Testimonial for Beth Scheppke, CD (CHB), CBC
Beth is a kind, patient and knowledgeable doula. Throughout my pregnancy she was available to answer my many questions. My water broke at 8pm on Sunday night, and when I called her at 8am Monday morning feeling that my contractions were intensifying she immediately came over to hold my hand, walk it out, and encourage my husband to rest until it was time to go to the hospital. Labor was much more complicated than I anticipated - 30 hours of contractions, vomiting and diarrhea which ended in an emergency C-section. Beth created a safe and calm ambience (candles and music) in the hospital and guided me through labor with patience and skill. I greatly appreciate how she worked with our midwife to help me make informed decisions that eventually led to the birth of my son - a healthy and happy kid. In my first month postpartum she was constantly checking in, and always asked about my mental health. By the end of my journey she felt like a close friend and ally. However, I wish I had known to ask for was for her to stay in the hospital with us after the c-section surgery. Beth assumed that our midwife would be by our side to make sure I was given the golden hour with my baby, so she went home after asking if that was ok, and we said yes. Unfortunately my midwife had to leave mid-surgery to attend to another birth so my husband and I were alone to figure out the post-op experience (with days of no sleep, no food, and a nurse who refused to let me hold my son until he was fed two bottles of formula and kept under a heat lamp on the other side of the room for hours). I understand that this is not the worst thing to happen during birth, but I had not eaten in days, my husband hadn't slept, and we both felt lost and hurt. My only regret is not asking Beth to stay until we were situated in our hospital room. It turns out I needed our doula at that point just as much as I needed her during labor - as a first time mom, I had no idea that would be the case.
-Sara
December 04, 2023
Beth Scheppke, CD (CHB), CBC
Birth with Beth
Birth Fee: $3000 to $4000
