Anna Cates Lyons

6/22/2022

Our family was lucky enough to have Heidi as our doula for our sons birth in May. Although he was our second baby, Heidi was thorough in our prenatal appointments and checked in during the final weeks before our guy made his debut. She was there for all of questions and concerns along the way and into postpartum.Heidi was an amazing support to my husband as I labored at home, during our transition to the hospital in triage, and then of course in labor/delivery. Heidi made my labor and delivery process stress free, calming, and she truly made our birth experience with our second son a great experience by helping us prepare as well as keeping us informed throughout the process! We absolutely recommend Heidi for anyone looking for a doula and if we have other kiddos, Heidi will be our first request with Belly to Cradle. Thank you so much Heidi!!! 

Heather Monroe

3/24/2022

My husband and I had the best service and doula, Heidi Hudgens, with Belly to Cradle. Heidi is so sweet, patient and knowledgeable. When I first met with Heidi, she let me know what to expect of her services, the cost and asked me what I expected of her, made me feel important. She met with me and my husband multiple times, followed up during the pregnancy and provided resources/education that helped us prepare for the delivery. During labor, Heidi was my right hand and a great team player. She knew exactly what I needed; the perfect music, dimming the lights, the best positions to make me feel comfortable or just encouraging words; that made my labor and delivery go as smooth as it could. She was a great blessing! My OB doctor even commented on what a great team her and I were. I would highly recommend Heidi to any expectant mother!

Lauren Depew

1/26/2022

Even though this was my third pregnancy, I knew if I wanted to go for a VBA2C then a doula would increase my chances of being successful. I didn’t totally know what to expect and my husband was a little hesitant about the extra cost, but we are now both SO thankful she was part of our journey.

I connected with Heidi in my third trimester when I was in the process of switching doctors. I felt like I had been alone in advocating for myself and I was tired. I was so thankful to have her support, education, and encouragement throughout the last weeks of my pregnancy, even before labor began- 10 days after my due date.

It was so helpful to be able to text her as I started showing labor signs, and she met us at the hospital when it was go time. My husband was less nervous and overwhelmed because he had help in supporting me through the night. Heidi was a calming presence, supporting me in my birth plan and also supporting me when I changed my mind. My husband always says she was professional but didn’t feel like “a professional” in the room, more like a friend. She kept me moving after my epidural, encouraged me during pushing, and stayed after birth to help us get settled. Even our nurses were glad to have her there! She never felt in the way, but offered just the right amount of support. Even though I was not a first time mom, her support during the postpartum phase was invaluable. Our VBAC experience would not have been the same without Heidi.

Meghan Kane

10/26/2021

This review is long overdue, but I have never forgotten the love, support, and hard work Heidi gave my family during the journey of our son’s birth. Heidi was present for every step of our birth journey. My husband and I were desiring a natural birth but had no idea where to begin or prepare. She provided us with the right knowledge (sending videos and one on one meetings) that gave us the confidence to move forward with achieving our natural birth. She helped me find my voice and gave me the confidence to speak up for what I believed was best for my family. As I got closer and past my due date, Heidi was constantly sending me the perfect supporting messages to help calm my anxiety and discomfort. At my OB appointment, we found out I had low amniotic fluid and was advised to be induced that day. I felt like I had no option, but Heidi helped me walk through all my options and make the best decision for my baby. Even though I went through Cytotec and Pitocin, Heidi helped me and showed my husband how to help me labor without an epidural or pain medication. My husband still talks about how grateful he was for Heidi to show him how to help me during labor. This woman truly has a God given gift for being a doula, and I could not imagine birthing my son without her help. I love my birth story! Thank you Heidi!! ??

Emily Smith

9/29/2021

Heidi was such an amazing resource throughout my pregnancy and postpartum journey! This was my first baby and having a doula helped to prepare me for the labor and delivery as well as reduce my anxiety  during the delivery. Heidi is extremely professional and easy to work with, and my husband and I definitely recommend hiring her if you are on the fence! 

Natalie

9/28/2021

Hands down the best decision we ever made for our first birth experience was to hire Heidi with BTC! We are first time parents and Heidi was so patient with us and extremely knowledgeable. She made us feel super comfortable and we never felt like any question was “too dumb” to ask during our preparation sessions. We had several one on one classes with Heidi leading up to our birth that more than prepared us for what was to come. As we got closer to my due date, Heidi proactively checked in with us to let us know she was there if we needed anything. Even though our birth plan didn’t go as expected due to things out of control, Heidi was there every step of the way and made our birth experience great! She also helped us advocate for what we wanted and throughly discuss the options when things weren’t going as planned. My husband and I both felt supported. I also highly recommend the postpartum care offered by BTC, the extra help and piece of mind in the first few weeks was genuinely a life saver! We love Heidi and hope to use BTC again in the future ??

Krys

3/7/2021

It was obvious after talking to Heidi that hiring a doula was type of support was exactly what I was looking for with my natural unmedicated birth plan. Her passion for what she does was easy to see and her compassion snd knowledge out me at ease as well as gave me the confidence in my birth plan. There is no doubt that her support along with my husband helped me get through it. I knew it’d be tough but several times through it I felt I underestimated how hard, and if it weren’t for Heidi looking me in the eyes telling me I could do this and I was so close to meeting my baby girl, I would have started to give into fear and panic. As with most births, ours didn’t go as planned, and after trying all we could to follow my plan, the baby had other plans and Heidi was right there to help me communicate with the medical staff to make the best decisions based on what I wanted in the midst of the most intense part of labor where it was hard to concentrate and think clearly . She helped me refocus and I feel like I was able to make the right decision in the heat of the moment that was best for my baby, which was harder for me then the entire labor itself. She also was there to help my husband , giving him guidance how to help me, and giving him breaks during this long process. She even helped us get the first breastfeed which was so essential for my little one to continue to feed well. Because of all this I felt empowered with the whole birth. 

E

2/20/2021

Worth every penny! We had no experience with doulas prior to working with Heidi and were so impressed with how her assistance contributed to a smooth birthing process. From the emotional support and encouragement she offered beginning during our first virtual meeting, to the immensely helpful resources and books she helped us access throughout our pregnancy, to guidance on when to head to the hospital and her support during labor and delivery, Heidi was the rock star support we needed in our corner. We cannot recommend her highly enough! If we have another baby, she’ll be one of our first phone calls so we can get on her calendar!

Omi

1/2/2021

I'm so happy to have had Heidi as my doula! As a first time mom I really had no idea what I was getting myself in to. Leading up to the birth of my daughter we had so many unplanned disruptions happen in our life that we couldn't prepare the way we wanted for our daughter's arrival. Having Heidi really helped us with that! Her knowledge and guidance was invaluable! It was great to have someone focus on my well-being during labor and delivery in a time when everything was so hectic. During postpartum she would send encouraging notes that somehow seemed to be just what I needed to see at the time. She was also a great resource for my husband and I in learning what to expect/ do during the first few weeks after delivery. If you're considering a doula Heidi is a great choice!

Lindsay

11/20/2020

I can’t say enough amazing things about Heidi! She made us feel so comfortable and from the moment we met, she was more like a close friend to us rather than just someone to be there for us during birth. Heidi met with us several times before the birth and checked in on me a lot to see how I was feeling. She was so helpful when I started having contractions and helped me to navigate the decision on when to go to the hospital. When we got to the hospital, she met us at our room and hung little lights to help to make the atmosphere calm and relaxing. Heidi was a total champ throughout the entire labor process! She and my husband helped me through EVERY SINGLE CONTRACTION for 12 hours. Heidi kept me distracted with different labor positions to try and, when my body would stop progressing, she reached out to every doula she knew to get advice on positions for us to try to help me dilate and get the baby out. Even when I finally opted for an epidural, Heidi stayed right by our side and helped the nurses get me into different positions in hopes that it would help my body progress. After several more hours, when it became clear I was going to get a C-section, Heidi walked me through exactly what was going to happen (I had not researched C-sections at all so I had no idea what to expect). I didn’t feel regret after having the C-section because I knew that (thanks to Heidi) I tried everything I possibly could to deliver my baby naturally. After our sweet baby was born, Heidi reached out to me multiple times and even stopped by our house a few times to check on us and see how the baby was doing.
 
Even though our birth did not go ‘as planned’, I can honestly say that the only reason the experience ended up being as positive as it was is because of our angel doula Heidi. I would 1,000% hire her again for my future babies and I definitely recommend Heidi to anyone looking to create the best possible birth experience!

Meagan Ferut

11/8/2020

After a very long and tough labor and delivery with my first child, I knew I wanted to use a doula with my second pregnancy in hopes of achieving an unmedicated birth. Heidi was the doula on call when I went into labor and she was excellent. I had a rather quick birth, but she was there every step of the way helping me to refocus and work through the pain. It has also been nice to have frequent follow up from Heidi since my daughter was born. I feel the mom sometimes gets “lost” after giving birth and the focus shifts solely to the baby. Heidi sent words of encouragement and made sure I was doing well, which was really nice during the transition from one to two kids. I highly recommend Heidi and all of the birth team at Belly to Cradle! 

Alanna

6/10/2020

I had a wonderful first birth experience with Heidi! Even with COVID-19 restrictions keeping our doula services for the actual birth electronic, Heidi had helped us with meetings and training ahead of time, education, and birth plans that made my husband and I feel prepared and confident- even when our LO decided to arrive two weeks early! Then she was available via phone video for the birth to provide guidance throughout labor, delivery, and postpartum. Heidi has an engaging personality and very easy to work with, I felt comfortable after our initial interview which helped me feel confident in my decision. Fingers crossed for the second time around there won't be a global epidemic and she can be physically present for the birth, but I'm so pleased with my doula decision and happily recommend her services to others!