Laura, Mike and Charlotte
Lindsay was a wonderful doula. Months before I was due, she told me about hypnobirthing and encouraged me to take a class. I thought it sounded odd but looked into it anyway, and am so glad I did! She checked in regularly throughout my pregnancy and made sure I was doing well, both physically and mentally. I had a pretty quick and relatively comfortable labor, but I trust that she would've been great in a more difficult labor as well. She did make sure that the doctors were asked the right questions when an issue came up -- I really appreciated having a clear-headed advocate when needed. She coached me through pushing and stayed with us after my daughter was born until things settled down (the time immediately postpartum was more challenging than I'd anticipated, so I was glad she was there).
Lindsay has both lots of positive energy and a very calming presence -- a great mix that works well for a doula! She can lull you into relaxation or energize and motivate you, as the situation requires. I'm so grateful that she helped me have a smooth and positive birth.
Rebecca - Strong, Steady, Beautiful Mother
Rebecca was so amazingly strong - it is always inspirational to see how mums work with the labor in their bodies, and her very practical, "mother earth" nature came out in spades. And now I can't imagine her any other way.
~ Lindsay
Some people know a lot about babies. Some don't. I was the latter. So any expertise was welcome (even beyond my doctor and midwife). The concept of a doula is a great one because she's there for you during labor while most everyone else is there for the baby. The doula is yours. She fights for your cause, what you've both talked about and your comfort in every long minute of the experience. Lindsay delivered. Not the baby, mind you, but on the list of things in the previous sentence. ;) But not just on the big day. For months leading up, if something hurt, I'd text Lindsay and have a recommendation - whether it was to drink electrolyte water or for a good prenatal masseuse.
I'd been a student in Lindsay's yoga class well before my pregnancy which made the act of finding a doula super simple. I just asked Lindsay and crossed that off my list. So if you don't know her already, I suggest going for tea and getting to. She has a gentle, calming, stereotypical yoga vibe about her which is amazing. But she's also a real person living in the real world and is well aware having a baby is a wild experience full of the unexpected. Lindsay was my rock through it all. The screaming, the pushing, the stuff I'd rather not mention. All of it. No questions, no pressure, just unwavering support.
Have a resource that is in your corner through it all!
Katie and wee baby Luca
Katie and her partner were both amazing during labor – it was so wonderful to be there with them and support them through this life-changing experience! Luca is the sweetest wee lad in all the world!
~ Lindsay
Lindsay was a godsend during a very difficult birth. I had known for a while I wanted a doula, and having known her previously, I knew her calm, gentle, and reassuring demeanor would be amazing to have with us in the delivery room. We met a few times prior to my delivery date, and I felt comforted knowing someone else in the room knew how I was hoping my birth would go and would advocate for me if needed.
When the time came, we ended up going to the hospital early on a Saturday morning and spent hours waiting for contractions to ramp up. When they finally did, she was there guiding me through, massaging my back and helping me breathe through the worst of it. My husband was wonderful in his own way, but she knew exactly what to do and what I needed at a given time. She spent the night with us in the hospital as my contractions continued, but were still too far apart. At 10am the next morning it was time, and she was by my side and worked as hard as anyone else in the room during the 5(!) hours of pushing. She was an unwavering support and a gentle but firm guide - reminding me to do the things I needed to do (breathe!) and encouraging me to keep going when I was convinced I couldn't. Finally, at 3:09pm on November 22, our son Luca arrived! We've been madly in love ever since.
Even though the birth itself difficult and at times incredibly scary, I'm able to look back on the experience with feelings of joy and happiness, thanks to Lindsay's guidance and presence during the entire process. She is truly a gift!