After a traumatic first pregnancy that ended in a late loss and some impersonal prenatal care in a new home state, I decided late in my pregnancy that I wanted a doula at my birth. My desire was to have someone in the room who had seen many births who could help me translate what was happening and advocate for myself. However, I was only interested in having a doctor managed birth in a hospital with an epidural. Other doulas did not work with OBs or straight up told me I was going to have a c section or episiotomy because of my choices. Jenn supported MY birth preferences and so she was the perfect fit. She was an amazing sounding board during the end of my long pregnancy and helped me understand what was happening and what questions to ask when I was induced at 41 weeks. Unfortunately I did not get to experience her helping me manage labor pain because it took approximately 10 minutes of having contractions after my water was broken to ask for my epidural and take a long long nap, not giving Jenn enough time to arrive, but Jenn stayed with me, helped me push for many hours and then, when it was clear my son was not going to come underneath my pelvis, ask for gentle cesarean options as I was far too exhausted and anxious to do it for myself. She was then the first person other than my husband I gladly handed my fresh newborn to so I could sleep, shower, etc after about a week postpartum during a postpartum visit. I highly recommend Jenn and will definitely be using her for our next pregnancy.
-Lisa Nosal
October 24, 2022
Calming Tides Doula, LLC
Birth Fee: $1800 to $2300