Testimonial for Sheila Toal from Mary

Testimonial for Sheila Toal

My husband and I met with Sheila several times as we prepared for the arrival of our first baby. Each meeting we had together was comfortable and informative, helping us to get to know each other. We were planning for a home birth, so getting to meet with Sheila in our home was so helpful.

What a crazy experience laboring for your baby can be! My labor was 22 hours, and having Sheila with us was the blessing and support we didn't know we'd need. Being at home, our midwives weren't with us the whole time, and I really think laboring at home, just me and my husband, would've been so different and so much harder without Sheila's kind and gentle pressence. Having Sheila as additional support for both of us made that difficult day so much smoother. Sheila would stay with me, putting pressure on my back if my husband needed to step away; she would suggest different postions to help baby move down; she brought me food and things to drink while I worked, to keep my energy up; she prayed with and for us, continuing to bring a calm gentleness into the room. I feel that my husband was able to be a better support to me as well, because of Sheila being there with us. Looking back, it was such a blessing when she took care of little "behind the scenes" things during the day, like feeding me, helping to prep the birthing tub, suggesting I get in the shower if I needed a change, or timing some of the "timed" postions we did during labor.

I am so thankful for the people who were with me through this experience, and Sheila made all the difference! What a blessing it was, after our baby was born, to look around at those who were there with us, helping and encouraging for hours on end, to get to this point. Sheila was there too when our baby girl began to nurse for the first time, and gave me some loving pointers (as it was my first time too).

So thankful for Sheila and the work she does! What a positive impact she made on that day!

-Mary

October 14, 2022