Heather Hefner

1/5/2024

When people told me of their experience with a doula I was definitely hesitant. Did I really need one? But then I started hearing about "Debbie the Doula" and everyone's statement was "you HAVE to work with her." After talking with her, I knew I needed to work with this amazing woman.  I was not wrong. I literally don't know what I would have done on the day of my birth without Debbie. She coached me through every step of labor. She kept me calm, she believed in me, she prayed over me, she was there when I needed her and gave me space when I needed it. When push came to shove, it looked like I was going to have to go back for a C-section. I had worked so hard only to have to have a C-section. We were all distraught. But I could hear Debbie praying as they took me back, and lo and behold, on the OR table right before I was to have a C-section, our little girl started crowning and we were able to get her out vaginally. Without a shadow of a doubt in my mind I know this was because of how Debbie had helped prep my body, supported me along the way, and fervently prayed for me. I will never have a pregnancy where I do not use her!

Carmen

10/19/2023

Debbie was all the help I didn't know I needed when I had my 4th baby.

I have had fairly straight forward and "typical" hospital births. I didn't carry any trauma or regrets going into my 4th delivery; however, due to a peculiar circumstance we decided we should go ahead and hire a doula. Debbie's name instantly came up as we started researching. She proved to be everything we heard and more! Her support and preparation PRIOR to the birth were invaluable and her calming yet firm presence during birth definitely helped things move along smoothly and beautifully. It was such wonderful gift to have her there. She is a fountain of wisdom and I am sure that any pregnant mama would be blessed by her knowledge and experience. 

Just beware... if you are "done" she might make you want to have more babies ;) 

Autumn

10/2/2023

Debbie has been the doula for two of my deliveries. As someone who comes with an education in the field of labor and delivery, I can truly say that Debbie's knowledge is INVALUABLE for anyone having a baby! She cares for each of her clients as if it were her own family delivering. She is patient, kind and always looking to serve in the labor and delivery process. She works hard to help her clients achieve a delivery they desire and is flexible when things are not going the way the client expects. She does a great debrief after delivery and gives the BEST postpartum massage. I cannot imagine having a baby without her! 

Caroline Bunque

8/30/2023

Working with Debbie was an absolute dream! I literally cannot imagine my two births without her. In fact, when I was newly pregnant with my second, a friend mistakenly told me that Debbie had retired. I exclaimed "She's not allowed to retire! I need her!" giving away the fact that I was pregnant well before I was ready to announce it. I had already decided having Debbie by my side was a must! Debbie provided mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support before, during, and after labor. She empowered me to have two unmedicated, beautiful births while still being in the safety of the hospital. She helped me to move through my pain by trying new positions and movements to move baby down and open my cervix. Through aroma therapy and twinkle lights, Debbie set a calming, peaceful atmosphere to help me focus my mind for the mental challenge ahead. After delivery, Debbie returned the next day to give me a full body massage and unpack my birth story. Debbie is a passionate advocate who will be at your side for the duration of your active labor until birth. She has helped me to see birth in more of a positive light, to move beyond the fear, to experience all that my body was made to do in childbirth, to be able to move in such a way to help my sweet unborn children get in the right position for birth. What more could you ask for? 

Rachel

8/22/2023

Debbie is an incredible doula. She is honest, straightforward, and she will fight for the birth experience you want. She helped me prepare for birth with exercises, coached me through birth itself, and continued care into the postpartum months. She was involved in the births of both of my children and I wouldn't have had it any other way. You can count on her to be a knowledgeable, compassionate, and steadfast coach. Plus I love that she gets the husband involved and teaches him how to be a part of the process. I would give her a 10/10 and will definitely hire her for my third child if she's available.

Lydia Hubbard

8/20/2023

Deborah is an amazing doula because she is kind, professional, and cares deeply about her patients and their babies. I heard about Debbie from a friend, and my husband and I could not have been happier with the service she provided. When it was time for my daughter to be born, the baby was having some health concerns which led to her being induced. I had wanted my baby born unmedicated and to avoid an epidural, if possible. While I did end up needing pitocin, I was able to deliver my daughter without pain medication because of the exercises Debbie taught me. Each exercise helped my baby move into the correct position, which helped especially when it was time to push. Not only did the exercises help, Debbie's presence and encouraging words helped me to persevere during the throws of labor. On a side note, she also helped us tremendously with a nurse who was unhelpful and gave us advice on how to ask for better treatment at the hospital. In conclusion, I recommend Debbie to all of my expecting friends and my husband and I plan to hire her again if we have another baby. Deborah Perdew is truly an amazing doula who cares about others and works hard to help mothers deliver their babies.

Tabitha Zimmerman

8/20/2023

My husband and I met and became friends with this precious woman after the loss of our first baby. When I became pregnant with our second, we knew we wanted Debbie to be a part of the pregnancy and birth of our daughter. Debbie is truly exceptional in every way. Professionally, she is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. She knows pregnancy and labor, mamas and babies. While pregnant, she provided us with so many tips and exercises to help prepare my body to do the work of bringing my daughter earth-side. She also equipped my husband with knowledge on how to help me during pregnancy as we prepared. In the delivery room, Debbie brought such a sense of peace and calmness. She was with me every step of the way as I labored. She coached my husband on how to best support me. She helped guide my daughter into the right position for birth through lots of exercises and hard work. Words cannot express how truly grateful we are for Debbie. I know my daughter's birth story would've looked very different if it wasn't for the Lord using Debbie to help us. If you are looking for a doula, Debbie is the BEST. She loves her mamas and babies and has such a beautiful servant's heart. 

Joy

8/19/2023

If there was one word I would use to describe Deborah Perdew, it would be magic. She has been my doula for two of my births and I cannot imagine the experience without her. She has the most calming presence, intuitive knowledge of what a woman in labor needs at that moment, and is the best champion and encourager of women. 

Debbie knew exactly what I needed in my two births, though they were different. She has an undeniable gift for knowing how to help in the best way. I simply cannot say enough amazing things about her! She is an angel on earth and I am so lucky to be one of the women whose lives she has touched. I told her she can't retire because I'll never have another baby without her!

Mary

8/19/2023

I had an absolutely beautiful experience with Debbie. This was my first pregnancy and I was very very scared of everything that was to come, but Debbie truly guided us with such compassion and knowledge that I will call her for every single pregnancy I ever have in the future. She not only informed us so thouroughly about this journey, but she made me feel so empowered every single time I interacted with her. She connected with my husband and I as a team and it was an absolutely amazing experience, I wouldn't change a single part of it. I had a wonderful natural birth and a beautiful recovery thanks to Debbie and I will always have such a special place in my heart for her for being such a big part of our birth journey. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts Debbie!! 

Giordana (Gio)

8/18/2023

My experience with Debbie was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! My husband and I met with her twice before labor and delivery. She helped us both feel prepared mentally, emotionally, and physically.  She walked us through the labor and birth process in her classes and all the movements and exercises I would be doing during contractions. Debbie was available by text and phone anytime. She got to the hospital and made us feel at home. I was able to deliver without any pain medication and it was great! I had a little complication with the placenta and Debbie stayed by my side helping me. Also, she was always whispering something to me during labor even prayers and that meant a lot. I highly recommend Devorah Perdew to be your doula.

Brittney

8/18/2023

Debbie is truly a Godsend! She just helped me through the birth process for the second time. Throughout the whole process she showed what a joy it was to be able to help me, used her extensive knowledge to help my body birth baby as quickly and painfree as possible, and thought of every little thing to make labor, delivery, and postpartum go as smoothly as possible. Every birthing mom needs to experience her help, it truly is a game changer.  

Nicole R

8/18/2023

I had a wonderful experience with Debbie and I cannot recommend her services highly enough!  As first time parents, my husband and I had a lot of questions about labor and delivery.  Debbie was so knowledgeable and took the time to listen to us and address our questions.  Her experience with and deep understanding of birth shines through, and she is so compassionate as well.  When it came time to welcome our baby, I felt entirely comfortable with Debbie's support and instruction, and I could see that the hospital staff respected her as well.  Overall I could not have asked for a better doula.

Jannah Navarro

8/18/2023

I highly recommend debbie! Her sessions taught my husband and I a lot and reassured us even though we had a lot of fear about me giving birth. My baby boy came more quickly than I anticipated, I went from very mild contractions to extremely strong contractions after having my water break at home. We went to the hospital and i was already fully dilated. Its hard to handle the pain when it ramps up that quickly but Debbie kept me moving and pushing in different positions. I can't imagine doing it without her!! I struggled to think through the pain and would have given up if I didn't have Debbie by my side, coaching me and praying me through each contraction. I had a beautiful baby boy with no medication and no complications! I will 100% have her as my doula again for my next baby!

Amber

8/29/2022

The best thing you can do for yourself while pregnant is build a supportive birth team. Debbie Perdew is an essential part of that team!! Words cannot express how thankful I am for Debbie. In the two prenatal classes with her, my husband and I learned so much about pregnancy, labor, birth & postpartum care which helped us make informed decisions. Our 2nd session with her we knew we were being induced due to medical reasons and she walked us through what induction looks like and how she would support both of us through it. This helped me feel less anxious about the whole thing. From the time of induction to delivering our baby girl it was 64 hours. Debbie supported us through it all!! We were so lucky she was at the hospital most of the time due to other clients, so she was able to check on us throughout it all (she did an amazing job balancing multiple clients at a time). Her support throughout it all helped me stay relaxed & calm - her massage techniques, calming voice, & encouragement. My husband and I both believe I would not have been able to have a successful vaginal delivery without her, even with an epidural she helped me with stretches & moving the baby into position (which you'll learn all about in your first class with her). And we had so much fun together! Debbie is a beautiful person who truly loves what she does. 

Emily Barker

7/15/2022

Debbie is a kind, knowledgeable, empathetic, and amazing person. She made my birth a beautiful  experience, and helped my husband feel comfortable and secure in his role during the process. In fact, the day after I gave birth I told Debbie that I felt bad for all the women who couldn't have her since she was with me. She's absolutely incredible and a game changer for birth.

I tell everyone who's pregnant about Debbie and that they need her support and services. I know I'll be reaching back out if/when we have our next. 

Emily Jackson

6/29/2022

Debbie was a blessing during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! She is so knowledgeable and makes you feel comfortable immediately upon meeting her. She checked in on me multiple times during my pregnancy and postpartum period. Debbie was my main support person in labor as my husband was deployed. She kept me focused and calm throughout my entire labor and delivery. I cannot speak more highly of her as a doula, support partner, and a person. She is truly a gift and I attribute my smooth and uneventful labor and delivery completely to her and her knowledge. I adore Debbie and am so grateful my friend gave me her contact information. She was the best investment I made during my pregnancy and is absolutely lovely inside and out!

Laura

6/28/2022

My husband and I were very grateful to have Debbie with us for both of our children's births! She is a lovely person who genuinely cares about each of her clients and their families.  She helped prepare us ahead of time, and her enthusiasm and love for childbirth were almost contagious. ;) She was wonderful in the labor and delivery room, helping with exercises and positioning to help the babies move into position, as well as breathing, massage, etc. to help with pain management. She tailored all of this to our unique situation with each birth. We are so thankful for her, and wouldn't want to deliver a baby without her by our sides!

Cassie

6/24/2022

The absolute best advice we received during pregnancy was to give Debbie a call. Within just the first few minutes of speaking with Debbie we knew we were in good hands and felt that way the entirety of our experience with her. She educated us well, comforted us when nerves got high, introduced and connected us to other birth professionals in the area, and helped us with a labor and delivery we could only dream of.

If there was a Kobe Bryant of doulas, it would be Debbie Perdew.

Dawna Ross

3/17/2022

Working with Debbie has been absolutely amazing, I wouldn't have been able to have the birth of my dreams without her. Her support from first contact through postpartum has been unwavering, and is exactly what I was looking for in a doula. I contacted Debbie about her doula services shortly after finding out I was pregnant, and was able to begin preparing with her right away. Over the course of my pregnancy Debbie was there to educate me on physioligical birth, methods to prepare my mind and body for labor and delivery, ways to prepare my husband, standard hospital policies/procedures (and my options), and pain management techniques for labor. Debbie checked in on me regularly throughout pregnancy, and answered any questions I had. I ended up needing to be induced due to gestational hypertension - Debbie educated me on the induction process, and was there for me every step of the way. In labor Debbie worked tirelessly to ensure that I was comfortable, felt safe, and used her expertise to get me into positions that helped my baby to be in optimal position. She helped keep my mind in labor-land, and was able to gently pull me back when my mind started to drift to a fearful and doubting place. I knew going into my induction that the process would be smooth, and I would be safe because I had Debbie by my side. Debbie also has a good relationship with the nurses and doctors at Virginia Baptist, so there was never a worry of her butting heads with providers. Since giving birth Debbie has stayed in contact to ensure both baby and I are doing well. Throughout the entire process Debbie made me feel loved and cared for, I never felt like "just a client" to her. If you're looking for a doula in the Lynchburg area I recommend hiring Debbie hands down. 

Brittany

2/27/2022

My husband and I cannot say enough positive things about Debbie.  She is an incredibly knowledgeable, caring, empathetic, and generous women. I could not imagine going through labor twice without her apart of our team.  She stood by my husband and I through the birth of two of our children.  The first was a very long 18hr labor and our second was about 45min.  In both experiences, Debbie was a life-changer and made the whole process so much better.  I personally struggled imensly from anxiety and fear about the whole process,  but Debbie was there every step of the way and we are extremely grateful for everything that she brought to our experience.  Her inner joy, strength, commitment, and love for what she does is evident in her interactions whether that is being available in the middle of the night for a text/phone call or taking a walk in the woods.  

She is truly a lovely and beautiful women who has made a lasting impact on my life and the lives of my family.

Thank you Debbie!!  

Mariah Edwards

2/24/2022

Debbie made the birth of our first child as stress free and peaceful as possible by instructing us in what to expect during labor and delivery and how to cope and navigate through each stage of the process. She brought peace into the delivery room through her kind touch, words of assurance, prayer, and helping move my body in a way that helped navigate the baby through the birth canal and finally into my arms. The delivery of my first child only lasted a little over 6 hours thanks to Debbie helping my body work for me and my baby to be born smoothly. In the weeks leading up to delivering, Debbie gave me a set of exercises to do in order to prepare my body for the big event and help the baby be in the proper position for birth. We did many of these exercises during labor along with massage and essential oils. With Debbie there, I was able to focus on the work of bringing my child into the world without having to worry about my environment or the details surrounding giving birth. She made the hospital room feel like I was at home. I was so glad to have the experience of feeling like I was delivering my baby at home with the assurance of being at the hospital in case something went wrong or medical care was needed. I'm looking forward to working with Debbie in the future with the birth of the rest of my children!

MJ

2/24/2022

I wanted my second labor to be different from the first one. And Debbie made that possible. First one was full of fear. Second one, with help of Debbie, was a redemptive experience. She genuinely cared and provided necessary information to help my husband and I make the best educated and informed decisions possible for both baby and I. She taught us how to stretch, do Revozo, and how my husband could help. She explained the why's behind everything she taught us. I started to overcome the fear and got excited to experience the joy of birth this time. Debbie walked us through the pre labor stage while we stayed at home. I wanted to labor at home as much as possible, so it was wonderful she was available on the phone guiding us on what to do during early labor. When it was time, she was quick to meet us at the hospital (as that was where I felt safe to give birth). My contractions got so strong when I arrived at the hospital that I couldn't even walk out of the elevator quickly, and she was so so patient with me and encouraging. She prayed with us during labor, massaged my back, and said just the right things at the perfect times to empower me and help me get through the pain of contractions. She helped me change positions to help baby get in the right position. Within about an hour upon the arrival at the hospital, just after a couple pushes, my baby was in my arms. I will never forget that sweetest moment. The day after birth, she came back to check on us (including a massagemy to help with postpartum). She honestly still has been checking on me (I gave birth in November 2021 so it's been over three months) and I love that. The relationship you build, the care you get that is genuine, and the knowledge/experience Debbie has, you cannot compare them with any other doula experiences you may get anywhere else. I will definitely work with Debbie again if God gives our family another child. 

Kerry S.

2/21/2022

If you live in the Lynchburg area and are expecting, then odds are you've probably already heard this, but just in case you haven't - you should find a doula, and Debbie is the best!

My husband and I are so grateful that Debbie and her assistant were part of the birth of our daughter. Not only did Debbie provide very practical resources and encouragement prior to my labor, she was a unique and irreplaceable support to us both during labor as well. Due to circumstances outside anyone's control, my labor did not go as we hoped and planned, but Debbie was with us every step of the way to offer her wisdom, help me through contractions, and intercede for us in prayer. Despite the complications, thanks to Debbie and the many others who were part of our care team at Virginia Baptist, we were able to deliver our sweet baby girl safe and sound. Not only that - she also visited us the next morning in our Mother-Baby room to give me a wonderful massage and help us begin to process our birth story. I can't imagine what our experience would have been like without her!

I can't say enough how much of a difference it makes to have someone with you throughout labor who is skilled, wise, comforting, and (if you are a follower of Jesus) a fellow believer. I know there are many wonderful doulas out there, but we're not looking for anyone else. You should hire Debbie :)

Rachel Queen

2/21/2022

I cannot express how thankful I am that my husband and I hired Debbie to help educate us and welcome our little girl into the world. From the moment we met her, my husband and I both felt so confident in her abilities to keep us informed and prepared throughout the entire process. Debbie was available 24/7 to answer any questions for me, give advice and encouragement throughout my pregnancy. When it came time to welcome our daughter into the world, Debbie coached me through the entire labor while communicating with my husband about ways that he could be the most helpful in the room. We were very blessed to work with Debbie and we look forward to having her with us in the future when we choose to grow our family! 

Mallori Teegarden

2/21/2022

I had Debbie assist with my first pregnancy and had a wonderful experience. I have a fused spine and it was iffy if i would be able to get an epidural. I was very conserned about delivering with out any medication, but Debbie gave me and my husband all the confidence that i needed. I faced a rough end of pregnancy due to having a rough case of Covid and ending up in the hopsital for a while. Debbie stood by me and assisted. Overall I was in active labor for less than 6 hours and I pushed only 3 times and had a beautiful baby girl. My husband and I had NO idea how wonderful having Debbie at our delivery would be. Just having some one by you to talk through every contraction was worth every dollar. 

Daniella Wigfield

11/14/2021

You NEED Debbie Perdew!

The BEST Doula ever! If there is one time in my life that I needed a life coach, it was during pregnancy and birth! We hired Debbie right after we found out we were pregnant with our first baby, and she went above and beyond in preparing my husband and I. As first time parents, we had no clue what we were doing, and Debbie really took us under her wing and educated, supported, and prepared us so much for labor, birth, and parenthood! I felt so at peace about labor/birth knowing Debbie would be there to help each step of the way.

During my labor/birth, Debbie created the perfect ambiance - twinkle lights, essential oils, candles, music, birthing tub, massages, etc. In between contractions I seriously kept thinking to myself, "wow this is exactly what I pictured my labor to be like - the perfect setting!" She was there for us when things were going great, and when we had some unexpected complications, Debbie walked us through it all and helped us understand everything and helped us make the best decisions for our son and I. She was absolutely AMAZING during my labor and birth- seriously could not have imagined it without her! She will make you feel prepared, at peace, and excited about birth! Could not recommend her enough!! 1000000% need her if you are planning on going natural, and even if not, she still would be amazing to have! She's more than a doula - she’s a life coach, counselor, encourager, dear friend, and so much more!!

Katie Wallace

7/21/2021

Short and Sweet: Debbie is THE BEST. I was so happy she was with us during my labor and delivery! I recommend her to everyone I know.

Long: My husband and I had the most beautiful birth experience because Debbie was right by our side. From our first meet to the delivery day and after, Debbie was there for any questions. I knew I didn’t want an epidural and I wanted to have a memorable birth experience rather than one where all I remembered was discomfort and anxiety. Debbie could not have been a better fit for us. She took the time to explain what to expect during the birth process and how things would feel. Her energy and love was felt through the entire room and it created such a comfortable space to bring our baby into. I loved that Debbie was there for both momma and daddy during the delivery. My husband was involved so much more than I expected and it made the experience that much more enjoyable! 

Hire Debbie-you won't be disappointed! 

Cami Anderson

7/21/2021

Deb was a godsend. I had a very bad first birth experience and she helped make this one amazing. From providing stretches and ways to help hip and back pain during the last few months of pregnancy to pain management during labor and beyond she was a wealth of knowledge and support! I could not recommend her more. 

Rebecca

7/21/2021

Deborah was simply amazing. She was such a pleasure to work with and provided my partner and I with an incredible experience. I always tell people about Deborah and I will recommend her to everyone!

A friend recommended Deborah to me pretty late in my pregnancy. I was worried that we didn't have enough time left but she reassured me that there is always time, but lots of hard work! When we met her in person, we just clicked. The 3 of us got along perfectly and I just knew she was the "one"! 

I know without a doubt that I could not have had an all natural birth without her. She and my partner kept me focused and grounded. She knew exactly what to do and when to do it. She coached me through one of the most incredible experiences of my life and to her I am forever grateful!

Deborah is amazing at what she does, and I recommend her 100%

Brittany Hall

7/21/2021

Hiring Debbie as my doula was the best choice of my entire pregnancy. My husband and I are convinced that without her, the birth of our son would have ended in a C-Section. Debbie was my bulldog and my advocate when I could no longer advocate for myself. Through this process Debbie became a part of our family forever, she is more than just a doula. Quite honestly I wouldn't want to have another child without her! 

I had many pregnant friends who told me that I did not "need" a doula and that I should rely on my husband during this process... let me tell you what... Debbie truly brought my husband and I closer together during this process. She coached both of us and we felt so much more prepared and empowered going into the birth of our son. Debbie helped my husband to feel useful when in reality without her he would have felt helpless. My husband truly amazed me during the birth of my son and I know it's because Debbie gave him the right tools. Debbie was such an encouragement to both of us during a very hard birth. 

I am so thankful that I listened to God when he opened the door to hire Debbie as opposed to my friends. Those friends later told me they wished they had hired Debbie after we compared experiences and plan to hire her in the future. I went into the birth of my son being open minded about an epidural. I prepped my body to do it naturally but due to unforseen circumstances I did choose an epidural. Debbie never once made me feel bad about about my open mindedness, in fact she encouraged it, which took me by surprise. I had many people "warn" me about doulas and their pushiness to do things naturally. Debbie made it clear that she was there for me and what was best for me! 

The birth of my son ended in the most amazing and empowering way when it started off very badly due to Doctors not caring about my traumatic past. I cannot say enough about Debbie as she was a true light in a very dark place for me. 

Mary Gery

7/16/2021

Deborah is an angel. She is a very busy lady. If you need someone who is going to constantly check in on you throughout your pregnancy just be mindful that she is busy. However, if you need anything from Debbie throughout your pregnancy she is happy to make the time for you but you will need to reach out to her first. She has a ton of experience and is one of the top referred doulas in our area! She is very knowledgable, and she welcomes you with open arms from your first interaction/meeting. You will get bombarded with a lot of information, but it's good stuff. You will receive a packet of information (pdf file) of exercises, recipes, advice, etc. The packet is a little unorganized and I ended up rearranging the information so that I could best understand what exercises I should be doing on a daily/weekly basis. But, I am extremely type A and organized so that particular feedback is personal preference.

During the birth experience, Debbie was phenomenal. My goal was a natural birth and I wanted a mother figure in the hospital with my husband and I (given COVID and my relationship with my mother). Deborah's confident demeanor and encouragement were so wonderful during my labor. She did pressure points and constantly encouraged me. I kept saying, "I can't do this", and I remember her always responding, "You are doing it." She held me during contractions and help me rest during the "breaks". After labor, she gave the best foot massage and encouraged me more and more. A few days after labor, she visited to check in, debrief on my birth experience and I received ANOTHER foot and back massage. AMAZING. I felt like a princess and so loved and cared for. She followed up for the first month or two postpartum. Even when I did not respond, she kept reaching out to check on me to the point where she called my husband. I so appreciated being cared for in that way.

If you choose Debbie, you will not be disappointed. She is a God-send in every way!

Dana B.

7/14/2021

After the extremely traumatic birth of my first child, I was looking for other options when I fell pregnant with my second. I knew that Debbie came highly recommended by many, but I never considered myself to be one of those "crunchy moms" who used doulas or midwives, etc. Oh, how I wish that I had Debbie the first time around, because things would have gone so much smoother! I interviewed numerous doulas and Debbie was the one that I felt the most comfortable with. Even my husband, a general naysayer, loved her after our first meeting! She changed my entire view of the birthing process and gave me the confidence and excitement that I needed going into this birth! You read that right. Excitement! For childbirth! My first labor lasted 45 hours and this one was only 5 hours from start of contractions until I was holding my baby and I know it was because of the physical and mental training, prayers, and assistance that I received from Debbie. I seriously cannot recommend her highly enough. She redeemed childbirth for me!

Janae

5/27/2021

I was so worried about how the labor and birthing process would go because the covid policy restricted the number of visitors to one. While I love my husband, I knew he wouldn't be much help and was really hoping to have my mom and MIL in the room for support. Although I could only have my husband, the hospital allowed a doula. I would have never considered one otherwise, but after having Deborah I will never want to go through labor without her! Deborah was there for me every step of the way and I honestly think she was way better than my mom or MIL would have been. I had a rough and traumatic labor and it was so great having her there to encourage me confirm all the decisions I was making. She gave the best emotional and physical support and I truly don't know how I would have made it without her!

Tiffany E.

3/25/2021

I had the pleasure of having Debbie by my side when I welcomed my 4th child into the world in Nov. 2020. I didn't use a doula with my previous pregnancies and I don't know how I did it without! Debbie is pure magic! She has a Mary Poppins bag full of magic and I'm pretty sure she uses that Poppins magic to arrive just when she's needed most. Her techniques helped me with a fast and Intense labor. Her words of encouragement soothed me when I need it most. Her presence allowed my husband to be my focal point and not a "coach". If given the opportunity to hire Debbie: DO IT!

Hanna

1/19/2021

When I think back on my experience with birthing my son, I cannot imagine what it would have been like without the support of Debbie Perdew.  I am so thankful that she was recommended to me and that she was available to inform, train, encourage, and help us welcome our baby boy into the world.  Debbie is incredibly knowledgeable about the birthing process, which was helpful to two new parents who had no idea what to expect regarding labor and delivery.  However, the thing that I most appreciated was Debbie's peaceful presence throughout what could have been a stressful experience.  Just having her in the room produced a calming effect, which was so needed throughout the delivery.  I am so thankful for her wisdom, her presence, and her genuine love for family throughout the whole process.  Without reservation, I highly recommend Debbie as your doula.  She's simply the best.

Candice Ball

12/30/2020

We couldn't be more pleased with the services Debbie provided. It was 100% the best investment we made for us and our baby. Debbie offered her years of experience & training along with her support to both my husband and I. I will not birth a baby without hiring Debbie. I whole heartedly believe I would have ended up with an epidural & potentially csection had Debbie not been there to help me work through the pain and to turn my little girl and get her into the right position. My husband was also so thankful for Debbie's support during a time that was hard for him to watch when he wouldn't have known how to fully support me like he was able to with direction from Debbie. She also provided wonderful postpartum care the day following. The only thinks you'll regret is not hiring Debbie for your next birth. 

Christina Wysor

12/29/2020

My husband and I hired Deborah to be our doula when I was around 20 weeks pregnant with our first child. She offered a wealth of knowledge to me and my husband in helping me with pain management, how to create a birth plan and how she could support us in our decisions. She was available to answer all of our questions and concerns during my entire pregnancy and put my mind at ease for the whole experience. She helped my husband to know how he could help me and be there for me during pregnancy and birth. I had a very rough pregnancy and was sick for the entire 9 months. I experienced lots of sciatic and muscle pain and Debbie gave me the best stretches and exercises to relieve that pain and keep my hips and body in line. She gave us the confidence we needed going into labor and was such an encouraging and helpful presence when I gave birth. The excersises she had me doing during pregnancy and labor sent me into a very quick delivery and she still made it to the hospital to help us through it all. She then came back the next day to make sure I had processed the whole experience in a healthy way and continued to check in on me afterwards to make sure I was doing ok. She also gave a full body massage to help my muscles relax and heal after giving birth. Having Debbie as our doula made the entire experience of having a baby so amazing and I couldn't imagine going through it for the first time without her knowledge and help.

Alison Haynes

12/29/2020

3 WORDS! HIRE THIS WOMAN!!! (Drop mic) Don't waste your time or money on any other doula!! We hired another doula with our daughter in 2016 and looking back, she was worthless and didn't even remotely compare to Debbie! We had our son with Debbie in 12/18/20 and we couldn't have done it without her!! She is the most compassionate, loving, genuine person I have ever met! She is worth ten times what she charges! Debbie stayed with us for 48 hrs, was by my side for every decision made and for every painful contraction. She also helped my husband throughout the process. I can't say enough good things about her! Just hire her! You won't regret it!

Abi S

10/25/2020

Up until delivery of my son in August, I had worked as a labor and delivery nurse on the floor that Debbie attends deliveries. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted Debbie to be apart of my labor team because of the incredible support I had seen her give laboring women time and time again. Sure enough, she was just as incredible to experience personally as she was to observe. I'm so thankful for the wisdom she provided both related to labor and life in general because she is full of it! My husband was also equally as thankful for her support as she helped guide him in knowing how to best support me and helped him stay involved in the whole process. I didn't realize how awesome doulas were for dads, too, until after the fact. Trust me, Debbie is the best of the best and I will forever wonder if she's a real human and not an angel on earth. 

Amy K.

9/12/2020

Deborah was an absolute blessing to have with the birth of my fourth child. I wish I could go back in time to have her at my other births! She is just joy. Her smile is contagious and she breathes life into a room whenever she enters. Her presence was calming, reassuring, and empowering. I could just tune out because I knew Debbie was doing the thinking for me, and because she cares so deeply and spent time truly talking with me in the months leading up to this birth I knew we were on the same page for what I wanted and needed. Her gentleness helped me relax when I was starting to feel overwhelmed and her strength from her wealth of knowledge (that comes from lots of extra training, reading and experience) made the birth experience of my daughter just beautiful. She knows....she just knows what is needed. Whether it's the soothing, perfect touch between contractions that just reset me each time so that I knew I could keep going, or moving me in just the right way to help my body make the most of each contraction to keep everything moving along, or the magical plate of food that showed up right in front of me all ready to eat while I was nursing, Debbie's intuition was spot on! She has been there herself, and she has been there for SO many others and I could not imagine a more beautiful soul being present for the birth of my child or anybody else's. I was told by my midwives that she was 'magic' and I agree, except I know it isn't just by chance. Her love for families and babies drives her to be excellent ; to study, to learn how to be the best and then to spend time with each lady to know what she will need, mixed with her skill, beautiful heart, love for people and what she does is what makes her -magic. I could not reccomend her more, she is amazing and will forever have a special place in my heart. I could never tell her just how much she meant to me being there and how much she will always mean to me for just being herself. you are the best. Thank you!

Kim Dalton

9/11/2020

I truly don't even know where to begin to sing Debbie's praises as not only a doula, but also a lifelong friend! Birth is by far the most challenging and hardest thing I've ever done physically, mentally, and emotionally ... but I've done it twice, natural & drug-free, thanks to Debbie! My first birth experience was a dream! We followed Debbie's guidance for laboring at home as long as possible and it definitely made for a smooth & quick delivery, once we got to the hospital. Though that has been almost 4 years ago, I can still hear and see Debbie, when she first arrived, at my feet. Everything changed once I knew she was there and the fear of the unknown (as a first time mom) went away completely, because I knew I was in THE best hands possible to get my baby out safely! We wanted our first to be a surprise, so it was truly quite the surprise when Debbie said "It's a girl!" - AND she was born en caul (in her sac)! My second daughter (we found out this time) came fast and furious! Debbie knew what I needed to do as far as getting into the best & most beneificial positions, breathing, rebozo exercises, etc. She also knew EXACTLY what I needed to hear, during my contractions, and in my (many) times of doubt. Being the sounding board I needed, Debbie made sure to reassure me that I was safe, my body was doing what it was meant to do, and how much of a rockstar I was. When describing Debbie, she truly has the most encouraging, soothing, calming, and uplifting personality for a birthing mom and her love for the Lord shines through and through!

If you're doubting having a doula at your labor & delivery, I can PROMISE you that you will NOT regret having Debbie as your doula! She is THE best of the best and I truly cannot recommend or sing her praises enough! 

Erin Standeven

9/10/2020

I could not have asked for a better experience! Debbie was helpful, encouraging, and most importantly, an expert in her field. I owe my short labor to her and the exercises she showed me how to do during my pregnancy. I will most definitely hire Debbie as my doula again and I highly recommend her to anyone having a baby.

Jenny Semenyna

9/9/2020

Debbie is the best investment you can make when starting the journey into motherhood. She has been there for both of my labors and I am not exaggerating when I say I could not have made it through without her. I speak for myself and my husband when I say that when Debbie is in the room, the atmosphere changes. She brings comfort, knowledge, an immense amount of wisdom and experience and mostly, compassion, to each and every labor. Both of my labors were very different. (one was slower that started with normal contractions and the other, an induction which lead to a fast delivery) She was able to adjust and adapt to each experience with ease. If you are desiring to have an unmedicated labor, I do believe she is the tool you NEED in the room with you. She is not just there to cheer you on, (even though she does that) she is there to get you and your baby into a good position to get baby out quickly and safely. I promise that from the moment you meet her you will feel safe in her care. 

Rachel Robert

9/9/2020

Giving birth is hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced both physically and mentally. After a very traumatic experience with my first son in 2019, we hired Debbie for my second birth just a year and a half later. She was so helpful in preparing me for the process and guided me with physical exercises to prepare my body for birth. She was also such a wonderful spiritual and emotional support. I was hopeful and prayerful for what Debbie called a redemptive birth experience.

During my natural delivery this time, I remember her whispering into my ear “You are safe. You already know how to surrender.” Surrendering fear, self-protection from pain, and control is one of the hardest things to do, but it was so worth it. I thank God for Debbie, who carries God’s Spirit as a vessel for healing and wisdom. She helped me feel connected, understood, and empowered this throughout the process. With her help, my second experience was vastly different,m than my first, and I can look back and remember with so much gratefulness and joy.

Emilee

9/4/2020

Debbie is the best of the best. Pregnancy and giving birth are so personal, but inviting her into those personal realms was the best decision I made for not just myself, but also for my husband as he became a dad and for our daughter as she was born. Debbie helped us take control of our labor, helped me see and harness my own strength, and empowered my husband to be the absolute best support person I could have dreamt of. 

I struggle with needing to feel in the know and in control, so I knew anxiety and worry would be a major battle for me in giving birth. But Debbie rid me of every single fear and completely changed my labor experience from what it would have been without her. 

It goes without saying that her incredible relationship with all of the staff in Labor/Delivery at Virginia Baptist Hospital speaks volumes, not just for who she is as a care provider but who she is as a person.

I can't recommend Debbie enough. If you're having any hesitations about using a doula or which one to use, choose Debbie. You'll have no regrets

Rachel Welch

9/3/2020

After getting pregnant and asking around for Doula recommendations, I was referred to Debbie by multiple friends. Due to COVID-19, we could not meet with her in person, so she FaceTimed us to go over the exercises. These exercises were great and helped the baby get into perfect position. During labor and delivery, she knew exactly what to do to help with my contractions and she was an emotional and spiritual support to me as well! I could not have dreamed about a better labor and delivery experience and it is thanks to Debbie. I will highly recommend her to everyone! Thank you again, Debbie! 

Lily Wilmoth

9/3/2020

Debbie is wonderful. She is wise, knowledgeable, patient, calm, joyful, and full of the goodness of God. I am so thankful that I have gotten to know her, and I am thankful for her influence on my perspective of birth.

I had 2 c-sections with my first 2 children. They were supposed to be natural births, but I felt so let down by my doctors. There was never a discussion about baby's position in my pelvis, or about trying to help the baby descend effectively. I got stuck at 5cm both times, and both times I had a non-emergent c-section for "failure to progress."

Well, then we moved to Virginia and I met Debbie after we got pregnant again. In our first visit she educated us on the anatomy of birth, equipped me with exercises to help strengthen and prepare my body for labor, and encouraged me to prepare for labor as for a marathon. Everything she taught us would help baby get into position, and help balance my muscles and pelvis for a smooth progression. Debbie was available by phone and text for the rest of my pregnancy to answer my every question, and to pray with me.

When the night of my labor arrived, it started out much faster than either of my previous ones. When we finally arrived at the hospital, Debbie was there at the front door for us. She helped me through every contraction (I was already transitioning when we arrived). She ensured the hospital room was respectful, quiet, and dark for  me to focus. She was so encouraging to my husband and me! She guided me through different positions to move the baby down, and through the pushing phase she gave me direction on how to breathe and how to push effectively. I couldn't have done it without her. Debbie was integral to my birth going as fast as it did. At first check I was already at 9 cm, and after 45 minutes of pushing, a total of 5 hours of active labor, Penelope was born! I highly recommend Debbie--and especially for Christian women.

Ronisha

9/2/2020

Dear Reader,

Debbie assisted me with my second and third birth. My first birth ended with an emergency c-section. With my first birth I didn't want a doula because "women have done this before" and I "didn't want to spend the money". BIG MISTAKE! Debbie assisted in birth education for a succesful V-BAC on my second birth. With my third birth she helped with a natural induction. I am conviced my third birth would have ended in another c-section had I not had Debbie's help and support. When you choose Debbie, you become more than just a client. She has such a heart to help women deliver as painless as possible. I have recommended her to many people, and will continue to do so. Labor smart - hire Debbie. 

Rachel Dickerson

9/2/2020

Debbie is incredible as a doula. She worked with us for our last two births and I was able to do both of them completely all natural. I KNOW I literally could not have done it without her. Debbie is with you every step of the way during your whole pregnancy, she is always available for advice and gotta say gives some of the best hugs. When Debbie is there with me during labor she has always made me believe I can do it, and encourages me when I need it. When Covid happened and we weren't sure if Doulas could be with us in the delivery room I already told my husband that if I have to choose between him and Debbie that I would choose her lol. Sorry hubby, but he just can't do what Debbie does and I needed her. Nothing but love for Debbie here. 

Nicole Wright

9/2/2020

Hiring Debbie as our Doula was the best decision we made and I can’t imagine what labor and delivery would have been like had she not been there. She is very passionate about what she does and has a Mary Poppins bag of tricks, tips and knowledge when it comes to delivering babies. We delivered during a pandemic and a power outage. Both of which I was able to forget about and focus on delivering my sweet baby into the world because she was there guiding me along the way. She helped me achieve the natural birth I had always wanted and I will be forever grateful for her. She coaxed me through every contraction, helped eased the pain with massage techniques and different positions and when it came time to push she ensured I was moving my little guy down and getting him in the right position to come out. The day my son was born I wanted to make it an amazing day and it was, in so many ways and Debbie is a big reason it was. 

Deborah Perdew

8/28/2016

With our first child, my husband and I were determined to have a natural birth. Long story short, nothing went according to our plan. Our plan was disregarded, and any objections we raised to the numerous interventions being implemented were met with condescension.Bottom line, we felt powerless and part of an assembly line.

When I became pregnant with our second child, I was determined that this time would be different…much different.

Debbie met with us over the course of my pregnancy and really helped us become better informed about our options, and helped us trouble shoot any potential issues that may arise when you insist on a natural birth.

The birth of our son was everything that we wanted. There were no IVs, no interruptions,  and our toddler even spent time with me in the laboring pool. I walked away from the experience with not only a healthy baby boy, but with great memories about how we as a family (toddler included) helped bring our newest addition into the world.

I felt like my body had failed me in the birth of my daughter, and I questioned if I was even capable of giving birth naturally. Thanks to Debbie, I was able to regain the confidence I had lost, and entered motherhood a second time feeling empowered and not defeated.

The greatest thing about Debbie is that yes, she is there helping you every step of the way, and yes, she is the reason we were able to have the birth experience we wanted, but it is never about her. She selflessly works for hours on end to make the experience as peaceful and comfortable as possible, allowing you and your family to focus on what is important and not on the thermostat or if you are drinking enough fluids or if you should switch to another laboring position. She masterfully handled all of these details for us so that my husband and I could focus on the lives we had created and celebrate the expansion of our family.

Lauren

Debbie Perdew

8/16/2016

When I was pregnant with my first, I knew I wanted Debbie to be part of my birth plan. My mom and husband would be present at the birth for support, but they didn't have the medical knowledge, experience, or natural remedies that Debbie did. From my very first interaction with her, I knew she would be an invaluable resource for us throughout pregnancy and at delivery.  After talking and praying it over, we decided that we'd make whatever sacrifices we needed to in order to have the funds available to have Debbie present at birth. I'm way beyond thankful that we did.

Debbie provided tons of information during pregnancy that lead to better health and well-being for my baby and myself. Her services go above and beyond what most doulas provide. I gained much more confidence about the birth and felt less anxious as Debbie and I talked about the birth plan. My husband felt empowered after meeting with Debbie and was thankful for all the knowledge and insight she provided, as well as tips for ways that he could provide practical help

I seriously can't even begin to describe the ways that she helped, always offering just what I needed in the moment. It was like she could read my mind at times, and knew what I needed even before I did sometimes. Although she will go as far as you want her to in guiding you in decision making during labor/delivery, she is respectful of your wishes as well. She was the perfect balance of encouraging me to do what she knew I wanted to do & giving me the confidence to keep going just a little more, but not too pushy when I changed my mind about some aspects of my birth plan. Debbie worked really well with the medical team. Debbie will feel like family the first time you meet her. She's the sweetest, most down-to-earth person and someone that you do not want to go through the birth process without. Daphne