Tess McConnell

5/16/2024

I cannot recommend the Doulas of Central Pennsylvania enough!! My husband and I decided to work with a doula for the birth of our first child because we wanted a more experienced person in the room who was familiar with us and our birth plan. Before giving birth we met with Maria and Julie a couple times to walk through our birth plan. They asked questions that I hadn't considered and were very familiar with Mount Nittany Medical protocols. When thinking about all the things that can happen during birth it was so comforting to know that I would have a person there to ask who has experience and who also was familiar with my wants and needs. On the day of they were so helpful with my questions as I worked through when to go into the hospital and laboring at home. Maria met me at the hospital door and instantly started helping me through contractions. Having a doula walk me and my husband through things was very comforting even though I was a little out of it! Maria helped vocalize our desires when my husband was focused on me and I was focused on birth! Would recommend to anyone and we feel very lucky to have had a doula with us!

Sophia

2/5/2024

I strongly recommend Doulas of Central PA. I first consulted with them when I was planning for baby number 2 and explained that my goal was a VBAC. They were supportive from the beginning. As a woman of color, I also appreciated the fact that they recognized the flaws in the VBAC calculators most hospitals use (ie being penalized for being Black or Latina). We also discussed options of where to labor. It was empowering to know I had the ability to choose and not just select the local hospital. I ended up delivering in Lewistown since they have midwives on call. Despite being induced, I was supported by Maria to make sure labor progressed by engaging in different movements / positions. I very much appreciated how attentive she was to not only my needs but even baby. At one point she suggested we switch positions because baby seemed to be in a bit of distress. I'm extremely thankful for the support throughout the pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Without a doubt, Doulas of Central PA helped tremendously this second time around.