Testimonial for Susan Rotman, AAHCC, CD(DONA)
Asking Susan to join us for our son’s birth was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made. We never imagined having a doula. But after taking Susan’s course, we fell in love with her personality and energy.
Once Susan agreed to join our team, we felt SUCH relief. We had prepared the best we could but there were always lingering concerns—What if labor was more difficult than imagined? What if the hospital environment felt sterile and unwelcoming? Once we knew Susan would be with us that day, we were reassured that we could roll with anything unexpected.
We’re certainly glad of that, because labor was entirely different than we expected! Rather than experiencing typical contractions, I had back labor and cramping that lasted more than 24 hours and was much more intense that I could have expected. Still, throughout the day I felt extremely calm. I just listened to my husband and Susan and they helped me surrender to each contraction. Without Susan’s presence, I know I wouldn’t have been this pleasant…She got me to drink the smoothie my husband made me, do lunges, and more. My poor husband would have tried to coach me to do each of these, but I know I would have been a twerp without Susan there giving me discipline and reminding me that this was all crucial to sustain my energy. The two worked together beautifully to keep me calm and help me progress just like I needed to.
We finally headed to the hospital and achieved what my husband and I had wanted—showing up so far along that interventions wouldn’t be possible! We were only in the hospital for about 1.5 hrs before we met our son. I must have said “I’m so proud!” twenty times the first day we were with him. I felt so empowered being so fully present when I met my son. Susan’s calm, firm, and supportive presence made the whole birth experience possible.
- Dorothy Ohl
-Dorothy Smith Ohl
July 06, 2016
Susan Rotman, AAHCC, CD(DONA)
Rotman Education Services, LLC
Birth Fee: $2000 to $2500
