Testimonial for Suzanne Ledbetter, CD from Neha Chinchanikar

Testimonial for Suzanne Ledbetter, CD

We found out about doulas at the birthing and parenting class my husband and I attended. I looked online for doula services in Seattle and reached out to Suzzane. Luckily she had an opening to take us up around our baby's due date. We got the doula + photography services package. At Suzzane's first visit she recommended things that were very critical for my delivery experience. This visit also included the maternity photoshoot which we loved, I got dressed up after a long time. I was having apprehensions about my changing body and stretch marks but on the day of photo shoot, it took a back seat. It was reassuring and securing to have Suzzane's support.Contractions started four days before I delivered, there's no way I would have been able to manage those days without suzzane guiding us. As a FTM, I was confused if the pains were contractions or just general pains of pregnancy. Everytime I would I have a question I would text or call Suzzane.Through the waves of pain, which was a whole new territory for my husband and me, Suzzane was the voice of reason telling us what to expect and providing suggestions of things to do. Through the day or night, I (or my husband) would text Suzzane and she would tell us what to do and we would follow. Whatever suzzane recommended we did, if she said take a brisk walk I would, if she said take a shower I would, if she said hydrate I would drink a glass of water, If she said curb walk I would. I was so tired that I only had the bandwidth to take instructions and follow them.On the delivery day, Suzzane came home and spent time with me at home helping me relax and breathe. At the hospital suzzane was there every step of the way. She guided me through the delivery. I can still hear her calm voice "relax your shoulders, hip, legs, feet, toes". I can't believe I was able to have a normal delivery without epidural and it wouldn't happened without Suzzane's support. If we have a baby again, I will reach out to Suzzane again.

-Neha Chinchanikar

February 24, 2021