Testimonials
From Dorothy and Gabe whose daughter was born March 19th, 2010:
My husband, Gabe and I knew we wanted continuity during one of the most important days of our lives. So, we chose Andrea to provide that continuity for us during our birth experience. I was induced with our first child and this time I really wanted labor to start spontaneously. Unfortunately, I went two weeks past my due date and my doctor ordered an induction. Fortunately we had Andrea with us at the hospital during the whole process.
Gabe and I were both discouraged about not starting labor spontaneously. Through the waiting process Andrea provided us with the encouragement we needed. She even suggested we have a night to ourselves before baby arrived…so we did! Her encouragement continued through our whole labor experience. Through prayer, suggestions about laboring positions, creating a calm atmosphere, giving Gabe a helping hand, etc., Andrea gave us exactly what we needed for our situation.
Our personal list of benefits of having a Doula:
- Having Continuity
- Giving us ideas for relaxation before and during the birth
- Suggesting that I be taken off Pitocin briefly so I could walk around outside of the room
- Having support for the decisions we made
- Having suggestions for labor positions
- Someone who knows the stages of labor
- Giving Gabe brief breaks
- Providing a pleasant aroma when cigarette smoke filled the room from a nearby break area.
- Best of all…having someone we knew with us during this special time!
Thanks Andrea!!!
From Katie and Rob whose son was born September 25th, 2009:
Andrea was the perfect addition to the birth story of our first baby. When I was about 6 months pregnant I started to worry that my husband and I did not know enough about labor and giving birth to achieve the birth experience that I wanted, so I started looking for a doula. I had heard that doulas help coach the mom and dad through labor and delivery and that’s what I wanted.
It didn’t take me long to find Andrea. I found her website, read her profile, and knew that I wanted to meet with her. She was the perfect match for us. She is friendly, kind, calm, knowledgeable, confident, and encouraging. She met with us a couple of times before our due date to get to know us, to help us think through a birth plan, and to practice for the big day.
I went into labor on my due date and Andrea was available by phone all day. She came to our house when we decided that we needed her help. She assisted my husband in comforting me in various ways and positions through contractions. She even made me a snack and did my dishes! She helped us decide when to go to the hospital and I’m glad for her help in that decision because when we got to the hospital I was already 9 cm dilated (keep in mind that I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible). I would not have been able to labor so long at home without her there. She continued to coach my husband and me through contractions at the hospital.
The nurses would not have been able to give me the same help that she was able to give. Even the nurses were amazed at how well we all worked together as a team. Even though the whole experience was exhausting and painful (I had no pain medication, which was my choice), it was one of the best experiences of my life and I wouldn’t have been able to do it the way I wanted without Andrea’s help. She gave me confidence in myself to have the birth experience that I wanted.
My husband and I would recommend Andrea to anyone. We will definitely use her again if we are blessed to have more children!
From Maryanne and Keven whose son was born June 16th, 2009:
