Testimonial for Raya Sagdejeva
Raya was my birth doula for my delivery just a few months into the pandemic. Unfortunately at that point Duke hospitals were only allowing one birth partner, forcing me to choose my husband over my doula. It was an incredibly difficult decision and it scared me and stressed me out a lot, but Raya was very reassuring throughout everything that she was doing what she could to advocate for laboring women to have doulas and offered me regular support via phone and text as well. We met a few times when we still thought she would be present with me for birth and she was so helpful and skilled at talking through labor, hospital procedures, pain management techniques, etc. We, and my husband especially, really appreciated her warmth and expertise.
When I finally went into labor but was too scared/uncertain to call the hospital (first baby!), Raya was the first person I called and was available in the middle of the night to talk me through the scary things that were happening to my body and reassure me. She was available the entire night that I was in labor by phone and text to field my husband's questions and help him support me even though she couldn't be there in person. My husband did a great job supporting me with Raya's virtual help, but I am still convinced my labor would have been several hours shorter and a better experience for me if the hospital had allowed her to be there in person with us!
In the first couple months postpartum Raya offered regular support and check-ins and even did a grocery run for us. I am still sad about Duke's earlier measures to restrict birth partners, but Raya helped me handle those realities and get through them. I am so thankful I had her help and support throughout my first pregnancy/birth/postpartum experience.
-Kelsea
September 13, 2020
Raya Sagdejeva
The Durham Doula
Birth Fee: $700 to $1250
Postpartum Rate: $25 to $40
