Testimonials

Veronika Gomeniouk, Postpartum Client, NYC

Meeting Kalifa for the first time in person felt like I was being thrown a life ring after treading murky water for 9 months. The anxiety I felt about having someone new enter my life when I was so ill-prepared to take care of myself vanished the second I saw her. Her energy is so warm, calm, and unparalleled. She took immediate initiative and with zero direction whatsoever from anyone began creating order in the house and our lives. When it came time to start on her delicious meals she went into the foreign kitchen and almost intuitively without any assistance found everything she would need.  Even as I tried to be helpful she shooed me upstairs and told me to rest. She did it all at the same time as caring for our little girl while I was able to get the rest I so desperately needed. Waking up to a spotless kitchen, rested, relaxed, and her healing delicious food waiting for me the next morning brought me to near tears. Everything she made lasted up until our next meeting and everything was incredible. She has such a lovely soul and being in her presence was a blessing for us all. 

Sabina Ahmed, Postpartum Client, Australia

When a woman goes through the beautiful journey of pregnancy and labour they need a positive shield during their recovery. Not only do they deserve it but they desperately need it . I was lucky that i found someone like Kalifa to take care of me and bubz . I could not have any family or friends over due to the stage 4 lockdown , which was highly depressing but Kalifa was like a sister . Kalifa not only is an amazing chef but a caring and peaceful person. Her postpartum massages and binding therapy really helped me gain back my strength. The positive energy that she would bring with her everyday is what i really needed during my early postpartum. To have another person with you to support you during those initial days is just the most precious experience. I will be forever grateful to her.

Thank you for everything Kalifa.

Shelley Pham, Birth Client, Australia

Giving birth to a baby during a global pandemic is a daunting and unsettling time. All of a sudden everything changed, there were no in-person antenatal classes or breastfeeding classes, only one birthing support person allowed during birth, and no visitors allowed to the hospital or the home after birth. In a time where every day brought uncertainty, I felt very grateful to have had the support of Kalifa as my doula for the birth of my first baby. 

I had 3 prenatal sessions with Kalifa and learned what to expect for laboring, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery and care. These sessions were so helpful, Kalifa has a way of sharing information in a way that it feels like it's coming from your most trusted best friend. I never wanted to feel like "how come nobody told me it would be like this?". What I appreciated most is that she offered more than just her knowledge, she offered her experience and insight into what to expect emotionally and how to navigate and overcome unwelcomed feelings in a positive way. After our prenatal sessions, I felt mentally and emotionally prepared for birth and had put together everything I needed for postpartum recovery. Most people don't spend the time to think about postpartum recovery, and this aspect was especially important to me. Without being able to have family or friends visit, I needed to be prepared. With Kalifa's advice, I learned to ask and plan for the type of support that would help me best. When I came home from the hospital I had family and friends delivering specific healing foods to me every day without having to think or ask because I had planned ahead. Kalifa was able to come to my home and help as a caregiver, she made me the best lactation cookies and gave me lactation tea, she made healing, and nourishing foods to help me rest and recovery. 

Despite the restrictions put in place during the global pandemic, it was reassuring to know that I had Kalifa available to me at all times, to call and talk about what I was going through. She wasn't able to be at the hospital during my birth, but she was a big part of my pregnancy and birth journey. I would recommend Kalifa as a doula to anyone looking for pregnancy and postpartum support. 

Kelly Lisy, Birth Client, NYC

We decided to hire Kalifa as our doula for our 2nd child because of her experience, warmth, and calm energy. We chose right - she was fantastic! She met with my husband and I twice before the birth, shared resources and advice as I tried to flip my breech baby, and was in frequent contact in the weeks leading up to birth. The hospital room felt like a spa - even hospital staff commented on it when they'd walk in the room. The seven hours of labor were actually really wonderful, even if they were physically painful. Kalifa stayed with me so that my husband was able to go with the baby. If she hadn't been there, I would've been left alone after birth. I can't imagine how traumatic that would've been, and it just proved my intuition right that we needed a doula at birth even though I had planned on an epidural. After birth, she came for a postnatal visit, complete with special postpartum tea mixtures that she had made for me. She did the dishes, helped with my breastfeeding latch, and listened as my husband and I processed our birth story with her. I was SO grateful to have Kalifa be part of our birthing experience, and would recommend her to anyone.

Sana Afify, Birth Client, NYC

From the moment we met Kalifa, my husband and I knew that we wanted her to be our doula. Her warm, calming presence and positive energy were exactly what we needed before the birth of our child. We felt that we had made a new friend. Kalifa greatly enhanced my birthing experience. Our prenatal visits were very informative and encouraging. She went over my birth plan, laboring positions, offered massages, informed me about what foods to eat and even brought me some red raspberry leaf tea and date cookies :) She always asked the right questions and was genuinely interested in getting to know us, our hopes and fears. I feel that she cared about our family.

When I went into labor, Kalifa was there waiting for us at the birthing center, she stayed by my side every step of the way with her essential oils, relaxing music and massages, guiding me through my contractions. Her encouraging words helped me find the strength I needed to deliver my baby, I felt powerful and in control and was fortunate to have a beautiful water birth. My husband and I were grateful to have another set of hands to help us. She is a natural! She visited us at home a few days after the birth of our daughter and we found it very valuable to have someone to reflect with on the labor and delivery.I am grateful to have had Kalifa guide us through this journey, I only wish I had met her sooner!

Amanda Parello, Birth Client, NYC

Kalifa made an immediate impression upon us with the questions she chose to ask, and the manner in which she asked them - insightful, challenging, and with a genuine curiosity.  A highly capable doula and grounded and intelligent individual, she's been a pleasure to share this most meaningful experience with.

Ayu Raith, Birth Client, Bali

It was such an amazing pleasure to share a most wonderful birthing experience with Kalifa. From the moment Kalifa came into our room until the day we went home, she showed herself to be a radiant sun full of  joy and peace. Our baby was brought into the world with love. There was a love in the room. We can look back and know, there is nothing else we could have prayed for in any way in which could have elevated our birthing more than what encountered. It is our pleasure and honor to give the highest praise and remarks for Kalifa. Thank you for the warmth of your heart Kalifa. You are doing what you were made to do.

Lorraine McGowan, Birth & Postpartum Client, NYC

Initially we were only looking into finding a postpartum doula but when we met Kalifa we felt that she would be a great asset at the birth. She has such a warm, calm and positive presence and I knew she would not only be a great support to me but my husband too, providing him with reassurance and guidance throughout. She made what could have been a very challenging birth experience into an overall positive. Guiding us every step of the way and being a great intermediary between us and the medical professionals. Kalifa turned the birthing room into the most calm space with tea lights, lavender oil massages and attentively helped me with breathing techniques and keeping me rehydrated throughout. It was without doubt one of the best decisions we made having Kalifa attend the birth of our child.

We asked Kalifa to continue to support us postpartum. She was wonderful with our son and we could put our full trust in her. She is an amazing cook and cooked many nutritious meals including the best lactation cookies and tea to help with my milk supply. Not only did she support me physically but emotionally, providing me with support and advice after a sleep deprived night. We honestly can not thank her enough.

Margaux Garzon, Birth Client, NYC

From the moment Kalifa entered our lives, my husband and I felt deeply care for. She spent multiple hours with us preparing us for the process of birth and making sure I knew what I wanted out of my birth experience. During these meetings, she made sure to also attend to my husband to make sure he felt involved in the process. Her calm energy helped us both feel comfortable with the uncertainty of the birth process.  She used aromatherapy and massage techniques that help with pain management and lowering my stress levels. She also helped me time my contractions and reminded me to drink water. Her presence was so positive and she helped me advocate for myself in the presence of some very pushy nurses and doctors. We laughed a lot. When it was finally go time, Kalifa reviewed the breathing techniques she taught me and lathered me with yummy smelling oils. I felt so blessed to have her in the room with me. Kalifa did so many things from holding my hand, getting me ice, coaching me, and taking pictures.

I can't say enough about how amazing Kalifa is as a doula. Birth can be so unpredictable and scary. Because of Kalifa, we felt confident and empowered throughout the entire process. She was such a crucial part of our beautiful birth experience.