Client Testimonials
Taylor and Nyfease
Where do I even start, not only was Joy there for me as our Doula, she became my best friend throughout the process as well. My boyfriend and I are very young, and this pregnancy came as a bit of a shock to us. We were incredibly excited but also scared, considering we really didn’t know much about the pregnancy journey. After being introduced to Joy, she immediately started instilling confidence and excitement into both of us! The amount of knowledge and information she gave us made us feel as if this was our third child and we knew exactly what we were doing! I am someone who loves to learn and read and therefore was always reaching out to Joy with pages of questions I had written down after doing my research. Words cannot express how supportive and knowledgeable she was when answering all my questions. She always made me feel like I was proactive and already a great mommy! She also drove over an hour to walk my boyfriend and I through some great exercises and labor positions. We were able to practice them frequently throughout the pregnancy, which I believe helped us have a smooth delivery!
My water broke at 11:30 at night and my first call was Joy! I was both excited and scared to death all at the same time. After talking to Joy, I felt an overwhelming calm feeling and was actually able to get some sleep that night before my contractions began. She was there all through the night texting me and making sure everything was ok! The next morning my contractions began, and I asked her to come and labor at home with me. In the blink of an eye she was here and ready for what ended up being a long night! I never had to ask for food, water, or help with anything. It was almost as if she was able to read my mind and offer things before, I would even ask.
I wanted to have a completely natural birth, which I found out is extremely hard to do in the hospital. Every time the doctors would come in, my contractions would stop or slow. My favorite thing Joy would say to us after the doctors would leave was, “Ok, let’s forget everything they just said and get back to our calm space.” She actually had me laughing and enjoying my labor. When the contractions picked up, there were many times I said, “I can’t do it.” Joy was quick to diminish that thought out of my head. Not only was she there for me mentally, but physically as well. She had me try so many amazing positions to labor in and also massaged different parts of my body which almost put me to sleep! She guided my boyfriend as well in different ways he could help. He has mentioned so many times how thankful he was for the guidance Joy provided him! He has already asked if she can be with us for the births of all of our children!
The mental and physical support Joy provides is unforgettable and really empowers you to believe you can do anything you set your mind to! I absolutely would recommend Joy to all women who are thinking about becoming mommies!
Nyfease and I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for our family! We are already looking forward to the journey together for baby number two!
Alyssa and Bob
Joy Skow played an absolutely instrumental part of my husband & my dream birth experience. After my first birth ended in a c-section after 24 hours, when the goal was unmedicated natural childbirth, I was completely devastated. I yearned to have the memory of delivering my child, holding him right as he entered the world and being able to remember the entire experience. When I became pregnant with my second child, I knew that I needed to find a doula to help us achieve our goal.
When I was connected with Joy, I immediately was drawn to her calm, collected personality. Her warm & welcoming nature made her extremely easy to open up to about my past experience and my goals for this pregnancy & birth. She never made me feel silly for any question asked, and guided me through pregnancy aches, pains & anxiety.
When the end of pregnancy approached, she welcomed every text message and call with open ears. I was induced with my first, so spontaneous labor was new to me and I had so many questions regarding if it was time or if labor was approaching. My labor was no quick feat. I had 24-hours of prodromal labor the week before actually going into labor, which lasted for 59 hours. Joy was there to support me and guide both my husband & myself through every minute. She even drove to our home in the middle of a blizzard to ensure that I was having the birth experience I had hoped for. Her encouraging words, suggestions for movement during labor and hours of counter-pressure applied during contractions were never lacking. She stayed put for nearly all 59 hours of my labor! She coached my husband, gave him breaks to eat & sleep, and made us both feel confident in the decisions we made regarding our son’s birth . She took detailed notes the entire time of information that my husband & I would have forgotten. She even wrote down the mantras that I began saying when contractions got intense. Her genuine love for her job shined through all along the way.
After 58 hours of labor, it came time for me to push. Throughout my hour of pushing I was focused on Joy’s voice coaching me through. There were several people in the room counting down pushes, but I knew she had my goal in mind and I focused on her telling me to “blow out the birthday candles” when the ring of fire approached. When my son finally came into the world, she captured the intimate moment on video as we requested, and even got us choosing his name on a recording. The images she captured throughout labor & delivery are ones that I will cherish and hold dear for the rest of my life.
This experience was hands down the most incredible moment of my life. I can vividly remember every thought that I had during the entirety of my labor & delivery, every feeling that radiated through my body—the love I felt growing for my husband, the confidence I had in my body & my decisions, the music we listened to, it was truly a surreal span of time. The moment I welcomed my son into the world was a moment of pure bliss. I would describe my labor experience as romantic (sounds silly but I honestly fell more in love with my husband than ever before in this time, and he says the same!), healing and life changing. None of this would have been possible without Joy there to get me through hours of labor and make us feel confident in the decisions that we were making. She feels like family now, and I couldn’t imagine delivering a baby without her by my side!
Finding and working with Joy throughout my pregnancy was such a huge blessing. I tend to be a nervous over planner, so once I found out I was pregnant, I began to research labor and delivery. The more I read, the more I realized that I wanted to go a more natural route and hiring a doula to support a drug-free delivery would increase my chance of success. With all the “normal” expenses of bringing a new baby into the world, it would take some convincing to get my husband on board. After the experience we had with Joy, he now says he cannot imagine doing this without her.
Joy was amazing from the very beginning. We chatted via facetime to ensure we would be a good fit. After deciding to hire her as our doula, we met multiple times ahead of my labor. In these meetings, Joy discussed my prenatal care, options for delivery, tips and techniques to relieve pregnancy discomfort, and answered all of my questions with compassion and detail. She made herself continuously available for any questions, concerns, or simply to run ideas by. Once I had my birth plan written, she read through it for me and suggested edits to ensure a more positive outcome at the hospital. My husband and I took a series of prenatal classes at The Village in Collingswood, and Joy co-taught the Labor of Love Class we attended. This was an additional opportunity for us to interact and learn from her.
The day I went into labor, Joy was the first person I messaged after contacting my doctor. I was hoping to labor at home for as long as possible, but the universe had other plans. After being admitted to the hospital earlier than expected, I asked Joy if she could join. She arrived within 30 mins and immediately helped keep me calm. My husband had learned so many supportive techniques from Joy that he was able to fully support me through back labor. I have difficulty articulating the labor experience, but what I do know is that my husband helped me breathe and provided counter pressure while Joy continuously encouraged us, stroked my hands calmly, and offered me water between contractions. Having this team of three working in unison is what I credit to going through a hospital labor without an epidural. I was exhausted by the end but felt so empowered. I owe this experience to Joy.
I felt like I did a ton of reading on prenatal care and labor/delivery, but really didn’t do much reading on what to do for postpartum care including the first few weeks with baby. Joy has continued to make herself accessible even after our postpartum visit. She has been incredibly supportive through breastfeeding concerns, new baby questions, and first-time mom doubts. If you are considering a doula, I cannot recommend Joy enough. On top of being knowledgeable, she is compassionate, warm, and calming. The thought of her not being in our lives anymore after sharing the most intimate and moving experience with us actually makes me tear up. So I’ll be sure to continue texting her with questions and updates on our sweet baby girl to make sure she’s never really gone 😊 .
-Lindsey, Dan, and baby Josephine
Lindsey and Dan
Jenny P.
Joy was there for me in one of the most intimate and important transitions in my life – she was the guide I didn’t know I needed. To say she was supportive would not do her justice – she was intuitive, kind, knowledgeable and gave the kind of unwavering support that gives others the confidence they can perform magic.
When our birth plan was falling to pieces, I was starting to panic – but Joy was there to remind us that we were in control of the decisions we were making and helped us talk through our options – even if they weren’t the exact circumstances we wanted. For me, that made all the difference – to feel informed and in control when so many things were out of my control was empowering.
For my husband, it was the calm – Joy brought an experienced hand to our baby’s birth and that gave my husband room to breathe and have support in making some of the biggest decisions he’s ever made. It was also the small things – Joy & my husband became my circle… I never wanted for a drink, a hand to squeeze, an encouraging word, and they protected me from any stress …and that empowered me to be strong during labor, intuitively follow my body’s cues and birth a healthy baby girl. I will always feel grateful that Joy was there with us for the birth of our daughter.
Cat W.
Bundle of joy has a whole new meaning to me and my family. While I was pregnant with my second, I was adamant about having a vaginal birth since my first was a C-section. I heard that having a doula can cut the percentage of having a repeat C-section significantly, so I started my search and was connected to Joy. I cannot describe how grateful and lucky I am that she was my doula. Not only that, but she quickly became a role model. She didn't just have the knowledge of VBAC births, but experienced them, and took me as her client while she was in her 3rd trimester with her fourth child. She is a real life superwoman.
Joy helped me construct a birth plan, taught me breathing, visualization, and stretching techniques, listened to my fears and concerns, helped with breastfeeding and so much more. She educated and supported me more personally and honestly than my doctors, and without judgment. She was absolutely empowering.
For example, the day I went into early labor, we were in constant contact. She answered every text and call and checked in between. She came over the moment I asked, and she helped me labor at the house until I was ready for the hospital. Once there, at about 10:30PM, I was told I was about 3 cm dilated and the nurses suggested I walk around to help things progress. They had not realized that I had been laboring since 4:00AM, but Joy did and suggested I rest instead, which proved to be what my body needed as I continued to dilate.
Without a doubt, my pregnancy and birthing experience would have been completely different without Joy. Not a day goes by where I don't look at my daughter and think of Joy for helping me bring her into this world. I recommend her to all my family and friends and would absolutely have her by my side for my next pregnancy.
Anne S.
Having Joy attend my daughter's birth was THE best decision that my husband and I made in our prenatal planning! I 100% believe that her presence enabled me to have the vaginal birth I had dreamed of and that without her I likely would have had a C-section. Her preparation beforehand built my confidence as a new mother, and her presence during labor and delivery helped me to stay focused and calm when things didn't go exactly as expected.
Joy has a wonderful way of empowering a new mom to listen to her own instincts and advocate for herself and her baby (versus being told what to do). Her presence is strong yet gentle and did not at all interfere with my husband's role in the process; on the contrary, her influence empowered him to be more involved and more confident. He said he would hire her again in a heartbeat! In addition, her evidence-based knowledge is vast and up-to-date, and my pelvic floor therapist even agreed that the strategies and exercises she suggested had made a vaginal birth possible.
Joy supported us far beyond our expectations, and it was only because of her timely lactation referral (after a failed one in the hospital system) and other valuable resources that our breastfeeding journey was successful. She is worth far more than the fee she charges- don't think twice about including her support in your prenatal planning!
Leigh-Anne D.
The experience of working with Joy throughout the birth of my son, James, was incredible. Joy helped my husband and I develop a birth plan and met with us throughout my pregnancy to make sure I knew all of my birthing options. She suggested questions to ask my provider to make sure I knew what my rights and options were ahead of time. She never pushed any of her own beliefs on us, and she made it clear that every decision was ours and she was there to support and educate. I went into the birth feeling confident and in control- there was no question that had not been answered.
Throughout the delivery, Joy was patient, supportive, and calming. Although I labored in the hospital for almost 24 hours, Joy was there the entire time, encouraging me, supporting me physically and emotionally, and ensuring my husband took breaks - both physical and mental. When I decided to make a change to my original birth plan, Joy was supportive. She understood how important it was for me to deliver in a calm mental and physical state, and supported me when making a tough decision in the moment.
When James was born, Joy took photos and videos with our permission, so that Ryan and I could enjoy being in the moment of the birth and still document our experience. She gave us time and space as a family to connect, and made herself available after the birth for further support when we needed it. I remember the delivery nurse telling me that Joy was one of the most supportive and calm doulas she had ever seen in a delivery room, and that Joy's presence clearly calmed me throughout the process. I consider Joy a champion for mothers- she leads by educating, supporting, and putting the control in the hands of the pregnant woman.
Nikki B.
Words cannot express how grateful we are for all that you did to help us have an amazing birth experience. You were our calm in a time of the unknown. You helped us focus on the task of labor—even when our plan took another path. Your advice and help throughout labor helped make me more comfortable, relaxed, and helped me feel more empowered.
Your passion throughout the process was appreciated—your passion for constantly researching and educating on childbirth and breastfeeding and your passion to keep pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum as a natural experience.
Brian B.
I can’t tell you how much having you there at the delivery helped us, and how much it meant to us during the crazy, amazing, beautiful, wild experience! Your wisdom, compassion, and advice worked wonders to help us navigate the delivery process to help give us the best experience possible. I know, for me, personally, I would have been lost without you! There were times where I felt helpless as Nikki went through labor. You advised me on what to do or say, or you stepped in to help her yourself. Having you there for that brought an unbelievable sense of comfort that otherwise would have been nonexistent. We can never thank you enough for what you did for all three of us!
Sarah S.
Words cannot describe how grateful and thankful we are to have had you as a part of our son’s birth. From the very start, your passion and excitement for pregnancy and childbirth was contagious and made my birth experience so very fulfilling. Your advice and support in helping us prepare for our birth was so valuable, and we were able to utilize your helpful advice and strategies as we began the labor journey.
As things really started to get going, you arrived and with you , you brought your amazing ability to provide a sense of calm during a stressful time. You created a relaxing atmosphere simply by being there (your diffuser and massages were a bonus!) . Despite the unexpected outcome of a cesarean, with your strong support, help, and presence, it was truly a joyous and beautiful event. Joy, you made the entire birth experience easy-which admittedly was a bit of a fear and source of anxiety for me before becoming pregnant. It helped so much to have you by our side, as our support and cheerleader. Your advice and guidance helped Andy and I to create a space to navigate the medical side of things and ultimately make our labor experience easy and feel like we were in control.
We also appreciated having you to help my family understand what was happening in the process. Thank you for supporting us during the most important event in our lives and for being such a special person in our lives.
Ashley H.
It feels virtually impossible to put in words what it meant to have Joy at my birth. I knew I wanted someone in the room with me who could help me stay grounded and who had crossed the threshold of birth before. With Joy, I knew I was getting not only a strong coach, but someone who is going to fill the room with beautifully supported love.
Each time I went through an intense contraction Joy was right there holding my hand, handing me water, putting a washcloth on my forehead or telling me that I could do it even when I thought that I couldn’t. She enabled me to get into that focused place where I didn’t have to ask for anything, it was just there when I needed it.
After my birth she stayed with my husband and my daughter as I needed a separate procedure. I can’t imagine how alone my husband would have felt holding our tiny daughter in the room without me. Joy continued to give support after our daughter’s birth, checking in on both myself and my husband. She’s an incredible person and doula, and I’m so grateful she was with me as I went through this rite of passage. She was integral in my feelings of empowerment, safety, support and ability as a first time mom.
Noah H.
Joy Skow was the doula for my wife, Ashley, and I when our daughter was born on December 13, 2018. Joy is an old friend of Ashley’s and we hoped that she would be an experienced and comforting extra hand as we navigated the birthing process for the first time. As it turned out, Joy was more of a comfort to me than I could have ever anticipated. After birth, Ashley needed an immediate procedure, and Joy stayed with me and my newborn when I otherwise would have been alone and afraid for my wife. She checked in on Ashley’s status, and assured me that things were progressing smoothly. She kept me calm as we waited and as I held and bottle fed my daughter for the first time. She even held our daughter as I managed to eat something at 3:00 in the morning! Joy was a perfect doula for us and really helped make an overwhelming experience as relaxed as could be for this first-time dad. I would recommend her to anyone for sure!
Ashley D.
If I could describe Joy in one word it would be extraordinary! Joy was recommended to us through friends who had used her for their birthing experience and had nothing but wonderful things to say. At 36 weeks pregnant after experiencing months of anxiety due to COVID-19 and the anticipation of our first child, we moved forward with hiring Joy. I can honestly say it was the best decision we ever made! Joy worked with us each week until our delivery meeting in person, through FaceTime and by email/calls whenever we needed her. After laboring for quite a few hours, we called Joy in the wee hours of the morning and she arrived at our home to continue laboring with me until we left for the hospital. Once arriving to the hospital, to our surprise, we were informed I was fully dilated and moving forward with an unplanned natural delivery. This is where Joy’s expertise really came into play. She coached me through every contraction and decision until the arrival of our son. Most importantly, Joy was (and still is even though our son is now 3 months old) there for me through my postpartum journey. No matter if I have a question about my recovery or about my newborn, Joy is still accessible to answer any concerns I experience as a first time mother. I’m unsure what our journey would have looked like without Joy, but we feel so fortunate that we never had to find out!
Vince D.
We hired Joy as a doula, but to our surprise received so much more! As we prepared for the birth of our first child, we went back and forth on the benefits of hiring a doula. Up until week 36 of pregnancy, our plan was to get through the process without professional help. Luckily, we changed our minds and at the last minute reached out to Joy, thanks to a referral from friends. From that point on, Joy was extremely responsive, supportive, and empowering! Every question was answered immediately, every concern was addressed, and the anxiety we had about the birthing experience was met with an influx of confidence. Working with Joy made us feel like we could handle anything the birthing process threw our way - and we did! Shortly after calling Joy at 2:30am (yes, she answered on the first ring) our son was born. We had a natural birth with no aids, which would have never been possible without Joy coaching and cheering us on the entire time. Even after we brought our Son home and struggled as first time parents, Joy helped us every step of the way. The way Joy communicated with us was always from a point of guidance, never forcing any decisions. Although we hired her as a doula, at times it felt like she was our therapist, life coach, and most importantly our friend. Hiring Joy was one of the best decisions we ever made, and she made the most memorable moment of our lives absolutely amazing. We can’t thank Joy enough! We would recommend her to everyone expecting, and will be contacting her when we are expecting baby 2...and baby 3...and baby 4!