Testimonial for LeNay Graham CD(DONA), CLD Woven With Grace LLC from Janean D

Testimonial for LeNay Graham CD(DONA), CLD Woven With Grace LLC

LeNay was my birth angel. After working with many doulas over the years as a hospital L&D RN, I had a sour taste in my mouth about doulas. Most of my experiences with doulas in the hospitals were negative. They usually came with their fists drawn, as if I was on the "opposing team." This usually ensued in a "battle" between me trying to provide safe care/follow doctor's orders, and the doulas giving unsafe recommendations or flat out being unreasonable. I am a very natural person and patient advocate and my nursing practice reflects these principles, however birth in a hospital setting must still follow some guidelines and safety measures. It wasn't until I had a patient who had LeNay as their doula that I had a positive experience with a birth doula. I knew after our first delivery together that I wanted her to be my doula someday. I didn't even have any kids yet but I knew. We clicked and were on the same page and both recognized that our teamwork helped give these mothers beautiful birth experiences. Fast-forward to my own pregnancy, we hired LeNay as soon as possible. I had no idea how much support she would provide throughout my pregnancy before I even gave birth. It was so amazing to have someone to guide me through, check in on me, and give me evidence-based tips and tricks. This took so much pressure off of me! Come time for me to have my baby, we met LeNay at the hospital and she just supported me until the bitter end. I attemped to VBAC after my first being a C-Section, however it ended in an emergency C-S. Though LeNay was unable to be in the OR with me, she waited, prayed, and celebrated me and my new baby. My husband and I literally could not have done it without her. She helped me through each moment I wanted to give up, and helped my husband best support me, while keeping us both fed/hydrated. And as I navigated this traumatic birth and PPD/PPA that followed, she kept checking in on me. I cannot sing enough praises about LeNay Graham.

-Janean D

April 12, 2023