Blooming Belly Doula

Verneta is a fantastic doula. She was so helpful to my me and my husband as soon as we brought our baby boy home. She truly loves babies and has been instrumental in understanding some of my baby’s needs. Not only is she a kind and loving person to be around, but she’s also very knowledgeable and very passionate about what she does. I highly recommend her services!

If I could afford to have Verneta live with us I would! She is the MOST AMAZING woman. She has been helping us care for our 5 ½ month old baby for the last few months. Our baby lights up when she sees Verneta which is the most important sign to me that we have the right person helping us.
From the first day Verneta came to help us she made our life eaiser. She transformed our home, organizing the baby things, cleaning things that I never asked her to & making everything prettier, brighter & more comfortable. I don’t think I ever really had to tell her what needed doing which made my life a lot easier as I felt very overwhelmed being a new parent.
She was very knowledgeable about breast feeding, baby sleep (bringing books for me to read if I wanted), and filled with other information if I asked for it… she never gave me unsolicited advice thank god.
If you have the opportunity to have Verneta help you in anyway with your baby I highly recommend her. She has a caring, warm personality with a wonderful sense of humor. She’s also a hard worker and get’s things done!
I love this woman!

What can I say about Verneta except — INCREDIBLE! Verneta Gilbertson is a Doula that all women who give birth should have the privilege of being around after their little one is born. I received so much help and information after my son was born that I do not know what I would have done without her. Verneta was also helpful in diagnosing my post partum depression and getting me the help I needed. Verneta handled everything once we got home from the hospital. She organized the nursery, did household chores and even walked the dogs. All of this was challenging to me after undergoing a c — section so Verneta’s help was wonderful. If you have any interest in a post partum Doula, Verneta should be your only choice!

Verneta has been with our family since our son was born four months ago. She is gentle, kind and has a special gift of working with babies and new mommy’s.
Words can not express how grateful I am to Verneta and all the support she has provided my family. She is still the only one I trust with our son. If I could hire her full time I would but her gift of working with newborns and new moms would not be utilized and she is someone you want to share.
Verneta helped me to understand my son and his needs. She has techniques to help get your baby to sleep peacefully which allows you as a mom to catch up on your sleep.
When I needed breastfeeding support, she was there to positively guide me through the stress I was feeling. She helped me relax and feel good about being a new mom.
Overall, Verneta is someone I would highly recommend. I hope you enjoy her support as much as my family did.

As a first time mother, there are so many preparations you make and have no idea what life with the new baby will be like. My daughter is five months old now and looking back at the incredible journey, I realize how critical the post partum period was.
I interviewed many of the top post-​partum doulas out there and knew when I met Verneta that there was something special about her. After working with her for two months post partum, I am soooooo grateful she was there. Verneta supported our family in all the ways you need when you have a baby and more. She is one of the most dedicated people you will meet. Her heart and soul are into being a doula and it shows in her work plus she’s got the skills and experience. Basically, the total package.
I had a difficult labor and with her tender care of the baby, I felt secure enough to get sorely needed rest. She cooked for me, made me laugh, taught me all these secrets about babies that they don’t tell you in books. Verneta has a gentle touch and a gift with babies. Our newborn was very sensitive and she responded beautifully to her TLC, from soothing her, to putting her to sleep. My baby simply adores her.
Verneta is a neat freak in the best way. All the babies things and the nursery was always perfectly clean and fresh. Her background in bodywork/​massage was evident with how warmly and carefully she bathed our little girl. Verneta pays attention to little details, music, lighting, even essential oils. Her first bath was like being in a spa! For mom, she is a great source of wisdom because becoming a parent is huge transformation. When I was having a hard time, Verneta always knew what to say to help me see the bright side.
Taking care of a newborn is one of the most difficult things in the world, especially after you’ve been through labor and delivery, not to mention being pregnant for nine months. It is very important to have a person you can trust with you in this vulnerable and new time. I would use Verneta again without a doubt and refer her to all my friends.
*Tip* Although Verneta is registered at the well known doula registries/​agencies, I would book Verneta directly. It gives you more flexibility.

Verneta helped me and my family while we were on vacation from NY in California. She was wonderful. I had never met her so I was nervous about having a new person care for my 6 month old baby but her references were great. Verneta helped in any way possible. She even unpacked our luggage! (it arrived before we did and Verneta just did this without being asked– so nice to start a vacation not having to unpack!) She got up with the baby at night and helped with our four year old daughter as well. She is sweet, caring, and efficient. I never had to ask her to do anything she would just do it! we got along very well and I would definitely work with Verneta again.

Verneta was the first and only doula I needed to interview. She has a caring, peaceful, easygoing personality that made her an excellent doula on delivery day. She is also very compassionate and honest.
One thing that really touched me was that she came several hours earlier because I was laboring alone at home. That was completely above and beyond. Our agreement states she would come when I was 5 minutes apart.
As soon as she helped me breathe and work through each wave, I went from about 11 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart. We walked around the block, ate a bit, she brought out her oils and massaged me in between contractions (I discovered I don’t like any physical contact during).
This was my first child and it was new and unfamiliar territory but we had a good time laboring at home. I puked when the baby dropped down and we all cheered. Memorable moments.
Also at the hospital she helped me navigate what methods worked best for me, soft or upbeat music, squatting or lying down/​sideways. I never took any labor courses so she gave me a crash course in different breathing methods.
Other bonuses: Towards the end of my pregnancy the baby was transverse so she referred me to her doula partner who gave me a free consultation and did some safe baby maneuvering with a cloth. She went over more preparatory things with me and invited me to try out her pregnant yoga class!
These were some of the areas I felt would have made the my experience with Verneta truly outstanding:
I wish she would have done a bit of research on my Dr’s reputation simply because she has the network and contacts to do so. My delivery Dr. turned out to be a monster. I go on record with Verneta as having the worst birth (Verneta) has ever seen. You can read my review of Dr. Beverly Shereen.
Also, immediate follow through would be nice. I think its just the flipside of being a relaxed person, which is so helpful in the delivery room. I waited several weeks to receive back my portion of our contract. For me that was nerve-​wrecking b/​c I didn’t know Verneta’s character in the beginning and I had mailed her a sizable deposit. Plus being pregnant you have this checklist of things that need to be done. Finally I mailed her a self addressed envelope and she graciously apologized and mailed back the signed contract.
Lastly she never met with me for our postpartum visit– she let me know early that she would have to keep that appointment short. Our appointment time came and passed and when I called her she was still at home trying to make my cd of photographs.
So…punctuality and organization may not be her strong suits but she is wonderful labor support and genuinely caring! I think that is more important than the former and I wouldn’t ask to have it the other way around!

Verneta is a fantastic post-​partum doula. She was a tremendous help to me and my newborn during his first weeks. She is very loving, nurturing and took great care of us. She truly enjoys being with babies and new moms. I can’t recommend her enough.