Testimonial for Shari Aizenman

I'd known Shari for years before my pregnancy, and she was one of the first people I called when I realized I was with child. Before I hired her, she gave me great information and advice on keeping "Cletus the Fetus" healthy and happy. Even her facebook page was a font of knowledge. As my doula, she helped me out in myriad ways: Putting me in touch with Intown Midwifery, birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, and other aids; hooking me up with used maternity clothing and baby gear (nice, since I was struggling financially), giving me rides to appointments when the car was in the shop, and helping me find resources to support my choice and educate my husband regarding circumcision. Shari advocated a more natural approach than I originally intended. For instance, I opted for an epidural during birth, and she offered resources and education so I could make the choices that best suited me. She respected my all of decisions and I had a healthy birth and baby, with her help. Even after the event, she went above and beyond the call of duty, helping me secure donor breast milk when my pediatrician told me to start supplementing with formula. I'm glad she was my doula!

-Paige Penland

March 18, 2013