Testimonial for Suzanne DeSelms
Homebirth with a midwife, second child
When I became pregnant with my second baby the one piece of the birth plan I did not have to research was the doula. Suzanne is one of my oldest friends (we met in the 1st grade), and I knew she was an amazing doula, so she got the job without an interview. I’d used a different doula for my first baby (we were living in New York at the time – out of Suzanne’s range!), and I have to admit that that experience wasn’t great. But I knew Suzanne was both more knowledgeable and more inclined to provide the hands-on support I wanted. Just knowing Suzanne was on my birth team made me feel 10x more comfortable going into the homebirth I’d planned.
My second baby came quickly, and we cut the timing a little close: Suzanne arrived 34 minutes before the baby was born and the midwife arrived with just 6 minutes to spare. Still, that was a crucial 34 minutes, and things might have gone very differently if Suzanne wasn’t there! As soon as she arrived Suzanne immediately jumped in to apply counter pressure (I’d been laboring alone in the attic and doing this all myself!) and got my husband to work filling the tub. She suggested positions to help move the baby past the tight spot in my hips and recognized (even before I did) when my sounds had changed and dilatation was likely complete. Suzanne calmly but effectively communicated the fact that we needed to get downstairs and into the tub and she helped coach me through breathing to help delay pushing until the midwife arrived. I can’t imagine how scary this would have been if I were on my own. I think my husband’s reaction sums it up: “When I opened the front door and saw Suzanne standing there I’d never been happier to see anyone else at that door before!” Thanks, Suzanne; you are both a dear friend and a truly awesome doula.
~ Meg N.
-Meg Nunnally
February 01, 2017
Suzanne DeSelms
Waiting With You
Birth Fee: $2400 to $3400
