Testimonial for Laura Fortner, CD(DONA) from Rich Cook

Testimonial for Laura Fortner, CD(DONA)

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, she mentioned the idea of using a doula to help with the birth. I was unfamiliar with a doula, but agreed to meet with a few to get a better understanding of what they do. After meeting with Laura at North Texas Doula Associates, I instantly felt at ease and after leaving our introduction I enthusiastically endorsed using a doula, and Laura especially. Even after meeting with a few other doulas, I kept coming back to Laura since I felt more at ease with her than with any others we met.

Thank goodness we did! My wife was due in July, however on the early morning towards the end of May, my wife woke me saying that her water had broken. A trip to the hospital confirmed her suspicions, and we were soon in contact with Laura letting her know what was going on. She helped us instanstanly be at ease on what was a nerve-wracking and stressful period, and even came to sit with my wife in the hospital so that I could take a quick break and run some errands.

My wife ended up staying 5 days in the antepartum department until her contractions grew stronger, to the point where her OB announced that he was going to deliver our baby that evening.

Laura stayed with us all the time while we were back in Labor and Delivery, helping my wife breathe through contractions, and showing her ways to help speed up her dilation. While these methods caused my wife great pain, they did what they were supposed to and she got to 10 cm quickly.

After our son was born and whisked up to the NICU, Laura stayed with us until we were ready to head up to the post-partum department. She was a comforting force for both of us.

All in all I cannot recommend Laura highly enough to anyone thinking about using a doula. My wife and I both agreed that when we are ready to have our next child, we won’t be having it without Laura there too.

-Rich Cook

July 09, 2018