Meet the doula babies! Here's what others are saying:
"My husband was able to focus on me during the labor because he knew Bethany was reminding me of relaxation techniques and positions. He didn’t feel like he needed to be anything more than a loving and helpful husband. He has already told me that he definitely wants to hire Bethany again for baby #3. God answered my prayers in every way regarding the birth of my second son. Bethany was the answer to many of those prayers." - M.R.
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"Bethany was gentle, knowledgeable, and supportive to my family and myself. She did an awesome job of reading my body language and knew what I needed before I even knew. My birth would not have been as comfortable and manageable without her. She captured some wonderful moments of my birth with our camera. I am forever grateful to her for providing such wonderful support! " - J.A. |
Bethany and Mary were amazing to work with! After an emergency C section for our first birth experience we hired a Doula to help us achieve an all natural VBAC, and we got it!! They helped us prepare for the birth with educational classes and support. During the birth their presence was so calming and reassuring. I am now eight weeks postpartum and still on a high from the natural birth experience. Bethany has still continued to support me through the postpartum journey. I could not have done it without these ladies! - A.O.
From a father's perspective...
Words cannot begin to express my gratitude Bethany and Mary! When everything, and I mean everything, on the wife and I's birth plan went the complete opposite Bethany was there by our side helping us both to cope and work through the successful birth of our son! From there both her and Mary came to visit us in the hospital a couple times, partly because we "enjoyed" an extra long stay.
In terms of postpartum care at the house there is no price tag that equals the value that her presence has been to me as a father who has returned to work. Not only did I feel a peace of mind that my wife would have assistance, even if that just meant being able to take a nap or shower, but it was a relief to know she had someone there to support her without judgment. Husbands... PAY FOR POSTPARTUM CARE! You will thank me later! - Jeff
As a first time Dad I really appreciated and will always be forever grateful that Mary our doula was their with us at the hospital every step of the way. Having our doula Mary there with us put my mind at ease just knowing that someone with extensive knowledge and experience would be there to assist me with handling my wife's pain management and to remind us of all the different labor and delivery positions was a huge relief which allowed me to stay strong, relaxed, and be the best support person for my wife that I could be. Having a Doula there also allowed me to have time to step out to get something to eat and just breathe and relax for a few minutes. I would encourage all expecting dads consider hiring a doula for the benefit of both parents. It really made a huge difference in our birth experience. - Kurtis
In terms of postpartum care at the house there is no price tag that equals the value that her presence has been to me as a father who has returned to work. Not only did I feel a peace of mind that my wife would have assistance, even if that just meant being able to take a nap or shower, but it was a relief to know she had someone there to support her without judgment. Husbands... PAY FOR POSTPARTUM CARE! You will thank me later! - Jeff
As a first time Dad I really appreciated and will always be forever grateful that Mary our doula was their with us at the hospital every step of the way. Having our doula Mary there with us put my mind at ease just knowing that someone with extensive knowledge and experience would be there to assist me with handling my wife's pain management and to remind us of all the different labor and delivery positions was a huge relief which allowed me to stay strong, relaxed, and be the best support person for my wife that I could be. Having a Doula there also allowed me to have time to step out to get something to eat and just breathe and relax for a few minutes. I would encourage all expecting dads consider hiring a doula for the benefit of both parents. It really made a huge difference in our birth experience. - Kurtis
Bethany was great! She was very knowledgeable and shared great resources with me and my husband to help us prepare for my unmedicated birth on short notice (we hired her at 37 weeks pregnant!) She was supportive over the phone as I labored at home and we agreed to meet at the hospital since my contractions were pretty close together. At the hospital she helped me with massages, positioning, and visualization techniques and had the foresight to ask for my phone during birth so she could capture my first precious moments with my baby girl. After we were settled in at home, she came to visit and later even gave me a typed up copy of my birth story. It was great to read and see how another perspective differed from my quickly fading memory! She has continued to be a great resource and friend. I would recommend her to everyone expectig a baby! - C.J.
I hired Bethany to be my Doula during my pregnancy, labor and delivery of my second child. I had a horrible experience during the labor and delivery with my first son. I had wanted a natural birth the first time around, but decisions were taken away from me. The second time around I wanted decisions to remain in my hands if at all possible. The first thing I did was pick and new OBGYN, and the second thing I did was hire Bethany as my doula.
I wanted a natural childbirth this time around. Bethany gave me tools to educate myself on the ins and outs of natural childbirth. Education is so important. It was a key ingredient missing in my first delivery, and Bethany knew the importance of being educated on everything from my rights as an OB patient to the newest research on newborn care.
During the labor and delivery, Bethany was priceless. She walked the halls with me. She encouraged me as my labor stalled. She helped me try positions and techniques to try to encourage labor along. Once the physician broke my water, labor became very intense and very fast. My husband was able to focus on me during the labor because he knew Bethany was reminding me of relaxation techniques and positions. He knew Bethany was reminding the healthcare team of my desires about having a natural birth. He didn’t feel like he needed to be anything more than a loving and helpful husband. He has already told me that he definitely wants to hire Bethany again for baby #3.
God answered my prayers in every way regarding the birth of my second son. Bethany was the answer to many of those prayers. - M.R.
I wanted a natural childbirth this time around. Bethany gave me tools to educate myself on the ins and outs of natural childbirth. Education is so important. It was a key ingredient missing in my first delivery, and Bethany knew the importance of being educated on everything from my rights as an OB patient to the newest research on newborn care.
During the labor and delivery, Bethany was priceless. She walked the halls with me. She encouraged me as my labor stalled. She helped me try positions and techniques to try to encourage labor along. Once the physician broke my water, labor became very intense and very fast. My husband was able to focus on me during the labor because he knew Bethany was reminding me of relaxation techniques and positions. He knew Bethany was reminding the healthcare team of my desires about having a natural birth. He didn’t feel like he needed to be anything more than a loving and helpful husband. He has already told me that he definitely wants to hire Bethany again for baby #3.
God answered my prayers in every way regarding the birth of my second son. Bethany was the answer to many of those prayers. - M.R.
Dad's love doulas...
The following is a message to all first time dads... get a Doula. My wife and I recently had our first child and I can not begin to explain to you how much more prepared, excited, and relieved I was to have Bethany by my side as we both supported my wife through her pregnancy. The day my Baby Girl arrived Bethany was not only my family’s best resource, cheerleader, and advocate, but partner in arms as we navigated the gauntlet that is natural child birth in a hospital. I can not thank her enough for her words of encouragement and her true servant’s heart. So in summary... get a Doula. If you are reading this and don’t know what one is talk to Bethany and learn. You will thank me later. - J.M.
From our first meeting I knew Bethany was a wonderful match for me and our birth. Bethany's calm and easy going personality was the perfect fit for my med free hospital birth. My labor proceeded quickly so Bethany met us at the hospital. She was quick and efficient and jumped right in to making sure I was comfortable and relaxed. The nurses spent 2hrs trying to get a needle in my vein and I was so happy to have Bethany's support during that time. She worked in harmony with the nurses and my OB. My OB even complimented her (this was the first time my OB had a doula present during a birth). Bethany was gentle, knowledgeable, and supportive to my family and myself. She did an awesome job of reading my body language and knew what I needed before I even knew. My birth would not have been as comfortable and manageable without her. She captured some wonderful moments of my birth with our camera. I am forever grateful to her for providing such wonderful support! -J.A.
My husband and I chose Bethany to be our doula for the birth of our son. We were first time parents and were looking for someone to help us stay true to our wishes during his birth. At our first meeting with Bethany, she gave us a list of birthing books that she recommended. Ina May Gaskin's, Guide to Childbirth was one I choose to read off that list. That book resonnated with me, and from then on, I knew what type of birth I would like to have. We met with Bethany several times to discuss our hopes and fears regarding the birth of our son. We wanted all natural, so she connected us with two excellent teachers of The Bradley Method. Bethany even attended a couple of the classes with us.
Bethany came and did home visits with us to further discuss the birth. She helped us with our birth plan, gave us suggestions on what to pack for the hospital, and gave us evidence based research for any questions we had.
The birth of our son did not go exactly as intended, we had many interventions that my husband and I hadn't planned on. With each new scenerio that came up, Bethany kept us level headed. She helped us walk through the knowledge that we had to make informed decisions. No matter what we decided to do, she supported us. At a time of disorder and stress, Bethany brought about a calm environment filled with love. - R. P.
Bethany came and did home visits with us to further discuss the birth. She helped us with our birth plan, gave us suggestions on what to pack for the hospital, and gave us evidence based research for any questions we had.
The birth of our son did not go exactly as intended, we had many interventions that my husband and I hadn't planned on. With each new scenerio that came up, Bethany kept us level headed. She helped us walk through the knowledge that we had to make informed decisions. No matter what we decided to do, she supported us. At a time of disorder and stress, Bethany brought about a calm environment filled with love. - R. P.
Bethany was my doula for my most recent birth. Our first meeting was while I was in labor (though we could have met sooner, but labor begin sooner than I had planned). I didn't take any childbirth classes, so my knowledge of pain management techniques was minimal, but Bethany explained everything in a way that I was able to process quickly. She helped me work through contractions, and I managed to deliver my baby without pain medication of any kind. Bethany kept me calm, and I felt like she made a BIG difference during labor. While my family members in the room kept insisting that I was going to give in and ask for an epidural, Bethany kept reminding me that I was capable of handling labor on my own. She was especially helpful during my transition. It was helpful to have an advocate there who was familiar with natural labor. I could not have asked for a more supportive doula!
The neatest part was when I delivered, and Bethany had the foresight to take pictures for me with my phone. I wouldn't have thought to ask her to take pictures, but it's nice now to be able to look back and see those first moments of my baby's life.
Overall, my experience with Bethany was GREAT! She has such a calming presence, which is exactly what I needed during labor. I highly recommend her! - S.G.
The neatest part was when I delivered, and Bethany had the foresight to take pictures for me with my phone. I wouldn't have thought to ask her to take pictures, but it's nice now to be able to look back and see those first moments of my baby's life.
Overall, my experience with Bethany was GREAT! She has such a calming presence, which is exactly what I needed during labor. I highly recommend her! - S.G.
Read many more testimonials at www.facebook.com/wichitafamilybirth/reviews