Testimonial for Tammy Knox Sandel

My experience of having Tammy as my doula was excellent. We ironically met for the first time the night that my water broke on my actual due date because my doula had possibly fractured her ankle. Tammy was my back-up because at the time of my pregnancy, she had not been able to commit to being available 100% of the time due to family commitments. Despite just meeting her, I immediately felt at ease with Tammy. She knew that I was somewhat anxious about having a V-BAC due to having a very negative experience with my first child that included needing an emergency c-section. When my contractions started, Tammy was very knowledgeable about how to help ease the pain of child birth. Had she not been present, my husband and I would truly not have known how to endure and persevere through labor and difficult contractions. After having painful and frequent contractions for 9 hours, she was also very optimistic when I realized that I needed and wanted an epidural. I did not feel at all like a “failure” as I had originally hoped to have a natural childbirth without medications or an epidural. We both agreed it was what I needed at the time, and we were correct because the epidural actually helped me to relax enough to dilate quickly. She was also very good at making my husband feel included and needed. She also was helpful by teaching my husband what to do during labor and even during the pushing phase. Tammy was present for 23 hours with me, and I truly feel had she not been there, my experience would not have been the wonderful one that it was. Tammy has a gentle spirit that exudes peace and warmth. I would recommend her to anyone considering having a doula.

-Holly Myles

June 13, 2012