Testimonial for Alyson Mancini CD(DONA), BA Birth/Newborn Photographer
Alyson is absolutely an angel! I was very hestitant to hire a doula but after talking with a coworker I knew I needed to. I was hoping to acheive a VBAC after a traumatic c-section experience with my son 11 years ago. I hired Alyson because she was such a gentle soul but so knowledgeable and firm with what the birthing process should be. Throughout my pregnancy, Alyson shared multiple tips and tricks to help make those pesky 'back-end vein' annoyances more bearable. She traveled to my home to help with my birth plan and meet my family.
I was determined not to be induced with this pregnancy as I was with my last and I wanted to experience what labor felt like. When I actually went into labor, I was very scared that it wasn't truly the time but Alyson knew it was and beat me to the hospital! This was after I asked her to wait. As soon as we got together at the hospital, she was a COMFORT! I was having back labor, vomiting, and my contractions were about 2 mins apart. She encouraged me to use the birth ball, used massage techniques to help minimize the pain (OMG did they work), and used aromatherapy to help relax me. She showed my husband where to help apply pressure to help me relax and made sure he and I knew when contractions were intensifying and completing.
Ultimately, I chose to get an epidural and having a csection but Alyson was SO helpful in making sure I understood why the csection was necessary. After the epidural, she made sure I stayed on the peanut ball, adjusted positions, and monitored contractions that I couldn't feel.
After delivery, she made sure I had skin to skin and breastfed as son as possible. At our post partum visit, she brought an album with photos from my birth, lactation cookies, and took photos of our 1 week old. I couldn't stop the tears of gratefulness.
-Mora T
January 07, 2018
Alyson Mancini CD(DONA), BA Birth/Newborn Photographer
Inner Strength Birthing
Birth Fee: $1300
Postpartum Rate: $30
