I highly recommend Antonia, who served as our doula for our second child, a scheduled c-section. (We lived elsewhere for our first).
Antonia was everything we could have asked for: incredibly knowledgeable about the birthing experience and ways to assist both me and my husband, a wonderful personality fit (positive, calm, funny, supportive) and someone who so easily was able to jump in and share in all of our excitement.
At our prenatal appointment Antonia was great about learning about me, what contributed to my positive first birth experience, what I was nervous about, what kind of support I wanted, what my birth preferences were, and what I had questions about. My biggest concern was going into labor before my scheduled c-section date and questioning my decision to have a second c-section versus try to deliver vaginally. Antonia was so supportive and non-judgmental and helped me work through this by practicing saying to her what I’d want her to say to me in that situation. Because of this, when I ended up going into labor before my c-section date, I felt very confident in my c-section decision.
At the hospital, Antonia was a great support for both me and my husband. She was excellent at prompting me to communicate everything I needed and wanted to with the hospital staff, and was happy to communicate it for me when I requested. She was full of joy and excitement during the appropriate times and attentive, aware and supportive at the times we needed that.
After our baby was born, Antonia helped us with our first latch, and then she visited us the next day while we were still at the hospital, which was so nice. At our postpartum appointment, Antonia was great at answering my questions and offering support.
Throughout, Antonia was warm, loving, attentive, supportive, inquisitive, and kept a wonderful sense of humor and joy. She has a wonderful spirit and was the perfect presence. I highly recommend Antonia.
-Miyoko Beetem
April 16, 2018
Birth Fee: $1800
Postpartum Rate: $30