Testimonial for kendal smith
Kendal attended the birth of my first baby (She is my sister. However, her medical experience with emergency care and her demeanor are exactly what I would have wanted in any doula). I was 34 at the time and overweight, before getting pregnant. I planned a birth center birth with my midwife and had a pretty easy pregnancy. I went into labor a week late and spent two days at home laboring. Kendal was there for most of the time. This allowed my husband to sleep, eat and recharge, when he needed to, while Kendal gave me support through my contractions. She went on grocery runs, made me laugh, kept my husband calm and made suggestions to make me more comfortable. I ended up being taken to the hospital to be induced because I wasn't dialating. My midwife's care had to end there but it was so great to have Kendal (and my other sister) follow us to the hospital. I knew that dispite the change in birth plans, Kendal would advocate for the wishes my husband and I had written out (in case we did get transfered). She helped to dissipate my fears of going to a hospital by having so much experience and explaining things to me. After 3 days of labor, I pushed for 3 hours, with Kendal holding one of my hands and my husband holding the other. I needed a lot of guidance on how to relax between contractions. Kendal helped with counting, breath coaching and positive verbal feedback. She came to the hospital and to our house often to hold her niece and ask me what I needed and how I was feeling. Her communication style is very clear, direct and gentile. If I have another baby, she would be my first choice for a doula. I am lucky to call her my sister.
-Amy Ozer
February 28, 2017
Birth Fee: $950 to $2000
