Baby Casper

We can't say enough good things about Rachel. We met Rachel at our Bradley method birthing class. During the weeks of our class she had lots of great stories and information. She was very reassuring to the class of first time mommies, being a mom of a two-year-old. Our class ended and I was thinking my husband and I "got this" we don't need a Doula. Thinking about it for another couple of weeks we decided to call Rachel and were very glad we did. The weeks leading up to our birth she had tons of valuable advice. Great suggestions on how to keep me comfortable in the weeks that I felt the buggiest and prepare my body for the birth. Also wonderful tips that I never thought of, on how to bond with my baby while he was still in my belly. She would call regularly to see about progress and if I needed anything or had any questions. Being two weeks passed our due date I think she was just as anxious as us for the little one to make his debut. She checked on me almost daily. 

Come birth day she was the most valuable asset we could have added to our birth team. She took amazing care of my husband and I. She was amazingly encouraging when I swore I couldn't do it anymore. She always had a great idea for a different position. Kept us both hydrated. Also made sure my husband rested and ate. I loved the Doula bag she had, she had thought of everything to bring. She had things ready before I even knew I needed them. The massages she gave were wonderful and bless her heart for all the hips squeezes that she did. (My husband did some too.)The best part, is when I would start to panic, she kept me calm and helped me direct my breathing. When it finally came time to push they told me that the baby had cocked his head and I would need to do some hip movement in order to straighten his head out. By then I was so tired Rachel actually held me up and helped me do the hip movements to get my babies head straight so I could push. She even thought to capture a couple of great pictures when my baby was handed to me. Which we wouldn't of had it if she hadn't done that. We are so lucky to have found Rachel and that she is part of our birth story. She will definitely be our Doula when we have are next baby. 

PS she also did the follow up appointments a week after the baby was born. My husband even learned how to burp the baby. Plus you want her as your doula because she makes the best lactation cookies. 
-The Z family.

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