Marisa

10/10/2023

Doula Testimonial 

My name is Marisa and I’m thrilled to be writing a testimonial for Betsy the Doula! My husband and I met Betsy in May and were able to meet several more times before I gave birth in July. The primary reason we chose to engage a doula is because we were hoping for extra support during the preparation for birth, the birth itself, and after the birth while we adjusted to parenthood. The reason we chose to work with Betsy specifically, is because of her professionalism and kindness. 

Betsy has such a warm, encouraging presence and my husband and I felt reassured and more mentally prepared after every meeting. All of the exercises she recommended helped me to feel physically prepared as well and by the time we got to July, we were both feeling very confident. 

From the time my water broke to the actual birth was 33 hours and Betsy was with us at the hospital all day, both days. Not only was Betsy a comfort to me, but critically, she was a comfort to my husband as well. As you might imagine, neither of us imagined having a 33 hour birth and having Betsy to lean on helped him give me the support I needed. 

I’m so grateful to her for helping me through the most physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding experience of my life. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Betsy! 

Postpartum Testimonial 

To put it succinctly, Betsy is the reason my husband & I were able to enjoy our son’s first several months as much as we did! Betsy came to our house to care for our baby 3 nights a week which gave us the opportunity to get solid, restful sleep. This sleep ensured we were so much better prepared every single day to be the best parents we could be to our newborn. The peace of mind that Betsy brought to us was invaluable & we benefitted enormously from her advice!

Maureen Baraban

10/27/2017

Betsy was a wonderful and supportive doula for the birth of my first child. She was very attentive and diligent to what my  desires were for a birth and tried to ensure that my birth plan was executed out as best as possible. I intended to do a natural birth. However when my water broke at 37 weeks without warning and without contractions at 11:30 at night, Betsy (a mom of young kids herself) drove up 45 minutes to my hospital to be there with my husband and I. I had to be induced with cervadil to get the contractions going, and by the next afternoon when I hadn't dialated as quick enough for the medical staff, Betsy was there to give support and advice to try and avoid getting pitocin, since I wanted to try natural birth at that point still.  We walked around the halls of the hospital together to get me dialated further, which helped alot. She coached me through the contractions to try and ease the pain, rubbing my back and letting me know that what I was feeling was typical and expected (very comforting for a first time mom). She'd offer to get things for both me and my husband. My husband was also very tired so she was a support person for him as well. In the end I did get pitocin and subsequently an epidural, but she was right there the whole time.  I only ended up pushing for 30 minutes, and she stayed after birth too to ensure a good transition to post-birth recovery.

When you're in labor, you need extra help, and while the hospital staff have other patients to attend to, having a doula who is focused on just you is worth it.  Betsy as your doula will be that extra help for you and your partner during labor and birth, and is something I'd recommend having, even if you don't do a natural birth.

Lori Freking

10/13/2017

Betsy and I knew each other since we were kids so I knew that she would be a great fit as my doula. She did alot of education explaining what a doula was and had many wonderful articles that helped me along the way especially at the end of my pregnancy. We live in Wichita which is 2 hours away from Betsy but she was open for the challenge and we were able to communicate well with video chat and ultimate I decided on inducing a week after my due date. We talked about it at length and she educated me on both sides of the decision and at the end other circumstances led me to decide. During labor, she was a calming presence that I needed and she had some great suggestions when I would need a new approach. I also had a labor and delivery nurse friend that was there and they worked well together. She also is for the more natural ways to birth and they worked amazingly together! Betsy is on her way to be a great doula and she reads people well, is a calming presence even when I was not expecting her to be! Natural labor makes one not calm and I thought I needed a coach forcing me into things but that is not the case. You have to have a calmness to get through the contractions.  She also helped post labor that night until late into the evening and even afterwards she has been a great help in the transition to nursing and sleep for my baby. She has a wealth of good information and I would definitely have her come down again when we plan for our next baby. As for now, I am one tired mama lol but it is all worth it! Thank you Betsy for asking me to do this!

Ashley Scott

3/13/2017

Betsy was extremely helpful throughout my entire pregnancy. She provided my with information on several different healthcare providers that would be friendly towards my desire to have a vbac. She was always available to answer any questions that I had, and would even send me articles to read on whatever topic that I had a question about; In the weeks leading up to my due date she texted me frequently to see how I was feeling. During my labor she was helpful in suggesting different positions for me to try. She was very encouraging throughout the whole process. She has also been very encouraging and helpful with my post partum experience. She texts me every few days to see how I am doing and to see how breastfeeding is going. I'm very thankful that I chose Betsy as my doula and I plan on using her in my future pregnancie.

Christa Gaither

9/8/2016

Betsy is one of those people that being a mother just comes naturally to. Add in her positive attitude and calming demeanor and you have the perfect recipe for a doula.

Before my son came Betsy was always willing and able to listen to my worries and fears and she backed up each of her responses to me with not only credible sources but with an understanding heart. She truly loves the birthing process and speaks about it so passionately it was hard to not shed some of my worries and join her in the excitement.

While in labor Betsy provided my husband and I with numerous suggestions on different labor positions and genuinely encouraged us throughout the entire process. One of my favorite things she said was, "You guys are doing great together. You're a good team!" That reassurance
made me dig up energy I didn't even know I had during labor. She timed each of my contractions for almost 6 hours and looked up every question I had during labor.

During those intimate moments Betsy stepped back and allowed my husband and I to be joyful together and she simply was just there for us if we needed her.

The days following my son's birth Betsy asked several times about not only his well-being but mine also. As a new mother, it is so very nice to have someone ask about you! Betsy truly understood this and made it a point to make sure I was adjusting well.

She was there for us through one of the most special times of our lives and we could not thank her enough!