Marie Gage Doula Profile

We were pregnant for the first time and decided to get a doula.  Once we learned that Marie had 8 children of her own we knew she was the doula for us.  She was really helpful before the birth with questions I had, especially since I went a week past my due date and was getting impatient.  She was also a great resource for my baby being breeched at week 37.  Marie is great for first time births, especially dads that don't know what they are doing.  She really coached my husband to help me cope during labor.  She was my advocate when I was in pain and wasn't really able to focus on what Dr.'s were saying and what was going on around me.  Marie was extemely soothing to me and massaged me to relax me when I needed it most.  After 3 hours of pushing Marie reccomended several pushing positions that finally got my 10 lb. baby out!  She took several pictures as well so mom & dad could focus on thier new baby.  She is a great resource for first time mom's.  Should we decide to have another child I will definetly have Marie by our sides again.   

We hired Marie as our doula and really loved her services. She was quick to respond over email and her references all had great reviews. We also liked her very mellow and accepting personality, which was a good match for us. It was a little difficult to coordinate meetings with her, but worth the extra effort.

Before labor, Marie had good resources for reading about labor and delivery from a variety of perspectives and met with us to figure out what we might like for coping strategies, as we were planning a non-medicated delivery. We liked that she herself had experienced all types of births and that inspired a lot of confidence in me.

On the actual day of labor, we called Marie very early in the morning and she answered right away. Then she met me and my husband that morning in the hospital and 10 hours later, our daughter was born! Marie made me feel relaxed and had no problem with me yelling and screaming out what I wanted during each contraction. She was by my side the whole time, rubbing my back, encouraging me, (or remaining silent when I wanted it) and even holding up my leg for an entire hour at the very end. She was stuck to our birth plan in making me work through the most difficult pain during the transition phase and helped me avoid an epidural and suggested other options for pain relief. Although my husband was also a great "doula" and source of support, we couldn't have done it without Marie. After labor, she had more good resources and a great recommendation for breastfeeding support when I was struggling. Overall, I highly recommend her for a great birth experience.

I hired Marie as my postpartum doula when I had my first baby in Feb 2011. My husband and I had interviewed quite a few doulas but Marie won us over because she has a lot of real life experience taking care of mother and newborn and we felt very comfortable with her from the moment we met her. Once we brought our baby home from the hospital, Marie spent a few nights over taking care of the baby in between feeding and she also gave me great advice on breastfeeding and infant care. She was very good with our baby and I was very grateful to have a few hours of sleep in between feeding at night. Whenever Marie came over during the day time, she is always offering to do things to make my life easier. She helped out with the laundry, made some super yummy meals for us, as well as doing some grocery shopping and of course, taking care of the baby. I am really glad to have Marie as my doula and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a kind, sweet, and competent doula.

Marie Gage was my doula through my first pregnancy and labor/delivery. I met Marie for the first time in a little cafe in Tacoma, and I knew the moment she walked in that she would be my Doula. With her long history of attending childbirths I felt very confident that I was in capable hands. Through the pregnancy (December-August 2010) Marie kept in constant contact with me. We emailed about my latest pregnancy concerns and developments, and she helped me through some very hard decisions that I had to make with my high risk pregnancy. Marie was able to reassure me, and when she didn't have the answers she consulted with midwives and friends to help me. When the day(s!) finally arrived, and my baby boy was ready, Marie stayed by my side the entire time. It was a very long labor, and I am so glad I was surrounded by family and my doula to help me through. Marie helped me find my inner strength and my labor rhythm. We worked together to find comfortable positions, went on walks, screamed a bit too! Maverick was born September 2, 2010 8 lbs 15 oz, healthy and strong. Looking back, I know I wouldn't have had the confidence to labor at home for so long without Marie there to help me through it. I not only had a superb doula, I made a lifelong friend. And I will go with confidence and grace through my next labor and deliveries because of the lessons Marie taught me.  

My husband and I had a birth and labor experience where most everything on our birth plan went out the window.  The one thing that made this SO much easier was having a doula.  Marie was very professional, kind, caring, and most of all helped my husband and I stay calm admist a lot of stuff going on that we had no control over.  Marie was able to answer any questions that we had with ease and explain everything in detail as to what medically was happening to me.  We ended up having a healthy baby boy!  I would highly recommend using Marie as your doula.  I had a 40 hour labor and Marie was with us the ENTIRE time.  There is no way that my husband, as well as me, could have made it through that long stretch of time without her.  I had back labor which was extremly painful.  Marie knew how to help relieve the pain by many different exercies, positions, etc.  Marie was also available by phone around the clock for pre-birth questions, fears, concerns, etc.  She has also been VERY available after the birth and even came to visit us at our home before and after the birth for a long amount of time.  The best way that I can describe Marie is calming, attentive and kind.  I think that we all need a lot of these things during our labor and birth experiences. 

Marie Gage was an excellent doula for my wife and I. She was knowledgeable, timely, friendly, hard working and a huge encouragement to my wife throughout the pregnancy and birth. We would reccomend her to anyone and will use her again if/when we have more children!

 I met with Marie for the first time when I was about 30 weeks along.  She was very warm and I immediately felt at ease with her.  She took her time getting to know me and what I was looking for in regards to birth support.  She is excellent both at active listening as well as sharing stories and information as needed.  

For my second visit with her, she came to my home and met with me, my husband, our 4 year old daughter and our dog.  She was patient with my daughter's questions and she has a very calm demeanor.  Marie was a wonderful source of information during the last weeks of my pregnancy, including helping me switch my care from an OB to a Midwife at 35 weeks.  This change was something that I'd been interested in, but hadn't known where to start.  Her assistance was invaluable in helping me have the birth that I wanted to have with my second daughter.

Having Marie by my side during my labor was very comfortable.  She was able to provide support most directly to me, but also was great with my husband and daughter, helping them find their place at my side as well.  

I am very grateful that I was able to find Marie and have her at my home birth.  I wouldn't hesitate in recommending her services to other expectant mothers.

Marie was a wonderful doula. She knew just what I needed and when to do it. Her presence was very calming and I was so happy to have her as was my husband, she really helped make my birth a beautiful experience. ~ Carrie Hayes

Going into the last weeks of my pregnancy with my firstborn was a crazy time and mix of emotions. Marie was a wonderful support and encourager to me and my husband that home birth was the safest option and that I could do it. Marie was present and helpful during my very long labor. She provided me with encouragement when I felt ready to give up, she helped me trust my body, and she gave me the emotional support I needed to endure through the different stages of labor. She provided ideas for different positions to labor through and also helped by giving massage and pressure during contractions. She also made sure I was getting enough fluids and nutrition during labor and following the birth. In addition she worked wonderfully alongside my mid-wife. She also gave me great breast feeding advice and has provided me with a wealth of information on home birth, breast feeding, and attachment parenting. Marie is a skilled doula and experienced mother. I would recommend Marie to anyone who is interested in hiring a doula!

When I tell people about acheiving a VBAC for my second child, Marie gets most of the credit.  The encouragement and information she provided made a huge difference.  Knowing that she had personal experience with VBAC gave me great confidence.  Her support during a very long labor was a lifeline.  I highly recommend Marie.