Baby Maggie

"Working with Rachel for our third birth, but first unmedicated birth, was just what my husband and I needed. When I first mentioned that I was interested in having a doula for this delivery, he was skeptical as to why I would want one and why I would want to deliver unmedicated when we had two previously healthy children. However, our experience with Rachel has converted both of us to the benefit of working with a doula (and Rachel in particular). She encouraged us to discuss many topics prior to the baby's arrival and to decide individually and as a couple what we anticipated would be important to us in the upcoming birth experience. She helped us develop a birth plan based on our preferences, and connected us to helpful resources but never made decisions for us or imposed her own views. This helped us to realize how many more choices we actually have at a hospital birth, and at the time of the delivery were able to express our preferences and create a very positive experience. Rachel also worked with us prior to the delivery and helped my husband be aware of things he could do during the labor to help me relax and manage the pain; because of the time she spent with us beforehand and her gentle coaching (of him and me) at the time of labor and delivery, my husband felt needed and was a huge asset. Rachel's knowledge and calming personality were tremendous factors in making this a beautiful delivery, a time when I felt empowered and connected to my baby and also to my husband." - The Dallas's

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