Website: http://www.letitbebirth.com/sean-hoke.html
Phone: (206) 601-9690
Birth Fee: $875 to $1250
Birth Doula Experience: 8 years and 27 births attended
Not Specified
Type of Practice: Partnership with 2 or more doulasClients per Month: 3
Attends hospital births? All HospitalsLanguages spoken: English
Service Area Map
Area of practice: Monroe, WASean was my doula for both of my births. She has an amazing energy that brings a rush of calm and a sense of everything will be taken care of. I felt I could just focus on the labor while everything else was taken care of. She seemlessly moved with me when I needed a change of position or as I needed to change location.
My first birth was at home. When my husband was unable to attend our first birth classes, she attended as my partner. Sean made sure to answer any questions I had throughout my labor. During labor she walked with me when I was getting into and then back out of the birthing tub. She knew the right moments to make me laugh or calm me when I was having a hard time. Sean was a steady force through this experience that I could count on.
While my first baby was the textbook perfect homebirth that I had dreamed about, my second birth was a little more rocky. We had to transfer to the hospital, it was a scary moment for me to chanage from my planned home birth to an environment I am not very comfortable with. I can remember that it was Sean's hand that I held all the way down the hall, and throughout the next several hours of painful labor. When the moniters would make noises Sean made sure my focus was on breathing and not panicking. When I asked for an epidural I was informed that I would need to hold still, I am not a big fan of being still during labor, so I switched position and my son was born less then an hour later. Sean held on to me, and she was my lifeline in that time. Her manner, professionalism, and humor were a huge asset for me.
Posted 10/10/2018
Natasha Maria: I’m so grateful Sean was able to attend the birth of my second child. Sean arrived, and immediately, I felt safe and was able to relax into my labour. She kept track of me as I wandered my home. Sean is an amazing listener, and was able to figure out what I wanted and needed, even when I could not clearly express it. When my labour suddenly took a turn for the speedy, Sean was calm and collected, and handled communication with my midwife who was stuck in traffic. My daughter was in a hurry to make her appearance, and I’m so grateful Sean was there. She was present and peaceful, even in an unexpected situation, and my healthy, beautiful daughter was happily nursing on my chest when my midwife arrived shortly thereafter. I was so impressed by her professionalism throughout, and her ability to be a force of encouragement and confidence during my labour and delivery.
Posted 8/12/2018
Sean was an invaluable and amazing presence during our birth. As a first-time mom, I didn't know quite what to expect. She was gentle, soothing and empowering. I felt like she was literally an anchor in the storm that was labor. For hours, I labored in the tub and Sean held my hand. I don't think I opened my eyes once. Just knowing she was there, riding the waves of contractions made such a huge difference. I felt like I wasn't alone. I don't think I would have been able to have a pain medication free birth without her. She helped me relax and find my rhythm.
Hiring a doula was the best thing I did in preparation for labor and delivery. My husband and I took classes and read books but having Sean there helped it all come together the way we hoped. I tell all my pregnant friends that they need to have a doula. I feel like every woman (and man, we can't forget the Dads) deserves that kind of amazing support. Sean is the definition of a caring and supportive doula. I can't recommend her enough. -
Posted 8/12/2018
We received a recommendation for Sean from a mutual friend, and instantly felt at ease when we met. She has a soft giggle and warmth in her smile that helped bring a sense of calm to my husband and I. We planned a home birth, and wanted a Doula to help guide is through the adventure. Sean's experience and confidence was one of the important factors that led to our successful first birth experience, and we are so thankful that we had her by our side. it was a very blessed, surreal, and mystical experience!
In preparation for the birth, Sean was available at our desire to answer questions, meet with us at our house, help us emotionally prepare, give guidance, and reassure us of our birth plan. She quickly became best friends with our dogs, and became a comfortable visitor in our home, which was a very important thing for us - for our home birth crew to peacefully blend into our environment.
Sean helped me through the difficult transition labor, helping me breathe, reminding me what I needed to do each time with patience and care. Her hands and voice became a focal point that accompanied me along the waves of each contraction. She was very attuned to the labor process, accepting of what I needed, and reassuring that we were on the right path. We are so very thankful that we had no complications, and honestly believe Sean had a lot to do with the great birth outcome because of her peaceful nature and confidence.
We would highly recommend Sean!
Posted 7/7/2014
My husband works very long hours and I knew he would not be available for birthing classes to attend with me, so I knew I needed a doula with us when we had our first child together. I didn't want to go in to labor completely unprepared, hiring Sean was the BEST decision I made to assist us with this journey. From the start she was always available with information and always got back to me quickly. I had originally planned to labor at home as long as possible and try to keep my birth experience as natural as I could before going to the hospital. I had to ditch that plan when my water broke first without contractions, my OB ordered me to the hospital within a few hours. I ended up having pretty much the opposite of a birth experience than I originally wanted, but having Sean there kept me calm and made me feel more at ease about needing to change the plan. She was wonderful about trying to keep me as comfortable as possible and also keeping my husband calm too. I would tell every woman, HIRE A DOULA to assist you in your birth experience and if you want an excellent, caring, fantastic, patient, kind, extraordinary doula, then hire Sean! She will blow you away with how much she is there for you! Birth is an investment, and you want the best with you when are taking in this journey. Sean is it! :)
Posted 12/19/2013
We hired Sean early in my pregnancy after meeting her at a birth fair and hitting it off famously. We found Sean to be a great resource during pregnancy about what to expect and how to approach labor. I also found it a huge comfort to have her nearby and a person I could rely on when I got close to my due date, as my husband works several hours away and is gone during the week.
As it turned out, I had a c-section, and while at first we were unsure whether having a doula in that situation would be as worthwhile, I'm so glad we had Sean there in the OR with us. Neither of us as mentally prepared for the procedure as we thought, and having her calm presence in the room with us was invaluable. Plus I think she was as excited about our son being born as we were.
Sean is enthusiastic, supportive, and very helpful and I would recommend her to anyone considering a doula.
Posted 11/4/2012
Sean attended the birth of my first child. Because this was the first birth that my husband had witnessed and the fact that he is very squeamish where blood is concerned I knew that I would need a doula so that I could free him up just to experience the birth. I had met Sean through a mutual friend and knew right away that when I went in to labor she was one of the people that I wanted by my side. Sean worked with me to understand what my idea birth situation and place would be. She answered any and all questions that I had and comforted me in my worries long before labor was even a question. When the day finally came and I went in to labor, earlier than any of us had thought I would go in to labor Sean was very comforting and helpful. She helped to keep me in the birthing “zone” and thus I never felt like I needed to be the orchestrator. She stuck with me through a long labor; she was one of my rocks one of my cheerleaders, Sean never doubted for a minute that I could do this even when I myself was not sure that I could. After what seemed like forever Sean helped me welcome my little girl in to this world. I would recommend Sean’s services as a doula to anyone that I know and will want her present at any of my subsequent labors.
Posted 10/1/2012
I first met Sean when she arrived in my hospital room when I was already in active labor. She showed up as a back-up doula, and was only supposed to be there for a few hours. She immediately made me feel comfortable with her, even though I was having seriously painful back-to-back contractions at the time we met. She sat there with me, held my hand, comforted and encouraged me the way I needed her to. She also helped me change positions and offered assistance when she saw fit. Even though this was our initial meeting, she met me where I needed to be met. Usually, when you first meet someone, you want to get to know them. We held off on that until later, and she encouraged me to rest between contractions rather than asking me a bunch of questions. It felt good to trust her judgement and professionalism, and she also trusted me to know my body so that I could express my needs. She obviously loves being a doula, because she ended up staying the whole time (about 24 hours from the time of arrival to the time birth). I had a very long, hard labor, complete with severe back labor. I am certain I would have ended up with a c-section if it weren't for Sean and my primary doula supporting me 150%, never wavering in their care, compassion, professionalism, laughs, fun (when appropriate), and uplifting support. I plan to reach out to both of them to be present at subsequent births.
Posted 1/22/2012
Having Sean at the birth of my fourth child made a lot of difference. I had just moved into a new house a few months before, and I was feeling a lot of instability in my life. I was confident I could just plow thru it, and having homebirthed three babies at home before, that it would be okay. But really, I was scared and lacked confidence in my surroundings -- definitely not the space I needed to be in to have a good birth. When Sean arrived at the house on the day of the birth I immediately became calmer. Her presence was assuring and reassuring every time she talked. When we got into contractions that I could no longer handle well on my own, her touch helped me stay focused without having to think about it. I was able to simply let the experience happen. What a blessing! When she reassured me she would keep me grounded, and make sure I didn't feel like I was drifting off or feeling unsafe I believed her instantly. There was no doubt in my mind she would do just that, so I was able to just forget the rest and trust in her support. Her presence was amazingly calming, and I could feel her respect for this process, for my family and household, and for the new person about to come to the outside. What a blessing she is in my life!
Posted 6/7/2011
Sean was our doula at my third birth, which was our second home birth. We really didn't know why we chose Sean to be there, feeling that we had things well in hand but somehow I must have known she'd be just the right person. When my birth unfolded much faster than I had expected she was a really calming influence when it was very important to have that. The speedy birth and best birth position took me by suprise and I had a bit of panic, Sean was right there with a whole lotta chill and a little bit of cheerleader to get me through. Our daughter was born, and she made me amazing placenta super pills. I cannot even bring myself to take down her note to turn off the dehydrator which she had put on my fridge because it makes me smile everytime I see it. She's great at this. Thank you Sean!
Posted 6/6/2011
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