Testimonial for Joanne Dahill from Stephanie Williams

Testimonial for Joanne Dahill

Joanne unexpectedly became a key part of my successful VBAC and was truly an angel that appeared at the most perfect time during a long and stalled labor with my second child, as I was on the brink of facing another unwanted c-section. I had another doula lined up to be by my side during my birthing time, and she was there and was wonderful, yet I found myself needing a little extra push. I followed the Hynobabies hypnobirthing program, of which both Joanne and Brittany are certified doulas. When it came down to it, the fear of a repeat cesarean and the anxiety of being in a hospital setting tripped me up and stalled progress. After laboring for hours, I asked my doula if there was anything else we could try. I knew she had another doula friend in mind who specializes in massage therapy (enter Joanne!!) and she can almost always jump start labor, so I asked if we could call her on the off chance she might be available for a labor encouragement massage. Joanne said she'd gladly come to the hospital and she was with me from 10:30 am-12 noon. The crazy thing is that I had contacted Joanne myself a few days earlier to schedule a labor encouragement massage if I had not gone into labor on my own by a certain day. She brought Rescue Remedy lozenges and the most wonderful smelling essential oils to massage me with, which immediately calmed and relaxed me. By noon, I knew things were progressing by the contractions, my midwife checked me and I was in active labor. My mind and body got the message and I fully dilated within minutes, and after pushing for a half hour, my daughter was born. I went from a stalled labor lasting over 9 hours to my daughter being born within 2 hours of seeing Joanne. I believe that I could not have done it without her; her skilled hands and calming presense are just what was needed to help me to deeper relax and she gave me the confidence to do what my body was meant to do.

-Stephanie Williams

May 29, 2017