Testimonial for Morgan Petroski Hjelm from Lara Tedrow

Testimonial for Morgan Petroski Hjelm

Morgan is one of the main reasons why I get to look back on my birth experience positively. She met with us several times leading up to the birth to educate us, prepare us, and encourage us. She presented us a wide range of information and options and helped us tailor make a birth-plan that felt right for us and was respectful and supportive regarding the decisions we made.

During early labor she was responsive to texts, giving advice and helping us interpret what was going on. As we transitioned more towards active labor, she came over to our house and as soon as she walked through our door, my husband and I immediately felt calmer. She helped me time and get through contractions and helped us get out the door to go to the birthing center.

At the birthing center, she was continually pulling things out of her bag of tricks to help me stay strong and comfortable as contractions got more intense. From a fan to keep my face cool, a spikey ball to squeeze for distraction, honey sticks to keep me fueled, a TENS unit to relax my muscles - it felt like she was prepared for anything. When complications arose, she was a calm and reassuring sounding board to help my husband and I make decisions. She helped me transition between locations and positions and I still remember how comforting it was to have her occasionally remind me in the middle of a contraction: "You're safe".

She also came to visit when we were a few days postpartum and my sleep-deprived husband and I were so blessed by her encouragement and support!

We also engaged her as a maternity and birth photographer and I am blown away by how she got so many amazing photos at the birth while still being such a hands on and calming presence. The photos turned out so well and I'm so grateful to be able to look back on that day to see both how strong I was and how supported I was.

I could not recommend Morgan highly enough - she's the best!

-Lara Tedrow

August 09, 2023