Testimonial for Carolynn Slocum
We were so grateful to have Carolynn as our doula. She was available via text or phone outside of our prenatal visits. Carolynn had a clear and calm demeanor, with a presence that was soothing but not passive. Just what I wanted.
My labor and delivery was not what I had planned. My water broke, but contractions didn't begin. As Carolynn knew that I really wanted as natural a birth as possible, she had multiple suggestions for me to get my labor going. When nothing worked, she knew when to tell me to adjust, take a nap, and go to the hospital. When my back labor was long and difficult, she was encouraging, gave my partner breaks, and had excellent suggestions to help with pain management. I labored in numerous positions with her support, but also felt completely in MY zone. I was never doing anything that I didn't want to be, and she never felt intrusive.
After 17 hours of unmedicated labor and then 2 hours of labor after an epidural, a c-section was necessary. Though this was so far from what I had wanted for my birth experience, I felt strongly that we had tried Everything we could. I felt this so strongly in part because of Carolynn. She kept nursing staff from intruding while my partner and I meditated on our difficult decision, and we didn't have the knowledge base to try the positions and tactics that we continued with Carolynn's instruction until the very end. (This included me on all 4s, doing squats, and belly sifting all after an epidural.)
This was an intense, extraordinary, and beautiful life experience. I always felt that Carolynn kept it sacred, providing safety and level-headed calm with obvious deep care for her role and for children. I absolutely recommend her as a doula.
-Heather Ludwig
August 10, 2015
Carolynn Slocum
Birth By Design
Birth Fee: $2400 to $3000
