I want to thank Natashia Fuksman for her support. You came to our aid and support without
hesitation, and I am so thankful for that. Your words of encouragement and steady hand throughout the birth were a key factor in Michelle's success. Not to mention the video you took. Absolutely beautiful! You have many gifts, and your photographic eye is one of them.
Mike, proud Dad of Miles Joseph, Jackson Heights, NY, December 2004

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Natashia was a godsend after the birth of my child Cedar. I had back complications after my delivery and my baby was very very colicky. I needed help desperately. I interviewed Natasha and knew she was the perfect postpartum doula for me. I was instantly comfortable with her. She was like a sister. She was fantastic with Cedar. Cedar just needed to be held 24-7 and when Natasha held her she would just relax. Natashia helped teach me how to soothe my child (which sounds easy, but isnt with colic) and also pointed out certain things as a first time mom I just couldn't know ( like that Cedar was spitting up more than normal). She was completely non-judgmental and considerate in every way. I trusted her completely and she was a great resource and friend to me. Making it through those first few months was very tough.  Having Natashia's caring, patient assistance made a world of difference for us.

Tsia, Beacon, NY, Spring 2004

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I would like to give some props to doulas in general and Natashia in particular.  I didn't have a doula for our first child, because it seemed expensive and I thought they were just a luxury.  But that was a complicated pregnancy and a complicated birth, with an emergency c-section, and a terrible depression afterwards (looking back, I should have had a doula). The experience convinced me that when I had another baby, I wanted

to avoid a c-section, because I think the whole experience and all the intervention had something to do with my depression.

When we were expecting our second, I enrolled for a VBAC class and I was determined to do everything the teacher said.  The class emphasized the importance of a doula,and sited some statistics about how doulas reduce the incidence of c-section.

Natashia was not actually our labor doula.  The labor doula that we found was a little wacky (we were strapped for money and she offered us a deal), and sometimes we didn't get along.  But when it came down to the delivery room, she knew her stuff, and I really have to credit her for assisting with my successful VBAC.

We called Natashia shortly after the baby was born, in a last-minute decision to have a postpartum doula.  The help we had lined up quit on us suddenly and I began to feel anxious and overwhelmed.  I decided I wanted a sympathetic professional to come help us, and a postpartum doula is just that.

We found Natashia on the DONA web site.  She listened sympathetically on the phone to all of our concerns.  In our home she was calming and fun to be around--she played with my toddler daughter (Natashia speaks fluent Spanish!), made delicious meals, cleaned up, ran errands, played with the new baby, and let me rest.  She gives awesome massages!  When I have another one, I will definitely have Natashia as my labor doula.  There are many wonderful doulas out there, but I think Natashia must be the best!

Jessica, Kew Gardens, NY, Winter 2004