Setting Roots Birth Services – Ali Feroah

If you are considering hiring Ali as a doula, DO IT. This was the single most important thing my partner and I chose that led to us having a peaceful, supported birth this past November.
This was my second delivery, and I would choose this doula at every birth forever no matter how experienced I became!
Ali was the support that helped me have the healing birth I desired after a somewhat traumatic first birth 5 years ago. There were so many points during my labor that I looked over at Ali and she brought me back into the present, helping me through the toughest spots. She and I almost didn’t have to even speak to agree when to leave for the birth center. It was the exact right moment to keep the momentum going without having an oops-​I-​just-​gave-​birth-​in-​my-​living-​room kind of situation. When I felt fear creeping through the door I knew it was a pivotal moment, for fear can lock you up in childbirth. Ali was the rock, her words, touch and support allowed me to move quickly and powerfully over the edge of fear. Her knowledge and aptitude is bar none. When we arrived at the Birth Center she knew the details, where the supplies were, the routines of the midwives, birth assistants and nurses, what to expect and why.
Ali is authentic, grounded and supportive in ways you didn’t even know you needed. She fluidly transitions into what the situation calls for, be it at a hospital, home or birth center, and is professional and incredibly organized. (I mean, from my perspective, birth is kinda chaotic! How did this girl never break my eye contact when I was in the trenches, but managed to keep a minute by minute timeline for me to review post partum as well as precious private photos of the labor and delivery that I will treasure forever?!?) She is forever linked into our family and we love her so very much. Thank you Ali Feroah for helping us guide Jasper into this world. LOVE LOVE LOVED my birth experience thanks to Ali.

Review for Ali Feroah – Setting Roots Birth:
How can we write this review for Ali without using all caps, gushing emojis, and multiple exclamation points?! Quite simply, hiring Ali was the best decision we made in our birth experience. We had a home birth and loved our midwife team and the whole thing went beautifully. But having Ali on our team put the whole thing over the top! We weren’t even sure about hiring a doula, since we wanted to do the birth as a team ourselves, but now we can’t imagine having done it without her.
Ali is just an amazingly caring, fun, funny, heart-​centered person. She is one of those lucky people who is in the right job – she is truly doing her calling. She adores babies, she loves mamas and family units, she is incredibly intuitive, and she understands dynamics quickly. She is calm and comforting and incredibly knowledgeable. She understood our personalities right away and melded seamlessly with us.
Her prenatal help included meeting and texting her info from my weekly visits, which Ali helped me interpret as needed. We didn’t need an advocate since we weren’t doing hospital birth, but I can’t imagine anyone better prepared than Ali to advocate for a birth plan, whatever it is.
On a practical note, even when our midwife didn’t think I was in advanced labor, since I’m a first-​time mama and those tend to go longer, Ali listened to me and knew I was right about my progression. She didn’t make a big issue of it or create any conflict – just the opposite actually – and having her validation was exactly what I needed to keep progressing.
Ali is really in tune with the sounds of labor. When she heard my labor moans turn into strong grunts, she knew exactly what was happening and called the midwives back, even though they had just left. She was absolutely right on – our beautiful healthy baby was born just a few hours later! Without Ali, we would have been lost and confused about what part of labor I was in, and we would have gone into the pushing phase without anyone to help and guide!
Ali also offers really practical help for partners, as well as mamas. She has a really unique form of light touch and massage that she taught my husband in our prenatal visit, and this was one of the most comforting things during labor. I was surprised because I usually love a hard deep massage, but this is a totally different thing for a totally different circumstance! She also uses sleep masks if the mama is into it, and I definitely was – it really helped me dig in and focus on what was happening in a meditative and mellow way, without being distracted by everyone’s facial expressions and the environment. I truly think this helped my labor go quickly.
Another super bonus Ali offers is that she is truly a world-​class and artful photographer. Without us even realizing it, Ali was documenting the entire labor and birth with gorgeous photos and video, all the while playing soothing music and comforting me and coaching my husband. We didn’t realize she was doing any of that because Ali was so present and not distracted at all. She was a multi-​tasking wonder, and now we have all this moving documentation of the most special day of our lives.
Right after the birth, Ali was the one who put my baby to my breast and helped the latch. She gave me a quick and easy tutorial on breastfeeding that sustained me for the first few days – just two simple things to look for to make sure the latch was working. When you’re really overwhelmed postpartum, that’s all you can do is remember a few easy tips. Ali was truly responsible for how easy breastfeeding has been for me and my baby.
Ali was also so wonderful postpartum, and her visits felt like having a friend over. We all feel so grateful to have shared this experience with such a special person as Ali. Did we mention how affordable she is? She should charge more! She is worth it! Ali has become an integral and important part of our story.
THANK YOU ALI!!!
–Sandra & Ben & Wild

Ali is an amazing doula! She was such an important person to have while I was in labor and giving birth. Her knowledge and passion for the birthing process is top notch and was so helpful and comforting while I was in labor. Her support helped me to have the natural, unmedicated birth I planned for. I also ended up having some back labor and Ali was great with helping me into different positions so that the baby could turn and relieve some of the pressure. Ali is kind and warm and wonderful and you will be lucky to have her with you during one of the most important times of your life!

You know how people say «that was the best money they ever spent» — well, that certainly applies here. Here are the true facts as it relates to your birth experience:
Your Doctor = Somewhat Important
Your Nurse (s) = Important
Your Doula = Supremely Important
This is especially true if you intend to have a natural birth. We attended the Cap Wellness center hypnobirthing program and Care Messer connected us with Ali Feroah, and we could not be more grateful. This is Ali’s calling, she exist to bring life into the world. She is a consummate professional in the broadest sense of the word. After 21 hours of labor, she never left our side — beginning to the end! She got us through, it was more than just the massages and encouraging words, she knows the technical positions, maneuvers, strategies, that are poised to get that baby out — naturally! There is no way, my wife could have done it without her.
Two things really impressed us, she knew all the technical medical terms that inspired trust in our nurses and allowed us to operate more independently. (Seriously, our nurses completely trusted Ali and they leveraged her as a resource accordingly). Secondly, Ali maintained a written play-​by-​play of the entire birth process, we didn’t even notice she was compiling this record until she furnished it at the very end. This is very special to us now, and we are grateful.
Lastly, if you are a Dad, and you want to have of chance of enjoying your Wife’s birth process, hire a doula — period!

Being a newer doula I have looked to Ali for support and help. She is so open and willing to help me. I have learned SO much from her. Any Mom who has Ali as their doula is in AMAZING hands. She is so calm and peaceful. She has this energy about her that is so welcoming and comforting. It’s been such a blessing meeting her and learning from her. Simply the BEST!!!

I was one of those girls, the ones that swore they’d never get pregnant because they couldn’t handle the whole «birth thing». It sounds so silly to me now but the fear was real and I meant what I said at the time. Fast forward to me being pregnant and that same fear still being just as real. I coped by not allowing myself to even think about this «birth thing» until the third trimester. Well that day came quicker than I expected and I was left with nothing but fear and Google. I didn’t even know where to begin. I had thought doulas were for home births and friends made it clear I’d want those wonderful drugs so a home birth was out of the question. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that doulas weren’t just for home births and that I needed one. So with Google as my trusty sidekick, I discovered Ali.
Just one quick phone call and I knew Ali was the answer to my problems! I blurted out all my ridiculous fears, a list that was probably long enough to rival War and Peace, and Ali was quick to assure me that I wasn’t actually crazy, or at least not that she would ever admit (smart lady). Somehow she sensed I needed someone to take charge and told me what I was going to do, as polite as can be I might add. I hadn’t even hired her yet and she had calmed me down in a way I didn’t think was possible during my dreaded third trimester. We set up an interview, said our goodbyes, and I was left with a list of great hospitals, amazing doctors and an awesome hypnobirthing class to look into. That was the beginning of the most beautiful relationship I have ever had, sorry hubby.
Ali is like your best girlfriend with a killer sense of humor and she’s always there for you when you need her. She still managed to keep things professional though, you wouldn’t even know she had other clients unless you asked her (and trust me, she keeps busy). Because of Ali I ended up switching to an OB that is a cross between Prince Charming and a greek god… oh and his actual «doctoring”(is there actually a word for that?) rivals his incredible looks too, I promise. I ended up delivering at Pomerado Hospital, per Ali’s recommendation, and I loved how small and personal it felt. The hypnobirthing classes helped ease my fear and I’m proud to say I am now so comfortable with the whole «birth thing» that I spent the last class eating while watching some graphic, yet freakin’ awesome, birth videos. Yep, I was a changed person thanks to Ali and her recommendations!
In the end, my «birth thing» went nothing like I had imagined. I did just about everything I could do to prepare for a perfect «butter birth» and ended up with an intense, LONG labor that ended with my baby girl getting stuck and needing an emergency c-​section. The craziest part? My pre-​Ali self would have been an absolute mess of confusion, fear and frustration during my epic birth saga, but that me didn’t exist anymore. instead, I went into my emergency c-​section with a complete peace upon me and came out prouder of myself than I’ve ever been. My hubby thanks Ali immensely… he definitely wasn’t looking forward to dealing with my pre-​Ali self either. We both agree Ali was the best money we spent during my pregnancy and I don’t know what I would have done without her. Whatever it was, I’m sure I would’ve ended up on the nightly news or maybe admitted to an insane asylum. My «birth thing» was pretty traumatizing no matter how trained I was for that day, but with Ali as my sidekick I might just do it again someday. ;)

Ali was our doula and birth photographer for our daughter Charlotte, born May 3, 2015. Even though this was our second child, we knew we wanted a doula to provide us with support and experience. I am so glad I hired Ali! She was essential in helping me get the birth I wanted (unmedicated, no intervention, and quick!). I want to tell all of my pregnant friends in San Diego to hire Ali!
I also wasn’t sure I wanted photos but now I’m so glad I did. Ali beautifully and honestly captured the labor and our first connection with our daughter after she was born.
Thank you Ali!

Ali is the best! She was an integral member of our birth team and her presence was invaluable. We had our first baby 2 weeks ago after 36 hours of active labor and finally a c-​section. It was a difficult couple of days. Ali was in the hospital with us the entire time. She was calm, funny, helpful, and knowledgeable. I was impressed with her interactions with our medical team and how much they respected her and her knowledge. In fact, multiple nurses and my OB commented on how great she was. She never complained and went far and above what was expected of her. I can’t overstate how impressed I was and how valuable her services were.
After the birth, she has continued to check in. I can’t recommend Ali enough. She was a wonderful resource not just for myself, but for my husband, as well. Her presence and suggestions allowed him to play an active role in the labor and delivery. She was never intrusive and seems to have a knack for exactly what is needed at the time.
Thank you, Ali!

Having Ali as our doula was the best decision I made in my pregnancy/​labor experience. She is absolutely amazing and went above and beyond. Even before the labor, she offered invaluable advice to help my pregnancy experience go smoothly. My labor was long and difficult and lasted several days. Ali was there by our side the whole time. Ali helped bring calm to the experience. She made my birth experience very special and her suggestions were extremely important in bringing my baby into this world. She is supportive, knowledgeable and wonderful. My family and I are so grateful to have her part of our birth team.

My wife and I really loved the personal service Ali gave us. She helped make the birthing process smooth with compassion, availability and outgoing personality. Thank you so much for the great experience and we look forward to having you as part of our next birth.

This doula is amazing! I own the Birth Education Center and send my students to her ALL the time! Ali has a way of simplifying birth so everyone can just relax and have a baby. Her humor is bar none and partners LOVE her even more than the moms! She devotes her time and energy to her parents and really becomes part of the family. I cannot say enough about Ali!

My boyfriend and I were recommended several doulas that we interviewed, but we knew Ali was the one for us right away. Ali is warm, knowledgable and, well, hilarious. She makes herself available for multiple home visits before and after your birth, which can be extremely helpful. She knows a lot about everything baby and shares it in a fun and unimposing way. Ali helped me stay sane the last few weeks weeks of pregnancy and throughout early labor. We worked on some comfort measures in our prenatal home visits that came in very handy during labor, and she hooked us up with our rebozo, which was invaluable.
During the labor, I called Ali and she was so calm she made us calm. I didn’t realize how far along I was (probably thanks to the comfort measures) and when we went to the hospital to get checked it was time to push. I told Ali she didn’t need to come until we got checked since I wasn’t sure where we were. We called her to let her know it was time and she came right away and very fast. Of course I don’t know how long everything took, but I remember Ali’s arrival because it brought a new aura to the delivery room. Ali played calming music, did light touch massage and provided cool compresses — totally enhancing the entire experience. On top of that, she took some AMAZING and priceless photos of the birth (and they didn’t expose TOO much). We are so thankful for her!

Ali came to work with us as a backup in place of the doula we had originally hired. I went 2 weeks past my ‘guess date’ (Dec 9) and because of the rapidly approaching holidays (I ended up finally delivering Xmas Eve!) Our first doula was going to be out of town. Doula #1 went out of her way to set up a meeting for my husband and I to meet with Ali and another backup in case of any other issues.
As comfortable and excited as we were about working with Doula #1, we were quickly at ease with Ali being there for us instead. Upbeat and positive, quick with a joke but also very sensitive, Ali was just the really solid, supportive, nurturing presence we needed on the highly anticipated day our baby girl FINALLY decided to make her appearance.
I echo every positive word in the other reviews and urge you to meet with Ali if you’re looking for a doula.

My husband and I could not be more content with our decision to work closely with our doula, Ali Feroah as we diligently prepared for the birth of our first child. Ali is deeply knowledgeable of both prenatal and perinatal experiences (and recognizes that one plan does not fit all women). She is genuinely passionate about supporting mommas to confidently pursue their own optimal birth pathway. Ali is an active listener who effortlessly provides invaluable feedback and insight. Upon my first meeting with Ali, I felt as though I had known her for years; that’s how comfortable she made me feel from the get-​go. She simply has a gift for this work. Without hesitation, my family and I highly recommend Ali as a doula

We hired Ali for the birth of our second child, so we were in the unique position of knowing exactly what we were looking for in a doula– what had worked with our previous doula and what hadn’t. We met with and interviewed numerous doulas in the SD area, and while each one seemed competent, Ali was the only one we felt completely comfortable with. From the moment we met her, she was warm and familiar, as if we had known each other for years.
The prenatal support she offers is unmatched. Whatever you need, whatever that support looks like for you, Ali will deliver it. She is generous with her time and attention. She guided me through my fears and anxieties as well as relieved my physical discomforts with her awesome massage abilities!
At the birth, she was exactly what I (and my husband) wanted and needed in a labor and support team member. She was an instrumental part in the realization of my perfect birth experience and we are forever grateful for her. The whole experience was transformative for me, and if there’s ever a baby #3 in our future, we know who we’d like to hire!

I would give Ali more stars, but Unilocal only has 5. My husband and I couldn’t be happier with our experience with Ali as our doula. She listened to our goals, our fears, and our needs and had great feedback for all. She was an invaluable asset as part of our birthing team and we were able to have a successful VBAC with her assistance.
Ali used her knowledge and training to help me find comfort when I needed it, and was great at helping my husband get involved. She answered our questions, made sure our voice was heard, and helped to put our mind at ease during a somewhat stressful situation. She was a great coach and helped push me to a place that I wasn’t sure I could go, and she was there to hold my hand the entire way.
My husband and I can’t express how happy we are to have had Ali as part of our birthing team. The best way I can think to thank Ali, is by giving her a rave review. I hope that other parents will have the same amazing experience with her that we had.

Ali was kind enough to help me out as a co-​doula at a birth recently, and she proved to be invaluable! I have learned from her compassionate, caring ways. I highly recommend her services!