What a wonderful experience! I didn't know what to expect when hiring a doula but we knew Audrea was right for us from the moment we met her. Labor with my first child was looong--and hospital care was far from ideal. I was planning to deliver at the same hospital this time but Audrea asked me some very helpful questions and recommended some great reading. She was warm but so competent and professional. I needed her help so much--I just didn't know it yet! I was SO scared to go through birth again. Audrea asked me the first words that came to mind when I thought of childbirth and I said "long, humiliating, powerlessness, and dread." When you are that scared it is hard to imagine a good birth experience is possible! But Audrea challenged me to remember that this was a NEW birth and a NEW baby--that there was hope. And she also recommended birth trauma therapy to help deal with my last birth. I am SO grateful for that recommendation. I didn't know birth trauma therapy was a THING. Audrea recommended a great therapist. Therapy wasn't easy but it reversed the way I thought about birth--something I didn't believe was possible. I learned that the trauma of my last birth did not come from the difficulty or length of labor but from feeling unheard and bullied by hospital staff. Which gave me the confidence and courage--at 37 weeks!--to change to a new hospital an hour away. Our experience with Audrea was all that I hoped but also much more. I had real trauma to heal from and she helped me get help. We loved having Audrea in our home. She was always prompt to answer messages and proactive in keeping in touch but never invasive or pushy in any way. Perfectly sensitive. During the birth Audrea was truly servant-hearted and also a blessing to the hospital staff. You can tell Audrea has been there, done that--in the best way. "Women helping women"--truly what it felt like. Taught me that birth can feel like a joy instead of an emergency. I will miss her. Thankful!!
-Chelsea Boes
September 09, 2019
Born For This Doula Services
Birth Fee: $1150 to $1225
Postpartum Rate: $35 to $40