Testimonial for Victoria Michonski CD, HCHI, CLC from Nichole S

Testimonial for Victoria Michonski CD, HCHI, CLC

After my first child, I thought that I wanted to have a doula for my second to help me make it further along in labor before pain intervention, and to help me be an advocate for myself and baby. After finding out that baby was measuring small and I would need to be induced at 38 weeks, a nurse suggested, strongly, that I consider a doula even more. Victoria and I met (by phone) 4 days before my induction (I feel amazingly lucky that she was able to accommodate us on such short notice,) but she took so much time with me, to listen to my previous birth story, needs, current medical issues, and fears that it was like speaking to someone who I had known longer. We met in person for the first time an hour before I was induced and I immediately felt so comfortable with her. Many people in the L and D unit knew her and I felt even more that we were going to be in great hands. Victoria supported us every step of the way during the process, making suggestions to me, using calm resting time to educate us about what would be happening in the next few hours and what positions might be helpful, and reminded me of how to stay energized. She understood that my goal was not to have an unmedicated birth necessarily, but to get as far into labor as I could. When I felt that I needed an epidural, I felt supported by her and in no way pushed or shamed to not get it (and my baby was born 45 min later! I still feel like I did awesome work to get as far as we did.) She took awesome photos of labor, birth, and skin-on-skin time, and helped me with some positioning for breastfeeding. She was with us for about 14 hours! I felt SO MUCH better after delivery than with my first, not as sore after and more energized! We truly thank her for helping us and our daughter during this special time. I was asked by others, Are you glad you had a doula? 100%!

-Nichole S

October 11, 2019