Rachel Dolan Wickersham Doula Profile

We used Rachel for the birth of our daughter in March and I would hire her again in a heartbeat.  I was attempting a VBAC and also ended up with Gestational Diabetes this time around, so I felt like the odds were stacked against me at times.  Rachel was there every step of the way to talk with me about my fears and doubts until I gave birth completely med-free at 40w1d to our beautiful 8 lb. 11 oz. baby girl.  We didn't have a doula the first time and I really believe that my c-section could have been avoided if I had someone like Rachel by my side.  This second labor felt very similar to my first that ended in a c-section, but Rachel kept me focused and we worked through the stalling labor vs. freaking that things weren't going right (that's how I felt the first time b/c of the nurses and midwives at the other hospital).  My husband felt like he could really support me and enjoy the birthing experience as well since Rachel was there to take charge of everything else.  She was firm, but not overbearing in the least.  Even though some things didn't seem like a big deal at the time (like breaking my water at the very end), she knew that I didn't want that since we had discussed it before and gently suggested changing positions and holding off on it.  Because of this and a little bit of luck I'm sure, I ended up with the perfect birth with no regrets.  I know "perfect" is a pretty strong term, but it really was the birth I always envisioned and I can't speak highly enough about Rachel.  I would gladly discuss our experience with anybody looking into hiring Rachel for their birth as well.

Rachel is an amazing woman and Doula! She was there during the hardiest time in my life.... Pregnancy was a time of emotional and physical turmoil for me and was there unconditionally, The premature birth of my son who was born at 27 weeks gestation was something that I was nowhere able to handle emotionally and my postpartum depression was so severe and so hard on me and my husband that we both relied on her on many occasions. She is the true embodiment of what a doula should be, kind, loving, epithetic, a friend to laugh with a shoulder to cry on and ear to listen and the most encouraging person I know. She brings a calm in crisis that is amazing beyond words. She was not only there for me, my husband and my son but also my mom! I am a doula myself and aspire to emulate her in my own work as a doula! I would recommend her to anyone any time, she is a true asset to have in birth.

I can't even find words to describe Rachel. and my births with Rachel as my doula. Rachel is an exceptional doula, she is truly the embodiment of mothering-the-mother. She is gentle and compassionate, intuitive and incredibly skillful. Rachel is aware of exactly what a mama needs in her birthing journey- even when a mama is not-  and simply, elegantly, meets those needs- a sip of water, physical comfort, sacral counterpressure, a hug, encouraging words, helpful suggestions and even unwavering silent presence. She is kind, loving, incredibly skilled and profoundly helpful. Rachel's presence was instantly calming and grounding for all of us throughout both of the births that we were honored to share with her. She helped me feel safe and pulled me back from the brink, saw the worst in me and brought out the best. She inspired me profoundly. I absolutely adore Rachel and I recommend her unconditionally.