Mike says: "I'm a firm believer in paying experts to assist me with my own ignorance, and April certainly did that. I remember when she first informed me that, no, there actually isn't going to be a nurse in the Labor & Delivery Room through this whole ordeal, but that a nurse would be "checking in" on us periodically. Checking in? What exactly does "checking in" mean? Don't they know my wife is going to be in some serious pain? Right then, I knew that I needed somebody I could ask questions of, and who would tell me when to run to the nurse's station with my arms flailing wildly in order to get something done. I needed someone to interpret what was going on and to assure me, as a clueless dad-to-be, that, "yes, all of what is happening is perfectly normal." Really, I couldn't have done it without April: I would have been a nervous wreck. If we decide to have a second, the first phone call (after family) will be to April."
Angela says: "Having April's help for my first delivery was a huge blessing! I do not know how I (or my husband!) could have survived labor and delivery and my first few days home postpartum without her! I was very confident in knowing what to expect during labor and delivery since I had experience in the L&D Department during nursing school, however, I knew that my husband did not need or want the added stress of being my "birth coach" or "sole support person" in the delivery room. Furthermore, neither one of us had the time or interest in attending group birthing classes. It was a HUGE relief for my husband to have April step in and coach him on how to support me and both of us were extremely happy to have her onsite during the laboring process allowing us to get the support we both needed, instead of waiting on our nurse or doctor, etc. After a long day of laboring, I ended up having an unplanned C-section. It was nice to have April on hand to reassure us that our decision was the right one. With all of her years of experience, I trust April's opinion and judgement and she never made decisions for us or over-stepped the professional boundaries, she simply gave us other options to think about and gave us excellent support during the whole birthing process! Pre-birth, April and Pat came to our house to educate us and answer all our questions and were always "on call" when we had concerns. I especially liked that we were able to practice breathing and birthing exercises and learn about pain control, etc. in the privacy of our own home. For my postpartum days I never imagine how emotionally and physically exhausting it would be the first few days home with a newborn! April stepped in and really encouraged me and educated me on breastfeeding, self care, and dealing with my stress and emotions. I tell ALL of my friends and family that having a doula during delivery and postpartum, is the ONLY way to bring a child into this world! Thanks April!"
Contact Mike & Angela for a
Referral
"April & Pat
were so AWESOME..."
I needed postpartum help! I did not know who to call. I had
a very busy 3 year old and then I had newborn twins. My
husband was put on the back burner. I cried a lot. There
were just too many things that I could not take care of...
I was only able to make sure all the kids were eating. I
remembered a blip the nurse mentioned in the hospital about
postpartum help. I looked up the phone number and left a
message. April called me back almost immediately. I burst
into tears saying I needed help. She and Pat were so
nurturing and not judgmental at all. They both came to meet
my family and helped while they were there. They did
anything and everything that I needed. Sometimes I just
wanted to chat to another adult! Other times I would leave
my twins with them and have some one on one time with my
older son. I would have never made it through without them.
I love both of them and will be forever GRATEFUL!
Contact Michelle for a
Referral
"April & Pat
were so
flexible..."
April
and Pat truly are a blessing. As my birth doula, April
asked me about postpartum care; however, before the
birth of my son I did not think I would need it. Once
my son “woke up” at about three weeks old, the
adrenaline rush had long since worn off, and new
parenthood exhaustion was setting in I soon realized I
needed help. April and Pat were so flexible with my
schedule since I didn’t know at first what kind of
help I wanted. Initially, having them every day for a
few hours worked well because I could be sure to eat
and shower for the day. As time passed, and I wanted
to get out of the house more, but didn’t want to
expose my son to all the outside germs, I had them
come for longer days just three days a week. April and
Pat are able to offer lots of advice from their
experience, but are very supportive of the way I want
to take care of my son. I never had to convince them
to do it my way. The adjustment to motherhood would
have been a rougher road without the help from Pat and
April. I would keep them taking care of my son (and
me) forever, but the challenge of new mothers and
babies are their true calling.
Contact Eleanor for a
Referral
"She
has been a
God-send..."
The
birth of my first son was both exhilarating and
exhausting. Without the benefit of extended family in
town, I struggled to meet the needs of my baby, my
husband, the household - everything and anyone but me.
It was a formula for postpartum depression and
anxiety. Although I managed to pull through the tough
times, I knew I needed to do it differently the next
time around. Shortly after having my second son, I
connected with my postpartum doula, Pat. She has been
a God-send to my family. Her loving presence has
enabled me to enjoy my baby and embrace the gifts of
motherhood. Whether it is holding TJ while I take a
shower or unloading the dishwasher, Pat has been there
to help me. I cannot stress enough how important and
much-needed a postpartum doula can be to a new mother.
"I
felt so lucky that they were there..."
April and Pat took a tag-team approach to my postpartum
care, because I required nearly 30 hours a week of help due
to my postpartum medical complications. They stepped in and
helped with taking care of my son David and with household
chores. They were great with my son - real grandmother
figures - and the fact that they cleaned up my house really
lifted my spirits when I thought that I couldn't do it all
myself. I even had a medical emergency while Pat was on
duty - we had to call 911 and go to the emergency room. She
stayed home with David while my husband accompanied me to
the hospital. April showed up later that night to relieve
Pat since I had to be admitted to the hospital. I felt so
lucky that they were there to see us through some rough
times. They were great people to be around too... I
couldn't help but talk with them for hours about everything
from family adjustment issues to feelings of depression
because I didn't deliver vaginally. I recommend these
ladies to all my pregnant girlfriends... you have to try it
to believe it!