Testimonial for Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA)
Laura was our doula for my first birth in 2016 (see my first testimonial!), and when we found out I was pregnant again in 2019, we knew that we wanted to have the baby at Our Birthing Center, and that we wanted to hire Laura again for our birth. When we let her know we were pregnant, it was like reconnecting with an old friend we've known forever. We set up a few meetings with her, one to discuss our intentions for this birth, and one to review childbirth information with us (we'd taken her classes in 2015). I wanted to try a water birth, which we discussed with Laura, as well as the differences we should expect between delivering at Our Birthing Center as opposed to the hospital. Laura checked in with us leading up to my due date, and was always there to answer questions I had (should I go to the chiropractor, when to use acupuncture, etc.). My contractions started late on 1/21/20 (my due date was 1/23), and we called Laura around 4 am on 1/22 when things started to pick up. Around 7 am when we all decided to meet at the birthing center. It was so calm and peaceful, as was Laura's presence, and although this was not our first rodeo, it was so reassuring to have Laura there with us! I am so fortunate to have had a relatively quick and easy waterbirth - it was truly perfect. Laura offered her support when she felt it may be needed, or when we asked, but she otherwise maintained a subtle presence. She knows my midwives well, so we all talked through my contractions as I labored in the tub. It was as relaxing as a birth could be, and in the final stretch of labor, Laura and my midwives encouraged me to "catch" my baby in the water, which I did (with their oversight, of course)! Afterward, Laura helped with breastfeeding, and stuck around until she knew me, my husband, and our daughter were all ok. She let us know what to expect when we left the birthing center, and she came to visit us a few weeks postpartum to check-in. I highly recommend Laura - she's amazing!
-Heather Sumba
January 03, 2021
Laura DePasquale, CD(DONA)
Holistic Beginnings,LLC
Birth Fee: $1200 to $2400
Postpartum Rate: $50 to $60
