every woman who is looking for support during birth deserves someone like Loretta to be there holding space and reverence for her.

 

~ Sara Kellner-Tsulis

Mother of two children

Sebastian born March 8, 2009

Story born January 1, 2014