Testimonial for Jill Thompson CLD, IBI

My experience with Jill as my Doula for my first birthing experience was incredible. Had Jill not been at my side for all those hours, I don't believe 'my birth story' would have been something to look back on with fondness. I think I would simply have told people "Yeah, it sucked." But because we had Jill, I will always feel a huge sense of pride and accomplishment ("Hell yeah I did that!"), and a genuine bond with her that will last the rest of my life. If you are on the fence as to whether you 'need' a doula or not, I believe my labor story would have been something like this WITHOUT Jill: Anxiously realizing I'm actually in labor 12 days early (contrary to what doctor said would happen), wondering if/when we are supposed to head to the hospital. Husband awkwardly trying to console and encourage, me getting b*tchy and irritable b/c he is saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Me repeatedly puking on hospital blankets while husband tries to find hospital barf bowl the size of a petri dish. Husband becoming exhausted ten hours into labor and going to crash on a couch in hospital while I angrily push with nurses I don't know, feeling beyond ticked off he has the nerve to sleep while I'm in flippin' LABOR! Me wondering if I'm insane for wanting to have a baby naturally, while husband looks on in bewilderment while I continue screaming in pain. Me constantly reminding husband I need two rice packs to be reheated for my back and front, then pushing through multiple contractions without him while he tries to find a microwave nearby. Find out baby is sunnyside up and try to get into positions nurses suggest, not knowing what the crap I'm doing. Eventually having baby, exhausted but okay, having a couple blurry photos taken by hubby while he tries to aim camera over doctors and nurses, since we have zero family in town to take photos for us. (continued below)

-Erin

April 07, 2017