Testimonial for Char Char Perkins RN LCCE, CD(DONA)
Char was absolutely critical in our achieving a VBAC birth with our second son. The difference in our experience of labor and delivery from first to second child was due to the addition of Char as our doula. Our first son was born via emergency c-section after approximately 20 hours of labor. During that time, we felt at a loss for what to do to help our process along. The hospital was very busy during the time we labored there, and we received little help from the overloaded nursing and midwife staff. This time we knew we wanted things to be different, so we hired Char as a way to insure that we had a constant support to help us through. Char's expert knowledge of the birthing process comes not only from her training as a doula, but also as an RN and birth educator. Her skills and calming personal presence helped us by suggesting positions, natural pain relief such as massage, movement and breathing. She also helped support us in deciding to use medical intervention like the epidural I received at 6 cms (we were wary about receiving an epidural, but it ended up being a decision that helped us avoid another C section when the interior of my cervix started swelling due to the way the baby was pressing against the cervix). She also had the communication skills and expert knowledge to consult with midwives and doctors to ensure we could continue to progress towards a natural birth. In other words, she went to bat for us to ensure that, difficult as it was, we could end up with our desired vaginal birth. I can't say enough about the value of a doula for labor and delivery. Char was well worth the nominal fee she charges. We will be forever grateful to her for helping us achieve the kind of birth we were hoping for!
-Eleanor Kiel
October 19, 2010
Char Char Perkins RN LCCE, CD(DONA)
Journey2Birth
Birth Fee: $800 to $1000
