Testimonial for Laurie Craft, MA
My husband and I were undecided about whether to hire a doula until I was 37 weeks pregnant. At that time, my father-in-law suffered a traumatic brain injury and we were devastated. Our emotional reserves were so low, meanwhile I was facing a high-risk birth due to issues with my placenta. We needed someone who was knowledgeable and compassionate to walk with us through our daughter's birth since we were already struggling and had no family in the area. The moment I met Laurie I knew that I wanted her to be our doula. Her kind and calming demeanor helped put me at ease as I told her about my father-in-law's horrible accident and the risks we were facing with our baby girl. Laurie supported my desire to have a natural birth and we discussed strategies to help me communicate effectively with my midwives. After our first meeting, I felt so relieved that Laurie would be there to help us.
I went into labor that very day. We were shocked, since I had almost 3 weeks left until my due date! Throughout the birth Laurie was there to support both me and my husband. She helped me find the words to request that a heart rate probe not be inserted into my baby's skull. She modeled how I should be breathing during the pushing phase to make each push more effective. When my husband went to the foot of my bed to help deliver our daughter, Laurie stood beside me and helped me endure the last few pushes. She calmed me when I had to undergo a procedure to extract a portion of the placenta that was stuck inside me. Also, most dear to my heart, Laurie took photos of our baby's birth. I look at them almost daily.
Laurie talked me through my first moments of breastfeeding, which was so valuable because I had not yet had time to take a breastfeeding class. After we returned home, Laurie came to visit us and answered the many many questions we had as new parents. I am so grateful that she was there to walk beside us as we became parents for the first time.
-Whitney W.
August 02, 2019
Laurie Craft, MA
Calm
Birth Fee: $2000
Postpartum Rate: $60 to $100
