Testimonial for Emerald Doulas from Stephanie B

Testimonial for Emerald Doulas

When we chose our doulas, we were only expecting 1 day of support. What we received was months of loving guidance, encouragement, and invaluable support both before and after birth. We thought labor support was all that mattered, but that was only a small fraction of the total doula benefit. We now realize we drastically underestimated the value of continual support throughout pregnancy and into new parenthood. COVID has changed the way we live. If you’re hesitant about how valuable a doula will be if in-person labor support is not allowed at your birth, don’t be! You’re going to want all the support you can get, and virtual support is still valuable support. You’re paying for your doula’s knowledge, experience, encouragement, support, and expertise. While historically that has been in-person, those benefits are not lessened if it has to be via phone or live video. Your doula will still be with you the entire time to guide you and/or your allowed support person on techniques, recommend different positions, instruct on comfort measures, remind you to drink and void, help you make educated decisions as they arise, and offer encouragement and praise. That’s a huge relief to you and your support person to not have to know or remember to do all of that yourselves! In these very uncertain times, it is more important than ever to have the certainty of professional support and experience. I couldn’t imagine having to navigate this unprecedented time without the support, wisdom, and guidance of an experienced doula. They were a tremendous source of stability and reliability in an unstable and unpredictable time. It was so comforting to know their support wouldn’t change no matter what else did. When the hospital policies were changing every minute, they were a constant. You didn’t choose to have a baby during a pandemic, but you can - and should - choose to have a doula support you through it.

-Stephanie B

April 10, 2020