Marina Codiga Doula Profile

It's because of Marina that I have a great birth memory.

I was most impressed by was Marina's calm resilience during the entire course of my 21 hour labor. She was encouraging when I needed it, she even encouraged my husband when he was getting fatigued. Throughout my labor it was wonderful to have Marina by my side, just to know that there was another woman in the room, who had gone through a Hypnobabies birth before was so encouraging. I would look at her and know the truth in the back of my mind that as a woman, I could do this because she was evidence that it was possible.

After my birth, Marina stayed on a couple hours till I was transferred to the postpartum recovery room. Even then, after everything was done and I was fatigued she was there to congratulate me and commend me on all my hard work and concentration on my Hypnobabies techniques. Marina was there to provide the validation I needed.

Two weeks after birth Marina visited me to review my birth and see how I was doing and even then she was a shining light in my bleary daze of new motherhood. I was depressed and sad and just felt that I my whole life had changed and I couldn't cope, and Marina was there to encourage me, hug me and let me know that this was just an early stage for the baby and that it would get better. I can't even describe how much it meant for me to have her come over and encourage me as a new mom. Every new mom needs somebody to step in and affirm them.

In summary, I highly recommend Marina as a Hypnobabies doula. I truly believe that because of her I have wonderful memory of birthing my daughter instead of a memory filled with the stresses of doctors & nurses in the hospital.

Marina was exactly what I needed her to be.  I won't go into all the reasons why a doula is wonderful in general, but just focus on why Marina specifically was good.  She is soft-spoken and unobtrusive, but said just the right things at the critical moments.  Her presence at the birth gave me calm confidence that I would be able to have the birth I wanted, even in a hospital setting.  She suggested a great pushing position and was there to reassure me that it was the right choice when the doctor and nurses would have persuaded me to be on my back (which was the one thing I most wanted to avoid!)  With her gentle reminder, I was able to stay the course and baby was born with just 4 pushes and no episiotomy, no tears, and no stitches.  After my first birth gave me a huge tear, this was my biggest concern for this birth experience.  It is amazing to think that, without Marina, I would have been pushing on my back just like the first time despite my own determination not to.  With just a few soft-spoken words, Marina made a world of difference in my life.

I met Marina at Aqua Natal Birthcenter in Chino and arranged to having a meeting with my husband myself and Marina. She was so calm and positive, knowledgable and experienced. We stayed in communtication through out my pregnancy by phone and text.Our birth rehearsal was fun, we practiced some hypno babies together, different birth ball positions, helped gives us tips on packing our bag we were taking with us to the birthcenter as well as what foods and drinks to have for me while I was in early labor. Finally the day came, my water broke and Marina stayed in communication with me and my husband and came to my house at the perfect time right when things were starting to pick up and I needed the extra support and guidance. As soon as she walked in the door I felt such a rush of calm confident energy that made me feel so much better just knowing she was there to help guide me. Sure enough she timmed my pressure waves, got me into the shower and pretty much got me through it all. Before I knew it we were ready, she drove my husband and I thereto the birthcenter. I arrived there being 10centimeters! She used hypnosis cues to help me stay focused, she wiped my face with cold cloths and offered me drinks, she knew when to talk and when to just quitely watch. After my baby was born she stayed there until we were both doing welll and eating. She was great! She came to visit me a couple more times after that at my home, we talked about the experience and she gave me helpful tips to help with my recovery! All in all she help make my all natural unmedicated waterbirth the best experience ever, I absolutely loved it. My 3 year old was present the whole time with us and she had a great experience as well, she has such a positive recollection of her sisters birth. Marina is the best qualiffied doula there is and when my husband and I decied to expand our family we are deffinetly calling Marina again we love her and I know she was put here on Earth to do birthwork!

I had an all natual birth in San Antonio Hospital in June 2010.  I met Marina when I was about 5 months pregant with my son.  My husband and I both feel really comfortable around her and we wanted her to be our doula right away.  Since it was my first pregnancy I have a lot of questions about natural unmedicated birth, I email her with my questions and she respond to me very quickly every single time.  Marina have introduce me to the Hypnobabies program to better prepare me for the unmedicated birth.  It was the best recommendation ever.  After I have started attending the class, she will meet at my house to go over the Hypnobabies scripts with me.  As it gets closer to my estimated due date we will meet and go over the detail again on what we will do at the hospital.  On the date of the birth she was there to coach and guide both me and my husband on what to do.  At the same time keep an eye on the hospital staff to make sure they are not doing something that is not in my birth plan.  Her calm positive energy really make the whole experience so nice and easy.  I love the experience so much that we are having Marina to be our doula again.  ~Expecting our second child  6/13/12~ 

I had the honor of being one of Marina's attending midwives during the birth of her son, and am so happy that she's found her calling as a doula. 

Working with Marina in the birth room is great!  As a student midwife, I really appreciate everyone who's been allowed in the room to be calm, centered, and relaxed.  Marina is all of these things and more. 

As birth workers it is vital that we know how to hold space for a woman in her birthing time, and Marina does this with ease and grace.  She knows when to be quiet, to give a light touch.  Or when a woman needs a bit more energy, whether it be words of encouragement or a reminder to have a drink of water, Marina is right there leaning into that woman and making sure she has what she needs.

Marina's good at looking out for birth partners too, and has even been known to grab the camera to make sure the most important parts of labor and birth are captured if that's what the family wants.  You really cannot go wrong with choosing Marina to be your doula. :)