If every mother in the world could have an O’Nell by their side after having a baby there is no doubt in my mind the world would be a better place. O’Nell is a beautiful blend of deep knowledge and very practical support while also whisking a new mom up in a warmth and security that truly is a blessing. O’Nell is everything!
I keep trying to think of how to write to say thank you and the words (and time) escape me. It was incredibly meaningful and filling to experience yesterday’s rituals and care.
The profoundness of mamahood is so big that having you ground and celebrate the moment brought me into a giddy-ness again about having my babe. And I slept so well having had some care and my cup filled. I’m so grateful.
I was held today in a way that I truly believe every mother needs at some point of their journey. I had a healing ceremony with a lovely doula/sister/healer O’Nell Starkey surrounding my pregnancy release. I had such an amazing spiritual experience and was given so much insight.
We called in the spirits of the Earth, I was wrapped in cloth, I was rubbed in oils, I was bathed in love and acceptance and validation, I had medicinal cocoa and I feel so clear and content in my skin and choices. I was able to see myself as my mother identity and also as my individual identity and how these two dance together in balance. I realized I am worthy of unconditional love and support and happiness. I felt my inner child cared for by the most divine mother I always wanted and at the same time I felt fully in my womanhood for calling in this support. It really sealed off my experience as a mother that released an energy back to the Divine.
We all deserve this level of care and support. We all need hands-on, heartfelt support from other womxn in our community. Thank you, dear sister”
Despite her caretaking skill and knowledge, she was never forceful in presenting what she knew, never impatient in manner, voice or gesture. She completely adapted to and supported the schedule that we had for the twins and quickly became a trusted friend/confidante/advisor to my wife.
O’Nell and her calm, gentle, and confident demeanor very quickly became a welcome presence in our house. I can’t say enough about how she integrated herself into the way our house operates.
O’Nell also has impressive personal initiative. While she was with us, she made us feel that her role was to support out family in any way she could. She would look to see if shopping needed to be done and would offer to go. She would see dishes that needed to be done and would do them. She would see laundry needing to be washed or folded and would do them. Once we found her disinfecting doorknobs to help prevent the spread of our two year old’s cold.
Within the first several days of O’Nell working with us, we realized that we didn’t want to live without her. Had she been available, we would have hired her for every waking hour of her day.
In the four months that O’Nell has been working with us, I can’t imagine a doula who could have been more caring, more competent, or given more love to our twins than she has. My wife and I both feel very privileged to have been able to have O’Nell work with us. O’Nell couldn’t have chosen a better name for her services. She deservedly earns my highest recommendation.
Many women came back multiple times for her postpartum massages and to gain help with breastfeeding. Her heart is full of joy for working with mothers, birth, and infants and I recommend her as a birth or postpartum doula to anyone who wants to feel supported and encouraged as a mother.
I can’t thank you enough for all of the nurturing support you provided me after Silas’s birth. It was such a treat to be on the receiving end! Your calm presence, listening ear, and magical touch were exactly what I needed. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Yesterday was seriously magical. It was the first time I could really drop into my body and integrate the birthing work it did just over a week ago. We are so honored and blessed to know you and have you be a part of our journey. I really can’t thank you enough. I will deeply treasure the entire experience with you. You are amazing!
After the birth of my second son, O’Nell treated me with three beautifully nourishing therapies – a yoni steam, a full body/hot stone womb massage, and a closing the bones ceremony. These special times where I was seen and heard as the powerful, yet extremely vulnerable, woman and mother I now am were so crucial in my integration of it all. Amidst all the changes and the seemingly chaotic energy, I was able to drop into safety and love because of the way O’Nell held me. She felt like a dear sister even though we had just met. All women deserve to be cared for so tenderly and righteously after the transformation of giving birth to new life”
It seemed like not a moment was wasted – O’Nell made such good use of her time with us – she struck a perfect balance of taking the initiative to complete tasks unprompted by me (packing a snack/water bottle for an excursion with toddler), while also following my lead and remaining attuned to my needs. O’Nell has a gift with babies, toddlers, and mothers alike. I so appreciated the time she spent with our family.
I learned from watching her interact with my baby. She modeled slow, loving interactions with baby so beautifully. She also took care of me by feeding me, massaging me, doing ritual with me before baby was born, and making sure I was taking care of myself.
As a new parent, there was so much I didn’t even know I needed to learn. O’Nell taught parenting skills with care, grace, and excellent up to date information. I appreciated her knowledge of natural child care and progressive approach to babies.
O’Nell brought so much sweetness to my experience of motherhood by caring for me and teaching me how to care for my baby better. She is truly an earth angel!
Thank you so much for such a beautiful ritual & healing day yesterday…for guiding me through the integration ritual and providing the space. It’s what I needed at this time. It’s been resonating with me, revisiting moments and feelings.
I found the all the healing practices to be incredibly helpful, including the yoni steam, breast and pelvic massage, and closing the bones ceremony. I loved the attention to detail, including placing herbs for me to smell while I did a sitz bath, and the altar put together for our final ritual of me returning to work. I also deeply appreciated being taught songs to sing to my baby, and that our time together never felt rushed, but was very much in tune with me and my baby.
I am a woman in a same sex marriage and my wife carried our baby. Navigating the world of pregnancy and parenthood as a same-sex couple can often feel alienating. When we hired O’Nell as our doula, we felt held in the highest regard. O’Nell treated me, as the non-birthing parent, with as much support, honor and respect as my wife. She treated me as an equal, guiding me gently into solidifying my role as a mother.
I am forever grateful that we hired O’Nell as our doula. Our pregnancy was wrought with intense complications, multiple hospitalizations, and high intensity. O’Nell was 100% dedicated to both me and my wife. She was available to us at all hours of the day and night, talking us through our fears and refocusing us back, time and again, to a place of surrender and empowerment. When we thought our baby was going to be delivered early, we felt completely unprepared. O’Nell came to the hospital and spent an entire day teaching us a private class about newborns. We ended up feeling completely empowered in an ultimately powerless situation because of O’Nell’s time, dedication and care. She is an extremely gifted doula who puts her heart into every ounce of her care.
O’Nell Starkey kicks serious ass! If you are thinking about hiring her or taking her class, it’s the best decision you’ll ever make for your baby and your family.
Not only is O’Nell an incredibly intuitive doula, she has the energy of a hands-on healer. She is subtle, yet solid, mastering the energy of holding a little one with great care. You will learn an entirely new language just by watching her in action.
Even with baby number three, there are still things I am learning about caring for a newborn. I appreciated the introduction to the Moby carrier! You were great with him and I was never worried about leaving him with you when I was out. Overall, you were a huge help to my ability to stay sane during this transition to a 3-child family. I am so glad to have had your help!