Leigh Short Doula Profile

I don't know what I would have done without Leigh. Not only was she helpful with her skill at birth but also before and after. She was always there for my questions or concerns. Even in my toughest moments of childbirth Leigh helped me get through it with ease. At one point the Doctor was telling me I was going to feel more pain, Leigh knew what to say to help calm me down. And it actually ended up hurting less than a bee sting. She's an amazing listener and gave me un-opinionated and unbiased information. I really benefited from all of her experience and knowledge of pregnancy, birth, and postnatal stages. Having her as a doula took a lot of worry out of my birth and caring for a baby, which can be difficult sometimes for a single mother.

Leigh Short came to our rescue after I attended my first child birth class and went home in tears.  I was so scared, I couldn't go back.  So I asked her to give my husband and I a class on our own.  She taught my husband and I many things the whole time calming my fears. Being struggling college students - we were unsure of any additional expense, but we decided we needed her and hired her at  8 months of pregnancy.  Her knowledge, ability and mood were a constant help, and made it possible for me to birth without any drugs, which is what I wanted-(saving us money).  She showed my husband how to help me throughout the birth, this really brought us closer and made it a powerful and positive experience.  She could answer my questions even anticipate my needs.  She dealt with the nurses when they came in and worked with the Dr.  The experience was so positive I chose to have my second at home.  Leigh was a huge help.  She assisted the midwife and was able to suggest positions that helped through the most difficult parts of my labor.   I called her again for my third pregnancy and she was a huge comfort to me as well - only unable to come because she herself was due in a few days.  She suggested a book, though that shortened my labor considerably, she is always studying and learning how to be better.   Even though she wasn't there I felt her gift of knowledge and help.   Leigh is the best doula around, my sister  who was not fortunate enough to live near Leigh tried others and didn't have the amazing experience I had, my mother, who attended both births had to agree, Leigh was better.  Her skills, her knowledge and her demeanor are so comforting and helpful, exactly what is needed to make this exciting experience exactly that, wonderful. 

Leigh was so amazing and helpful. We really enjoyed having her as our doula. She respected all our wishes. We will defiantly love to have her as our doula again!

Leigh was our doula for our first child. Becaus I was 14 day overdue and giving birth in a hospital, I was induced with a pitocin drip. This method of induction causes very intense contractions and is frequently paired with an epidural. However, we managed without drugs and I credit Leigh for for that. She helped with pain management in a way that neither my husband not I were prepared for.

Leigh made sure that I understood what was going on around me throughout labor and helped my husband to know how to be most helpful. She remained upbeat throughout a long and intense delivery and now we have a wonderful almost-six-year-old son to show for it. Every woman should have a doula and Leigh is outstanding.

Leigh was our doula when I had my 3rd child. With my first 2, I had a midwife and did home births, but this time, we had moved and were not able to find a midwife so we found a doctor that we were comfortable with and decided to go ahead with a hospital birth. Since this was a new experience for us, we asked Leigh to come and help. That was a decision that we are very thankful we made. Having had two other children, the childbirth process was not new to us, but it was so great having Leigh there to be our mediator with the hospital staff and also to relieve my husband a little when needed. She was aware of my needs and remained attentive throughout the entire experience.

Though things did not go exactly according to our original birth plan, Leigh was great  and helped us make each transition that was needed. She also gave much needed encouraging words when I was feeling let down by the changes.

My husband also was very glad to have her there with us. He felt that it gave him more opportunity to just be with me without having to take care of quite so much of the outside interruptions.

I would recommend having a doula no matter how many times you have gone through the birthing process. If I could have had Leigh there for my last birth, my 5th, I would have. Having more support during childbirth helps make the process more enjoyable and having had Leigh share in that special experience with us was a wonderful way to go!

Leigh is a very good doula and birth support.  She writes wonderful birth stories for the families that she doulas for, and is very compationate.  We have been to about a dozen or more birth together, beside her own and she has a very level head and is a great team player!

I have used Leigh Short for more than just one birth, but at that first birth (my first, in fact), I knew she was good. Wow! Was she good. She knew EXACTLY what to do and say AND how to do and say it. Seriously, I don't know what we would have done without her. Yes, I had my husband (and what a support he was! Couldn't do it without him either!) but there is something to having another woman there who knows what you are going through and knows exactly what it is you need, and how to get it to you. If fact, she was very instramental in helping my husband help me. Not only was she a significant personage at my labors, she has imparted massive amounts of information to me months before I went into labor. I love knowledge, and Leigh has it. It has been so much fun learning from her. She has the incredible ability of being able to tell you something and at  the same time not making you feel stupid. She does not judge. She is very much a professional in all aspects. I'd say she was "heaven sent."  I am so thankful she was able and willing to help us.

Leigh is an exceptional doula and really went the extra mile helping us. We were able to meet with her twice before the birth to get to know her and go over our birth plan and practice. When we hired her she was scheduled to be out of town the week after our due date so she went to a lot of work to find three different backup doulas that we could choose from if we had the baby when she was gone and made sure that we found someone that we were comfortable with. We ended up having our baby while she was out of town but had a great experience since Leigh went to so much work to make sure we had a good backup doula. Then after the birth Leigh continued to follow up with us, with phone calls, emails, and visits. When she came to visit after the baby was born (in addition to a postpartum visit from our backup doula) she brought us a delicious and healthy freezer meal, cleaned for us, folded laundry, and visited with me. She offered breastfeeding support and postpartum resources and advice to us. Leigh is honestly one of the nicest, most caring people that I have met. She goes far beyond what most doulas (and the previous doula that we used with our first birth) do. I would highly recommend her as a doula.

Leigh attended my birth in July 2009.  She was a great resource both before and after birth.  I felt like I could ask her anything and she would either know or would look into it for me.  She was confident but had a way of also empowering me.  I am so grateful she was at my birth.  During transition, her words were invaluable.  She helped me to remain calm and filled me with perspective.  I had my baby at home and my kids were there.  She also assisted with them when they needed a hand.  A few weeks after the birth, I had trouble producing milk and she was there every step of the way with encouragement and great advice.  I really don't think I would have ended up breastfeeding for over a year without her vital support then.  I love Leigh!