Testimonial for Leona Starnes
We hired Leona at the recommendation of a friend who is also a doula. I had a very complicated pregnancy and knew that I would need a doula with high risk experience to anchor me in this stressful experience. When we met Leona we told her about our struggles and worries and were very impressed with her experience and gentle confidence in helping us get through this. She met us before our birth to answer questions, think through best ways to support us given all possible outcomes and make good suggestions about preparing for our birth and hosiptal stay. I did develop pre eclampsia with severe features and had to deliver via c section 6 weeks early. When we were informed we had to go to the hospital to deliver we were also turned away because our hospital's NICU was already full. We called Leona scared and confused about where to go, getting little help from our doctor or insurance plan. Leona went to work researching options and found an excellent alternative within an hour of our call. Her effort in this was nothing short of heroic and we will be forever grateful just for this help. She arrived early the next morning to help us think through the day and offered wonderful comfort and anchoring during my c section; she also managed to grab a barf bag before surgery just in time, even before the excellent nurse saw it coming! She captured some very special first pictures of us and our beautiful son, gave me gentle neck massages as the surgery finished up and helped me advocate for my needs during all of this. She visited us in the hospital to talk through the experience and brought lactation tea. She met with us again at home and gave me some exercizes and resources to help with the post partum experience. We will recommend Leona to anyone looking for a doula. She's very knowledgeable, gentle and navigates both the hosptal and anxious parents with such grace and wisdom.
-Sarah Lawrence-Lupton
February 19, 2020
Leona Starnes
Leona Starnes Doula
Birth Fee: $1500 to $2000
