Ellen Sidles-Farhi

Reviews (2)

• Review submitted via the PSP Birth Survey

  December 2017

  We are so grateful to have had Ellen by our side for the experience -- and the months leading up to the birth. We are first-time parents and I'm not sure how we would have handled the twists and turns of labor and delivery had it not been for Ellen. Oh, and of all the doulas we contacted and met with, she was the most reasonably priced - despite having a decade or more experience than the rest of the doulas we interviewed. Leading up to the birth she helped make sure we were prepared, encouraged us to take a birthing class and answered all of our lingering questions. She stayed in touch in the weeks and days leading up to the birth to see how things were going, recommending comfort techniques and lending lots of encouragement. On the big day, she advised us over the phone at first and then came to our home once labor was underway, helping us decide when to head to the hospital, traveling with us and keeping all of us (the taxi driver included) calm along the way. We knew we wanted a doula who would work well with hospital staff -- and what impressed us about Ellen upon first meeting is that she expressed empathy for how overworked most hospital staff are. As it turns out, the night our baby was born our hospital was extremely short-staffed so for almost the entire labor, Ellen was the only person in the room with us. She was absolutely amazing, kept me calm and focused, reassuring me and my partner every step of the way, and was an absolutely invaluable extra set of hands. She was calm and steady the entire time, no doubt owing to her several decades of experience. The fact that the birth went as smoothly as it did, I credit mainly to Ellen. In the moments after the birth, she helped get us established with breastfeeding and in the days afterward when she visited us in our home she gave us really helpful advice about our daughter's eating and sleeping habits. If you are looking for a kind, steady, and seasoned expert to be your doula, you will be in wonderful hands with Ellen. Based on a August 2017 birthing experience.

• Review submitted via the PSP Birth Survey

  April 2017

  Ellen changed breastfeeding for me. The first few weeks were very painful, but after about an hour of Ellen guiding me with proper latching, positioning, and timing techniques, breastfeeding was easy. I didn't even need a second consult. Importantly, she also gave me a lot of confidence. I had been afraid to de-latch my son even when he had a poor latch and it was painful, but she helped me to understand that babies are learning how to nurse as much as I'm learning, and that instilling proper habits early on is important. Her reassurance went a long way to removing the stress I had been feeling about nursing. Ellen is also a birth assistant, doula, and mother of 5 herself so she has seen it all, done it all, and knows it all! As a bonus, she has very affordable rates. villagevox@aol.com Based on Dec 2016 birth experience