Testimonial for Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA)
tl;dr - Having Laura as our birth doula was the single best decision we made with regard to the birth of our daughter.
Our relationship with Laura started with private birth classes - our schedule didn't work with the dates of her group classes, but she was able to accommodate us, and the cost was not that much more! She had wonderful recommendations for books to read, exercises to do, and other ways for both of us to prepare for the birth. The classes felt totally individualized - a conversation among the three of us, not just a lecture.
Having Laura as our advocate in the hospital was priceless. It was 13 days after my due date, so I'd scheduled an induction, but started contractions that morning; I wanted an unmedicated birth and the contractions gave me hope I might not need the induction after all. My doctor suggested I come in as scheduled to see how things were progressing. Though my doctors (Summit Medical Group) had approved my birth plan, once I got to the hospital (Morristown), you wouldn't have thought they had ever seen it before, as they tried to pressure me into intervention after intervention, despite the fact that my labor was progressing fine on its own. Talking with Laura gave us the courage to push back, to decline interventions, and to postpone the induction till morning. When the nurse woke me at 4am (the time we'd negotiated), I was 7cm dilated - enough to avoid the induction altogether! I texted Laura, and she was in my hospital room an hour later. She knew what to ask for - the birth ball, the wireless monitor - and walked the halls with me as my contractions got stronger and closer together. She kept me laughing, kept me moving and changing positions, and kept me focused on the task my body knew how to do. She took photos while I was in labor that I'm so grateful to have. At 11am, I gave birth to a healthy 9lb3oz girl - the way I had wanted to. Thank you, Laura, for helping to make that happen!
-Gwyneth Connell and Scott Ross
June 27, 2017
Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA)
Holistic Beginnings,LLC
Birth Fee: $1200 to $2400
Postpartum Rate: $50 to $60
