Words of Praise
Julia says…
When I first met Donette, five months pregnant with twins, living in Santa Fe thousands of miles away from my family and friends, I was struggling, not only with the physical weight of my girls as they restricted my breathing but also with the identity shift that goes along with becoming a mother for the first time, in my case to not one, but two babies. I hadn’t really heard of postpartum doulas and was unsure of what they did exactly but I knew I would need help with the babies once I brought them home from the hospital and I was having a lot of anxiety about not having a support system in place.
At the end of our first meeting, Donette, bubbly and warm but also insightful and deep, said I should call her if I needed anything. A few days later, after a night of no sleep and with my husband out of town and uncontactable, I called her frantically as the girls were pressing against my vena cava and I was having trouble breathing - an issue compounded by the high altitude. Donette was driving home from a night shift with another family but nevertheless, within the hour, she was consoling me on my bedroom floor and proceeded to drive me to the hospital where she stayed with me until I was discharged. She had dropped everything to look after me and I hadn’t even hired her yet! That is the level of dedication and care that this woman brings to her work. Despite the stressful nature of the day, we had a blast and after only a few hours of knowing each other our connection was so palpable that one of the nurses even mistook her for my mother! Mothering the mother is Donette’s raison d’être, her passion, her true calling and you can feel that resonating through everything that she does. Just the knowledge that Donette would be my postpartum doula allowed me to relax into my pregnancy knowing that no matter what happened, and even with my family in England, I would have a support system. And the right kind of support system.
Donette brought SO MUCH MORE than I could have ever envisioned to those first precious weeks of becoming a family, from guiding us through the logistics of bringing the babies home, to encouraging me to trust my intuition when caring for them, to creating a healthy eating plan that wouldn’t hinder my milk supply, to helping me and my husband see eye to eye in the delicate moments when hormones and lack of sleep fragment and distort reality. The postpartum period is sacred and beautiful but it can also be ugly and emotional - at times I was certainly not my best self but Donette met me with compassion and understanding, never judgement. And of course, the girls adore her and she was the only person we trusted to look after both babies without us present in those early months. On the nights when Donette stayed to look after the girls, my husband and I got some much needed SLEEP!
My friends often comment on how content my twins are, they rarely cry or fuss, and how I seem to be thriving in this new role (something that I was unsure I’d be able to do) and honestly I put it down to having had the right help in the beginning, someone who shone positivity on me and my family when we needed it most and assuaged our anxiety so that we were able to trust our instincts and enjoy this precious time. Her presence and insight gave us the best possible start and I am so grateful for it. Being a mother is the happiest I’ve ever been and I don’t know if I would be able to say that had I not met Donette. Even now, six months in, if my husband and I have a question about anything to do with the babies, Donette is our first call. It even feels weird when we go a week without touching base. As far as I’m concerned, we are family. And you can’t put a price on that.
Kristen says…
Donette was there for me in my postpartum period, through the hardest part of my life. She is calm, capable, patient, and incredibly intuitive. She is one of the most incredible woman I’ve ever met and I am eternally grateful for all of her help and wisdom after my birth. Not only is she an extremely experienced Doula, but she is also a brilliant naturopathic doctor and an absolute wealth of knowledge on all things health - body and mind.
Jennifer says…
I should really just start here: Donette is one of the best things to ever happen to me. The postpartum period has the potential to be amazingly difficult or amazingly powerful and bringing Donette into my family after my second child was born has been an essential part of why this time has been so powerful for me. Few people can seamlessly fold themselves into an established family system, identifying each personality's needs and responding to them; figuring out which domestic tasks are the highest priority and doing them; and sensing into the big issues while responding with openness and care. But Donette seems to do so effortlessly. She has helped me navigate nursing concerns, sibling relationships, marriage stresses and business decisions. Seriously, this woman has helped me with just about everything! But more than that, Donette has been a steady companion as I've walked into this new phase of motherhood, helping me identify and meet my own needs, honor my badass Goddess self and bring soothing balm to the tender and vulnerable parts. Her presence has been especially important as I moved shortly before getting pregnant and haven't had a thorough support system in place. I have made a lot of good decisions in my life and I consider working with Donette to be among the best.
Mare says…
I’m so grateful that Donette came into my life! After hearing from several doctors that my chances of ever conceiving were very small I got in touch with her and that was one of the best decisions I ever made. She felt like an extra super loving mother and supported me through the tons of negative emotions I was feeling (fear, guilt, shame and a big dose of the ‘why me-syndrome’). She gave me the hope I needed to not give up on this dream of creating a family. On top of being such a mental & emotional support, she made an assessment of my health and had many health, diet & lifestyle suggestions. I’m 100% sure all of this helped me to get pregnant and I now have a very healthy and happy daughter after a beautiful natural pregnancy & birth. Plus I still feel better than I have ever done before. Donette was there for the whole road with so many super helpful tips & tricks I couldn't possibly find out by just googling around. She was my coach when i needed a good talk and helped me deal with my emotions, hormones and relationship. She guided me through the different stages of my pregnancy and helped me feel very prepared for giving birth. She was there for me after my daughter was born and helped us deal with some of the common baby emergencies like skin infections, cramps and eczema. And all of that with an ocean in between us (I’m in the Netherlands). To this day I’m surprised how close someone can feel regardless of distance. I can’t thank this amazing woman enough and would recommend her services to anyone!
Donette’s wellness coaching has helped me multiple times over. She is so wise and intuitive about what women go through with hormones and emotions and validates those instead of sweeping them under the rug to appease societal expectations. Donette has a so much empowering knowledge to share and does so in the most kind way, supporting you through the ups and downs of change, mentally and physically. My journey with Donette started when a friend referred her to me. I was a young mom trying to do it all, work, raise kids, and start a dream business. She met where I was on my journey and did not judge me. Instead her coaching and self care awareness gave me permission to love myself. I highly recommend Donette as an Integrative Women’s Wellness Practitioner for any stage of your journey.
-Robyn
Donette takes the time to understand your life situation, what's going on with your body and your wellness goals. She is not only knowledgeable, but has years of first hand experience with women's health and well-being. She is easy to talk to, very comforting and non-judgmental. She assessed my current state of health through phone interviews as well as data collection in various ways including my bloodwork from my OBGYN and daily journals. She made several important recommendations including removing some supplements and adding others, given advice and recommendations -- all of which have had a huge, positive impact on my health. Her advice was sometimes the same as my OBGYN but often she felt a more natural approach would work better for me. I have followed all of her advice to date. I feel and look better today than I did prior to working with Donette. I continue to work with her during this very tricky time of my life, pre-/ perimenopause.
-- Jennifer Moore, 54 years old, Software Marketing Manager
Valerie says…
My birth experience would not have been the same without Donette. After calling her in the middle of the night 5 weeks before my due date, she showed up ready to support me through the entire birthing journey. She took care of everything from talking me through the birth plan we had agreed upon, to gathering every preemie onesie in Dallas. She laughed and cried with me and when my son finally arrived, was as in awe of this new life - this new little human as I was - as though it was the first birth she had ever witnessed.
Once home, Donette was instrumental to my postpartum recovery. She helped me establish a comfortable routine with the baby and provided tremendous emotional support, which I never even anticipated needing. Donette’s gifts reach much further than her experience and knowledge of women, childbirth, and babies. Her deep compassion, calming nature, and her ability to be fully present in the moment with me were simply invaluable during the most joyous and significant experience of my life.
Erin says...
Donette has guided me through many of my life’s biggest moments– breakups, work challenges, moving across the country to follow my heart’s passion and finding my life’s partner!
She has been the one witnessing me as I’ve navigated my young adulthood and is the one I turn to for guidance, encouragement and hope.
She lives and breathes her work– presence, wholeness, integration and joy! Her sense of intuition is invaluable to me, as well as her deep body wisdom and knowing.
She asks the questions I need to hear and she loves me through all the winding journeys of life. Anyone who gets to do healing work with her is truly blessed and in the best hands!
Alix says...
Donette has been an incredibly positive force in my life. The moment I met her, she overwhelmed me with healing energy and love. My spiritual growth and overall health have improved from her wealth of knowledge, and nurture. Donette practices what she preaches, making her a role model to not only me, but my family, friends and anyone else who comes in contact with her.
Anytime I hear of someone suffering, hurting, or struggling with their health, I recommend Donette. Her unique approach is real, raw and practical for the everyday person.
Donette leads by example, and the second you meet her, you will feel her genuine love. She has changed my life, and enhanced my spirit in many ways. I approach life with open arms and an open heart…just one of the many facets she has ingrained in me. Donette will forever be a sounding voice and support in my life. She is truly amazing!
Rebecca says...
When I met Donette I didn't know what a Doula was or how bad I needed one! You see I am a tough farm girl from Kansas.. and I figured I could do this pregnancy thing on my own! People do it all the time... right?? Boy was I wrong. No matter what your background is hiring Donette is so stinkin cheap for such value to create an overall great experience. Having a baby is something that is the hardest transition ever and you never really truly understand it until you are in the middle of it, but it can be so much easier and the overall experience between you and your spouse can be so much better when you allow others to help. There are a lot of hard decisions to make and some unforeseen. It is awful nice to have a personal coach to forewarn you what is coming next! Donette is someone you want on your team for game day! She is your google... She is your emotional support.... She is your wisdom when things seem hard. Having Donette is like having a personal assistant on your wedding day! Having a baby is a memory of a lifetime so set yourself up for the best possible outcome by hiring Donette. She is truly the best at what she does.
Dana says...
Donette quickly became more than a coach to me, but also a friend. Starting with my personal view of health and fitness and my unhealthy habits, Donette found a gradual, gentle way to fit new and different options into my everyday life. She takes an overall mind, body and spirit approach in her coaching sessions through identifying past cycles and thought patterns and this has helped me tremendously.
Donette has walked me through pregnancy with baby and mama health, and will continue to do so until our baby girl arrives. Her vast research and respect for the birthing process is so valuable…especially to this first time mother. Donette’s knowledge brought a huge awareness to what my body is going through and how to see it as Divine and empowering.
Donette is a woman of beauty, abundance, integrity, inspiration, and depth. I am forever grateful to have her as a friend, mentor and coach.
Sara says...
The day I found out I was pregnant I was terrified. The next day I contacted Donette because I knew my mental state, emotional health and diet was less than mediocre, and she would know what I should do, for me, so this other little person had a good chance. Her positive energy was the perfect balance in an otherwise scary, less than ideal situation. Donette perspective on birth and health made it all seem like themost natural thing i could be doing. The attention I received from Mama D was much greater than I could have imagined. She set out a meal plan, got me juicing, met me in the early mornings to work out, attended every appointment, and was with me as soon as labor pains began. She wrangled my crazy family, kept me calm, laughing and happy as labor progressed. With me throughout the toughest yet most empowering, time in my life. She has become an amazing mentor and friend for life. My birth experience pre and post natal were made amazing because of Mama D. Now years later I am still in awe of what an inspiring, powerful, loving woman she is. I can't explain how grateful I am for not only her Belief in me, but her love and friendship."
Susan says...
Donette radiates loving wisdom throughout her coaching and business offerings. With strength and kindness, she sits in the center of compassion for self and others and then—without words—will be inviting you to do the same. Donette listens deeply and then connects with you to create the next best step to take.
Jessica says...
One of MANY things I appreciate, admire, love and respect about Donette is the way she has created her own life in exactly the way she has needed too. Along with that has come tremendous wisdom, insight and experience with a whole spectrum of real-deal living. Because of this I not only trust her as a loving, present and helpful friend, colleague and coach, but as a solid and compassionate guide who will do whatever it takes to be there as an incredible support. She is living proof that life is full of miracles and success of ALL kinds, and she will help you get there— in body, mind, and spirit! (Bonus: *She has a cute accent, too!).
Cindy says...
Through your LOVE and support and continuous easy access to your open heart, mind, body and your sweet soul, we brought this child into the world with a family of four strong generations of women present for that sweet moment in time! Without your support, teachings, hugs, tears, laughter, and understanding LOVE, this happiness we still have today, 5 years later, could have been very different. Anyone is lucky to have you present during a magical time in their life.
Dina says...
Donette is “charm in a bottle” – she’s a straight shooting wise sage, a light of kindness and humor, and a trusted mentor.
Heather says...
Donette is one of those rare souls who brings the gentle warmth of kindness wherever she appears. Her authentic warmth is born of weathering the ups and downs through a life well lived, which created humility and fearlessness. Donette carries a curious, compassionate and quick mind. Her natural creativity and caring equip her to tend to a woman with child using the hoped-for decisiveness, practicality and reassurance. Her twinkle and smile create comfort and security even in times when the mind is troubled. Donette lives the health and wellness she teaches and, after years of mentoring women, she is now one of the greatly-loved leaders in this field.
Joni says...
Donette’s intuition, patience and love of life has taught me that anything is possible in my life. Her style of coaching has helped me tremendously. I am so grateful to have her in my life.