Testimonial for Denise Bolds MSW, CD(DONA) CLC, CBE

Ms. Bold's response to Ms. Breeden's testimonial. I am grateful to be able to provide this statement of my doula support to Nicole and her husband Damien. I was referred by another doula; I was excited. Upon meeting the couple we connected with great conversation and it was then Nicole disclosed that she was being evaluated for placenta previa. We moved forwarded with doula support. Working with Nicole and her husband, Damien is like many clients here in NYC: all are working at demanding jobs at hectic paces. Damien was working two jobs while Nicole worked one job with very long hours. This resulted in a challenge in meetings as well as any method of education or resources to empower the couple, but I was always very sure to be able to respond to any calls, emails or texts from them. It was during these communications as well as a prenatal visit I was able to glean knowledge on Nicole & Damien. Nicole did not let me know immediately of her demanding job with 12-14 hour days. With a preliminary rule of placenta previa, I advised Nicole to take things easy until time would reveal if her baby’s placenta moved into a more conducive area for a vaginal birth. Nicole would inform me in her last trimester that she was scheduled for a C-Section as the placenta did not move enough – I felt her disappointment. We discussed what would take place with a surgical birth. Nicole calls again to inform me that she was now slated for a vaginal birth; her baby’s placenta was out of the way of danger. I asked Nicole if she was comfortable with this and she could still discuss birth options with her OB. Nicole also had another issue that came forward – Nicole’s blood pressure was presenting a risk to her and her unborn child. (part 2 continued below)

-Denise Bolds

November 26, 2018