Day 5: More Appreciation from Moms

Annette, first time mom with very supportive partner: When I heard about doulas, I thought I wanted one, but I wasn't sure how it would feel to have someone I hardly knew see me through such an intimate process. However, we knew we wanted to try to have a natural childbirth and it was our first baby, we didn't really know what to expect, so we thought it would be nice to have someone knowledgable to rely on. When I met our doula, I liked her immediately. She was so awesome with giving us knowledge, confidence and support before, during and after the birth. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have been so relaxed and successful without her! My husband was an awesome help during the labor process but she made sure the little but important things happened, like offering me Chapstick or water and making sure my husband got little breaks too. She gave us guidance all along when we needed it, and she encouraged me to stick to my goals when I started getting tired and impatient during labor, but never made me feel bad about considering changing my mind. She gave us guidance, comfort and advice throughout, without ever being pushy. Since she took the time to get to know me before-hand she was our trusted, unbiased, advocate and coach helping me be as comfortable as possible, and ultimately helped me to achieve what I wanted-an unmediated natural birth and healthy baby. She even took photos right after my daughter was born (which no one else did!) and we are so happy to have them! Lastly, she helped my daughter latch on after birth and helped me with getting breast-feeding right from the get-go. I never was sore or uncomfortable with it. Nursing was easy! No one else I know has ever said that. It was such a great experience for my husband and I and we never regretted the choice. I was Annette's doula :).

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Margaret, doula with her second and third babies: When the contractions intensified to the point where they required all my concentration and focus. My doula helped me through them by applying pressure to my back and hips. I vocalized a lot, making mostly low moans. When I did that and breathed well, she told me how great I was doing. When I made higher pitched or whimpering noises, she’d remind me to breathe and encourage me to get through this one so that we could handle the next one better. Margaret's doula was Ashley Cassady. 

Misty, ER nurse pregnant with second baby: Like many have said, I originally didn't even think of having a doula for my second pregnancy because my husband was so amazing the first time around. As I got closer to the end, I started to think that he had a lot on his plate, a small child to care for and support me, and maybe he could use some help. It was the best decision we could have made! I was in prodromal labor for days, contracting every 2 minutes painfully for 72 hours before my son was born, with awful back labor. She was there supporting us, encouraging, helping me into positions of comfort, counter pressure (the only relief I had in all of those days!).  Her support, love and patience got me to the natural delivery I wanted, and I honestly know I couldn't have done it without her! Thank you Kimberley Humble!

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Korilyn, doula births with all her babies (4 babies, 3 births): I didn't think we needed a doula - that was my husband's job, but my husband insisted we get one. Now I'll never have a baby without our doula! We learned lots of great techniques during our birthing class. The doula was there to help implement them (because we forgot most of them in the moment). She gave amazing encouragement and relief during the most difficult times of my labor. Korilyn's doulas were Anne Junge and Amber Dayney. 

Amanda, pregnant with her second baby, wanting a doula this time around: Why I want a doula is for educated moral support. Those moments when pain may try to persuade me to do something I don't really want to do, I need someone who can tell me "you can do this." 

And that, dear people, just about sums it up. -Stacie

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