Happy BIRTH Day Stories....

I am honored to share with you birth stories from some of the families I have served. Both are unique and individual, however, the one thing they have in common is both families had a safe and satisfying birth. I hope you are as touched by their words of pride, strength and love as much as I have been!!

The birth of Baby Boy Tristan:
" Having Marianne attend the birth of our son Tristan allowed us to have more than a labor and delivery, but a birth experience that we will look back on with joy for the rest of our lives.

My husband and I simply planned to get through the labor and then on to the joy of adding to our family. We looked at labor as this painful situation that brings about a beautiful result. When we were blessed with Marianne we learned that labor could be a part of the joy of adding to our family.

The birth of our first child was a gruesome and long labor. Although we took childbirth education classes, we were mentally unprepared. Having Marianne as a Doula allowed us to prepare mentally AND physically. She was always available to listen to our concerns and fears. I found her to be reassuring when I approached her with my fears. She gave me the tools to handle my fears through relaxation, positive affirmations and her never-ending confidence in my OWN abilities.

Marianne took the time to help us physically prepare by teaching us comfort measures and Yoga positions. I was impressed that Marianne spent hours of her time in person, on the phone and via email working with us in discovering how we would work to achieve my childbirth goals.

Through time spent in learning our roles and discovering what I wanted for my birth experience I learned that I could trust in my body’s ability to give birth. In addition and more importantly I learned that I was in control of my birth experience. I had been initially fearful that having a Doula might not be right for me because I was concerned that they would push their own ideas of a perfect birth on me. Marianne never pushed her own perception of an ideal birth on me and never passed any judgments on what I wanted for my birth experience.

I can look back on my labor experience and it brings a smile to my face. It was so beautiful and I will always reflect on the birth and know that having Marianne as my Doula made it possible. After Marianne had left the hospital, my husband and I were reflecting over the birth and the nurse in attendance told us that our birth was one of the most beautiful she had ever been at. She shared our birth with the other nurses and during my stay at the hospital they all told me of the good things they heard and were impressed at how much a difference having a Doula like Marianne can make.

One of the things that made the entire experience pleasurable for me is that Marianne is someone that I felt a connection with and I believe she was truly born to be a Doula. When I needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to share a good laugh with she was available during the pregnancy and labor. During the labor I was able to lean on my husband emotionally as well as trust in Marianne to also meet my physical needs. It was exactly the way I pictured my labor would be, I could look into my husband’s eyes and talk to him about the day we first met while Marianne quietly massaged me.

During the birth of our son from early labor until I pushed out my son Marianne was not just my Doula, but also my friend. She cried tears of joy right along with me as he came into the world. When I was ready to nurse my sweet babe she helped me in getting him to latch on. As we settled in she quietly left and allowed my husband and I to bond with our son. She called later that day to check on us and was at our home a few days later to help in anyway we needed her.

I believe God blessed my family with Marianne. I prayed for a good labor and delivery. Through God’s infinite wisdom Marianne was brought into our lives. I am forever thankful and grateful that I got to bring my son into this world with the support of someone who believed in my abilities and who never failed in helping me to achieve a wonderful birth experience."

Sincerely,
MPK

 

The birth of Baby Boy Braden:
"Braden was born January 23rd, 2004 at 5:19pm weighing in at 8lbs 5oz and 20 inches long.
I really wanted to have a natural birth experience. And in my research I discovered that the best way to accomplish this is by having a doula assist my husband and I in helping me accomplish this. I found Marianne’s website by luck and I instantly felt this was someone I would want there to help us. She had the same beliefs as I did and after talking to her over the phone I felt and instant connection. She was so enthusiastic, warm and outgoing. She also provided me with a ton of information that was so helpful not only for me but also for my husband who still needed some convincing that a doula and natural child birth was the way to go.
We met Marianne a few times before my due date. The first time was to get to know her. She came armed with more information and talked with us about labor and childbirth for over an hour. The next time we met we went over comfort measures to help cope during labor. She also kept in constant contact through email and over the phone and was there to answer any questions I had. My husband slowly began to feel comfortable and realized that having a doula to help would be good not only for me but him as well.
We also had to change doctors at 36 weeks due to the fact that he didn’t agree with anything on my birth plan. He flat out told us he would fight me on everything I had listed and that I should probably find another doctor to deliver my baby. It was Marianne who helped us located the Woman’s clinic, who turned out was one floor above the practice I was originally going to. They had three midwives there who where wonderful. If Marianne hadn’t given me that information I don’t know how I would have ever found out about them. She was so helpful and again my saving grace.
My due date came and went on January 16th, 2004. I was really becoming uncomfortable and decided to get induced on Friday the 23rd. I didn’t want to get induced since that would involve the use of Pitocin which would make going natural more difficult but I was just too uncomfortable and anxious to see my baby. On the day of the induction Marianne met us at the hospital at 7am. She brought music, heat pads, scents and massage oils. The midwife broke my water at that time to see if labor would start naturally. Marianne and my husband helped me walk the halls of the hospital for over 3 hours but labor progressed very slowly. So at 11am the Midwife decided to start the Pitocin.
From that point on I remember just coping with the pain and Marianne being there every step of the way. She massaged my feet and helped me find the right position to help ease the pain. The pain continued to increase and I remember always seeing and hearing her encourage me through the worst of it. Even in the end when I felt I could not go on any longer she helped both my husband and I cope.
She was absolutely amazing in helping my husband and I through this. She only stepped away for a very short break to grab lunch, which she brought back to the room so she could be there for me. We truly could not have done this without her. The midwife was great but we didn’t know her like Marianne. And it was Marianne who kept my husband calm and kept me from giving up. There was a time when little Braden was rotated wrong and in one push he turned into the correct position. When he started turning I heard Marianne yelling that I was doing great and how amazing it was to see that happen.
Braden’s labor was especially painful since he had his hand up by his face. I could feel him in side between my pubic bone and the pain was excruciating. I couldn’t even relax. The midwife was a needle away from giving me an episiotomy and at that point I remembered how badly I didn’t want one. It was one of the main things I would have hated to have done and Marianne and I talked about how to avoid that. It was that thought that help me give the hardest push yet and then out popped baby Braden’s little head. What a relief. The midwife had my husband deliver Braden the rest of the way.
It was amazing. Braden had to have suctioning since they feared he had swallowed meconium so my husband stood by him while they did that. In the mean time the midwife had to sew up two small tears. This was also painful and Marianne didn’t leave my side. She helped me through that as well. I was so thankful for that.
My experience with Marianne was absolutely amazing. My husband now would not have done it any other way. He was so glad to have a doula that he would recommend that everyone have one.
I’m so proud of the fact that I did what I set out to do. It was with Marianne’s help that I was able to accomplish this. I’m so deeply thankful to have had her there for the birth of our son."

In Robb’s words (my husband):
"I have to say that I was a bit hesitant in the beginning to have a Doula help Kim through this labor. I didn’t think we needed help since a lot of my friend's wives went through their labors fine without one. My wife wanted a natural childbirth, which I also wasn’t to sure about. My friend’s wives all had interventions that involved various medications all of which included epidurals. But my wife was persistent and I wanted her to be happy so I gave in and she found Marianne. I told her I would support her in her decision. After meeting with Marianne and hearing what she had to say about interventions I realized that a natural childbirth would probably be the better way to go. I was still nervous about seeing Kim in that kind of pain. Actually I wasn’t sure what to expect. Marianne put me at ease and made me feel like I would be a big part in my son’s birth.
Seeing Kim in that kind of pain made it very hard for me. There was a time when I didn’t think she would be able to push Braden out. I became very scared for her and Braden. I was glad that Marianne was there to take over for me at that point. We were Kim’s support team from the beginning and Marianne made sure I was involved but towards the end it was so hard that I needed her to take over. Marianne and I where holding Kim’s legs but at one point Marianne could see I was really scared and had the nurse come over and take my place. She read my mind. Also since Marianne was there to help it allowed me to help deliver my son.
I’m so thankful that Marianne was there and that we made the decision to have a doula. I would recommend her to anyone. There truly is no other way to go."