Testimonial for Sarah Paksima
Hiring Sarah was one of the best decisions I made about my pregnancy. While I knew I wanted an epidural, I wanted someone who could provide info., support, advocacy, and to help ward off unnecessary interventions. I learned that Sarah had experience with all kinds of child births and that her goal would be me having the ideal birth from my perspective. I spoke with 6 of her previous clients, both in the U.S. and abroad, who were thrilled with their experiences. Sarah turned out to be exactly what I wanted and needed. She talked me through signs of early labor via phone and text message. She gave me great ideas on things to buy and do to prepare, which I were very useful. When I was in labor she was at my home as soon as I needed her, and helped me do early labor for hours before going to the hospital. At the hospital, Sarah coached me through what to do to get through contractions, what monitors were doing, what examination results meant, what options I had, what to expect, how long things would take, etc. I felt completely empowered and confident, and pretty much stress-free during what I thought would be an insanely stressful time, because Sarah was there. My husband, who was supportive but skeptical, was utterly converted. Sarah was critical in helping me get far enough along to do an epidural without my having to fear slowing down labor and risking a C-section - I could not have done it without her, and I think it would have been beyond stressful for me and my husband to cope with the pain without her. After the epidural, she was critical in letting me know what was happening, what my options were, what to expect, etc. And she even stayed to help me establish breastfeeding - which was key as I didn't yet have access to a lactation consultant at Sibley Hospital during the golden hour after delivery. Sarah's follow up visit to my home helped smooth breastfeeding even more. Overall, A+, I'd recommend her to any friend as the greatest use of money imaginable!
-Katrina Kosec
May 22, 2014
Sarah Paksima
DC Birth Doulas
Birth Fee: $1500
