Testimonial for Joyce Havinga-Droop CD(DONA), CLC, SpBCPE, BRM Pro
I don't think I could have had the birth (or pregnancy!) I wanted without Joyce there with me. I had a physically easy pregnancy but emotionally I was a wreck half the time-made worse by the fact it took me by total surprise. I really thought I would be happy I was pregnant but just couldn't get my head around it and felt miserable most of the time - well until I spoke to Joyce. After just the inital visit she made me feel 100x better about everything and it felt like no worry was too small to share with her - she addressed all of them even if it was just to tell me it's ok to have those fears or worries. I knew within minutes I wanted her as my doula.
My little boy was born 8 weeks early - a total surprise. Joyce wasn't even supposed to be on call for his birth yet! I had a home birth planned and the day he was born I went into the hospital for just an ultrasound but instead I found out he was well on his way and most likely will be born later that day! My husband contacted Joyce to tell her the baby's coming and she came right away. I was so scared especially since it was my first time in a hospital and I was already hooked up to an iv - a far cry from this perfect homebirth I was expecting to happen 2 months from now. Her calm presence and knowledge of birth in a hospital as well as knowing what I wanted was indispensible. She coached me on what questions to ask the staff so I could stay informed and have a say in what they did to me. It wasn't the birth I pictured but I felt safe and almost relaxed the whole time she was there. I was able to have my homebirth in a hospital thanks to her coaching - grounding me during the hardest part of labor so I had no interventions and could focus fully on the birth. She continues to be a huge help now showing me how to pump milk for my baby while he's in the nicu and I'm home with a milk oversupply and engorgement issues. Anyone would be truly lucky to have her as their doula.
-Anna Lopez
October 16, 2015
Joyce Havinga-Droop CD(DONA), CLC, SpBCPE, BRM Pro
BirthAmbassador
Birth Fee: $3250 to $4500
