Abby Serio Doula Profile

I just gave birth to my first child on November 5th and I can honestly say I could not have done it without Abby. I had a very specific idea as to what kind of birth I wanted to have and Abby helped me put together a birth plan that nicely articulated my wishes. She is very knowledgable and prepared me for different situations that may arise and how we would handle them. She was on hand to answer all of my questions and address my concerns in the weeks leading up to the birth. When I went a few days past my due date I was told that my baby didn't handle a contraction well and it was advised that I be induced. I was so upset because I was hoping for a natural birth with no interventions.  Abby kept me calm and talked me through it. Ultimately I was still able to achieve my natural delivery with the pitocin. Abby was with me every step of the way, offering positive reinforcement and helping my husband and I try different techniques to get through the contractions. She enabled me to achieve the birth that I wanted and helped me to advocate for myself when necessary. Abby stayed with us after the baby was born to make sure we had everything we needed, even answered my nervous phone calls later that night when the nurses wanted to give my baby more interventions.  My husband and I are truly grateful to have had Abby by our side during this wonderful time. We would highly recommend her to anyone and would definitely hope to have her support with future births.

I hadn’t ever used a doula before I met Abby. I was pregnant with my 3rd child, and had gone without medication for my 2nd. Knowing what I was going to handle, I knew I wanted to ensure enough support and have an extra person in addition to my husband and midwife. I saw Abby’s flier in the office and after speaking with her, was eager to meet her and instantly felt like she would be perfect. She sounded so excited to talk to me and as soon as I met her, I knew she would be the right support for me; gentle and attentive, yet firmly advocating our wishes and preferences. No matter that this was my 3rd labor, I know how helpful that can be in the moment.
My labor began calmly enough, since I was being “induced” by rupturing my water, and I met the midwife at the hospital with Abby meeting us in the parking lot. As we settled in, she asked the nurse to keep me off monitors, while I forgot to! As I voiced my mild anxiety creeping up as I waited for something to happen, she reassured me that I was going to do beautifully, and everything was ok. I appreciated this reassurance from the very beginning. Even these small words helped. As things got going, and I was working harder, she anticipated my needs before I did and was attentive without breaking my focus. I know she loves what she does, and its self evident in the work she does. I had a beautiful labor and delivery and am so happy I made that call!

Abby became our doula quite by chance since our midwife called her for some extra help while we were in labor. We didn’t think we needed a doula since my husband was as prepared to coach me through a natural childbirth as husbands can be! I was worried and apprehensive about having a complete stranger help coach us through a natural childbirth, but within minutes of arriving I somehow knew so much about her I felt like we were old friends- she has that way about her. Words can not describe how grateful we were to have her there and how easily she became part of our birthing “family”. In between my contractions I was comforted by her telling us stories- her child birthing experiences, how she met her husband… I needed the distraction and she was so willing to provide me with that. I was so physically and mentally exhausted towards the end of my son’s birth that I decided to keep my eyes closed in order to maintain my focus and determination. I refused to open them except when I needed water and each time I did, Abby was right by my side with a cup of ice water. I never needed to ask, she anticipated every one of my needs before I even voiced them. Because my labor pain was all in my lower back, my husband spent all 17+ hours behind me massaging as much of the pain away as he could. My contractions were so strong and so frequent I wouldn’t let him go anywhere. Abby ended up helping him stay comfortable, fed and hydrated as much as she helped me! She was a God send and without her I doubt we could have made it through a 36 hour natural childbirth without the aid of pain medicine. But we did and our son was born happy, healthy and drug-free at 9lbs 13oz and 22 ¼ inches long.

Abby's skills when it comes to encouragement in birth are truly second to none!  Not only is she a wonderful helping hand to have at your side during your birth, her knowledge and no-nonsense attitude can help tackle problematic staff so that mom can do what she does best... have her own baby!  As a doula Abby is a wonderful go-to source for knowledge, tremendous support during labor, and a great friend!  There's no one else (other than my husband) I'd rather have with me at my births!