I would recommend Jackie wholeheartedly as a doula. My husband and I initially were skeptical about the use of a doula. We interviewed a few doulas who made me feel insecure about my choice of hospital, OB practice, and openess to an epidural. When we met with Jackie, she immediately put us at ease. She came to our home for an interview and listened carefully to our desires for our daughter's birth. She told us that she would help us achieve the kind of experience we wanted, whether that was a natural birth or C-section, with or without drugs. After I passed my due date, we discussed inductions and what to expect. Jackie provided handouts and helpful tips about labor, induction, and the logistics of getting to the hospital, and being armed with that knowledge was reassuring as we waited (and waited!) for our daughter's birth.
I ultimately was induced and the induction took a long time --over 2 days. Jackie was a great support by phone and text as we discussed with her the doctor's assessments. She offered some helpful guidance as we waited in the hospital (e.g., she mentioned we could ask the doctor if I could eat real food and take a shower since the induction was taking so long - a real treat after a day in the hospital with no progress!) She talked us through the options when the induction was stalling to better inform our discussions with the medical staff.
When my water was broken and labor progressed, Jackie joined us at the hospital and immediately made the room a calm place with softer lights, lavender, and a peanut ball for better positioning. Jackie interacted seamlessly with the medical staff and was respectful - without overstepping - when she made suggestions about different positions for pushing. Her suggestions and support made the actual delivery go quite smoothly. She also joined us at home a few weeks postpartum to check in on us and offered some great tips about breastfeeding and burping. I'd absolutely hire her again!
-Kris
February 27, 2019
District Doulas
Birth Fee: $2000 to $2500
Postpartum Rate: $55