Testimonial for Dara DeSoto ,CD(DONA), CLEC, Student Midwife from Diana Stillwagen

Testimonial for Dara DeSoto ,CD(DONA), CLEC, Student Midwife

I was referred to Dara by a friend who'd hired her as their Doula and had nothing but great things to say. From the moment my husband and I met Dara, we knew she was right for us and for our birth journey. Dara is a beautiful person who radiates kindness, positivity, joy, high energy, and wisdom. She is relatable and authentic - something that sets her apart from the rest. She made our birth experience the ideal that we envisioned while we prepared to welcome our first baby. Throughout my pregnancy Dara was available as a resource, a counselor, and a friend for any questions or concerns I had. She offered exercises and resources that in hindsight were essential to having such a positive experience. Dara met with us four times - the initial free consultation when we first met her, the second time was with my husband and I in our home to discuss birth concerns/fears/plans, the third time was just she and I and it was closer to my due date. We met on the beach and had a lovely walk while we talked about final plans before labor and prepping for baby to come home, and the last time was after our son was born. She came to our home again to check in with us and baby. She offered us essential breastfeeding tips and showed us how to assemble our baby wrap carriers. It was quite an amazing sight to see her meet our baby boy after she'd attended his birth. During labor, Dara never left my side. That in itself was immensley comforting. She advocated for me when the hospital wanted to intervene with methods that weren't part of our birth plan. She used natural calming and pain management techniques. She helped me into positions that I believe set up our baby for the optimal birthing position. I pushed for under an hour and remained intact - no tearing or episiotomy. Dara was my guiding light through it all. My husband and I are grateful she came into our lives to help bring our son's life into this world. She will always have a special place in our family's hearts.

-Diana Stillwagen

February 20, 2018