“I have only been certain of one thing in my life - that I wanted to become a mother. This past year I was able to start that journey. I knew that birth was something that I would need support around and I felt it was really important to look into hiring a doula. I didn’t know where to start to look for someone and was nervous that I would struggle to find a person that I connected with on a peer level while also trusting them to lead me. By the powers of Instagram, my fiancé saw a post about Bianca and suggested I reach out. I’m soooo glad he did! After messaging casually and attending one of her calls that brought together a small group of us expecting mothers, I knew Bianca was something special. I admired so much her perspective on her work, her emphasis on female community and just her overall vibe.

In our first meeting as doula and client I felt genuinely excited about giving birth! I felt that Bianca really saw me and that I had her complete support, I never felt an ounce of judgement or pressure. Bianca expressed great knowledge of the process and immediately put me at ease. Ben and I could confidently put our complete trust in Bianca from that first session forward. I appreciated how she encouraged us to ask questions and reach out along the way.

When showtime came I could not have been happier to have Bianca by my side, holding my hand, tying up my hair, and whispering to me sweet affirmations of what a badass I was! She made me feel safe, seen and like a warrior. I am so proud of myself and the birth I had, but I know I would not have made it to that goal without Bianca’s support. I was exhausted and wanted to give up but I knew, because I trusted her completely, that everything was going just as it should. After many hours, Bianca helped me welcome my baby girl. She gave me a gift you can never put a price on - to be able to welcome your child into a space of love and community. I felt so bonded in that room full of women (and of course my Ben - but let’s be honest he was trying to stay far from the action). I cannot recommend Bianca and her services enough. I don’t know how or why anyone would navigate birth without a doula and I know if another babe comes along for me, Bianca will be by my side again. ”

“Once I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to fully experience the laboring process without the use of medication. With this goal in mind, I hired Bianca to become my Birth Doula. My husband was apprehensive about spending the money, but both he and I discovered very quickly upon meeting Bianca how vital she was to our birth story. She made herself available to answer all our questions, taught us about the laboring process, helped us create a birth plan and was a sounding board for all our fears and concerns. The night I went into labor, my husband called her countless times. With her guidance, I had the confidence to labor at home as long as possible and walked into the hospital 8 centimeters dilated. By 1am, Bianca was by my side in the labor room advocating for me while simultaneously showing my husband how to squeeze my hips to help me through my contractions. Her calming energy and encouraging spirit helped me stay grounded and inside my body at a time when I felt extremely vulnerable and not in control. She was my coach when I needed new positions to help push, and my cheerleader when I needed encouragement to stay the course. Once my beautiful boy was delivered, he ended up needing some additional medical attention. My husband went to be with the baby and I was left without my husband or child after delivery. If it wasn’t for Bianca staying with me, I don’t know how I would have coped. I feel extremely lucky to have met Bianca and have her be a part of my birth story. I know my experience of becoming a mother is forever shaped by having Bianca by my side. I truly cannot recommend her enough! ”

“To put it simply, Bianca is an angel! From Day 1, she connected beautifully with me & my husband, and all of our prenatal sessions were enlightening, uplifting & deep, even though they were done remotely via Zoom. Bianca did a great job helping me to develop & perfect my ideal Birth Plan... And when labor came, although almost nothing actually unfolded in accordance with the plan, she kept me calm & positive, and she educated me & advocated for me every step of the way. Her soothing touch, her encouraging, nurturing coaching & her amazing energy were integral in helping me (& my husband) through over 28 hours of difficult labor. At all times she made me feel supported & strong.

After delivery she stayed with us, helping as we began to bond with our baby girl and with my first attempts at nursing... And now over 9 weeks postpartum, she continues to check in with us and to share her loving, awesome energy! My hubby & I are beyond grateful that she shared our amazing journey with us, and she will always have a special place in our lives & our heart! If you are looking for a truly fantastic Doula, then Bianca is your girl!”

“Working with Bianca for the birth of our daughter was one of the smartest decisions we’ve made. She was a massive resource from the minute we met each other for the first time. Her calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge and experience helped us navigate some of the more unexpected moments of birth.

Some quick anecdotes:
From the first conversation with Bianca it was clear that she wanted two things; for us to be aware of every choice we made, and trying to help us achieve everything we wanted out of our birth experience. She was encouraging, informative, and made sure that we fully understood the full scope of every decision we made. She made us consider a large number of things that we probably would’ve walked into blind. With her support my wife was able to achieve her goal of having a fully natural birth.

She was a huge rock for me as my wife went into transition. I like to plan things and having Bianca to help me deal with the stress of giving my wife the space she needed during labor, and the lack of a schedule that comes with birth was critical. Without her, labor would’ve probably been a significantly different experience for both of us.

She was a huge form of support for us immediately post birth when we were having some issues with latching and needed the extra encouragement to do what we wanted (breastfeeding) despite the somewhat constant misinformation we were hearing from the hospital staff. She constantly checked in with us following the birth of our daughter and made us feel like we were not only clients but family.

She’s more than a great doula, she’s a phenomenal person. Choosing to work with her is one of the best decisions you can make.”

“I knew I wanted a doula when I got pregnant, but I also knew I needed a certain kind of doula. I wanted someone who was easy to talk to and get along with (the connection was key) but also someone who was comfortable in a medical environment and interfacing with the clinical team, because I always planned to deliver in a hospital. I knew I wanted an epidural, and I had heard that doulas were great for natural births, but if you were planning to have interventions, “a doula might not be necessary.” I went with my gut that I still wanted a doula, someone to support me through the process because I was terrified of actual labor (who isn’t the first time around). My husband was also supportive of me getting a doula, someone that could be there for me, and him, and help us navigate everything that comes along with having a baby.

Bianca Paredes was recommended to me by my fertility coach. I wanted someone to support me mentally, emotionally and physically and Bianca did - even though I knew I was going for the interventions. Before I even officially hired her, Bianca would reach out to me to check in, and see how I was doing, which warmed my heart.

Leading up until my labor, Bianca helped me understand the process which was key. She prepared me for what was to come and throughout my pregnancy. If I had questions, Bianca was always a text or call away. She helped me write my birth plan, and my doctor was so impressed by how neat and organized it turned out. Very simple and easy to read! I also had a breeched baby and Bianca helped connect me with resources like a chiropractor, and other techniques to try to turn the baby. I ended up undergoing a version procedure that was successful, and Bianca coached me leading up to the procedure on what to expect.

We met in person a few times but Bianca was also always there for me if I needed her virtually. Bianca joined me in the delivery room where she literally held my leg during my delivery, and was my advocate when I needed things, or even breaks during the labor. Having Bianca there felt so reassuring for my husband and I, she was our constant throughout the pregnancy and birth.

I would highly recommend Bianca to anyone looking for a doula or looking for support during their birth. She has a wealth of knowledge, and is great at connecting you to resources, or answering questions, and has such a nice way about her that puts you at ease and makes you feel comfortable. She is the best!”

“I hired Bianca in my first trimester. We met so I could interview with her and fell in love with her right away. Bianca has an incredibly calming presence that I think every mom would benefit from during pregnancy. I hired Bianca right after the interview because I just knew I needed her on this journey with me.
My first meeting with Bianca left me feeling so safe. Thats the one word that comes to mind when I think of my experience with her. I always felt that me and my baby were safe and in the best of hands, I really valued her opinion and knowledge.

She really tried to understand the dynamic in my home, family and with my husband - without ever passing judgement. She also made sure I was aware of all my birth choices, things I had no idea about and am thankful Bianca educated me on as my OB did not give me any of that information.

When my labor began my intention was a low intervention, un-medicated birth and I made my way to the hospital. Bianca arrived and immediately began taking over, she did her job and challeneged me along the way. At times I wanted to give up but Bianca kept reminding me of my strength and power.
When I decided, after several days of labor that I needed to change my birth plans, Bianca was quick to let me know that it was the right choice for me and my situation.
Bianca had pushed me so far throughout my active laboer that when it came time to get an epidural, I felt so confident and at peace with my decision. I felt so strong, empowered and brave even despite my birth plan completely changing. That was thanks to Bianca. I know for a fact that if I didnt have Bianca with me, I would have changed plans early in labor and felt defeated.

With all the doctors and nurses, (who were amazing) in and out - Bianca proved to be my only constant source of comfort.
Bianca had such a large part in our entire pregnancy that we asked her to cut Parkers cord when she was born. I can say with confidence, I would not have been able to do what I did without Bianca.
My husband and I have already begun the conversation about having another child and the one thing we do know is that Bianca will be a part of that babies birth as well. ”

“At first, I wasn’t really sure what the point of a Doula was — it was something my wife wanted, and I wanted her to be comfortable, so I said OK. When we met with Bianca in the appointments leading up to birth, we were both impressed by how she put us at ease. She asked questions that started good conversations that made us feel more prepared. But most valuable to me, and totally surprising, was the ways Bianca supported me during the birth, helping me be the partner I wanted to be. Bianca was unobtrusive, yet always there, suggesting positions to try, handing me water to hand to my wife before either of us asked etc. When the birth went in a direction we didn’t expect, she guided me through my extreme fear so I could be strong for my wife, and paved the way for us both to feel good about the decisions we were making. She will always be part of the happy memories we have of our daughter’s healthy delivery.

For families like ours: Bianca is queer-friendly and she made my wife feel supported as a Black woman.

Bianca is sensitive and intuitive and smart. I urge any PARTNERS who are undecided about having a Doula to open their minds, and recommend Bianca wholeheartedly.”

“I hired Bianca as my doula for my first pregnancy and hospital delivery set for June 2020. Originally I had wanted her expertise and advocacy in the hospital delivery room setting. I have no doubt she would have been an asset to myself and my husband in that space.

However; after COVID 19 changed protocols in hospital delivery rooms across the world, I started to question my birth plan. Bianca helped me feel rooted in my decision to switch to a home birth with support and educational tools leading up to my delivery.

On the day of my daughters birth, Bianca was a calming and reassuring presence inside my home. With her help, I had the natural home birth I had changed to and wished for. I will be forever grateful to her for the physical and emotional support that she offered me that day. I encourage anyone looking for a doula to confidently hire Bianca. Should my husband and I choose to have more children, I can’t imagine not having her in our birth space again.”

“When I was 7 weeks pregnant I attended a Women’s Group with a friend, I had never met the instructor Bianca before but was immediately drawn to her calm, confident energy. When she mentioned that (in addition to being a farmer) she was also a birth Doula, I knew without a doubt that I wanted her to accompany me on my journey into motherhood. As a first time mother, I had a lot to learn about the ups and downs of pregnancy, Bianca’s knowledge and expertise was invaluable and she never left a question unanswered.

In addition to our scheduled prenatal visits, Bianca also offered a virtual Pregnancy Support Group which met bi-weekly. I attended the group many times and was surprised at how much I had to share and how much I gained from connecting with other mothers. Bianca created a safe, structured, space for us to really open up and share our feelings and experiences. I always left the group feeling emotionally renewed.

My plan was to have a natural birth in the Alternative Birthing Center at Women and Infants. Bianca helped me create a clear birth plan to give to my providers to ensure that everyone was on the same page. She aided in calming my many concerns about giving birth during a pandemic and navigate the new rules and regulations put in place by the hospital. I like to be prepared, and Bianca ensured that I knew exactly what to expect going into the hospital.

During my 33 hours of labor, from the time my water broke until when my baby arrived - Bianca was a steadfast presence. During early labor, while I was still at home, she checked in often and answered all of my questions. Once at the hospital, it was all hands on deck, Bianca brings with her a wealth of knowledge and an invaluable labor “tool box”. She encouraged me to try different labor positions to help move the baby along, as well as breathing and hands-on techniques to help manage the pain of contractions. My husband similar to most first-time fathers, wanted to help during my labor but didn’t know exactly how. Bianca was able to guide and direct my husband so that he was not only facilitating hands-on techniques but was using her cues to coach me along. He felt empowered to be able to assist me through this process and not just stand idly by. It really strengthened our bond as a couple. I am honored to have had Bianca join me in my journey into motherhood. Her steady, grounding energy helped give me the confidence to continue forward through some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of my life. My husband and I are forever grateful to Bianca for helping bring our son into this world. It really was a team effort and we couldn’t have done it without her!”

“Our decision to have Bianca as a part of our birth journey was one of the best we made! Before deciding to work with Bianca she had invited me to her pregnancy support groups, and after attending I knew that the added support is what I really needed during this time. Bianca was amazing through the entire process. Always offering a listening ear to any concerns or questions that would arise and educating us on what to expect. She was always very realistic and honest with us when it came to expectations of how we wanted things to go vs how they might actually go. She gave us the knowledge we needed to feel confident going into labor and potential scenarios we may face.

Unfortunately, Bianca was not able to be at the hospital with us due to Covid-19 (we live in Connecticut). However she was always a call or a text away during the entire process. This was especially helpful for my husband as they would talk as things would change during the labor and Bianca would give him tips and advice.

I would highly recommend having Bianca be part of your birth support team. My biggest take away from her was that knowledge is power and that then allowed us to navigate confidently and have the perfect birth for us even though it wasn’t what we expected. She also has the biggest heart and warmest soul! It was such a pleasure to work with her.”