"After meeting and talking with Ayla, Cole and I knew immediately that she was the perfect doula for us. Her demeanor was so peaceful and kind and her many years of experience as both a doula and yoga teacher definitely sets her apart.  She had so many “tools” in her doula toolbox that helped me get through my 46 hour labor. We could not have done it without her love and support. Cole, Noah and I are forever grateful to her!"

-Therie, Cole and Baby Noah

"Ayla’s collaboration with me and my husband in the birthing process was the key to the successful natural birth of our daughter. I cannot imagine a more perfect doula:  her calm personality, her depth of knowledge, and her intuition in reading situations and people worked together to create the support we needed during two days of labor.  Her presence is both solidly grounded and gentle. As first-time parents, we were grateful for Ayla’s knowledge of what you can do and ask for in a hospital setting,(including asking for juice, knowing how to work all of the monitors, allowing me to be mobile).  She also helped us talk through various options that were presented to us along the way. 
My husband and I also believe that Ayla played a pivotal role in our daughter’s natural birth at several junctures, including the tough decision, as dawn of my second day of labor approached, she helped us to accept that the best thing for us may be to go back home and continue laboring there. During the second day of labor, Ayla stressed to my husband how important it was for him to encourage me to eat and drink something, even though I had told him repeatedly that I did not feel like eating.  Without those calories, I am certain that I would not have had the energy to make it through the final pushing stage of labor.  When we returned to the hospital that evening, Ayla arrived with just as much energy and helpful advice for the second night as she had for the first.  And, when I struggled to adjust to the pushing stage (which I had assumed would be intuitive!), Ayla’s gentle directions and reminders helped me to find my way.  Thank goodness we had Ayla’s help throughout our 50-hour journey!  If you are looking for the best doula in Atlanta, then I highly recommend you meet Ayla."

-Liberty and Randy

As a certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner I have seen firsthand what a caring, wise and completely present individual can mean to a birthing mother and her family. I have always been convinced that having a doula-assisted birth is the best choice for most women. However, when it became my turn I almost decided against it. I had thought that it was an unnecessary expense for a childbirth professional. And then I met Ayla.

 I was a student in her prenatal yoga class and had become increasingly impressed with her professional knowledge and calming demeanor. Over months of getting to know Ayla I knew that I had to have her by my side on my big day. That “big day” turned into 36 hours of labor with Ayla right there with my husband and I through it all. Ayla was absolutely amazing and I am sure that things would have turned out much differently without her strength, wisdom, compassion and professionalism. 

My beautiful 9 pound 11 ounce Maya came into a peaceful and loving environment and with Ayla’s help began nursing immediately. Having a loving guide can mean the difference between a birth that becomes just another medical procedure with one that is a truly transcendent experience. Ayla was that loving guide for my sweet little family. I recommend her without reservation as both a health care professional and as a birthing mother. We are eternally grateful for our angel Ayla. 

-Josh, Kelly and Maya Sklare

"I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy little boy on December 4th 2010 - his name is Guillaume and Ayla was our Doula. I also took Ayla's yoga classes at the Pierce yoga center since my 7th week of pregnancy.  I could not have been better prepared for the water birth I wanted and I am very thankful that the birthing went as I had imagined - well actually a bit more intense and faster...  My husband and my Mother were a tremendous support for me during the hardest part of labor but really as this was their first experience as well as for me, we could not have done it without Ayla's expertise and guidance. I actually can't imagine what my birth experience would have been without Ayla's help and support, she was there for me the entire time, she knew and understood exactly what I needed and when, she made me feel very confident and calm. The experience of a water birth with the support of a doula as experienced and yet very discreet as Ayla is to me the best birth experience a new mother could ever have. I will definitely have another baby in the next few years and I know Ayla will be there!"

-Marie-laure Devillard
 

"Having a natural childbirth was very important to me because of some past experiences with medications and medical intervention. To that end, choosing Ayla as our doula was one of the best decisions we made during our pregnancy. Her voice alone is so soothing one cannot help but relax when she is talking. But beyond that, she had a wonderful, calming influence on my husband, Jason, and myself. Ayla's experience with the hospital setting helped me to avoid fear and anxiety, with her understanding and explanations of what was going on. Her presence was comforting when the nurses left us alone during labor. She guided Jason on how he could support me, and stood in for him during the rare breaks I allowed him. Thanks to a lot of preparation, a wonderful husband, Ayla's support, and a cooperating baby, we were blessed with a beautiful, natural water-birth and a happy and healthy baby."

-Sharon

"I cannot say enough about how incredible it was to have Ayla in attendance of the births of both of my sons.  My oldest was induced at 42 weeks and Ayla was my yoga instructor at the time.  She mentioned that she was almost cetified to be a labor Doula and only lacked the attendance of a few births to get her certification. I had already hired a doula, but I mentioned that if it worked out for her she was more than welcome to attend the birth of our son.  Thank God it worked out because had it not been for her assistance I am certain I would have ended up with a c-section.  My labor was almost 24 hours and ended with 5 hours of pushing.  Ayla was there the entire time “sounding” with me.  It was the only thing that got me through the intense pitocen contractions.   Naturally, when I got pregnant with my second son there was no doubt in my mind that I would be calling Ayla for her assistance.  Ayla came to my home and worked with my husband and me so that we would have many positions to try during our labor at home and in the hospital.  She answered so many questions for us regarding how different second labors can be and how to handle labor at home.  When the time came she was invaluable to my husband who had called her many times before we left for the hospital.  When we got to the hospital she assisted me with positions that were far more comfortable and of course the sounding that is so helpful during contractions.  My second labor was much fasterand when I was in doubt of my ability to do it without drugs Ayla was by my side ensuring me that I was doing it and I would soon meet my little boy.  She was right as he arrived after four pushes about an hour after getting to the hospital.  My husband and I are so grateful for all of her help during the birth of our sweet boys. I can’t imagine birthing without her."

- Wendy

 "I count Ayla Harrison among the most important people in my life.  Yoga instructor, doula, meditation guide....she has been many things to me over the years.  She has traveled with me on my journey through two pregnancies, labor, child birth, and postpartum healing.  Her knowledge and experience in these areas accompanied by her wisdom and kindness provided for me a source of incredible peace and energy.  I gained strength and nurturing from her during my pregnancies, confidence and focus during labor, and tranquility and balance with two small children and all the demands of work and life. "

-Allison

"It is a challenge to put into words how important Ayla Harrison has been to my family.  She contributed so much to making my pregnancies and childbirth profound and wonderful experiences.   Over the last decade, my family has grown to include four children, and Ayla has been with us for each step along the way.  Doing prenatal yoga with her gave me a physical, mental and emotional awareness that fully prepared me for childbirth.  Many people I know approach childbirth with great anxiety and a sense of powerlessness, but yoga with Ayla allowed me to feel prepared for childbirth and – when the time came – I was calm and fully present to the extraordinary experience.  For the birth of our youngest child, Ayla also served as our Doula.  The birth turned out to be more difficult than we had expected.  My husband and I both agree that her poise and grace, her gentle touch and strong, clear voice gently coaxed Annie into this world and guided me from pain and frustration to presence of mind and, eventually, unmeasurable joy!   We will never be able to thank her enough!"

  -Marie

"This was my first pregnancy and I was determined to have a natural childbirth! I had Ayla as my yoga instructor for part of my pregnancy. The breathing and positions that she teaches were great tools for when I was in labor. I'm really happy that we chose Ayla to be part of our birth team. She was so helpful and reassuring throughout my pregnancy and delivery."

Thanks! 

-Suzanne

"Ayla was our doula for both of our natural births at DeKalb Medical Center.  She helped to make the hospital setting feel less stressful to us, and I believe that her support helped us to achieve the nearly intervention-free births that we wanted.  She was a calming presence with a soothing voice, and she helped me when my strength and judgment were faltering deep in labor.  I would recommend her as a support for any kind of birth, but particularly one where the mother is seeking to have as few interventions as possible in a hospital setting.  She works well in the presence of the Ob and hospital staff.  I can't imagine having birthed without her."

-Lorie & Rob