Rachel has a true passion for being a doula, and an honest love for helping bring babies into the world!
Rachel was our doula for our second child. With our first, we went into the delivery room with very little knowledge or preparation for what was about to happen. Let me tell you that is not the way to go. After slow dilation and constant contractions, I was eager and willing to accept the epidural and pitocin, and anything else that would help ease the pain and make progress with the birth. The result: a greater-than 24 hour laboring process with constant medical intervention; it felt like my delivery happened to me. It felt like I was not in control at all for this life-changing and significant event.
I wanted to make sure that my next birth did not happen the same way. This is when we recruited Rachel to assist with my goal of delivering without medical interventions, i.e. no epidural, no pitocin. Rachel met with us multiple times before we were due to establish a plan for overcoming any obstacles that might prevent that from happening. She explained how each step, no matter how hard it may be, was a step toward bringing the baby into this world. She gave us numerous body positions to help ease the pain of contractions or help move the baby to a better position if needed.
With a solid plan in place, she met us at our house around 9pm once the contractions began to get closer, we labored at home for a few hours, then through the night with us at the hospital until our girl was born at 5am. Through the laboring process, she kept all of us on track, reminding me of the breathing/thought exercises we had practiced at home, and making sure my husband got much needed breaks. Her voice reminding me I was strong enough powered me through! Rachel's joy to be part of our birth was beyond evident.
We are so grateful for Rachel's help and highly recommend her!