There are not quite enough words to express how important Midwest Doulas was to my empowering birth experience--especially as things did not go as planned. Every birthing person should be able to access dignified doula care like that offered with Midwest Doulas.
I worked specifically with Justine and Ale, with Ale ultimately attending my birth, serving as my postpartum doula, and placenta encapsulator.
We contracted with Midwest doulas because my good friend recommended them. In the beginning, Justine worked with my spouse and I to locate a provider in lockstep with the low intervention vision I had for my birth and help me develop my birth plan. We immediately connected with Justine's encyclopedic knowledge of evidence based birth practice. I was so impressed by how up to date she was on relevant literature and how she accompanied that knowledge with deep care for our wellbeing. Justine's transnational understanding of what birth looks like in France alongside the realities of the United States was helpful because she understands so much. I have the utmost respect for everything about Justine. I felt cared for and never rushed in our appointments. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I met Ale, who joined us over at our house to learn comfort measures. Ale felt like a long-lost friend and I was immediately comfortable with her too.
I developed severe pre-eclampsia at 38 weeks and was immediately induced. Justine and Ale stayed in touch giving me all the advice and encouragement I needed to navigate the medical industrial complex and advocate for myself. Ale attended my birth and was the energy needed in the room during the most vulnerable day of my life. My birth experience could have been very traumatic; it was empowering because of them. I delivered vaginally (my goal) and did not tear.
1,000,000/10.
-Emily
January 18, 2023
Birth Fee: $2000 to $5000
Postpartum Rate: $50