Dawn Single - Chesapeake Birth Companions

Posted 3/8/2012

Dawn helped to created a supportive environment and a rewarding birth experience in what could have been a stressful delivery. She was available by phone in the week(s) leading up to delivery, when I was having lots of contractions and unsure about when labor was really starting.   I chose Dawn because she was prepared to support either a completely natural childbirth or a medicated childbirth.  She was a calm voice in the delivery room when my contractions were getting very painful, helping me breath through everything that was going on. Ultimately, I did decide to have an epidural, as well as pitocin because of complications, and I was happy that I had a doula who was non-judgmental about those choices.  She really facilitated my husband's participation as the primary support person and made sure that he took care of himself by eating and taking breaks.  The pushing phase lasted two and a half hours, because my daughter was face-up and Dawn encouraged me and helped me stay focused the whole way. 

Posted 10/2/2011

Posted 8/21/2011

Dawn was the doula for our daughter's birth in May. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone considering a doula for their birth. From the first meeting, she was an incredibly reassuring presence, and she continued to be supportive and calming throughout labor. I went into labor at 10:30pm, and I stayed at home and labored until about 3am, at which point Dawn met us at the hospital (although she was more than willing to come to our house and help there if I had wanted it). I think the most reassuring thing about having her as our doula was her familiarity with the whole process. She knew the system, she had an answer for every question I had, and she kept me focused and relaxed the whole time. Knowing that I had someone that understood my wishes, but was familiar with the hospital system, allowed me to stay calm despite the whole process being completely new to me.
I originally wanted to have a natural childbirth, but I decided before Dawn even arrived at the hospital that it was not the right choice for me, and when Dawn arrived and found out the change in plan, she was completely supportive. She helped me get through the wait until the epidural arrived by breathing slowly and evenly through contractions, and to stay calm and allow my body to do what it needed to do. During the pushing stage, Dawn was a great coach and motivator and my daughter was born at 10am the following morning after less than an hour of pushing. I couldn't have asked for a better birth experience and Dawn was an integral part of making it as satisfying as it was. I would happily recommend her to anyone considering a doula.

Posted 7/9/2011

We had a very positive experience with Dawn Single and will certainly consider using her services again!  We interviewed her a few months before our due date and right away I had a good feeling.  Dawn is a good listener (which was important when it came time for the big event!) and asked us thoughtful questions to help us prepare our birth plan.  She shared many resources with us and touched base with us as my due date came and went (with no signs of labor).  I was set having a natural birth and Dawn's role was to support both of us ('cuz I knew the hubby was gonna need it, too!) in pain management and decision making during the process.  She went beyond this and looked after my smaller needs (hydration, warm blankets, getting nurses in when the darn monitor would go awry, etc., etc.) so that I could focus on my task at hand.  One thing I really liked was that I felt like she understood my needs as they changed and was there when I needed her and quiet in the background when I needed that, too.  Our birth plan took a different course when I had to be induced (2 weeks overdue) and having Dawn there to call upon her experience put my mind at ease with the decisions that I was making (breaking my water, pitocin, etc.).  In the end, I opted for an epidural and felt supported with that choice, too.  She helped me stay on track as long as I could and then changed course with me as the hours progressed, the pain worsened and no progress was being made.  Though my birth plan did not proceed as planned, I still feel like my experience was a very positive one because of the support of Dawn.

Posted 3/23/2011

My experience with Dawn was amazing reassuring and comforting from the moment we met to the moment we met our son.  I interviewed several Doula's in the process of my selection and none compared with the professional ease which Dawn always demonstrated.  During the birth of my son (25 hours of labor, 4 of which were spent pushing) Dawn was there for my husband and myself continuously.  Every decision made during the birth was complimented by Dawn's expertise never clouded by her personal opinion/judgements and ultimately made by my husband and I.  Were it not for Dawn's excellent coaching my birth could have become easily cesarean and I firmly believe that it was due to some of her strategies which made a vaginal birth with epidural possible.

Posted 1/4/2011