Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Ra’Keeya has always felt like a big sister to me growing up and even throughout my first pregnancy and birth experience with my son, as my birth doula. Im a young mom and the idea of giving birth scared me, I was terrified lol! Ra’Keeya literally held my hand throughout my pregnancy by helping me remain calm and empowered providing me with education, physical comfort, care and support to speak to my doctors, ask questions and make informed decisions about the birth I wanted to experience. Throughout my 3rd trimester, Ra’Keeya came over to my house and helped me and my family organize my son’s room, wash & sort through baby clothes and sterilizing bottles, nipples and preparing my hospital baby bag. My son was past his due date and approaching 41 wks. Due to me going 2 weeks past my due date, my doctors wanted to induce me and I was scared of what that process would do to my baby. Ra’Keeya delegated all of my last minute baby tasks to my family so I could focus on bouncing on the birthing ball, squatting, using her rebozo and drinking herbal teas to help induce my labor naturally. Nothing worked lol! Ra’Keeya helped ease my mind by explaining the unpredictability of labor & birth and helped to remind me that my main objective was to have a safe and healthy delivery, no matter the method of giving birth. Ra’Keeya stayed with me throughout my entire hospital stay and explained all medical induction procedures & risks to me. She also provided me great comfort, reassurance and support when I decided to get an epidural. After being medically induced and getting stuck at 6cm for over 12 hours, Ra’Keeya intuitively knew that my doctors would advise me to have a c- section and though it was not my birth choice, Ra’Keeya comforted me and reminded me that the decision I was making was best for my son and I. Ra’Keeya went into the OR room with me and comforted me throughout my C-section, informing me of what was occurring throughout the entire process. My son was born calmly sleeping and perfect! I was happy to have her cut my sons umbilical cord and be the first person to hold him. Ra’Keeya stayed with me for a few more hours after birth to help my son latch on for me to breastfeed. He latched with no problems! She also came over to my house after discharge to help me adjust to being a new mom and educating me on newborn care and postpartum recovery. I will never forget this experience and how its changed me forever. I Love you sissy, and I sincerely thank you for being apart of me and Iman’s New Beginning
Shanell Simmons
I tell everybody that Ra’Keeya was not only my birth doula, but also my “epidural”, when they ask me how I was able to give birth all natural. She was amazing at providing physical &emotional comfort and support as my labor started to intensify. When I think back to the pains I had during my labor, Im so grateful I had her by my side to help guide me and my husband through the birth of our daughter. Just when I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore due to my exhaustion, Ra’Keeya reminded me of my power and that every contraction brought my baby closer to me. I delivered my babygirl unmedicated! She even assisted my husband in practicing skin to skin in the hospital and the initiation of breastfeeding! If Ra’Keeya hasnt touched anyone else's life, she definitely has touched my mine and was an amazing part of my birth team, an amazing doula and a great friend during my labor &delivery. Ra’Keeya is epically great, talented and GIFTED in her craft. I pray she continues to follow her purpose being the great human she is so we can book her again for baby number 2
Yoshida Jackson
Having Ra’Keeya for my doula helped make my journey into motherhood a peaceful transition. Ra’Keeya provided me with resources, handouts and helped me physically prep for a vaginal birth with exercises and breathing techniques. This really helped to ease my mind about what I should expect and prepare for having hospital birth with my first baby. During our sessions Ra’Keeya also helped me prep baby clothes, sterilize bottles, organize my baby bag and prepare for my postpartum recovery. Ra’Keeya kept a calm and soothing atmosphere in my hospital room and took great care of me during intense labor moments by rubbing essential oils on me, keeping a damp cloth on my head and providing me words of encouragement. She even caught the moment my daughter was born and my first look at my baby on camera, which she gave to me as a gift the day of my discharge. Ra’Keeya also provided day of discharge service by preparing Babys room for arrival, gathering my medication, breastfeeding supplies and decorating my room! She was available during my postpartum recovery answering any questions I had about breastfeeding, my recovery or newborn questions. It was heaven sent to have her by my side, as a young mom, to help me guide me throughout my pregnancy, birth and postpartum time
Nadirah Gathers
I will be forever grateful for Gentle Beginnings doula services (Ra’Keeya ) where do I start one of the amazing things about using her services is that she travels no matter what state you are in, she will be there. Ra’keeya was an amazing doula. She was knowledgeable, confident and kind. She supported me through every aspect of my pregnancy and birth. She provided me with education, additional resources and round the clock support. When birthing time came, she eased my fears with her presence. She was my cheerleader and my advocate. She help me go through my birth plan . She supported my husband and I both through labor and delivery and celebrated with us during the birth of our daughter . Which I was in labor for 3 days and had to get an unplanned C-Section and she never left my side. We also did fun activities preparing for my baby girl making my belly case so I can have it forever. She took memorable pictures of us and even shared tears of happiness when my husband and I were about to welcome our daughter Earth-side. I admire Ra’keeya for her patience, optimism, and knowledge. She was just what we needed and I know God put her in our Life for a reason. We are so grateful to Ra’keeya for all that she did for us during my pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum! I would recommend her one thousand times over! Gentle Beginnings Was Truly the best experience I could have chose to help me through my pregnancy and birth
Maxine Catlin
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I am truly beyond words in expressing my immense gratitude for Doula Ra’Keeya. She is a truly gifted and divine soul who played an integral role in assisting my partner and me during the home birth of our son, Frankie, lovingly known as Buddha. We enlisted Ra’Keeya's services at 38 weeks into my pregnancy due to last-minute changes in my birthing plan that were beyond my control. The fact that she not only provided support but also brought a spiritual presence was incredibly important to us. From the moment Ra’Keeya joined our journey, she hit the ground running, meticulously planning for the labor, birth, and postpartum phases. Her commitment was evident when she visited our home to understand our needs, offering assistance with anything required to prepare for our baby’s arrival. Ra’Keeya's energy was not only endearing but also so comforting that we embraced her as part of our family. We eagerly anticipated the labor, knowing we had her by our side. Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, Ra’Keeya stayed in constant touch, showing genuine concern for both myself and my partner. When labor finally began at 39 weeks, she seamlessly stepped in, creating an atmosphere of trust and comfort. Her use of various techniques, tools, and unwavering support was everything I needed and more. The incorporation of Reiki further added to the calming experience for both myself and my partner. As labor progressed rapidly, Ra’Keeya was there to catch my son, whom I delivered in our bed—a truly magical moment. Thanks to Ra’Keeya, I was able to experience the birth of my dreams. I wholeheartedly recommend her services, and should the universe bless me with another child, there's no doubt that Ra’Keeya will be the first person we call.