Testimonial for Rachel Soumekh
I am so thankful to have had Rachel be part of the birth of my first child. From the initial meetings and development of our birth plan, I quickly felt comforted by her calming demeanor and experienced input on various topics and laboring techniques. In the weeks leading up to labor, my wife and I would frequently communicate with Rachel on group text whether she was just checking in to see how everyone was feeling, or if we were reaching out with questions.
On the official go day, my wife started texting her just past midnight thinking she may be in early stages of labor. Rachel came to our home in about 20 minutes, realizing the signs of labor. I initially felt panicked being woken up at 1am to learn it was time, but as soon as Rachel came over I felt at ease and was able to focus on supporting my wife both physically and emotionally.
With Rachel's guidance, my wife was able to labor in the comfort of our home for a couple of hours before going to the hospital. At times I felt unsure of how to support, but Rachel encouraged me to provide counter-pressure during contractions. Having this "simple job" started my involvement in labor. By the time we got to the hospital, we had eaten, showered, remembered everything in our overnight bags, and safely arrived at a perfect time.
At the beginning of pregnancy, I did not have any idea what a doula actually was, but was happy to find one solely on the fact my wife was interested in one. As I sit here now, I can't imagine having our baby girl without Rachel's help along the way.
I highly recommend Rachel Soumekh for anyone seeking a doula in the West Los Angeles area.
-Connor McCue
November 24, 2017
Rachel Soumekh
Heart and Soul Doula
Birth Fee: $2600
