Testimonial for DC Birth Doulas, LLC
My husband and I decided late in the game (36 weeks!) to try to get a doula for the birth of our first child. A friend had used one of the DC Birth Doulas (Sara Baum) for the birth of her second child and suggested I look into the group. We didn’t consider another doula/group, but I really have no regrets—DC Birth Doulas was fantastic.
The group’s approach to providing support was exactly in line with what we were looking for. Although I wanted to go for a natural childbirth, I knew that I might have to consider medical interventions or medications that hoped to not have to use—and that was OK with me. The group also seemed very flexible and did not have a rigid “natural childbirth or nothing” philosophy—which I was a bit concerned about as my husband and I considered whether to use a doula.
I now can’t imagine going through labor and delivery without a doula—the care and support I received from the hospital staff and providers was extremely limited. As first time parents, my husband and I would have been lost without a doula! The doula who supported us during my labor and delivery was Sarah Paksima. We had numerous calls with Sarah throughout early labor and prior to going to the hospital. I didn’t feel like I needed her as I labored at home, but I’m sure she would have been there had we needed her. She joined us at the hospital, where Sarah provided comfort measures directly to me, and also gave my husband suggestions and techniques for helping me get through active labor (about 7 or 8 hours). She helped us get through the first breastfeeding session after our baby’s birth. She also came to our house for a postpartum visit and helped us with breastfeeding issues (my main concern at the time). If you’re new to the doula concept, it may seem like steep fee to hire one, but I really can’t reiterate how much we feel that this was money extremely well spent.
-Sarabeth Zemel
January 25, 2015
Birth Fee: $800 to $2100
Postpartum Rate: $50 to $60
