Jessica Hughes

2/25/2021

It’s hard to know how to even begin this review of Cydney. She was everything I wanted her to be and everything I didn’t know I needed. This was my first successful pregnancy. We conceived our babe through IVF. It was just so important to me to have the most supported pregnancy and birth possible. Cydney answered any question I had via text - no matter how silly I felt like my question could be. The home classes were such a highlight to my week. Being pregnant during a pandemic is so lonely and isolating, the opposite of what you dream it to be, so having Cydney there made me feel happy and less alone in the journey. By the end of my pregnancy I was so happy that we had taken the plunge and hired a doula. But I didn’t even realize how much a doula does from early labour to postpartum! I was in early labour for a few days. Finally after 3 stretch and sweeps and 3 midwives brews - I was in active labour! It was a long and hard process. We had planned a home birth. Cydney applied pressure for HOURS. This is probably why she is in such great shape! Haha. After 7-8 hours of active labour, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I never envisioned transferring to the hospital especially during this time but I had the full support of both my midwife and Cydney. Cydney was amazing and even followed the ambulance from my house to the hospital. She continued to be by my side through the 2 agonizing hours of pushing, breastfeeding my son for the first time, using the washroom after my stitches were done, helping me out of the shower, helping me get dressed, fishing through my suitcase for baby items and even suggesting the kind of text to send my sister because I was exhausted. She was even by my side as we left the hospital that same day just 4 hours after the birth. Postpartum she continued to be a great help to both my husband and I. On our 1st visit after baby she surprised me with a bag of goodies and my sons birth story! I love Cydney!

Minnie

2/23/2021

Cydney came to our home birth as a backup doula. I originally decided I didn’t need a doula for my 2nd pregnancy as I figured I already knew the things we needed.At 37 wks I was ready for the birth but something was missing. I wondered how we would manage a toddler, arrange a pool, clean, have support for my spouse while he supported me, comfort measures, etc? My hubby read a lot on comfort measures but we knew that a doula comes with significant experience on how to apply these to each unique birth & birthing person.I struggled with PD & PA this time & I wish I hired a doula sooner. Once we hired again - I felt a weight lifted & could focus on the birth with less anxiety. Labour progressed faster than anticpated. Cydney came & we were relieved as we knew that she could care for me & manage anything that arose that my husband couldn’t. Her presence was comforting - it felt as if I'd known her my entire pregnancy - she brings a sense of peace. I debated on having a backup doula come because I wasn’t sure if I wanted someone I didn’t know there, but we don't regret having Cydney step in for our regular doula at all! She's invaluable!Cydney was for us, the essence of what a doula is; gentle, supportive, comforting, grounded, calm, & strong. Without her guidance & strength I wouldn't have had the experience that I did. My birth was swift & powerful. Internally I doubted myself, but each time Cydney’s guidance of breath, reassurance & techniques brought me back to myself in a way that no one else could. She gave me options to utilize & helped my spouse support me. I had an amazing experience at my 1st birth with a doula & the 2nd was just as wonderful. Thanks to Cydney I have an experience & even a few special photos to cherish. I recommend her to anyone looking for a doula. Thanks Cydney for supporting us, we won’t forget it!

Sherry & Jason

12/6/2020

Having Cydney as our doula was an amazing experience! As first time parents we had no idea what to expect and being pregnant during a pandemic did not allow us the opportunity to take prenatal classes or meet other parents going through the same thing. Cydney came to our house and educated us through her prenatal lessons. She was supportive any time we had questions and was very knowledgeable in a wide range of topics with the experience that she has. We really appreciated the support we received from her on labour day. It was nice to have someone in the room who knew what was going on and how to respond to the craziness of the day, giving us pointers on everything from labouring positions to preparations for the baby upon leaving the hospital. She documented everything in photos and print and presented us with our birth story in our final postpartum meeting which was really special!! Do not hesitate in getting a doula! It's a one of a kind support I'm glad we had!

Ali Connolly

11/16/2020

Cydney was recommended to me by a coworker. I had not considered a doula as I was unsure of their role so I reached out to Cydney for information. I'm now 3 weeks post partum and I can't imagine what my experience would have been without her. Being pregnant during the COVID pandemic was difficult. It was so great to have an expert just a text away ready to answer questions and offer support. Because of Cydney, I felt confident in my knowledge and choices surrounding my birth experience. 

Lisa

7/25/2020

Having Cydney as our doula has been such a wonderful experience!

The support has been so helpful every step of the way. She is kind, easy going, knowledgeable, and a voice of calm and reassurance. She just seemed to always know what I needed and never pushed or assumed anything. She gave me so much confidence in my own abilities.

Cydney was a huge support in helping me make informed choices and gave me as much information as I needed to make the best decisions for myself, my baby, and my family. During our sessions she had a great balance of sharing facts and asking questions to help us prepare for birth and our baby in a way that made sense for us as a family. She was always there to listen when I had a question. She was always encouraging and comforting and eased so many of my worries.

She was great about checking in regularly. She was always so flexible and respectful of what worked for our family. I am so grateful for her support during my journey. Thank you so much Cydney!

Sara

5/28/2020

Part 2 of 2
Upon arrival at the hospital, Cydney was with me while my husband did paper work and we waited for the midwife. She wheeled me to the room, kept me calm and did whatever needed to be done for each contraction. 

For hours and hours, Cydney pushes and I mean PUSHED on my hips and lower back. We are talking using her WHOLE BODY to put pressure on me, it was the only thing that was helping. All of this while making sure to document important information during my labour and support my husband. 

After baby was born, Cydney help my hand and told me everything was going to be ok while I was stitched up. My husband was holding our baby for the first time. Cydney was by my side and made sure I was ok. She helped me into the shower, held my hand and talked to me while I showered. Cydney helped get us set up in our hospital room and was the last one to leave. 

Cydney provided lots of postpartum support through visits, which she brought all kinds of beautiful and meaningful surprises, and lots of text messages.

Overall, She advocated for my wishes, made sure I was as comfortable as possible and worked her butt off to make my labour and birth a beautiful and unforgettable expirence. I am so glad we hired Cydney to share in one of the most intimate expirences of my life. I could not have chosen a better doula. I wouldn't hisiate to recommend her to anyone. I also truly feel that I also gained a friend from my expirence with Cydney. 

Sara

5/28/2020

Part 1 of 2

Where do I even begin to explain how much I live Cydney? As soon we met with her I knew she would be the perfect fit. She was kind, sweet, knowledgeable without being a know it all, funny, REAL, down to earth, a Momma of two boys, open and simply lovely. Cydney provides excellent support before labour called. She came to our house and met with us whenever we needed her. She was willing to come as often as we wanted. She made us feel comfortable and informed. She answered all of my first time mom questions with ease and was always encouraging and supportive. She helped us set up a birth plan and knew exactly what to ask to help us in our journey and also gave great advice based on her expirence. 
When labour came, I texted Cydney to start then called her within the hour. We were both sure labour had started. She talked me through hours of contractions on the phone. She distracted me and kept me calm until I was ready to wake up my husband. She said if I felt like I needed to wake him up, it was time for her to come over. She came to my house at 3 am. She documented all the details of my labour throughout, which I didn't know at the time. She even took some beautiful pictures, again, I had no idea. She was supportive of my husband and I. We tried a number of different positions and techniques to ease the pain. Hospital time came at 6 am. Cydney helped us through each and every moment. Got shoes on the labouring Momma, turned out all the lights in the house, locked our doors, helped me down the stairs, held me while I yelled in pain with many contractions while trying to get to the car. She made sure I was comforted and supported with whatever I needed the whole time. 

Liz

3/12/2019

We are so grateful for Cydney’s presence at our last two births. Her knowledge and intuition are invaluable. Cydney was able to give me useful and up to date information and always be a listening ear through pregnancy, labour and post partum. She helped ease so many of my worries and wonderings through pregnancy. 

She has a gift for knowing just what is needed and when. She has a loving, positive, and safe presence. My kids, my midwife and especially my husband were so happy to have her as a part of our births. When we were pregnant with our son after having Cydney at our daughters birth, my husband was the first to say he wanted Cydney there because she was able to take care of so much while he took care of me. I would not want to go through pregnancy and birth without her! Thank you so much Cyd!