Testimonial for Ellie Lindenmayer, CD(DONA), HBCE, CLC
From the first phone call, I knew that Ellie was going to be a great support for me and my husband as we prepared for the birth of our first child. Her remarkable skills as a listener helped me to recognize and draw on my strengths and identify and release any lingering fear or anxiety. When Ellie visited our home prior to our daughter’s birth, she came prepared with questions to help us better articulate and craft our birth wishes, and taught us both helpful strategies for anticipating and working through early labor. When my due date came and went and we were faced with the inevitability of an induction, Ellie was in close contact throughout and helped me to confront feelings of disappointment and worry about what this meant for my birth plan.
Throughout the long induction, Ellie’s continuous emotional support, guidance on what to expect, and tips on questions to ask helped us to feel informed and empowered in our decision making and manage the weight of uncertainty in the process. When I began active labor, Ellie’s arrival at the hospital brought a renewed sense of calm, reassurance, and purpose to both me and my husband. She intuitively integrated herself into the team of my husband and our nurses, and as I continued to breathe through each pitocin-spiked contraction, I could feel the unity and strength of this wonderful team around me. After a grueling four hours of pushing, our baby finally had to be born via c-section. Ellie stayed by my side until they brought me into the OR, and in the days and weeks afterward was a tremendous support in helping me process and work through complicated emotions about the c-section and my recovery.
Ellie’s wealth of knowledge and resources about childbirth, calm and caring presence, careful listening, and deep empathy and compassion make her an incredible doula. Her skill and experience were so valuable to us in the labor room and beyond!
-Brianna Wilson
April 02, 2020
Ellie Lindenmayer, CD(DONA), HBCE, CLC
Joyful Birthing & Beyond, LLC
Birth Fee: $1500 to $2500
