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Family-Doula Relationships |
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"We found Alexia by chance. She taught our private birthing class. My husband and I had discussed a doula previously, but decided it wasn't for us and we'd just rather arm ourselves with some pre-delivery information about positions and questions to ask the team, etc. I'd had a pretty traumatic delivery the first time so felt that if I focused on a plan that could prevent that from happening again, we'd be good. So, we went to our class and that's where we met Alexia. Class was great! After class we got in the car and my husband (a scientist) said "I like her, I think we should have her as our doula." I was definitely caught off guard because again, we just didn't think that was "us." I asked him why the change in thought? He said he thought she would really be able to help us BOTH through the delivery experience. I agreed wholeheartedly.
Alexia was amazing. Flexible, dependable, evidence-based, emotionally intelligent, experienced, friendly and very self-aware. All things we never knew existed in a doula and everything we never knew we needed for our delivery experience. I had a 3 day labor process and she helped us the whole time, but was only physically present when it really mattered. She ensured our "plan" included strategies to prevent previous trauma from happening again, but not focusing on that to the extent the big picture was forgotten. She helped us think through scenarios and options when the care team would discuss next steps. She kept us grounded-and kept me fed. The result was an unmedicated, vaginal delivery! Her skills and knowledge as a CLC were also exactly what I needed postpartum. I can't tell you how amazing it was to have Alexia able to support us from pre-delivery to postpartum - the whole package! The rocky start to our breastfeeding journey ended in success due to her support! The whole doula experience was amazing!" -- AB
Alexia was amazing. Flexible, dependable, evidence-based, emotionally intelligent, experienced, friendly and very self-aware. All things we never knew existed in a doula and everything we never knew we needed for our delivery experience. I had a 3 day labor process and she helped us the whole time, but was only physically present when it really mattered. She ensured our "plan" included strategies to prevent previous trauma from happening again, but not focusing on that to the extent the big picture was forgotten. She helped us think through scenarios and options when the care team would discuss next steps. She kept us grounded-and kept me fed. The result was an unmedicated, vaginal delivery! Her skills and knowledge as a CLC were also exactly what I needed postpartum. I can't tell you how amazing it was to have Alexia able to support us from pre-delivery to postpartum - the whole package! The rocky start to our breastfeeding journey ended in success due to her support! The whole doula experience was amazing!" -- AB
"We decided we had to have Alexia be apart of our birth story because she resonated with us. She was always available for us from the beginning and well into postpartum. As we got closer to our due date she was even more reassuring on being there for us and checking in and making we were all doing well. Our baby was 13 days overdue, the doctors wanted us to be induced "tomorrow" at our 41 week checkup. Alexia reassured us that we had plenty of time to still to have a natural birth and gave us a plethora of ways to help induce labor. We ended up having to be induce (starting with only having our water broke), in which case she let us be with just each other until we got closer to active labor which was around 8 hours!
When we were ready to ask Alexia to join us at the Birthing Center she was there within the hour. Throughout our 20 hour labor journey we saw 2 doctors and 4 nurses, Alexia was our constant, she there with us for whatever we needed. She had a lot of techniques to help our baby "drop" to progress labor. She helped guide us through the emotional decision on getting pitocin. She was such a strong yet gentle advocate ready to fight for the journey we wanted. Alexia was amazing when it came to breastfeeding as well, she was so calm letting our daughter and I figure it out without force. She answered all of our questions well into postpartum about pumping, nursing, and babies in general.
We highly recommend having Alexia be your Doula. She was amazingly calm and knowledgeable with an incredible personality!" -- AL
When we were ready to ask Alexia to join us at the Birthing Center she was there within the hour. Throughout our 20 hour labor journey we saw 2 doctors and 4 nurses, Alexia was our constant, she there with us for whatever we needed. She had a lot of techniques to help our baby "drop" to progress labor. She helped guide us through the emotional decision on getting pitocin. She was such a strong yet gentle advocate ready to fight for the journey we wanted. Alexia was amazing when it came to breastfeeding as well, she was so calm letting our daughter and I figure it out without force. She answered all of our questions well into postpartum about pumping, nursing, and babies in general.
We highly recommend having Alexia be your Doula. She was amazingly calm and knowledgeable with an incredible personality!" -- AL
"The support Alexia provided before, during, and after our labor was invaluable. Throughout our time with Alexia, my husband and I felt comfortable asking her anything -- and she was always open and knowledgeable with her responses. She was also great about supporting our birth plan and wishes. She helped us create a birth plan that represented our wishes -- not her own beliefs -- and respected and supported those throughout the labor process. During labor, my husband and I very much appreciated her calm and reassuring presence, her tips about body positions to manage the pain, and the atmosphere she helped create (by bringing battery-operated candles, an iPod/iPhone speaker, etc). She was friendly and respectful with the nursing staff and they enjoyed having her as part of the team.
This was our first baby, and my husband and I would have been lost without her. She helped everything go so smoothly. Even though we will feel more confident when expecting our next child, we still plan to have Alexia join us again." -- JE
This was our first baby, and my husband and I would have been lost without her. She helped everything go so smoothly. Even though we will feel more confident when expecting our next child, we still plan to have Alexia join us again." -- JE
"Choosing Alexia to be our doula was one of the best decisions we've ever made! This was our first baby, and Alexia was recommended to us. We initially met for a "meet and greet" at a local coffee shop, and both my husband and I felt an immediate connection to her.
Alexia is kind, caring, and bubbly. She thoroughly educates you and prepares you for the labor process, offering her own personal opinions as well as evidence-based information. She offers non-judgmental support and is there to guide you and help you make the best decisions possible for your desired birth. I felt as confident as I could be approaching my due date, and I was less fearful because I knew Alexia would be there to help us.
My birth was a great experience overall. The process lasted much longer than I'd anticipated - nearly 2 days! And Alexia was present and by my side for nearly the entire time. From the minute I asked her to arrive at the hospital with me, she came right away and never left! Being consumed by labor and trying to move it along - I honestly forgot most of what we'd learned to help manage and progress. Alexia guided us through everything and always knew exactly what to do and what I needed. She also practices "spinning babies" techniques - I was very impressed by her knowledge and skill.Alexia helped me breathe through every contraction (which was SO needed!), held my head, walked the halls with me, spoke words of encouragement the entire time, and so much more!
In my opinion - having a doula is not only about supporting the mother, but trying to create a team effort among the doula, mother, and partner. My husband genuinely enjoyed working alongside Alexia during the labor/delivery process. Afterward he even said "I couldn't have done this without her". We would certainly hire Alexia again!" -- AG
Alexia is kind, caring, and bubbly. She thoroughly educates you and prepares you for the labor process, offering her own personal opinions as well as evidence-based information. She offers non-judgmental support and is there to guide you and help you make the best decisions possible for your desired birth. I felt as confident as I could be approaching my due date, and I was less fearful because I knew Alexia would be there to help us.
My birth was a great experience overall. The process lasted much longer than I'd anticipated - nearly 2 days! And Alexia was present and by my side for nearly the entire time. From the minute I asked her to arrive at the hospital with me, she came right away and never left! Being consumed by labor and trying to move it along - I honestly forgot most of what we'd learned to help manage and progress. Alexia guided us through everything and always knew exactly what to do and what I needed. She also practices "spinning babies" techniques - I was very impressed by her knowledge and skill.Alexia helped me breathe through every contraction (which was SO needed!), held my head, walked the halls with me, spoke words of encouragement the entire time, and so much more!
In my opinion - having a doula is not only about supporting the mother, but trying to create a team effort among the doula, mother, and partner. My husband genuinely enjoyed working alongside Alexia during the labor/delivery process. Afterward he even said "I couldn't have done this without her". We would certainly hire Alexia again!" -- AG
"I am so thankful that we made the decision to hire Alexia. I believe that having her in the room was an integral part to my achieving the birth outcome I so desired. Alexia made herself available to me and all of my questions (even as a third time mom) in the weeks leading up to the birth. I truly believe it was her suggestions on how to re-position the baby that helped me go into labor when I was overdue.
When we were at the hospital, Alexia was a calm and reassuring presence. She really set the tone in the room. My labor progressed very quickly and the nursing staff and midwife seemed overwhelmed by what was happening. Alexia jumped in and started applying counter-pressure to my hips during contractions and remained calm and unsurprised by what was happening. The nursing staff and midwife picked up on this, and began to follow suit and then everything seemed to click and go much smoother. She also helped me to pause between contractions and consider some of the medical decisions that needed to be made while reminding me of what I had told her I wanted. This was so helpful! It reminded me that I was in control of my body, my baby, and my health.
When I was pushing and feeling overwhelmed, Alexia’s voice was the only one I could hear encouraging me and guiding me. After two epidural births (one of which was rather traumatic), this birth feels like redemption to me. I strongly believe that I was able to achieve this outcome through the Lord’s blessings, a lot of a lot of prayer, and the wonderful support that I surrounded myself with. Every woman deserves this kind of support during birth! Thank you Alexia!" -- CS
When we were at the hospital, Alexia was a calm and reassuring presence. She really set the tone in the room. My labor progressed very quickly and the nursing staff and midwife seemed overwhelmed by what was happening. Alexia jumped in and started applying counter-pressure to my hips during contractions and remained calm and unsurprised by what was happening. The nursing staff and midwife picked up on this, and began to follow suit and then everything seemed to click and go much smoother. She also helped me to pause between contractions and consider some of the medical decisions that needed to be made while reminding me of what I had told her I wanted. This was so helpful! It reminded me that I was in control of my body, my baby, and my health.
When I was pushing and feeling overwhelmed, Alexia’s voice was the only one I could hear encouraging me and guiding me. After two epidural births (one of which was rather traumatic), this birth feels like redemption to me. I strongly believe that I was able to achieve this outcome through the Lord’s blessings, a lot of a lot of prayer, and the wonderful support that I surrounded myself with. Every woman deserves this kind of support during birth! Thank you Alexia!" -- CS
"Alexia was an awesome addition to our support team! She kept it the space calm during labor, and during our prenatal is was fun and interesting. Her vulnerability and transparency helped a ton in being prepared and understanding what new parents go through. I highly recommend Alexia and thought she was well educated and knowledgeable without being bias to different methods or circumstances. Plus she’s just hilarious!" -- KB
"My husband and I loved Alexia's personality and honest approach to her doula care. She was funny and shared her personal experiences, when appropriate, which I found was great. She is knowledgeable and passionate about her work and it is evident." -- WL