Jennifer H

9/26/2022

I am glad to have had Exie as my doula; she is truly wonderful. I started as a prenatal massage client and experienced her to be knowledgeable, calm, and professional. My spouse and I booked with her as doula clients and found her childbirth classes informative and tailored to our needs and interests. A few weeks prior to the birth, we experienced a sudden, tragic loss of a beloved pet and Exie was so empathic and sent a caring and meaningful card.

For my birth experience, Exie was an essential presence as it did not go at all as I planned and hoped for. She was a safe, supportive presence every step of the grueling way. As soon as she showed up to the hospital, she assisted me with helpful positioning and pain management techniques. She walked me through procedures and interventions the providers were discussing and I felt like she provided me with information so I could make an informed choice and the best decision for my situation. I wondered if the nursing/midwife team would feel comfortable with my having a doula, but Exie is an excellent communicator and so respectful in all of her interactions that I could sense the nursing staff feeling very comfortable around her. My labor went long and Exie was so helpful in making sure my husband got breaks to eat and she arranged her own breaks to be as seamless as possible. Every time I encountered another hardship in my labor, she was there providing support and recommendations to keep me going physically and mentally. When Exie came for the post-birth appointment to process my experience, it was so valuable and meaningful. I know I would have come away with a traumatic birth experience without her. It may not have been the birth I envisioned, but it was the best it could be given the circumstances and that is due to Exie's support. Postpartum, she provided me with resources and got me connected to a IBCLC for breastfeeding support. Truly, I am grateful for Exie and highly recommend her as a birth doula.

Alexis Hallam

6/6/2020

Having Exie as our doula was absolutely the best decision we've ever made regarding the birth of our daughter. Exie knows her stuff and is very thorough in her practice. She was so patient with me and knew exactly how to help me stick to my birth plan and advocated for me when it came to explaining my beliefs Even during this pandemic she was adaptable and was with me every moment virtually. The birth record she emailed me was so detailed that I was able to recall most of the details of my birth. I know for a fact that I would not have been able to get through my birth if it weren't for her. Thank you so much Exie! Hiring her is worth every penny.

Courtney Green

5/10/2016

My husband and I were beyond pleased with Exie's presence throughout my pregnancy and birthing experience. Her wisdom and guidance helped prepare us for all the aspects, emotional and physical, of labor and birth. Exie brings with her a strength and calmness that creates the most positive and peaceful environment to give birth in. Her soothing massage helped ease my laboring pains, and her words of affirmation helped instill confidence in myself and my abilities. Exie is a true master and angel of her work!

Elizabeth Lawson

2/9/2015

Exie is a wonderful doula. From the moment I found her she was supportive and a wealth of knowledge. She helped me find information on various topics during my pregnancy and was very thorough. She stayed connected with me via text and phone throughout my pregnancy and offered excellent moral support. She also sent me a lovely card when I hired her that thanked me for choosing her as my doula. It was hand written and really special.

Exie was huge support during my labor with massage, position changes, essential oils, and natural pain relief methods. Exie also offered terrific emotional support and really helped me to rise above the intensity of labor and stay calm and centered. She stayed with me and my family throughout the whole process and was a big help with communicating my desires and birth preferences to the doctors and nurses. They were so impressed with Exie and said she was the best Doula that had ever worked with! Exie was also so personable with my family and really blended well with my birth team.

I was so grateful for her post-natal home visit. She brought me a sweet card and gift which was so thoughtful. Exie spent time processing my birth story and offered tremendous support even after my son was born.

I would highly recommend Exie to any woman who would like extra support from a Doula at their birth. She is extremely professional and I couldn’t be happier with her presence at the birth of our son.

Jennifer Mayor

4/26/2014

My husband and I have had Exie Buehler as our doula for both of our children’s births. Our birth plan was to try to keep things as natural as possible. We also had the services of The Alternative Birthing Center and a midwife and nurse attend the births. In any type of birth setting we feel a doula is indispensable. When writing the birth plan together we were able to discuss different scenarios and what preferences we would have in each situation. Exie has attended many births so she personally can walk you through many possible outcomes and the choices you may be confronted with. So many things happen so quickly during labor and delivery it can be a challenge for us as the parents to process it and make quick decisions. Having Exie at your side to keep you calm and talk you through the contractions or say this is what’s happening now and tell you in words you understand helps tremendously. It helped us to stay focused and tuned into the quick changes occurring. Another reason to choose Exie is because of her education and credentials. She is a licensed massage therapist. This is a bonus since it is not required to become a doula. Having someone who knows how the body works on other levels is also a benefit. It helps during labor and delivery especially if labor is long and/or intense. The follow up that can be given after the baby is born is exceptional as well. This mother and baby benefited greatly from massage. Exie also assisted with some minor breastfeeding  issues that arose. Exie is very easy to work with. We are truly grateful for all the assistance given to our family.

Chawanne Rutues

2/6/2014

I found Exie through my search of looking for a prenatal massage therapist, I was only five weeks pregnant then. During my visit she explained to me that she also offer Doula Services. I didn't give it much thought then since I was in the early of my  pregnancy.   Months past and I will still going to Exie for prenatal massage and I was feeling a overhelmed about child birth. Exie provide the moral support that I needed.  Me and my husband decided we do need a Doula. On my 39th week I went in for my doctors visit and I suffered from high blood pressure...they wanted to induce me if my blood pressure did not go down.  This is one of the uncontrollable circumstances that Exie and I talked about.  Although I was scared, I knew what was going on, and was able to make informed decision because of the information she provided me.  I immediately notified her about the situation. Exie was just finishing up another birth that day and she told me that she would inform her backup. The backup doula contacted me and we all communicated with each other to make sure my status did not change. Well my bp never went down so I was admitted to the hospital. When the midwife check my cervix i was dilated to 1cm and calculated a bishop score of 5.  She asked me if she can stripped my membrane, and inserted a catheder, I agreed.   I really felt in control, once again this is because all of the information that was given to me about the birthing process from Exie.  The next morning they gave me pitocin by then I was dilated 3 to 4 cm. I called Exie and she came right away.  My bp was still high and the nurse informed me if my bp did not decrease I will have to stay in the bed.  Long story short I deliver my baby boy that afternoon without any pain medication or being restricted to the bed. I knew I couldn't have done this if it was'nt for Exie.  She provided the mental and physical support I needed.  Thank you Exie!

Melissa Hoag

11/25/2013

We were thrilled with Exie's services and highly recommend her. She was at our house for almost 48 hours of labor and if it had not been for her we would have been pretty scared by the amount of pain I was in (back labor) and probably would have gone to the hospital much sooner instead of being able to enjoy the comforts of home. I appreciated how Exie was able to involve my husband in everything and to reassure him that things were progressing normally. Exie also helped my pain level immensely through massage and heat therapy, and also told me occasionally to get in the bathtub or shower for pain relief. While my birth ended in a c-section because the baby's head was turned (and refused to move despite lots of positioning), Exie remained through the c-section and came to talk to us afterward and even helped me get started with nursing.

We both highly recommend her--she's worth every penny!

Jaclyn Stevens

3/30/2010

My husband and I were both so thankful to have Exie with us at our son's birth.  Neither one of us knew what to expect or what questions to ask but Exie walked us through the creation of our birth wishes and was very thorough in discovering our vision for labor and delivery.  We enjoyed meeting with her as we prepped for the birth but from the moment I called Exie at 4-5 am in labor she was worth her weight in gold.  It was such a blessing to have a couple of hours at home with her at my side before heading to the birth center.  She came with an endless supply of suggestions and patience both of which came very much in handy during the day.  Her constant presence and confidence was comforting to both of us.  She always seemed to ready to help or to just let me do what I was doing and never got in my way or took the place of my husband.  If and when we ever have another I will certainly be on the phone right away!  

Caarin Hertzwig Kogut

2/10/2010

Exie is absolutely amazing. We had our child at St John Alternative Birthing Center. It was very important to me that the experience be as natural as possible. Exie was seamless in helping this become a reality. Having someone by your side who is completely there for you through an experience that cannot be fully explained is absolutely priceless. Exie was an amazing advocate, worked well with the whole hospital staff and made me laugh, relax and appreciate the experience. In addition she was great with my husband. She worked as a team member with him in helping our son come into this world in an easy, relaxed manner. Once our son was born she taught us baby massage which has been so helpful. Exie has so many talents with her knowledge of massage and of being a Doula it’s is so important to have her on your team.

Jayne Damron

1/8/2010

I couldn’t imagine having gone through the birth of our son without the help that Exie provided. I had always envisioned by husband providing all the support I needed during delivery, and it wasn’t until our first childbirth class that I realized perhaps I was expecting too much of him. This was new to both of us, and after all, as a man he could only imagine what I must be feeling and needing. When I heard that Exie was both a doula and a prenatal masseuse, I knew I wanted to meet with her. My husband and I connected with her right away, and she was very helpful with providing information and moral support leading up to the delivery. She was so organized when we arrived at the hospital and knew what I needed before I had to ask. Far from diminishing my husband’s role, I felt that she was able to guide him in helping me throughout the labor. Her words of positive encouragement during difficult moments and her gentle sense of humor when the baby arrived-even after being up all night- were greatly appreciated!  She has also proven to be a true professional in her massage services, working creatively to continue her massage even when a fussy baby kept interrupting our session.  I would highly recommend Exie’s services and look forward to her help in the birth of our future children.

Lindsay Hoyt

1/5/2010

My husband and I were so fortunate to have Exie present at the birth of both our children. We were new to the idea of a doula when we were pregnant with my son. We looked into it after my sister-in-law recommended it and during our birthing class our teacher mentioned it (and when we asked she recommended Exie). The prenatal support Exie gave us was fantastic. As first time parents we had no idea what to expect with the pregnancy and she was there to answer most of our questions. She is always researching new studies to give us the best information out there. I was induced ten days late with my son. The labor went well until the last couple minutes of pushing. Exie was such an amazing support for my husband during that time.
With our second pregnancy we knew right away we wanted to have Exie with us during the birth of our daughter. Luckily this time around everything went smoothly (aside from my baby being 5 days late and having to be induced again). Our induction this time was closer to midnight, so my husband and I were quite exhausted. Exie allowed my husband to rest during the first stages of labor and helped me along. She is such an emotional motivator, I’m not sure I could have done a natural birth without her support. She also involved my husband in everything and helped him figure out what he could do to help me (he needed the direction in that situation).
I couldn’t imagine either of my children’s births without Exie and would highly recommend her to anyone. She’s knowledgeable and the massage therapy specialty helped greatly.
 

Suzanne Konkle

12/4/2009

Exie is nothing short of wonderful!  My husband and I had a great experience with Exie at the birth of our second child.  I ended up with a doctor that I was less than enthusiastic about, but having Exie's support made up for his shortcomings.  Exie was encouraging, positive, and tireless.  In addition, she was very helpful with advice prior to the baby's birth.  I also recovered much faster after the birth of my second child in comparison to the birth of my first child in which I did not have a doula.  I would highly recommend Exie to anyone considering a doula; she will help make your birth plan a reality.   

Erin Favor

12/2/2009

I hired Exie during my first tri-mester and immediately began prenatal massage therapy. At my first ultrasound I learned I was expecting twins. The next week at my next mid-wife visit I were informed that it was very uncommon to have a natural twin birth. I was confused and scared as I were labled high risk and shuffled within the office to an OB only to learn that I would need to find a new practice to fit our hopes of a natural birth. Exie researched practices, made phone calls to mid-wifery services and continually calmed my nerves. Within a week we found a new practice that agreed to honor my wishes of a natual birth. I was induced into labor 4 weeks earlier than my due date due to medical complications. That same morning, another of Exie's clients went into labor several weeks late. Exie quickly sent over her partner to care for me until she could arrive at the hospital. Exie showed no signs of fatigue when she arrived by my side. Exie found many ways to relieve my discomfort as I labored within the confines of my hospital bed. She kept my husband and I focused, and encouraged throughout the entire labor process.  Some medical interventions were required, but with Exie's help, calming touch, reassuring voice and overall knowledge we were able to make quick and informed decisions that allowed me to deliver both of my girls naturally. Exie stayed by our sides while I recovered until she knew that we were all okay.  She kept in contact via phone and personal visits within the days and weeks after the birth of my daughters.  I still see Exie for massage therapy and will definitely hire her in my next pregnancy. 

Elizabeth Cranston

12/1/2009

My husband and I attempted a natural childbirth when my first child was born, but ended up with an epidural and other interventions that we would have like to have avoided. When I found out I was pregnant for a second time, we decided to hire Exie to serve as a doula and make another attempt at having a natural birth. This time around, with Exie's support, we accomplished this goal and had a very positive birth experience as a result. Exie's warm, calm demeanor was a comfort to both of us, and her coaching combined with the accupressure and massage techniques helped me to stay strong and focus on the ultimate goal rather than the pain of labor. My husband continues to be very grateful for the support and guidance he received as well, even down to the little things, like being reminded to rest while he could and to eat periodically. I also really value the support that Exie provided in the weeks prior to the birth, including prenatal massages and accupressure work when my due date came and went, as well as the postnatal care she provided. I continue to use the infant massage techniques she taught me on my daughter.

I really can't adequately express how much Exie brought to the birth experience, but I will say that I would never consider giving birth without a doula again, and can't see myself working with anyone other than Exie. Her warmth and caring were exactly what I needed as I went through the birth process.