Testimonial for Susan Rotman, AAHCC, CD(DONA)
From Sam's parents: We knew that we wanted a natural childbirth, but we weren’t sure how to best prepare. Our midwives highly recommended Susan’s class, and we are so glad that they did. Taking the class was the most helpful thing we did to prepare –far more useful than the many books we attempted to read. We felt Susan prepared us for practically every scenario. We really felt that nothing could happen during the birth that Susan hadn’t discussed in some manner. (Mom’s note: During the birth I can remember thinking “Susan said this would happen/I would think/feel this…”) About halfway through the course we decided to hire Susan as our doula. We wanted to have a back-up person there to help remind us of all we had learned. Perhaps one of the most important things we learned from Susan is that birth is unpredictable. (Sure, everyone knows this, but Susan made that point sink in.) And, sure enough, our birth did not proceed according to our plan. Our baby came two-weeks early and very quickly. Though we had planned on having Sam at a birth center, we ended up at the hospital at 3 in the morning with a rapidly progressing birth. Susan was at the hospital immediately after we called her, despite having no prior warning. Having her with us was incredibly comforting. This hospital and the staff were completely unfamiliar, and Susan was the one person who knew us and knew our birth plan. She was able to communicate our plan to the OB on call, and calmly coached us through the birth. When we hired Susan, we thought it was so we would have the extra support through a long and difficult labor. Ultimately, having her there during the quick birth in the unfamiliar setting was probably more valuable. She is clearly an expert in what she does, and she communicates that expertise in a kind, nonjudgmental manner. Susan simply feels “safe,” and that’s exactly what you want to feel when having a baby.
-Karen Erikson
August 10, 2014
Susan Rotman, AAHCC, CD(DONA)
Rotman Education Services, LLC
Birth Fee: $2000 to $2500
