We didn't even know what a Doula was when we first found out we were expecting. However, as the pregnancy progressed and we learned more about pregnancy, the delivery process, and how Doulas can help, we decided to look into hiring one. Erin was the first Doula we interviewed in person, and while we had the intention of interviewing others before we made our decision, after our very first meeting with her, we decided on our walk back to the car that she was the Doula for us!
Our only initial concern about hiring a Doula was that the Doula would "fight" us on personal decisions we made that were contrary to her personal views, but Erin proved that concern to be unfounded. She made it clear throughout the process that her job would be to outline the information, with its pros and cons, but that the ultimate decisions would be up to us and that she would support them. In the end, we accepted some of her suggestions and passed on others, but that did not affect our working relationship in any way!
Our conversations with Erin led us to look into switching from an OBGYN practice to Midwifery care, which proved to be a winning combination! In the final days of the pregnancy, when delivery was clearly imminent, Erin and Jahmanna did a fantastic job of checking in with us to provide tips, encouragement, and support. In the end, labor started while we were at the hospital for testing. Since our Midwife was so accepting of our water birth plans, we didn't end up calling for Erin to join us until labor was well underway. However, this is not to say that she wasn't extremely helpful! She provided gentle encouragement to us during the last stages of labor and, what I appreciated above everything else, took wonderful care of me postpartum, when everyone is understandably busy with multiple other things. At that time, Erin worried about only me! If Erin had done nothing else but care, guide, and supervise me during those couple of hours, that alone would have made her services completely worth it!
We wouldn't change a thing about our delivery, and Erin and the team at SEM Community Doulas were a great component of this happy outcome!
With our sincerest gratitude,
Miroslava, Kevin and Phoenix
Our only initial concern about hiring a Doula was that the Doula would "fight" us on personal decisions we made that were contrary to her personal views, but Erin proved that concern to be unfounded. She made it clear throughout the process that her job would be to outline the information, with its pros and cons, but that the ultimate decisions would be up to us and that she would support them. In the end, we accepted some of her suggestions and passed on others, but that did not affect our working relationship in any way!
Our conversations with Erin led us to look into switching from an OBGYN practice to Midwifery care, which proved to be a winning combination! In the final days of the pregnancy, when delivery was clearly imminent, Erin and Jahmanna did a fantastic job of checking in with us to provide tips, encouragement, and support. In the end, labor started while we were at the hospital for testing. Since our Midwife was so accepting of our water birth plans, we didn't end up calling for Erin to join us until labor was well underway. However, this is not to say that she wasn't extremely helpful! She provided gentle encouragement to us during the last stages of labor and, what I appreciated above everything else, took wonderful care of me postpartum, when everyone is understandably busy with multiple other things. At that time, Erin worried about only me! If Erin had done nothing else but care, guide, and supervise me during those couple of hours, that alone would have made her services completely worth it!
We wouldn't change a thing about our delivery, and Erin and the team at SEM Community Doulas were a great component of this happy outcome!
With our sincerest gratitude,
Miroslava, Kevin and Phoenix