Resource Birth - Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

When my husband and I heard the joyous news that we were expecting our first child, we were excited beyond belief - but we also quickly learned that we had different ideas of what giving birth meant.

I had heard about home births and was interested in exploring that - he on the other hand was adamant that we give birth in a hospital setting. Our compromise was to hire a doula to support my desire to have a natural childbirth with little to no interventions.

We met several doulas over the course of several weeks and found that there were 3 types of doulas: the older, maternal woman, who was very loving and motherly, the younger hippie, idealistic type, and, finally, the Jessica type. Jessica was a consummate professional from the moment we first dealt with her to every meeting after. Intelligent and thoughtful, but never at the expense of warmth, nurturing, and any type of emotional support you may need. Above all else, though, you felt that this was her JOB - not a hobby or something that she had turned to as the next chapter in her life. This was her calling, what she was always meant to do, and she does it very, very well. She was the perfect balance for us - supportive and informed, caring and introspective, gentle and direct.

Over the course of our pregnancy we had amazing prenatal meetings with Jessica, which truly prepared us physically, emotionally and mentally for the journey ahead. And when the time came and I actually went into labor, she was a steadying force for both me and my husband. Patient and calm, firm yet nurturing, she helped me achieve the natural birth I so desired. And I don't think we could have done it without her.

We have Jessica to thank for giving us a positive birth experience, and we're so pleased she was with us to share in the most amazing day of our lives.

Colleen

We really wanted to have a natural birth with few interventions and to labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital. Jessica was incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and calm in the weeks leading up to the birth and made us feel confident that we could do it. She also gracefully prepared us for a range of possible outcomes and assured us that she would support us in whatever situation developed.

Once labor started, things progressed rapidly, but thanks to Jessica’s attentive coaching, the pain stayed manageable and our baby girl was born an hour after we got to the hospital, with no intervention of any kind! Jessica was focused and nurturing in the delivery room as well, and made sure our wishes were respected. The entire experience was amazing, beautiful and humbling.

Janet, writer and professor
Ken, artist

Jessica was a wealth of information during our prenatal sessions together, and an incredibly calm presence throughout the birth of our daughter. We couldn't have done it without her.

Corrie, mom
Ken, screenwriter

After a c-section with my first child, I needed to feel empowered with my second delivery. I went in search of a doula and thankfully found Jessica! Her calm demeanor suited both me and my husband. She was an amazing advocate for me and my birth plan when nurses got antsy at my stalled labor. She guided me through many long hours of unmedicated contractions. There is no way I would have done that without her.
Karrie, mom

Before my wife and I were expecting our daughter I had heard from a lot of friends about their experiences with a doula. Personally I thought that it was probably a bit too crunchy for me.

Over the course of my wife’s pregnancy I realized that I had totally mischaracterized the job of a doula and when I met Jessica I knew that she was going to be a part of bringing our child into the world. We could see how much she wanted to help take care of both the mother and the child through this whole process.

I want to tell anyone thinking about hiring a doula (and hiring Jessica specifically) that it was the best decision that we made during my wife’s pregnancy. Jessica was there when we needed her to calm the nerves that we felt when our daughter was two weeks late. Jessica was there for us to ask all of our questions and to voice all of our concerns that we felt ignorant asking the doctors.

Once the actual labor started Jessica was so helpful in guiding us through the process. When I called Jessica at midnight to tell her that my wife’s labor had progressed, she was there in 20 minutes. During the next eighteen hours of labor Jessica helped us feel like we knew exactly what was happening. When there were complications in labor and the doctors told us that we had to do x and y, Jessica took the time to walk us through our different options. When it looked like our daughter was going to have to be born through C-section (she wasn’t) Jessica helped calm our nerves and helped us face that as a possible reality all the while acting as coach and massage therapist for my wife.

While there are many doulas out there and I’m sure they all do great work, Jessica was the perfect fit for us. She knew what we needed and helped us make the process of childbirth as close to what we envisioned as it could possibly be. Jessica’s kind touch and care really helped us get through all of the emotions of childbirth and, to this day, I am very grateful that Jessica was there to go through it with us.

Ben, rabbi

Jessica met me in my home. Our first appointment was a couple of hours long. She left and I realized I spent more time with her, revealed more to her emotionally, and asked more from her than I ever did from my ObGyn. I did so because she was so open, honest and genuinely interested to learn about me and listen to my experiences and my desires. After that very first meeting, I changed my whole approach to my second child’s birth. I went from planning a hospital birth to planning a home birth. Though Jessica never once suggested home birth, that initial time with her helped me realize what I really wanted and realize that it was possible. She had no fear about my sudden change of plans. I now had a companion, solely there for me, and I could share everything I needed to. She never once judged or told me what to do. She simply and exquisitely supported me and advocated for me. She checked in with me to find out what was happening on the deepest levels. She truly heard me.

And all of that was just leading up to the labor. The labor was everything I hoped for, and an essential presence was Jessica, reminding me to slow down my breathing. I could shake off the residual pain and fear of the last contraction, because she was there, anchoring me and guiding me forward. And after the birth, she was still there, offering support and helping me take care of myself during my post-partum period.

I am so grateful to her for being there. Still, whenever I think of my son’s birth, I quietly thank the universe for my son, my midwife and Jessica.

Amy, cardiac nurse

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