Testimonial for Joyce Havinga-Droop CD(DONA), CLC, SpBCPE, BRM Pro
Joyce was an absolute rockstar from the moment I spoke with her. I met Joyce very late into my second pregnancy. I was just shy of 37 weeks and found myself without a care provider that I could trust to bring my baby into this world. My previous practice had led me on to believe they would support a VBAC but then pulled the whole bait and switch on me during my 36 week appointment, when I met with a very rude OBGYN I had not met with before from this small practice. He insulted my ability to have a VBAC and basically laughed at my reasoning for attempting one. I left this appointment feeling defeated and sad. From the moment I met with Joyce, she turned that defeated feeling into empowerment. She encouraged me to have the birth that I wanted and helped me find another provider that would support my VBAC. At 37 weeks, with the care and support of Joyce, I found a wonderful and local midwife group who agreed to take me on. It should also be said that not only was I attempting a VBAC but I had my own medical complications which made my case high-risk, so I was so thankful to have gone from a practice with no support to one that believed in me and wanted me to achieve this VBAC. When the time came, Joyce helped me labor at my home (something I never imagined I could have done!) and when we arrived at the hospital, I was in full on labor without any pain medication what so ever. I really never thought I would have been able to make it to this stage and experience a natural labor. Joyce and my husband were by my side for what turned out to be a more complicated labor than anticipated, and while the end result was not what I hoped for, I would have never been able to experience and learn to advocate for myself without Joyce. The empowerment feeling I got from that labor was what I needed to overcome my fears and gain the confidence as a woman. I am forever grateful that Joyce came along with me in this journey. She is so knowledgeable and one of a kind.
-Delaney
August 12, 2021
Joyce Havinga-Droop CD(DONA), CLC, SpBCPE, BRM Pro
BirthAmbassador
Birth Fee: $3250 to $4500
