Initially, I was on the fence and did not understand how truly impactful it is to have a doula by your side for birth. I simply thought, “this would be nice” and that it would be fun to have someone not only my age, but also in the same life stage as I am to be there for birth… and wow is it so much more than that!! Gabi provided for us in so many ways and I will forever be grateful for the way she impacted our birth story. While this was our second child, I often told my husband that I felt like I had never given birth due to our first being born 8 weeks early via an emergency c-section. We felt like we were going into it blind because of so many factors and Gabi was always there to encourage us and to answer the many questions we had. Even now six weeks postpartum, Gabi is STILL answering all of my crazy questions and being such a good friend. Gabi went above and beyond to help, support and encourage me throughout the entire process. During my labor and birth, she did the usual doula things like apply counter pressure, hold a fan on me, and helped me to move positions every so often… but she also braided my hair, took so many photos that I will cherish forever and was such a calming presence to have by my side. She never took over and pressured me into doing what she thought was best, she listened to me and my wishes and supported them 100%. My original birth plan was to go all natural, no medication. I had expressed this so many times to Gabi and how much I wanted to try to make that work out… but when I knew I had reached my limit and needed the epidural, Gabi supported me. She didn’t pressure me into second guessing it, she followed my lead and supported me without question. Even after our daughter was born, Gabi stuck around to continue to help out in anyway she could. I genuinely cannot imagine our birth without Gabi being there and I am so thankful that on a whim I decided to ask her about being our doula!
-K.C.
Gabi was placed in my path toward the end of my pregnancy, but that did not shorten her efforts of being fully invested in being there and supporting me through the rest of my pregnancy. It was a blessing to be her very first client. We had a couple of visits, and she checked in on me in the days leading up to my induction. There were a couple of concerns I could have faced in this labor and delivery. She was very good at sending me educational articles in the specific decisions I faced, which was very helpful. She was 100% supportive of my wishes the whole time leading up to giving birth and during. She was very present during labor and delivery, helping with counter pressure, making sure I was completely comfortable, and encouraging me through each contraction. I wanted to have a non-medicated birth with my son. Once contractions were back to back and progressing in intensity, I looked up at my husband, friend, and Gabi and said, “Can I get an epidural?” I asked everyone looking at me, “of course, it’s all about what you want”. Of course, I asked Jesus too. Gabi captured pictures of memories that will last a lifetime. I couldn’t thank her enough for her love and support being part of our redemption birth story. God knew I would need someone as passionate, kind, and gentle as her to walk with me through this birth story. Instead of looking back with regret and fear, I can look back and smile knowing it was perfect. And most of all, healing.
Adoria C.