Testimonial for Brenda Giourmetakis
Hiring Brenda was the smartest thing I did for my pregnancy. I was in a rough place as my partner died during the pregnancy and I didn't have family in town to help. Brenda was warm and considerate from our first meeting, and patient with me while I agonized for too long over which doula to hire. She understands birth as a holistic journey and was equally supportive of the scientific and the spiritual aspects. When she saw I was struggling, she recommended an excellent grief counsellor whose help also contributed to the birth ultimately going well.
I am on the autism spectrum and I had a lot of concern about sensory overload during the birth. Brenda has previous experience working with people on the spectrum and intuitively understood what to ask to make sure I was supported. She helped me prepare what to bring to the hospital, and she was able to run interference between me and potentially intrusive doctors and nurses. She has plenty of experience with the medical system and knows how to speak their language.
Brenda supported my desire for a natural birth at the hospital even when doctors were advising otherwise. I was overdue and hospital staff were pushing for an immediate induction despite the fact that baby and I hadn't reached the risky time period yet. It was Brenda's support that gave me the courage to sign out of the hospital, which turned out to be the right decision because labour started naturally that night. I was able to avoid a cascade of medical intervention that would probably have ended in a cesarean.
During the birth itself, Brenda was a brilliantly calm and steady presence. She knew just how to prompt me to get through contractions, and I was able to do the med-free birth I'd hoped for.
Afterwards, during an extended stay at the hospital, Brenda went above and beyond to help me out, bringing home-cooked food that fit my dietary restrictions, as well as a gift bag full of things to help with recovery.
-Pyraxis T.
April 18, 2018
Brenda Giourmetakis
Peaceful Passage Doula Services
Birth Fee: $1200 to $1450
