Testimonial for Laura Fortner, CD(DONA) from Loana-Noemi Morales-Basquill

Testimonial for Laura Fortner, CD(DONA)

I have always been afraid of childbirth. I was thrilled to learn that I was going to have a baby, but the thought of childbirth gave me such anxiety that it rivalled the nausea of morning sickness.

It was time for me to embrace the inevitable. Like with all things that have given me fear over the years, I did research on giving birth. I realized that what scared me was the fact that giving birth in a hospital meant that I would experience labor in a cold hospital room, freezing and hopped up on chemicals that could potentially hurt my baby. It would be an environment that was slate gray and antiseptic. THis was not the first atmosphere I wanted my baby to experience when coming into the world.

My dear friend Laura was one of the first people I called to give the news of my pregnancy. As a close friend, she had experienced with me some of the many stages of life and had been a great source of support for me though them all. Not to mention the fact that I wanted her to be my doula.

She had always been an advocate of natural birthing, and had given birth to two of her children with the help of a doula. Her experience moved her to what I feel is her true calling. She felt so strongly about these experiences that she became a doula herself.

Through the months, she provided me with any articles and videos that would help me to get over my fear of the "Big Day". Laura's commitment to education really helped me to convince my husband & family members, whom I wanted to accept my wishes, that this was a safe and common choice for women. She eased them into it, in such a way that when Taissa was born, they could not imagine the birth going any other way except with loved ones surrounding her. They acted as if it was THEIR idea, but it was really Laura who helped them come round.

I wasnt scared when the day came because she helped me be brave.

-Loana-Noemi Morales-Basquill

June 06, 2014