Testimonial for Heather Karlson (DONA)
"I've got you!" Heather repeated during my long transition. Her strong yet slim body, gentle hands and encouraging words eased me through each contraction. Gently, she told me what to expect next and reminded me how much closer to meeting my baby I was. She applied massage oils, ran water over my back, changed my positions, vocalize WITH me! She kept everything going according to our birth plan and it was blissful. She arrived quickly after my water broke and blended into our environment, gave my husband a break, encouraged our toddler and my mom to give me sips of water, hold a shower over my back, hold my hand. We all felt calm in Heather's presence. I was able to labor effectively, on my own time, as my body moved me, and arrived to the hospital at 8 cm! Heather never left my side and I never had to open my eyes, just stay focused on my body. She dealt with all hospital distractions, guiding us, moving my hips, and allowing my husband to be a part of it all. It was as if she could see through my body and tell me exactly where the baby was and what to do next, even though it meant that things would get more intense every time I moved, Heather knew it wouldn't be too long before pushing. I got into the tub at perfect timing, and 16 min later our beautiful baby girl was born! Oh, that indescribable feeling of pushing out a baby naturally, in water, surrounded by loving team, and to be the first person ever to touch your own baby. I'm grateful that Heather was an essential part of this lifetime experience for us. I give her credit for my 7-hr long birth (my first birth was 32 hrs). I feel so lucky she could fit us in amongst her homeschooling four kids, moving into a new house (and painting it), and training for a 199-mile relay race to raise money for clean water in South Sudan! On top of it all, she took beautiful pictures of our labor and birth and gave the most thoughtful present to the baby which has a special connection to her christening name.
-Asta Svedkauskaite
September 11, 2015
Heather Karlson (DONA)
DoulaKarlson.com
Birth Fee: $1800
