Cara Salomone

5/14/2021

Bronwyn is such a light! Her warm, calm, supportive presence is exactly what you want at and leading up to your delivery.

As others have expressed, my husband and I were not very familiar with the work of doulas, but Bronwyn gave us a helpful overview in our first video call together and patiently answered our many questions ?? She made us feel incredibly comfortable and heard right away – she offered various options for calls and meet ups during covid, ensuring that my husband and I got the support we needed.

Bronwyn has a gift for connecting with people and putting them at ease. Our first in person meeting gave me, at 36 weeks pregnant, a beautiful space to discuss my hopes and fears regarding birth. Bronwyn’s deep listening skills and many years of experience as a doula shined as she shared both emotional support and lots of helpful techniques and information. She was on call for us leading up to our delivery and a reassuring voice when my son had not yet arrived a week past his due date.

And of course, I was SO grateful she was there during my labor and delivery! She advocated for my preferences, offered suggestions as she saw me stalling or needing a change, encouraged my husband as he supported me, and affirmed me in times I felt weak and needed inspiration. Because she was there, I was able to focus solely on laboring. She was the perfect balance of calm and decisive; she anticipated so many needs I didn’t even know I had. She took pictures for us, made sure my husband and I ate well, and kept track of us and our stuff as we moved about the hospital.

It was wonderful to check in with her post birth and relive the experience through the detailed timeline she wrote, too. Getting to process my birth experience through that conversation is something I will forever be grateful for. Bronwyn is called to this profession, and we hope she will be at any future births in our family!  

Ashby

1/4/2021

We found Bronwyn's page after deciding that we wanted to hire a doula to support both my husband and me wih the birth of our 1st baby. After our initial Zoom session (due to COVID) with Bronwyn, we both felt that Bronwyn’s warm and calming demeanor was just the type of presence we wanted.

During my pregnancy, Bronwyn was available to answer any questions or concerns that we had. Around 35 wks, I found out that our baby was transverse and that I would have to schedule a C section if the baby didn't flip. When I shared this with Bronwyn, she sent over several resources to help encourage the baby to flip. She even came to our home to show us exercises to help the baby to move. More than this, she took the time to listen to our concerns, hopes, and fears about the birthing process. Bronwyn offered endless reassurance AND education to help better inform/ease my anxiety. Ultimately, it worked and the baby flipped!

While laboring at the hospital, Bronwyn remembered things that we had discussed wanting in our birth plan  and began working seamlessly with the hospital staff to make that possible. This was amazing as both my husband and I were distracted and I could not think as to what might be helpful in the moment. When I decided it was time for some pain relief, she discussed options with us in an unbiased, supportive way which helped me to feel empowered in making the decision that felt right for me.

During the birth, Bronwyn did everything from holding my one of my legs, to taking pictures of the birth, to trying to help me get my daughter latch. She even ordered us breakfast and took all of our stuff to our recovery room!

I would hire Bronwyn 100x over. The birth of our daughter felt joyous and remarkable; Bronwyn played a big role in that. We are sad the ‘birthing’ part is over as Bronwyn played such a special role in our lives. Bronwyn is such a smart, sweet, supportive, and kind woman; we will miss her!

Leslie and Mike Guido

4/10/2020

I consider myself a strong person, but I don't know how I could have done it without Bronwyn. 

TLDR: I feel lucky & blessed to have found Bronwyn on Doulamatch.net. 

I interviewed 4 doulas who were all wonderful but after speaking with Bronwyn, I had an intuitive feeling she was the right one for us. I'm almost 3 weeks post partum with my first healthy baby girl and when I began looking into doulas, I was about 60% sure I wanted a doula to be part of my birth experience. My husband was less convinced at first, but felt immediately assured upon meeting with Bronwyn at our first in-person consultation and eventually (even prior to delivery) said "this is the most worthwhile money we've spent in a long time".

I can truly say that my birth experience might have been completely different without Bronwyn's coaching. When we were faced with hard decisions (to induce or not at 41 weeks 5 days) she never told us what to do, but helped us get to a place where we could gather all the facts and feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for us. My husband and I discussed with the doctors and decided to take misoprostol to push things along and went home to labor. Bronwyn came to our home and labored with me up to 7cm, before I headed to the hospital. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic and we could have no more than 1 support person, unfortunately Bronwyn couldn't attend our delivery...but her courageous and calming presence, doula magic, plus spinning baby techniques got me laboring all the way to the hospital where I spent about 3 hours before I pushed our little one out. It was a hard but beautiful labor but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Had my L&D gone differently, I'm confident I would still feel the same pride and empowerment I felt largely because of Bronwyn's support in the process. 

Demi Harvey

2/3/2020

I have hired Bronwyn for both of my births and would recommend her to anyone looking for birth support. Bronwyn was an integral part of my birth story. I felt empowered and educated in my first birth after taking her class and at ease after each of our prenatal visits as she helped us make a birth plan. 
Bronwyn is always prepared for the unexpected and helped us navigate birth in a birth center and as well as a hospital setting. My husband told her we "will never have a baby without you" and I completely agree. 
I had one short and sweet labor with my first and a long and rewarding labor with my second. Bronwyn was there to make sure my husband was taken care of and I was as comfortable as I could be. She made sure we ate, drank, and rested throughout the whole labor which I believe is how I was able to labor successfully. 
Bronwyn's presence is calming and her experience is unmatched. Hire her, you won't regret it!  

Toby M.

1/16/2020

I could not recommend Bronwyn more highly. Bronwyn helped me and my spouse think through and talk about and prepare for the birth of our son. Whenever we had a question or concern, we felt comfortable raising the issue with her, and she always had calm and helpful feedback. I was so much less afraid of the childbirth process once we had met with her and knew she would be there to help us through. When I went into labor (in the middle of the night, of course), just hearing her voice on the phone reminded me of our plan, and that everything was going to be ok. She helped us feel confident in our decision about when to go to the hospital, and I remember so clearly seeing her when she met us there. 

Bronwyn was truly collaborative with the nurses -- she worked closely with them and was therefore able to help us understand what was going on. Because of that good relationship that she formed so easily, she was even able to convince the hospital staff to let my husband stay in the room and hold my hand when I got an epidural, and to let both her and my husband into the operating room for my eventual unplanned C-section. Because of our conversations and preparations and her efforts during the labor process, the surgery didn't feel like a failure to me, and I felt more in control of the process. In the OR, she held my hand and shared just the right amount of information. When my spouse wouldn't leave my side during the surgery, she went to watch the baby's first moments in the world, and reported back. 

Bronwyn stayed with us in recovery, and helped the baby start breastfeeding right away. Overall, she was a crucial and joyful part of my experience of having a baby. She has been a tremendous resource to our family, and my spouse and I genuinely enjoyed the time we spent with her. Seven months later, we still miss her and talk about her. I wish everyone could have the care and support that I had from working with Bronwyn. 

Jessica Prickett

9/24/2018

I would highly recommend Bronwyn as a doula.  She was a beacon of peace for my husband and I throughout my first pregnancy.  I ended up having some complications later in my pregnancy and Bronwyn was a huge support for us during that time.  Everytime we were with her, she would fill us with peace and confidence to know we could make the best decisions possible for our baby and the labor process.  She is a fantastic listener, incredibly knowledgable and very supportive.  Our ideal birth plan was using the Bradley method and she was very supportive of this and a great aid in the process. During the labor, her presence helped me feel calm and confident.  She communicated very well with my husband throughout the labor process making me fell like I had a strong support team.  She is respectful of your desires and will be with you throughout the entire process.  She visited us after the birth and encourgaed us as first time parents.  She is very comfortable to be around and it is evident that she cares deeply for her clients.

Katie Sullivan

9/17/2018

Hiring Bronwyn was certainly one of the best decisions we've made as a couple.  This was my first pregnancy and everything felt like such a huge unknown.  Working with Bronwyn was everything I hoped for and so much more.  She provided us with so much helpful information and support in the weeks leading up to the birth-- a time when your anxiety is starting to build for sure!  Once I began early labor, it was incredible knowing I had someone as knowledgable and kind as Bronwyn to lead me through it.  She has such a calming personality, she is truly a beautiful person inside and out.

Beyonod that, she was critical in the healthy delivery of my baby girl.  With her support, I was able to labor at the house much longer than I ever thought I could.  When my labor stalled later on, and doctors were starting to talk of C section, Bronwyn coached me through movements that got things going again.  I credit her so much with our safe delivery.

If you're on the fence about hiring a doula, I'd highly recommend that you do it.  And if you're lucky enough to work with Bronwyn then you are very, very lucky indeed!  My husband and I already agreed that she'll be there at our next birth as well.

Rachel Ratchford

9/15/2018

Bronwyn was highly recommended to me by a friend, and while I probably could have given birth without her, boy am I glad I didn't! Initially, my husband was skeptical about hiring a doula ("wait, so she's just there to like...rub your back?"), but now he is a total convert. To this day, he and I tell people that it was the best decision we ever made during our birth planning.

I had a long and painful 36 hour labor -- and Bronwyn was by our side the whole time. Not only did she help me through the birth of my daughter, but she helped my husband through it as well. It's no small thing to see someone you love go through this experience, and having someone he could talk to helped keep him sane.

Beforehand, Bronwyn respected my wishes to go medication-free and shared coping techniques for the pain -- even told me what to expect. Thanks to her, i was ready when the nurses said it was time to push. Did I mention she held my leg?! Well, one of them -- my husband held the other ;-)

Honestly, she is like family to us now and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Just hire her already. Whatever kind of birth experience you're planning, Bronwyn will be supportive and helpful and you will thank yourself for having had the foresight to enlist her services. So will your partner ;-)

Monica McEnrue

4/24/2018

Words can't describe how much Bronwyn means to my husband and me. We could not have gone through labor, delivery, and postpartum without her by our sides. Our first meeting with Bronwyn was over Skype - she was kind enough to take time out of a family trip abroad to speak with us. We knew immediately we wanted her to be our birth doula. We agreed to meet her in person a few weeks before our baby was due, but my water broke four weeks before my due date, and Bronwyn immediately came to the hospital, despite the fact that we had not yet met. We instantly felt calmer once she arrived. She helped us work through the medical staff's suggestions, and at every check-in from our midwife/the nurses, we looked to Bronwyn and she reassured us. She encouraged us to eat and rest and walked the halls with us. We chatted like old friends. Both my husband and I felt we'd known her for years. As my contractions grew stronger, Bronwyn supported me, physically and emotionally, in working through them. Even more, she helped my husband support me. It was only after the dust settled that I learned just how much behind-the-scenes assistance (again, physical and emotional) Bronwyn gave him. She continued to support us in the weeks after our daughter's birth. She visited us at home to see how we were settling into life as new parents. When I began to experience PPD/PPA, Bronwyn gave me and my husband resources to help us navigate. She never stopped being a steady support to both of us. I could go on, but the bottom line is that neither my husband nor I could have made it through our daughter's early arrival or the weeks that followed without Bronwyn. She is warm, caring, steady and calm. She approached our labor and delivery with optimism and joy. She helped us through the most intense, frightening and elating experience of our lives. It was an honor to have her with us for those amazing moments, and we feel lucky to have found her.

Ashlee Earl

11/30/2017

It's hard to capture in a brief review just how special Bronwyn is. As we prepared for our first child to arrive, Bronwyn proved to be the steady hand and heart we needed to survive - and thrive - throughout the experience. Our first impressions of her were that she was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and all-together wonderful. Leading up to the birth, she spent a great deal of time getting to know us, asking thoughtful questions and listening with genuine intent. Through her guidance we developed a birth plan, gained techniques for relaxation and self-care, learned how my partner could best support me throughout the birthing process, planned our logistics, and more - all of which was uniquely tailored to our needs.

Perhaps Bronwyn’s best quality, however, is her innate gift for empathy and care giving. During the birthing process she was the calming presence and coach I needed: she transformed our hospital room into a comfortable environment, adapted her supports to my ever changing needs, and gave me the constant reassurance I craved. Her soft tone and ability to authentically listen and anticipate my needs made an unexpected (read stressful!) delivery day truly wonderful.

The day we met our son will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we will never forget the indispensable and loving role Bronwyn played.

Melissa Curtis

11/28/2016

I only have amazing things to say about my birth experience with Bronwyn. She was recommended to me by a friend, and my husband and I knew we made the right choice to work with her as soon as we met her. She has the experience, but there is so much more that's needed which she provided. She is friendly, warm, supportive and reliable. She understands that a birthing experience is different for everyone, so customizes your birthing plan with you and is flexible on the day to cater to your needs. I am so glad we chose Bronwyn to help us through the birth of my first child. I look back on the day with such fondness and positivity, which is in large part due to her presence and support during my delivery.

Leora Greene

5/3/2016

Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to Bronwyn for being our Doula. Her calm presence helped me get through the labor of my first baby. Bronwyn worked with my husband and I in the months leading up to the labor to put our hopes and wishes into place and challenged us to think through some of the decisions we would make during the labor and delivery. She was always there when I had a quick question, or to talk through conversations that were had with my OB-GYN.

As my labor progressed as wonderful as she was for me, she supported my husband and always assured him that the pain was normal, I was OK, and together we were doing great. She was texting with us and came to our house as my labor progressed. Once at the hospital, Bronwyn helped me stay focused, breath through contractions, use techniques to stay as comfortable as one can. When I ultimately decided to get an Epidural after hours of labor at home and the hospital, she supported me in making the decision that was best for my body.

My labor/delivery experience was as positive as it was because Bronwyn was there with us. She was a great asset to my husband and for me.

Laura Papia

3/17/2015

Bronwyn is amazing! We were so blessed to have her as a doula for the births of both of our boys (Feb 2013 and Sept 2014). For both births, we were able to follow our birth plan and have natural non-medicated births. It truly wouldn't have been possible without Bronwyn! Her presence freed up my husband to just pay attention to supporting me, praying with me, and rubbing my back without having to also time the contractions. It also enabled us to do much more of the labor in the comfort of our home rather than in the hospital.

Bronwyn is incredibly peaceful. She helps you relax and actually enjoy the labor, reminding you that each contraction is bringing you closer to meeting your little one.

She is also incredibly knowlegable. With our first birth, I had a lot of back pain and she showed my husband where to apply pressure to ease the pain. With our second birth, my water broke, but the contractions were slow in coming, so she gave us a few natural ways to induce contractions. It worked and I didn't have to go on any inducing drugs.

I am so thankful for Bronwyn and the work that she does. I highly recommend her.

Ashley Zanders

11/9/2013

There really isn't enough space to describe how important and amazing of a doula Browyn was for my birth. She was recommended to us by a friend and from the moment I met her I knew she was someone I wanted to assist me in my attempt at a VBAC. Although I ended with another c-section and an amazing little girl, I would not have made it through as long as I did without her warm encouraging assistance through my 18 hours of labor. What amazed me the most was how supportive she was during the the actual c-section. She was with me in the operating room supporting me by holding my hand and rubbing my forehead through the operation and she was there right after I had my baby, sitting by my bedside and soothing me during a very intense time. I was so happy to have her with me as my husband had to be with our newborn soon after she was born. It was so nice to have her with me after the surgery. Brownyn is professional, knowledgeable and is passionate about her work as a doula. I could not recommend her enough.

Katelyn Carney

8/9/2013

Just as I read time and again when researching doulas while pregnant, I don't think I could have had the birth experience I hoped for and experienced without Bronwyn. My (first) pregnancy was uncomplicated and "normal" until I was hospitalized with bleeding and contractions at 32 weeks. We had interviewed several doulas already and had signed on with Bronwyn because both my husband and I immediately connected with her during the interview. She is so very genuine and compassionate, but she also really struck me as someone who thinks things through carefully and deliberately. It was important to me that the doula we chose would help me trust my body and the naturalness of birthing while also recognizing that in some cases medical intervention actually is necessary. She seemed like someone who would be able to work well with the medical team if it became necessary. Thankfully, that turned out to be the case. Once I was hospitalized, I was quickly transferred from the associated Birth Center hospital to one with a level 3 NICU just in case the baby came early. We had not even had our first prenatal visit with Bronwyn yet; however, when I called her and explained what was happening, she offered to come do our first visit in the hospital "just in case." Although the setting was not what any of us had been expecting, I am so glad she was flexible because I went into labor two days later and the baby came the next day! It was not the Birth Center birth I had imagined, but Bronwyn was amazing at creating a peaceful environment and supporting my desires for an unmedicated birth. She fit right in with the other members of my birthing team (husband and mother), helped them support me and also was well respected by the nurses and doctors. She helped me feel safe and loved, and at the postnatal visit, she reminded me of all the wonderful things about my baby's birth. She is a kind and beautiful person and I feel so blessed to know her.

Elana Anastasio

7/21/2013

We were so lucky to find Bronwyn and be able to have her present at our daughter's birth. During my pregnancy, Bronwyn came and met with my husband and I a number of times so that we could discuss in depth what was most important to us and come up with a birth plan that fit our desires. She also spent some time with us going over different labor positions ahead of time which was really helpful. Most importantly, she really made us feel at ease throughout the experience.

I had an unexpectedly long and complicated labor and can't imagine going through it without Bronwyn at my side. She was there checking in with us and came as soon as we requested her presence. Throughout my labor, Bronwyn was a wonderful source of energy and encouragement and peaceful support. She and my husband worked wonderfully together in guiding me through contractions and making sure I felt comfortable with the choices we made throughout my labor experience. There was a lot going on around us during my labor because of various complications and Bronwyn really helped us be able to focus on the labor and not get caught up in everything else. When asked about it, my husband said that Bronwyn was really helpful in giving him perspective when things weren't going as we had planned/hoped, and that he really appreciated and enjoyed the beautiful experience we had with her help. After the birth, Bronwyn also stayed with me for a few hours at a time of high anxiety when my baby had to get an IV (and my husband went with her). Bronwyn made sure I was fully settled before leaving.

I really cannot imagine having gone through the overwhelming and painful labor without both her and my husband by my side, encouraging me, massaging my back and giving counter pressure, and holding my hands. I can't recommend her enough. We already hope that we'll be able to have Bronwyn at the birth of our second child!

Elizabeth Schulz

4/23/2013

As one who provides prenatal care in the traditional medical model, I cannot express how highly I respect the role of the doula, and particularly that of Bronwyn Sheppard. She executes her vital role in the team model with great skill, excellence, and compassion.I was privileged to receive the benefit of Bronwyn’s skills as a doula during my pregnancy in 2011 and also postpartum. Bronwyn is passionate about life in the broadest sense – as a mother of two herself, a lover of life and adventure, and through ushering in life anew in her role as a doula.

The most remarkable gift of having Bronwyn with me was that of her presence – she was calm yet acted swiftly and without fanfare when needed, she listened intently and without judgment, she was timely in knowing when I needed encouragement and when I needed silence, she was steady and focused, and her skill, efficiency, and past experience brought me comfort as I knew I was in good hands. Bronwyn’s role as my doula was unique and I never once felt that she overshadowed that of my husband’s; in fact they complemented each other very well. Bronwyn was irreplaceable, especially on the day of labor and delivery.

She exudes a keen discernment of unspoken emotion and need at such a vulnerable time in a new mother’s life, and this not only demonstrated during the day of labor and delivery, but in the process at large from prenatal days of anticipation to postpartum emotions, healing, and transition. She embodies a holistic approach, and it seems that this isnot only in her role as a doula, but also throughout the philosophy of her personal daily life and rhythm. Throughout her support as my doula I felt thoroughly celebrated as a pregnant woman and new mother. I am truly honored to have shared in a deep part of life’s experience with her.

Elizabeth Schulz, MPAS, PA-C