Heidi Shulista Doula Profile

Heidi helped us along the pregnancy path with information and advice, and through her experience, wisdom and clear thinking and communication she helped us to achieve a fantastic birth despite multiple medical hurdles.  I wanted an intervention free birth and mother nature had other plans, but Heidi helped us make informed decisions that made me feel my birth experience was a triumph.  The ultimate goal of any birth is safe delivery for baby and mother, but i feared not having my "dream birth" might make me feel like i had failed, as i know others have felt.  Despite having to use pitocin when my labor stalled and ultimately having a c section, i feel our birth was as perfect as it could possibly be.  I feel very proud of the decisions we made and it was because of Heidi that we were able to make what i feel were all the right decisions for our situation as we encountered them.  She is warm and friendly, made my husband and i feel very comfortable, she is knowledgable and experienced.  She has continued to assist us after the birth as we have encountered questions as first time parents.  I adore Heidi and continue to cherish our relationship as friends, and am glad that the birth of our child brought us together.  I would not hesitate to use her for another birth and would recommend her to anyone wanting a great birth experience. 

We found Heidi Shulista through a local online mothers’ forum. We met with a few doulas and hit it off with Heidi, especially. She’s very down to earth and knowledgeable.

On the day of our daughter’s birth, Heidi came to our house to help me labor at home for as long as possible before heading to the hospital. She was a calm presence in our home, and was really helpful in instructing my husband so that he felt involved and helpful to my labor. Heidi had many good suggestions for different laboring positions when I’d start getting really uncomfortable.

Once we arrived at the hospital, things moved very quickly. I delivered within two hours, thanks to having done most of the laboring at home! During the active pushing phase, Heidi stayed by my side, encouraging and empowering me with each push. One thing I vividly remember is when the nurses tried to get my daughter to latch right after delivery. It was something I had wanted to do, however, my uterus wasn’t contracting as quickly as it should have and the nurses were having to do manual, very painful massages on my abdomen – all while trying to put a baby to my breast! I was really overwhelmed and starting to get stressed (after having had a stress-free labor and delivery!). Heidi leaned in and said, “You don’t have to nurse your baby right this minute if you don’t want to.” In that moment, I needed the reminder that this was my experience, and I could say no or ask for a few minutes of down-time.

We loved having a doula as part of our birth process, and Heidi Shulista did an excellent job. She lets you set the pace and is a good resource for questions about labor positions, and much more. 

Hiring Heidi was one of the best decisions that my husband and I made.  As first time parents, we were very nervous about the upcoming birth of our first baby.  After hiring Heidi, we were confident that she would support us during the birth and help us to make informed decisions while acting as our advocate.  She helped us to have a very positive experience and played a crucial role in directing us and hospital staff so that we were able to carry out our birth plan as we had hoped.  I found Heidi to be an extremely calming yet encouraging force.  She is very knowlegeable and was able to explain things to me as they were happening.  She also worked very well along side the hospital staff.  She helped me to successfully nurse my baby after she was born.  In addition, Heidi was always available and happy to help me through any issues that I was having both before and after the birth of my child.  At our post birth meeting, Heidi presented us with a birthstory.  It is priceless!  My daughter is now 18 months old, and I know that Heidi would be happy to advise or support me even now.  I highly recommend Heidi.

We finally got smart on the 4th pregnancy and hired Heidi. FROM THE DAD'S PERSPECTIVE: THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GO!  Do whatever it takes to hire a doula for your wife, more specifically Heidi! The pressure that was taken off of me, Greg, was enormous. And just seeing the relief on Becky's face during contractions by Heidi's massage techniques was worth it. After 3 babies I still didn't know how to comfort Becky, having Heidi there took the stress off me and allowed me relax so I could be more supportive. Heidi conversed with the medical staff to voice Becky's needs when Becky couldn't. She also knew what to tell Becky so she could progress to the next level. She invovled me and helped me know how to help Becky. She brought a calm to our delivery that we hadn't experienced at the previous 3 deliveries. We can't say enough about Heidi. She came to our house during labor so we didn't have to go to the hospital too soon. She was great! Thanks Heidi.

 I wouldn't have traded Heidi for any one in the world!! I contacted Heidi when I was 6 weeks pregnant, and we kept a close relationship all the way up until my delivery. I was a first time Mom, and Heidi was always there if I had any questions or concerns. When I delivered my daughter, I had been in labor for 20 hours and Heidi was there with me every step of the way! My mom and husband ( who were present at the birth) felt at ease with Heidi and was able to leave the room and not feel "guilty". After the birth, both mom and my husband said getting a doula was the best thing I could have done. Heidi also drove an hour away to where I live, and spoke  to me about post pardom depression and just to see how I was doing. It was an amazing experience and will definitely recommend Heidi to any one I know.