Birth for me has always been an amazing journey. This being my third pregnancy and birth I had a few ideas of how I wanted this journey to be different. I wanted to do things as natural as possible and with little intervention. I knew that I would need as much help as I could get and so I asked April and Pat to join me. The morning my water broke, I was scheduled to have a prenatal class with both ladies that evening; this meeting was to meet Pat and go over coping techniques. My little Logan had other plans for us, so at 6 am we headed out to the hospital to meet Pat for the very first time. When she arrived, we hugged and it was as if I had known her forever. She stayed with my husband and I from start to finish. From foot massages to fanning and alternately not fanning me, , she was there for me. With her gentle words and encouragement, and the arrival of April to help me push Logan out, they made it an amazing experience. While I did decide on an epidural, they both supported my choice and praised me for making choices that I was ok with. April was there to help make sure I was able to bond with my baby those precious moments after birth as I always wanted but had yet to experience. My other births went well but this time it was the first time in three children that I was able to look at my doulas after it was all said and done and say “That was so much FUN”. I was also grateful for the postpartum visits with April; whether it vacuuming or simply holding the baby while I cleaned, she was so helpful. Thank you Ladies for everything, you both will always be a part of our family!
Liz & Michael Cazares Sgt. US Marines
Contact Liz Cazares for a
Referral
I was incredibley overwhelmed with the birth of my first child. Having been in a professional career I assumed parenting would be easy; I never realized how little experience I had with children; especially newborns. High anxiety and sleep deprivation soon led to a severe case of postpartum depression in which I ended up in therapy. My counselor recommended Birth Blessings for help and support. I was pleasantly surprised by how empathetic and nonjudgemental A;ril and Pat were. They came a couple of nights a week so I could get an uninterrupted full nights sleep, and slowly the depression began to diminish. They also gave me guidance on all diffrent aspects of baby care. When I got pregnant with my second child I did not hesitate to call them again. They helped me through those first months (in which I had a broken foot and the flu!)and I am happy to say I escaped postpartum depression this time around. I would highly recommend Birth Blessings to help ease the transition of having a new little one in the house!!!
Aimee Garcia, DDS
Contact Aimee Garcia 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!