Natalie Fuller - Seattle Birth Doula

 Having the opportunity to have Natalie as a doula seemed just as wonderful as giving birth to my son. Natalie is a great person at heart, which I think matters the most when acquiring a total stranger for such an important role. She was extremely supportive of the desires that I had for my birth, both physically and emotionally. I had a lot of fear towards the end of my pregnancy about labor and delivery, and all of that subsided once the time actually came. Natalie did an excellent job at communicating throughout my pregnancy. She is also very resourceful. I admire Natalie for her ability to have an open mind, I think she will excel to a new level beyond the one she has already accomplished as a doula. I will definitely be in touch with her as long time allows us to, I want my son to be sure to know the truly genuine person that played such a significant part in his arrival to the world. I wish Natalie could help with the delivery every baby born in the world, but considering she can't, I hope that she will assist in as many births as possible. I felt as if she was the cherry on top of my SONdae. :-)

 I am sincerly grateful for Natalie's role as a Doula during the pregnancy and labor of my first son. As a first time parent there are so many things to worry and anticipate about throughout your pregnancy, and Natalie is the perfect person to encourage the allieviation of those worries. I don't think my labor would have been as pleasant as it was without her. She is very open minded and has lots of wonderful ideas for easing the intensity of labor. If I were to do it all over again, or if I have any children in the future, I would definitely have Natalie by my side. It seems as if she was born to be a doula

Thanks Again Natalie,

Dominique, Dominick & Family.

Posted 7/6/2010

It's hard to know where to begin when talking about my experience with Natalie. It was so amazing. I think I'll begin at the end, the end of my labor, which Natalie helped me get to more quickly than I otherwise would have--and without drugs, which was my goal.

She suggested I try laboring in the hot tub. I was reluctant because I had found a comfort zone. She said if I didn't like it, I didn't have to stay in, but she had seen several women go straight from the hot tub to pushing. I took her suggestion and was soon at the pushing stage myself. About 45 minutes later, I was holding my beautiful baby boy. 

From the moment she arrived, Natalie was with me through every contraction, compressing my hips, which reduced the pain, and massaging my back. She said all the right things and has an amazing bedside manner. My mother wasn't able to be at my birth, but Natalie has such a mothering, supportive way about her, it was next best thing--better actually because my mother would have been freaking out.

Although I didn't want to have an epideral, at one point I asked whether I still had the option, when I heard another laboring woman screaming. Natalie said I could but that I was doing such a good job, that I was almost there, and that I could do it naturally, the way I had told her I wanted to. It was just the encouragement I needed. I know, too, that if I had really wanted to have an epideral, Natalie would have supported that decision as well. 

Honestly, I was nervous about having someone I barely knew at my son's birth. I thought I might be embarassed or that maybe I would just want my husband there since it's such a personal thing. But I can't tell you how happy I am that I had a doula, and that the doula was Natalie. After the birth, several midwives at the hospital commented that they had heard what a great birth I had. I believe Natalie had a lot to do with that. Her services were worth every penny.

Posted 1/26/2010

Natalie was just what we were looking for in a Doula! She listened to our wishes and concerns when we met before the birth. She was thoughtful and made sure my husband was involved and had a voice in the process. We felt confident that Natalie would be our advocate which allowed my husband and me to focus on the delivery. Because Natalie was there I was able to have a successful VBAC! I really appreciated her follow-up care as well. It was so nice to have that support after going home.

Posted 1/7/2010

My husband and I decided weeks before our first baby was born that we wanted to hire a doula. We met with Natalie and both walked away feeling like we had known her for years. She was so supportive of whatever birth plan we wanted to have, listened to what was important to us, and was instrumental in helping me have the unmedicated birth for which I had hoped. When I went into labor, she came down to our house to help me through the contractions. She worked with my husband to help me find comfortable positions, and was encouraging and supportive every step of the way – like a dear friend would be. Once we arrived at the hospital, we were all surprised to learn it was time to start pushing. Again, she helped me stay at ease and encouraged me, helping me believe I could keep going. It was so nice to have the comfort of my husband, but the support of someone as experienced as her. After our son was born, she took wonderful pictures that I now cherish. I had some minor postpartum complications and Natalie stayed with me through the whole process, even though it was much later than what we had agreed on, while my husband held our baby boy. Natalie had so many tricks and surprises up her sleeve, and provided us with many treats that were above and beyond. We were both so pleased with our experience with her, and so thankful for her role in helping us welcome our little baby.

Posted 12/22/2009

Natalie was a wonderful support person to have! I hesitated at first to hire a doula, but did so because of all the research that they really help you during labor. Natalie was there for me for the birth of my first child. My labor started on a Sunday and I called Natalie to come over to help me with the contractions, but they stopped, and after a long night, I sent her home. My labor hit full swing 3 days later and I called Natalie to meet me at the hospital and she came in time and was really encouraging and knew how to comfort me during my natural labor. She stayed with us post partum to make sure things were going smoothly and visited us a few days later. Natalie is a very sweet, honest person! 

Posted 9/21/2009

 We had a doula for the birth of our first child and had such a wonderful experience that we decided to have one again for the second child.  We found Natalie and she was a super star!  Prior to the birth she made sure she listened to our expectations and wishes without judgement.  She offered helpful suggestions when we had questions and was readily available as a resource.  When it was time, Natalie met us at the hospital with her bag of tricks.  Although my water had broken, active labor was slow to start and Natalie walked for HOURS with us (sometimes in the snow), laughed with us, dined with us and helped us decide on a name for the baby.  She was very attentive to my needs, without judgement, and even gave me a foot massage after all of that walking! She was great at anticipating my needs.  When active labor finally kicked in, Natalie stayed with me through the contractions, rubbing my back, helping me to relax and breath,  helping me change positions and offering snack so I could keep up my energy.  She was tireless and her presence helped me (and my husband) to get through the natural birth that I hoped for.  She communicted excellently with me, my husband and the nurses. 

Once our son had arrived, Natalie took pictures, helped me to order food and stayed with us until we were comfortably settled in our recovery room.  She gifted us the heating pad that she used during the labor and an amazing concoction of soothing herbs for my sitz baths.  Once we were home, she checked in on us, even bringing some goodies and spending time with the new "big brother" in the family.  Natalie's good humor and caring were just what we needed the second time around. 

Posted 8/26/2009

This is a copy of the exact letter we gave to Natalie with our thank you gift.  She is amazing and we would highly recommend her to anyone!

Natalie,

Thank you for helping us through the birth of our baby girl. Your calming spirit helped me stay focused and remain encouraged during my labor.  Thank you for rubbing my back, getting me ice chips before I had to ask, playing relaxing music and helping Erek and I count through contractions and our breathing exercises..and helping us pack up and move to the recovery room!
When Dr. Levine said that I might need a c-section, you remained calm and that helped me stay relaxed. When he came back and Hana’s position had changed and we were ready to push, I was so happy that I was able to have her naturally!
As a new Mother, I needed extra support during labor and delivery and I received it. I’m so glad that we met and that you were able to support us through this journey.
I never really knew what a doula was all about prior to meeting with you and educating myself on the benefits of a “birth coach,” but it’s truly the best resource and would highly recommend it to all Mothers, whether the birth is their first or fourth! Your help and support during that time was invaluable and we truly appreciate all you’ve done to help us.
You have a special gift for this line of work and I wish you all the best as you move forward in your career. We’ll definitely call you when we’re pregnant with baby #2!
Please use us if you need any references…we’d love to share your hard work ethic and our new view on the importance of birth doulas, it should be mandatory!
Please stay in touch.
Mahalo,
Marla, Erek & Hana Barhoum
 

Posted 8/9/2009

Everything I had read made using a doula to support the birth of our daughter seem like a natural choice, but my partner was initially hesitant about having a "stranger" in the room. When we met Natalie, she put those fears to rest. She was a great companion leading up to the birth, checking in regularly and offering advice. She was very interested in helping us create the birth experience we wanted - asking us questions and offering things for us to think about. When the time came (I was induced), she met us at the hospital and offered card games to make the waiting go by faster. When my labor really got going, she was wonderful, offering position choices, pressing on my back and holding my hand. Once our daughter joined us, Natalie got started taking pictures. She then helped us move to our recovery room and stopped by after we got home to check in and see how we were doing. 

We are so happy we decided have Natalie as our doula - the birth of our daughter was just an amazing experience and she played a huge role. My sister was also there, and even she commented on how wonderful Natalie was!!

Posted 8/7/2009

It's been nearly two years and I still credit Natalie with making the birth of my son so easy.  Anticipating the baby's birth, I may have been more scared than the average second time mother.  Our first child was born with some difficulty.  My husband was the one who encouraged having a doula.  He was looking forward to having her professional support in his corner as well as in mine.

Natalie was great. During the birth she was prepared, she put me at ease, she even had nourishment the doctors allowed.   She followed my cues and requests. She was a  great mediator between the doctors and me: she made sure I had what I needed and they heard what I had to say--this really took  a load off my husband.  She respected that I wanted an epidural though I did delay it because she made walking the halls feasible.  When the contractions would roll through she would relax me very effectively; I can still feel her touch on my lower back.   She suggested strategies that helped with the delivery.  Giving birth is like running a marathon and she was my trainer; I wouldn't have traded her for the world.

Post delivery: she took pictures! She stuck around until I sent her home and still she came back the next day--on Christmas Eve.  She came to the house and helped me with my older child as well as with my healing.  Children gravitate toward her and she has a magical way with them.  She can make the arrival of a new baby easier; even for the siblings.

She's a blessing.

Sarah

Posted 7/15/2009

Natalie was everything we needed and expected in a doula: supportive, confident and prepared. But more than that, she exceeded our expectations as first time parents through her compassionate and personable style. She brought such enthusiasm and sincerity to the process that by the end we felt we had known her for years! - Amy & Justin

Posted 7/14/2009