Testimonial for Heather McCullough CPM, Hypno, CAPPA Faculty CLE, CLD, CPD from Caitlin

Testimonial for Heather McCullough CPM, Hypno, CAPPA Faculty CLE, CLD, CPD

I've started this review at least 20 times now - I just can't find the right words to sufficiently describe just how valuable Heather and Victoria are. I've been fortunate enough to count them amongst my team for both of my deliveries. The first, in 2018, was an emergent C-Section after a full placental abruption at 32 weeks. Heather arrived and was such a support to me and my husband as we quickly navigated a series of difficult choices and circumstances. After the baby was born Heather stayed with me so that my husband could go with the baby to the NICU. She helped my hand express colostrum in the minutes after my delivery to help ensure I would have a milk supply - a critical thing for preemie development and health. In the weeks after, she was a huge emotional support, even coming to the NICU to deliver us snacks and post partum resources for C-section mamas and NICU parents.

So, when I became pregnant in 2019 I knew I wanted to try for a VBAC and knew I wanted Heather and Victoria on my team. Over the course of my pregnancy, even during a pandemic, they were available weekly to check in, make sure I was doing okay physically and emotionally, and even did extra sessions with my husband to make sure he felt ready to support me during labor in the event doulas were still unable to come to the hospital because of COVID. Eventually, I had to be induced and Heather once again came to support us at Prentice. With her help, I was able to have a successful unmedicated VBAC (even though I was past my due date, GBS+, and my water prematurely broke). I am convinced she has magical powers that allow her to precisely tell you how many more breaths you need to get through a contraction, what position will feel best and help labor progress most efficiently, etc. With Heather's assistance, we went from very early labor to baby in just a matter of hours, and have the most joyful, exhilarating, euphoric VBAC.

-Caitlin

October 02, 2020