Testimonial for Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA) from Samantha Park

Testimonial for Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA)

Working with Laura was an amazing experience! As a first time mom, I was very nervous about giving birth. The best thing I did to feel more prepared was to take Laura's birth class. We met with a small group of expectant parents each week for nine weeks at Laura's house. At each class, Laura walked us through the birth process and what to expect at every stage. We even spent one session doing a "birth rehearsal" so we could practice the techniques she taught us. My husband and I loved these classes - we felt empowered by the information, and it was also something productive to do during those last weeks of pregnancy and waiting for our baby to arrive. Because we went to Laura's home each week, we felt so comfortable with her. When the day finally came and I went into labor, Laura came to my house at 2am and helped me stay calm and at home as long as possible before going to the hospital. In my birth plan, I wasn't fully committed to going without medication - I wanted to see how things went - but with Laura's coaching during labor, I felt so strong and in control that I ended up not wanting an epidural. Laura was an incredible advocate for me and got my doctor to let me go off the fetal monitor for some periods and use the shower - this typically wasn't permitted in my hospital. She and my husband coached me through each contraction and I was able to sleep / even talk and smile in between! I ended up needing a c-section because my baby was facing forward, but I felt truly supported by my whole birth team who allowed me to try everything before making the call for the emergency c. Although it didn't go as planned, my birth experience was transformative. Laura helped me discover how strong I could be and how much I was capable of. It marked the transition for me to becoming a mother. I highly recommend Laura as a doula and could not be happier to have found her.

-Samantha Park

February 10, 2017