Not sure what to write, I'm torn. In some ways she was a good doula, but in other ways the experience really sucked. I think the biggest thing was, she laughed at a stage (and later admitted she laughed) where I was afraid I was dying. The hospital was having difficulty finding equipment that actually worked or the right size etc. People die from this all the time. Her not knowing that and finding it funny, I felt alone from that stage onwards. It made no difference whether she was there or not after that. I felt incredibly alone and unsupported, which sucks after we made a plan and she didn't honor it. Like making sure to be with me in the OR at all times. At one point, my baby wasn't stable, I wanted updates from her what was happening over there. She stood right in between my view of the baby in a way that looked deliberate, and all I could think of was OMG my baby is dying and they don't want me to watch. For the record, I would want to watch every second she is in this world. It scared me completely. I feel like she should have been aware of where she was standing. After having this incredibly traumatic birth experience, but to be honest, she was so unreliable support I cannot tell you when she even left that night, it made that little difference to me after everything that happened. The morning after at 10 am, she texted me to check in and see how I was doing. I texted her back like, "not great, blah blah blah" she then send a text asking if my baby's weight/name etc etc could be included in an Instagram marketing post of all the babies that month. Its like, read the room? Is this the priority right now??? Less than 24 hrs after I gave birth? I said no. My baby was still included just without her full name. Which I did not consent to. Cydney is a nice person, but I wish I could have had this experience everyone else seems to have where I could gush about my doula and how she was so supportive. Instead I paid $1000 for ????.
-Bailey
June 27, 2024
Birth Fee: $1400 to $1600
Postpartum Rate: $25 to $35