"April was the cornerstone of my labor support team.  She was calm, understanding and loving.  Before labor, she was encouraging and helped to disperse my fears and concerns.  During labor, she was the rock that kept everyone together.  When I told my mom that I had hired a doula, I got the feeling that she thought it was pointless to have one.  After watching April in action during my labor, my mom could not stop singing her praises.  I wish everyone could have April at their side during labor.  She made all the difference.  By the time my son was born, she was basically a member of the family."

Kyla J.

"Although my labor was just a little over two and a half hours long, I feel that April was a huge help.  She gave me great emotional support the weeks before labor and during labor.

Our baby came into this world faster than anyone could have imagined, and I loved every minute of it!  I wanted a natural, relaxed birth and although mine was rushed and a bit hectic, it was perfect.  I was able to trust my body and have my baby the way nature intended.  With the help of my husband, Chris, and my doula, April, I was able to ignore the craziness of the delivery room and focus on having my baby boy. "

Sarah K.

"I knew April had attended many other births and having her there brought me the confidence I needed to accomplish my goal of a VBAC.  She was a great source of support and reassurance."

Angela S.

"I am a 17 year old, tiny girl and the thought of having my baby was kind of scary!  Between going to routine visits and to the non-stress tests in the hospital, you were always there with me, April, and I was very comfortable with you.  I went to the hospital around 8 o'clock in the morning and during the process of being induced we played Wii, took pictures, and talked about our birthing plans.  Walking was a life saver and the tub relieved all the pressure when the contractions started to become more intense.  In all honesty, I was determined to have a natural birth and I wouldn't have been able to have Emily naturally without you!  After eleven hours of labor, a beautiful baby girl was born.  Thank you for being my doula.  Next time I am having a baby, I am coming to you!"

Makayla H.

"The day that I found out I was expecting I could not wait to call April.  I had already “hired” her as our Doula after meeting her at a HypnoBirthing Instructor class.  So you can say she went through the entire pregnancy with my family and me! 

This pregnancy presented several obstacles that I had to overcome both emotionally and physically, and April was invaluable in helping me to accomplish both.  She was there to help me articulate what was most important to me; through our conversations I was able to verbalize my fears and goals so that my husband and I could make the right choices regarding our sons’ birth.  Our conversations were without judgment as I relayed to her that I was at peace with a Cesarean birth, though I knew she would support a vaginal birth as well.  Throughout my pregnancy April offered herself to me whenever I had a question (which was often), or just needed reassurance (which towards the end was very often!)

As soon as I knew I was in labor I called April to apprise her of our situation.  She made herself completely available, and although she wouldn’t be physically present for our sons’ birth, her presence was absolutely necessary in my mind!  I was able to breathe a sigh of relief upon her arrival.  Her very presence helped to calm my fears, as I had known it would from the moment I met her.  I had instructed her (like a commander) to take lots of pictures in the nursery since I could not be present.  I knew that she understood what I meant, and that she, better than anyone else would get exactly what I needed as a new mother immortalized on camera. 

Once I was taken to recovery April was there to help me with the most important task, nursing.  She was caring and reassuring as she helped me ease my new baby to breast.  I had deemed this my ultimate goal after experiencing trouble nursing my daughter; I wanted my baby to nurse right away.  April dove right in, helping me to accomplish a successful first latch.  He didn’t stop nursing for 3 days!  April was available to help with our daughter during the entire night, and came to the hospital the following day to help us with nursing again. 

The birth of my son was no less wonderful, no less a joyful experience because it was surgical.  Though I would have preferred a natural birth, I know in my heart that this was the birth that I needed and that my son was my teacher.  His birth was altogether different than my previous natural birth, but no less spectacular or emotional.  I am so glad that he honored me by making me his mother, and that I was able to share the journey with a trusted friend and Doula, April.

Thank you for helping to make this experience what Wyatt and I both needed!

Erin S.