Testimonial for Odile Penet, CD(DONA), LCCE, PES
After my husband and I made the decision to go with a natural birth, I read up on doulas being integral parts of making that goal happen. He was skeptical but agreed to go through with it. We met Odile and found her to be the best mix of what we were looking for--professional, experienced, positive, assuring and gentle.
She came through 110% on the day of our first kid's birth. She had been tied up with another client when I started early labor at home (it was the full moon after all!), and sent a backup to me. While I was disappointed, she ended up still making it to my birth after an already long day and in rush hour no less--but never showed less energy for being there with us! She was present and with us throughout my 24 hour labor. How she lasted that long with my wails, hand squeezes, cries and bad breath was beyond me.
Throughout my labor, she reassured me verbally through every contraction that I was doing fine and that it would all be over soon enough. Even when I was in so much pain and questioning natural birth, or begging her to make it stop, she remained calm and guided me through massage, counterpressure and simply holding my hands nonstop. When it came time to calm down or push, or I really needed to slow down or listen to my midwife, Odile was able to connect with me eye-to-eye through the craziness of what I was feeling, switch tones and be firm with me; my husband reflects that he was wavering at this point, but seeing Odile's resolve got him through it too.
When baby arrived, she immediately had juice ready for me to drink. It was the best drink I ever took in my life. It was as if she knew exactly what to get me every time! After my birth, I felt such a connection to Odile and am so happy that she was a part of our birth. She is my kindred spirit and one day baby will hear a lot about her. If we ever have a second child we are undoubtedly going with Odile!
-Jennifer Chiang
November 15, 2014
Odile Penet, CD(DONA), LCCE, PES
My Birth Companion, LLC
Birth Fee: Not specified
