Testimonial for Virginia Rivenbark, AdvCD(DONA), LCCE, CLC
If you think you want a doula and live within Virginia's travel range, hire her! I had peace of mind from the time I hired her until weeks after my baby (my first) was born.
I knew I wouldn't have to wonder, will I have a decent chance during labor at having my voice heard? Will I feel run over and then regret not speaking up? Will things go off the rails and I'll just feel like a victim? Nope nope and nope. I knew that having Virginia as a voice to remind me of my options and as a support would make me feel better about everything. And she made all the difference in the world! From simply reminding me that I didn't have to wear the enormous, heavy and hot hospital gowns (I was hot enough already and wanted to labor in my own clothes) to tirelessly rubbing my back, giving counter pressure and telling me over and over to slow my breathing (very helpful and not at all annoying - I needed it!), she kept me calm, as comfortable as possible and helped me have confidence to labor how I wanted to.
I was also surprised by another good aspect: I was able to talk about my labor and delivery with Virginia a week after my son was born and she gave me her perspective on how things went, along with her timeline of events. It was unexpectedly helpful to have an outside perspective of how things went, tell me when things happened and her professional opinion on things. It helped me to know what a good experience I had, when otherwise I would question whether I should have done things differently. She reassured me that things went very well and even told me something I wish I would've asked for (the only thing I would've changed) would not have been possible. Now I'm very glad I didn't ask! She also gave me excellent breastfeeding ideas since my son had a shallow latch.
All in all, invaluable. Not even joking, the first thing I will do if I'm ever pregnant again, God willing, is call Viriginia immediately and hire her.
-Rachel Grimm
September 04, 2017
Virginia Rivenbark, AdvCD(DONA), LCCE, CLC
Preparing for Birth and Beyond, LLC
Birth Fee: $1200 to $1500
