Dionne Otto Doula Profile

 LOVE LOVE LOVE Dionne Otto! She is truley knowledgeable and will guide you in the right direction! She always has mother/father and baby's best interest in mind. I could write a million wonderful things about her but that wouldn't even do her justice! She's AMAZING!

It was great doing business with Dionne Otto. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for support during this very exciting, but nervous time. From a husband's perspective, I was a little apprehensive to the idea of a third party sharing in the miracle of birth. I soon realized that Dionne was not only a great support coach for my wife, but also kept me from passing out during the delivery! She did wonders to calm our concerns, reassure us with courage, and let us know what to expect at every step of the pregnancy. My wife and I felt secure in knowing that our birth plan would be followed up to the point of a medical emergency and that our best interests were being represented. Dionne's guidance is comforting, without over the top empathy and very calm, neutral directives. I'm glad I put my insecurities aside and took a chance with Dionne as our doula. I urge any man having a similar concern to put it aside; in the end, they will be thankful they did.

Dionne was such a wonderful blessing in helping my husband and I have the birth experience we hoped and planned for our first child. She was available prior to the birth to explain the birthing process and answer our many questions. On the day of delivery Dionne was an essential part of keeping us both calm, relaxed, and at ease in the hospital setting. Having someone by our side that is so experienced gave me the confidence to have a completely unmedicated water birth. After our daughter was born Dionne was a great help with all of my breastfeeding struggles and continues to be supportive today. I am so happy about my decision to hire a doula and would highly recommend Dionne!

Dionne worked with my husband and I for the birth of our first child. We had a wonderful birth experience and credit Dionne with helping us achieve the birth experience that we wanted. Dionne met us at our home for an initial consultation and we were immediately comfortable with her. She has a wonderfully calm demeanor, and was very open and direct in responding to our questions. Dionne is a wealth of knowledge and met with us several times prior to our due date to help with everything from writing a birth plan to helping me with my breast pump. Our daughter decided to arrive two weeks early and Dionne was there for us every step of the way. Even though it looked like my labor might take a while early on, she stayed with us and suggested techniques to help my labor progress. I believe it was due to Dionne's guidance that we may have avoided intervention, such as pitocin, at the hospital. As I labored Dionne observed and responded to my verbal and nonverbal cues and provided suggestions for helping me manage the labor process. She was also a great support for my husband. Having her there relieved him of the pressure of having to understand the ins and outs of the hospital policies and medical jargon. We knew that she would advocate for us, and this allowed him to focus on me and his participation in the birth. Dionne establishes great trust with her clients, and she was an awesome cheerleader in the final stages of labor. When labor became really difficult, having her encouragement, and knowing that she fully understood what I was going through, helped me to continue when I was losing confidence in myself. We ultimately had the unmedicated birth that we had planned for. Dionne has continued to be supportive postpartum and came to our home after the birth of our daughter to check in. She assisted me with breastfeeding questions and encourages me to continue to contact her with any questions. We cannot thank Dionne enough for the amazing support and friendship.

My husband & I weren't sure how we were going to deal with giving birth. He empathizes with me so much & can't stand to see me in pain & wasn't sure he' be as supportive as he wanted & I needed, so our midwife recommended Dionne to us. I'd never heard of a doula before that & once we met with Dionne we knew she was exactly what we needed! 
She met with us several times, covered all the things we would have learned by taking classes at the hospital (she's ceritified in just about everything it seems!) and was there on the phone whenever I had a question or concern.
We were lucky that she was training another doula when it can time for our daughter to be born, so we had two doulas present! They both were wonderful & supportive of both of us. My husband was able to take breaks as he needed & know that I still had plenty of support. My natural birth plans fell by the wayside when I had to be induced, and Dionne was supportive of our decisions & helped me through the tough labor, the epidural and even having to have a vacuum extraction. She had sais ahead of time that she would be supportive whether we went all natural or not & she knows that every birth is different. She has SO much experience! 
She came to visit after the birth in the hospital & after we came home & helped me with nursing difficulties & general support. She's kept in touch over the past year & a half since our daughter was born & has been a dear friend to us.
What she does is priceless, but her fees were quite affordable & we couldn't be happier! ^_^

Being first time parents can definitely take a toll on you emotionally. There are so many questions, worries and unexpected or unplanned things that can happen. My husband and I both needed the support. By having Dionne as our doula, we felt comfortable with anything that came at us. She was available at all times of the day and sat with me through my entire labor experience. I would definitely recommend her for anyone expecting, not just first time parents!

Dionne was a wonderful, positive, calming assistant at my sons birth. She met with my husband and I multiple times in our home prior to our big day and fully understood our wishes for our sons birth. She labored with me and stayed by my side after my son's birth while my husband was in the nursery watching over our son.

One of the most important things that is often overlooked is the transition after the birth. Dionne spent a significant time helping me transition into my new role as a mother, and assisting with questions and breastfeeding. Her experience and guidance was a gift that all mothers deserve. It was definitely the best decision that my husband and I made for our new family in anticipation for our sons arrival!

Dionne attended the homebirth of my first child.  She was instrumental in helping me find a homebirth midwife, planning for the birth and knowing what to expect.  She was with us for my entire labor, providing support, suggestions, and comfort.  When my labor stalled, she was the one that suggested the actions that started it again.  She helped my husband clean up after the birth and gave much needed support for several hours post delivery.

Most importantly, she was there for many weeks after the birth of my daughter, helping with breastfeeding issues.  She came over anytime I needed her and was always available by phone offering much needed (and appreciated) advice, help and support.

Dionne also performed my placenta encapsulation, a wonderful service!

Having a Doula was one of the best decisions I made for myself, my baby and my family.  Her support was necessary for a successful labor, delivery and happy baby experience.  A wonderful support system is one of the best things a new Mom can have and a Doula is an essential part of that support system.

I will always have a Doula at the birth of my children, and that Doula will always be Dionne.  I highly recommend that every expectant Mom get a Doula and Dionne is the best!

Dionne does an amazing job. When health problems at the end of my pregnancy made decisions difficult, she attended each doctor's appointment to support us and help us clarify our own thoughts. When a c-section became medically necessary, she was there next to me the whole time. It was great to have someone with me in surgery when my husband went to be with the baby. She also made sure that our birth plan was followed and even thought of things I never would have in such a crazy situation. Her help, caring, and expertise were invaluable, and her raport with my doctor was very comforting as well as helpful. She also came to check on us at home postpartum. I plan on using her with any future births.

Dionne was a strong and calming presence at the birth of my son.  She told me to get up and walk around when I just did not feel confident at that time.  She told me "you can do it" and she was so right, after no progressing for hours I moved right along and had a drug free birth.  We felt like we could not have done it without her.

Dionne is amazing!  She really knows how to listen, understand, and calm your fears. She is a true support.  I'm looking forward to her services for a second time!

Having Dionne as our doula was better than I could have ever imagined.  She was with us every step of the way when we had our second child.  Dionne answered questions for us prior to birth and helped us with writing our birth plan.  When the night came and we went into labor, she was fabulous!  My birth experience was wonderful and the entire time Dionne watched my physical and emotional cues for what would work for me.  It was one of those things -- you don't know what will work for you until you're in labor.  She listened very intently and quickly responded as I moved through the stages of labor.  For instance, at one point I got very hot and she immedidately had my husband grab a fan that she brought and had the nurses grab ice chips and helped me slip out of any restrictive clothes.  When I was in transition, her constant pressure on my neck and calm voice really helped me out!

My birth was very quick and Dionne stayed with us all morning.  She helped get the baby to breast right away and talked with the nurses to ensure the baby could stay with me.  She also helped my husband get into the hospital room to rest while we waited in the delivery room until I could be transferred.  Dionne checked in with us that evening and came by the next day to check on how we were all doing.  She also came by the apartment a few days after we were home to help me figure out how to juggle parenting two while my husband was working in the evenings.

In addition, Dionne has answered a million questions for me since the baby was born about when to call the doctor, what to do when I am having issues with breastfeeding, issues with starting solid foods and on and on.  I know that I can (and do) call Dionne at any time with mothering questions and she will always be there for me and my family.  I highly recommend Dionne and will absolutely use her again if we have another baby!

Dionne joined my birth story when I was 30 weeks pregnant with my first child.  She was amazing from the very beginning -- answering questions and making herself available to both myself and my husband.  When my water broke at 2 a.m., Dionne was ready to be there.  She guided me through the labor process as well as the hospital red-tape.  Unfortunately, my natural birth plan ended in a C-section, but even then, Dionne was a rock that my husband and I couldn't have managed without.  She is a wonderful doula and friend.

I was so thankful we decided to hire Dionne as our doula. I can't imagine going through my birth experience without having her there for her knowledge, support and encouragement. My husband and I were seeking a natural labor and delivery (as much as I could tolerate it). However, our plans and hopes turned in the opposite direction and I ended up having a very traumatic C-section. Dionne presented with a significant amount of experience and knowledge of labor and delivery practices and techniques, the post-partum experience and breastfeeding, to name a few. She was able to thoroughly answer all our questions. When the time came to go to the hospital, Dionne was fully available and supportive. She always had something positive or encouraging to say regardless of the situation. She empathized with me as I grieved the loss of my natural childbirth experience and stayed with us during the entire surgery and for several hours after to ensure we were taken care of. I would highly recommend Dionne as a birth doula to anyone.

 I had my 2nd baby three weeks ago and Dionne helped to make the labor and delivery an incredible and low stress experience. The labor with my first child two years ago was intense, induced, and although the birth was vaginal I did end up having an epidural, something I had wanted to avoid.  I contacted Dionne to help me with the birth of my second child because I wanted the support of someone who had the experience of many births and was going to help me with pain management with out using drugs. I ended up laboring at home with Dionne's help until I was 5cm and then had a water birth at the hospital with in a couple hours of being at the hospital. It was an amazing and wonderful experience and I cannot thank Dionne enough for her help and support. 

The nicest part of having Dionne as a doula was her confident, calm, and caring nature.  Also,   having such an experienced person available and able to come to your house was key in me not going to the hospital too early. Laboring at home was so much better than being at the hospital and I have Dionne to thank for that as well.  I cannot reccomend Dionne enough, she was wonderful, and if I was to have another baby I would want her by my side again.

Dionne assisted with the birth of my first child. She was such a professional, supportive presence during our hospital stay. We were much more relaxed than we would have been without her reassurance. The hospital floor was packed with patients on the weekend my son was born, and the (also wonderful) nursing staff was very busy. It helped to have Dionne by my side the entire time. I don't know how people give birth without a doula! Dionne is one of the best.

Dionne was a wonderful presence at my births. She worked hard to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, and clearly understood the kind of birth I wanted, taking all the steps necessary to make my wish come true. Throughout my pregnancy, Dionne was always there to provide support when I was stressed out or fearful -- not just supporting me regarding the birth but with valuable advice as a mom. Dionne has 6 kids herself, so she was a great asset to me as a mom of a toddler and a teenager about to have a new baby!

Dionne makes it look easy. I know I got the births I wanted (two successful home births!) with Dionne's help. I've used her twice and I recommend that you do too!

Dionne is very knowledgable, sincere, and has a relaxing nature.  She attended my homebirth March of this year.  I recommend doulas to every expecting family!

Dionne is so great, we were really glad we had her at the birth!  She was very reassuring and seemed to know just how to help me relax and get through my contractions.  She has a very calming presence and that's just what you need during labor and birth, especially if this is your first time.

Dionne provided my husband and me with the information and encouragement we needed to enjoy planned-for, positive natural childbirth with both of our children. Although blessed with low-risk pregnancies, I definitely had questions and concerns that sometimes left me wondering how to handle visits with my midwife, and I didn't always know how to cope with the emotional and physical ups and downs of pregnancy. Dionne's presence was pro-baby, pro-mother and family, and professional. She listened attentively, offered insight, recommended actions and topics to address with my midwife, and gave moral support--both while just talking about childbirth and also right there in the birthing tub and delivery room. Our community has a wonderful resource in Dionne, and she's incredibly generous with her gifts and her time. Spread the word about doulas--every pregnant family should have one!

I was in labor for over 24 hours from start to finish. Having support from Dionne and Lauren for my husband and I was a godsend. In weeks leading up to labor, we had several discussions about what to expect and asked a lot of “what if’s”. That really helped us prepare for the process. During labor, they broke down the medical jargon and explained what our options were every step of the way. They knew what our wishes were for the birth and helped us accept and appreciate the outcome. Having a calm reassuring voice experienced in the labor process from a personal and emotional prospective helped us progress through the obstacle course of labor and delivery. Neither of us can imagine NOT having the support of a doula for a birth!

Dionne was AMAZING... I met her before the birth of my first daughter because both my husband and I no longer had our mom's alive to help us through the experience.  And while I knew my husband would be wonderful and able to handle anything I wanted a woman there to help other than nurses.  When Dionne and I met we clicked immediately and had an instant repoire.  She knew lots of things about everything and helped answer my many questions.  She also was present at the birth of our second daughter.  She helped me go all natural which was the most empowering experience.  Dionne is the BEST and I highly recommend her.  She will help make your birth experience wonderful!