As a first-time mom, I was pretty nervous about the whole labour and delivery process. My husband and I had Jackie as our doula, and it was honestly the best decision we could possibly have made. From our first contact, all the way to after giving birth, I knew that I could contact her if I had questions. On the day of, she arrived more prepared than I could ever have anticipated. She even brought straws to make it easier to keep me hydrated! She had me do a variety of things, from sitting on an exercise ball (which she also brought) to walking sideways up and down the stairs. Although I remember hating doing those things, I absolutely think that they caused my labour to progress beyond the latent labour I’d been in for several hours.
Jackie has an incredible demeanour — calm, gentle, firm, knowledgeable, and immensely encouraging. Every time I said that I couldn’t do it, or didn’t want to (I vaguely remember saying something along the lines of “I’ll just keep him inside me forever”), she helped to reframe the pain of contractions as the thing that would get baby out. I struggled to be positive during labour, and so it was helpful that she was able to be positive for me.
Having Jackie as our doula also meant that my husband could take on a more encouraging role, rather than trying to give me directions and guide me through the process. (This meant that I swore at him much less than I otherwise might have.) She could also tell when we definitely needed to go to the hospital, which was sooner than my midwife had initially advised. If not for Jackie’s knowledge and expertise, we may have gone in to the hospital too early or too late.
I would 100% recommend Jackie to any and every mom, but especially first time moms. Her support throughout was essential. I don’t think my delivery experience would have been nearly as positive without her guidance and encouragement.
-Katrina
May 09, 2020
Blessings & Births Doula Care
Postpartum Rate: $35 to $45