Testimonial for Gretchen Retka
Hiring Gretchen was such an amazing decision! I was very nervous about all of the unknowns and uncertainty of my first pregnancy and baby and immediately upon our initial conversation felt very at ease and eager to work with her. She was super responsive and proactive about sending ideas and resources as my pregnancy progressed, and was able to quickly pivot when I learned I had some medical complications that would require an early induction (even though our "on call" period had not yet technically started). She was with us every step of the way navigating that situation and made me feel a lot better about being in control and knowing my options. The first half of my induction felt very straightforward and I felt empowered to make the right decisions for me thanks to all of our conversations and the resources she shared (there was also a special moment where she played the ukulele!). She supported my active labor and was then incredibly helpful in guiding me on when to ask for an epidural based on my birth goals. Further complications arose later in the delivery process and I was so thankful to have her by our side supporting me through each step and feel I was ultimately able to avoid the trauma of an emergency C section thanks to her guidance. My husband and mom were also super grateful she was there to give them tips on how to support me. To paraphrase the midwife who was part of my delivery team said, "Gretchen was a great mix between the calming vibes of an at home birth while also having the evidence based skills to address the necessary medical components of the birthing process" -- that is exactly what I was looking for in my doula and feel very lucky to have found Gretchen to play such an important role in our journey!
-Claire
January 25, 2025
Gretchen Retka
Holistic Sister
Birth Fee: $3750 to $4000
Postpartum Rate: $30 to $35
