Birthing Hands of DC

We interviewed Claudia as a doula and I have never dealt with a more unprofessional service provider in my whole life. She was rude, condescending, close minded, aggressive and has zero interest in helping new parents plan for deal with the child birth experience. Her bio is a COMPLETE misrepresentation. To go along with all of her other certifications she should seriously consider one in personal communication skills. STAY AWAY

Claudia served as our birth assistant several months ago. She provided great prenatal support by visiting us in our home, answering all of our questions, and offering useful advice on natural induction methods. Unfortunately, for reasons out of her control, she was not present during my labor and birth, but she provided valuable postpartum support. She also encapsulated my placenta and I was very pleased with that service.

If I could leave a zero star review I would. I hired Claudia for her midwifery home birthing services based on the recommendation of a friend. Everything was fine until she received her payment in full. She is completely unprofessional. Additionally, she engages in unscrupulous and unethical business practices. Be warned: her attitude and mood change like the weather and the caring person you believe you are dealing with has one objective, obtaining your money. I cannot speak for her services as a doula, but as a medical provider for pregnant women, STAY AWAY.

Claudia is in high demand so if you want her as a doula then book early!
I was not able to use her doula services as she was booked for the time of my delivery date but I did use her encapsulation services and she was excellent.
She came to the hospital to pick up the placenta and did the encapsulation very quickly. I did not have any issues with post partum depression or milk production so I guess they did the trick. I recommend Claudia highly.

Claudia was our Doula for the birth of my son Leo. She was excellent from beginning to end. She started working with us on week 20. She provide a lot of guidance and information on how to best prepare for delivery. Leo is our first kid, so there was a lot to learn. In addition to suggesting excellent classes, Claudia has a wealth of books and video we cloud borrow to learn more about our options and make informed decisions. She was also readly available to any questions we had throughout the process. She has a lot of knowledge and experience. Finally, Claudia’s support during labor was essential. Claudia accompanied us through the 20 hours of labor, helping not only with information and techniques, but also helping keep my mood and energy up until the end. I am very grateful to her, and will certainly have her as a Doula for my next child.

Claudia served as our doula for the birth of our twin boys, and she was totally awesome. I look back over our birth experience, and have great memories because of the comfort, support, and pure strength she provided me.
My husband and I found Claudia via our childbirth education instructor. I thought a doula would be helpful since this was our first birth and we really didn’t know what to expect. We wanted someone who was familiar with labor and deliver. And let us know what was normal vs. What was not. She was also someone I could literally lean on while my hubby got ice, moved the car, or followed the twins to the nursery.
We met with Claudia several times during pregnancy, and needless to say her views on childbirth are very refreshing. She helped us to understand that labor is very different from what you see on tv (no screaming), and what to expect from the hospital staff.
We had a very quick unmedicated vaginal delivery in part because of her wisdom. As each wave of ‘pain’ hit me — Claudia coached me through them. She made me comfortable and saw that I had everything I needed. She also encapsulated my placenta, which truly helped with needed energy and drive after delivery.
Thank Claudia!!! You will be the second person I call, once baby #3 is on board!!!

I have only positive things to say about Claudia Booker — she is an outstanding Birth Assistant!
My husband & I went to BirthCare for our (first) pregnancy & were planning a home birth. BirthCare requires you to hire a Birth Assistant. Upon having Claudia come to our home for a meeting/​interview, we more or less decided on the spot to hire her and we did not even meet with anyone else. She walked into our condo, sat down, and talked with us for almost 2 hours about her experiences, answered our questions, and most valuable to us: she was able to freely talk about what we should expect, how home births usually go, and answered questions we did not know we wanted to ask! She is practical, open, straight forward, and direct — all qualities my husband and I very much wanted in a (home) Birth Assistant.
In the months and weeks leading up to our birth, she was responsive and available to us as we needed. She came to our home for a 36 week visit and really made sure we were prepared for the home birth.
I went into labor at 11pm on ²⁄₂₈. I kept her and our BirthCare midwife updated on my progress. They both arrived at 7am the next morning. We pushed for the better part of the day; Claudia was always one step ahead — thinking of the next position I could use, getting me liquid, looking for and setting up space for me to move to, helping me move around. She worked fluidly with our midwife and they made an outstanding team, somewhat surprising my husband and I at just how well they worked together. Eventually I was not making progress and we all decided together that I was ready for a transfer to the hospital. Upon doing so, Claudia stayed with my husband and I (as did our midwife). She came to the hospital with us and helped catch the hospital staff up on what had occurred during my journey. She stayed and helped me for many hours to make sure we were ok. She left at a time when we were being well taken care of and had the assistance we needed to continue — many hours after we had arrived at the hospital.
Claudia is sharp, attentive, precise, and very helpful. We have very much enjoyed working with her over the last several months and recommend her to anyone planning a home birth. Claudia has continued to follow up with me post birth, answering questions and making sure I am ok. We have very much enjoyed getting to know her and working with her through pregnancy and birth. She is knowledgeable and I recommend her as a midwife, birth assistant, or doula.

Claudia encapsulated my placenta. Very pleased.

Oh where should I start… I used Claudia twice. My first labor was long hard and not without complications. I am 100% sure that if it was not for Claudia I would have a csection. It was a hospital birth and the comfort and support she gave me in a very hard situation was priceless. She helped me so much.
My second birth was awesome and Claudia just made it more comfortable and fun. I never forget her singing with the nurses:) love that!!!
All of the appointments were great. I also love that I could always call her and ask advice during pregnancy. She is the best!!! She is professional. She is awesome
As it comes to the bad review here… Claudia had me checked many times and was always right! The same as the hospital. In this women case the trip to the hospital probably changed the labor proces. I think the rolling the eyes comment and saying that she was not professional is just nonsense. She is very professional and respectful even to the doctors who are wrong as It was in my case.
I would recommend her 1000% thank you

Claudia is a very experienced, very knowledgable, and very skilled birth assistant. We had her assist at our daughter’s birth at Birth Care in jan of 2012. She was awesome.
She is a no nonsense kind of gal. Very honest. Very straight forward. Very quick on her feet. She will go to bat for you if that’s what you need (and many times at hospitals, that is what you need.). She doesn’t waste time trying to play nice when it’s time for business and when it comes down to it, a doula is your advocate and I would want someone like Claudia by my side. She knows pregnancy, birth, and babies inside and out! She was recommended to me and my husband and I were/​are so very grateful for her.
All of our appointments were never rushed, very thorough, and pleasant. She had us laughing at our pre natal and post partum visits.
We would definitely use her again for any future kiddies!
We also used her placenta encapsulation services. Awesome. Had my pills three days after birth. Had plenty to last for a while. She even brought back the umbilical bird in case I wanted it. It was very thoughtful.
If you want someone who is honest, knows her stuff, and has TONS of experience — and will be your strongest advocate, Claudia is your gal!!!