Testimonial for Suzanne Kelly
It was initially my husband’s idea to add a doula to our care team, as he wanted to have someone else in the room to help guide him as he supported me. Sue met with us ahead of our due date and reviewed everything from early labor all the way through to the baby being born - we met with over the phone, virtually, and again in person. I checked in via text with Sue weekly after my OB appointments and then daily as my due date approached. Once she reached out to me to let me know that she was going to need to shut off her phone for an hour for a personal appointment and she checked in with me ahead of that to let me know just in case I needed her during that time.
My plan was to birth naturally with no epidural unless the pain became unbearable. I ended up needing to be induced after passing my due date and I also took the epidural after being in labor for the day. After a very long day and night, my husband was able to sneak away to take a break from the intensity of the delivery room and Sue stayed with me in case I needed anything. We were heading toward the doctor encouraging us to have a C-section and Sue was there for us to explain all of the options and implications of waiting it out or going for the C section. Sue manipulated me into different positions (I was fully numb and unable to do it myself) and helped to coax my dilation to the full 10 cm at the very last minute. She had suggested that we wait 30 more minutes (we agreed) and the doctor said that she would check in on us after 30 minutes. Low and behold we were able to deliver vaginally. I feel that if Sue was not there coaching us along, we would have ended up with the C-section and I would have had a much longer recovery.
What was most valuable was that Sue didn’t make decisions for us, but she explained all sides of a decision and helped us come to what we felt was best for ourselves and the baby.
-Robyn Paulin
October 25, 2021
Suzanne Kelly
Dream Doula Services
Birth Fee: $2600
