Testimonial for Jen Hamilton, BS, Full Spectrum Doula, IBCLC from Elizabeth Marriett

Testimonial for Jen Hamilton, BS, Full Spectrum Doula, IBCLC

As a doula, it was a great dissapointment and really dark stain on what should have been a really joyful, safe day. Baby was not descending and providers had a last ditch intervention before C Section. During this time, I rested on a birthing ball. This was Jen's opportunity to try and educate my husband and I about what to expect if this didn't work, instead she slept. I understand working in the wee hours of the night goes against circadian rythym, but I needed her to educate us and help us emotionally prepare for what was most likely to come. I actually wept at other people's reviews here seeing how she showed up for them and was a voice of confidence and education, in order to help families make informed choices and still feel empowered and safe, even if things are going unexpectedly. We didn't have that. In our post partum visit at our home a few days later, she didn't apologize for this, but explained she (and the team) were very tired doulas after many births that month. I had no idea what to expect and felt so very scared and alone on that ball. Hours later, when a C section was called, there had to be another catheter placed. I couldn't stop sobbing and shaking on the table, Jen stood by, within arm's reach and didn't utter a word, she froze. Just watched while I so desperately needed her to advocate for me and just speak up. When she didn't, my husband tried. A birthing partner should not have to be a laboring person's advocate when there is a paid doula present. I was traumatized and in shock at that point, and due to the lack of education from hours before that, I had no idea why the pace of everything and mood changed immediately when a crash C Section was called. I had no idea what to expect, and was alone and scared in an OR. The birth of our first baby was the most humiliating, unsafe, confusing, and terrifying day of my life, and Jen could have mitigated some of this by advocating for me and educating us.

-Elizabeth Marriett

October 24, 2025