Testimonial for Cathy (Cat) Gomez
Cat helped me achieve the intervention-free birth of a healthy baby boy that I had hoped for.
At 4 am a month before my due date, my water broke. As instructed by my doctor, my husband and I headed straight to the hospital to have it checked out. When your water breaks, it is advised that you deliver within 24 hours to avoid infection so the pressure to be induced is very high. I did not want to be induced as I feared it would lead to a cascade of medical interventions. I requested a few hours to let my labor progress on its own. But by 8 pm, I was checked again and I was only 2 1/2 cm dilated. My doctor said she would induce me by 12 if I didn’t show significant progress by then. I felt very discouraged so we called Cat and asked her to come to the hospital. She arrived with lavender scented oil, tea lights, calm music and other tools to help set the mood. She got me out of the hospital bed and into various positions to help my labor progress. She showed my husband how to apply counter pressure and other ways to support me through the now painful contractions. Three hours later, when I was sure I couldn’t take another second, I was fully dilated and it was time to push. I was completely shocked that we had made so much progress so fast. 45 minutes later my son was born!
I am so proud of my birth story and I have Cat to thank for helping me achieve it by keeping me calm and focused on the moment, not my fear of future pain. She also took incredible photos that captured the most meaningful moments like when they first handed me my son, my husband cutting the cord and my husband and I gazing in disbelief at our new baby. I still get emotional when I look at those pictures.
Cat transformed my birth experience from one of fear and pressure to one of empowerment. I am extremely grateful for her kind support and encouragement.
-Marly Young
June 30, 2019
Cathy (Cat) Gomez
Doula Cathy TLC
Birth Fee: $1000 to $2000
