Anna Ulam - Baby Belly Birth Services

Anna is an incredible doula! She went above and beyond throughout my pregnancy, labor and postpartum.  We met several times before the birth of our son and during this time we established a great bond that I believe helped make my birth experience really positive!

I told Anna I wanted a natural birth, she provided me with tons of information and articles on child birth and postpartum care.  She had an answer for almost all of my questions and if she didn't she quickly found and a got back with me! She really help support and prepare me for labor.

My doctor ended up inducing me at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia.  I went in on a Thursday night, very last minute, and Anna was able to meet with my doctor and I to discuss and advocate my birth plan despite some of the limitations inducing would present! On Friday morning they started my pitocin and Anna was there first thing in the morning! I ended up having my baby on Sunday afternoon and Anna stayed with my husband and I the entire time! She helped me get wireless monitoring and we walked and swayed and tried many different positions to encourage dialation and get baby into position. She did counter pressure and massage.  She also helped make my family and husband comfortable during my long labor.  Despite how tired she must of been she helped my husband hold my legs during 5 hours of almost nonstop pushing, I can't say enough about how invaluable Anna was during my birth. 

Anna brings experience, knowledge and a passion for assisting in making childbirth an empowering and positive experience.  Anna has a calming demeanor and genuine desire to always help make people feel comfortable.  I was making suggestions to a friend about what to pack in her hospital bag and I asked my husband what he would recommend, he said, "Bring Anna!"

Posted 1/10/2012

Anna was a wonderful doula. She makes a point to create more than just a client-doula relationship, she makes a friendship. This is great in making you feel more comfortable in sharing such personal information and experiences. Anna is very knowledgeable about pregnancy as well as labor and delivery, and I went to her many times for advice. And when the big moment came, she was great in helping me get into positions that helped me be comfortable, advocated for me to make sure my birth plan was followed, and kept me focused and feeling confident that I could do it. It was with her help that I had an amazing birth experience!

Posted 12/29/2011

We hired Anna to be our birth doula for the birth of our first child in October of 2010. She came to our house a number of times before the birth. During these visits she helped us write our birth plan, she discussed with me different relaxation and pain relief techniques she knew and asked which I wanted to try, and she even gave me a very nice prenatal massage. I wanted a natural child birth, but had to be induced with Pitocin. With Anna’s physical assistance, support and encouragement, I was able to get through the 14 hour labor without any form of pain medication. She offered to help with anything I needed throughout the labor. Then when it came time to push and I really wanted my husband’s support most, she stepped back and let us have some personal space while keeping close by in case we needed anything.

My husband also greatly appreciated having her assistance. He was able to take breaks during the labor to get food and check in with family without leaving me alone. Though we didn’t hire her for postpartum doula services, she still stopped by one day during our first week home and was a huge help! She did dishes, laundry, ran the vacuum, ran me an herb bath, and watched my son for me so I could bathe and eat lunch. She then called to check in on me several times throughout the next couple weeks since I was struggling with breastfeeding. In my opinion she went above and beyond the call of duty, and she did it gladly with a smile on her face. Not only was it a huge help to have Anna's expertise during the birth of our son, but it was also a pleasure getting to know her. She is kind, friendly and generous. She was anxious to help in any way she could before, during and after our labor. She loves being a doula and wanted to make our birthing experience meet all our expectations. She did that, and then some. I highly recommend her services.
 

Posted 1/31/2011

Anna Ulam was my doula while I was pregnant with my son. She was awesome! She gave me unlimited support & informantion. I could call her whenever & ask her questions about my exhausting pregnancy. As soon as my water broke she was in her car to come be by my side. She knew exactly what to do & was calm the entire time, even when I was not. She helped me through my contractions with counter pressure & massage. Even when I decided my birth plan was not going to go exactly how I planned she went with the flow. I think if she had not been with me my labor would have been a lot more hectic & not as relaxing. After I gave birth to my son I decided to nurse & she gave me all the information I could ask for. I called her all the time to ask questions about nursing & newborn care. If it was not for her I dont think I would be succesful at nursing my son & I am so thankful because it was the best decision I have ever made. After I returned to work I had some issues with my milk supply & she knew exactly what to do & gave me information about herbal supplements to keep my supply up. I dont even know what I would have done without her.
 

Posted 6/29/2010

Anna Ulam provided amazing doula services to our family.  Last summer, our third child, Piper, was almost 4 weeks post-dates.  Our homebirth midwives allowed me to wait out that time without any "fear" of hospitalization.  Anna was incredibly supportive during the weeks leading up to Piper's birth.  She remained available to me by phone at any time, even sacrificing opportunities for her family to go out of town.  Anna took it upon herself to drive to a nearby town to obtain the herbal tinctures recommeded to bring on labor.  She also organized a night of relaxation and prayer for me with some other homebirth moms.  The weeks and weeks of awaiting Piper's birth would have been unbearable, if not for the support that Anna provided.

When the time finally arrived for Piper's birth, Anna was invaluable.  She provided counter pressure to my hips during contractions and gave my children directions so that they could remain helpful.  Anna talked me through my contractions and helped me to stay on top of the pain.  Piper's was a "precipitous" birth, meaning that it took less than three hours.  Anna took excellent care of our family during the short labor, and was a real asset to our midwives.

Immediately following the birth, Anna was a calming presence for my children and husband.  She brought me food and jiuce, tucked the kids into bed, and made sure our bedroom was "put back together" after the birth.  The following morning, she came over and did a deep cleaning of the bedroom, poured me an herbal bath, and fed my children.  Anna and her children visited our family several times during the first week, supporting me through a bout of post partum depression.

Anna Ulam is a wonderful doula.  I look forward to the Lord's blessing of another pregnancy, and will definitely use Anna as my doula.

Posted 6/15/2010