I knew soon after I found out I was pregnant I wanted a doula! The hard part was convincing my significant other we needed one! I knew I would need the extra emotional support since he isn't the most emotional person! I researched and researched some more and found Michelle! After our first meet up I knew she was "the one" I felt very comfortable with her from the beginning! She answered all our questions and helped him understand what she did. Although he wasn't sold he was supportive! The second time she came over she helped us understand what it would be like the day we deliver since we were first time parents that helped a ton! She was always available for questions and responded quickly to any concerns we had!
Our birth story wasn't exactly as planned! I wanted an all natural birth and it ended up being the farthest thing from that! I honestly don't know if I would have be able to do it without Michelle by my side! I ended up being induced because of preeclampsia, Michelle met us at the hospital just in the knick of time! I was ready to give in and get an epidural but she coached me through and was able to labor another 5-6 hours naturally before finding out I hadn't progressed! Almost 30 hours in I got the epidural after finding out I hadn't progressed in over 6 hours! She made me feel at ease about getting the epidural and I was able to get some rest! My birth story ended in a c section after not progressing at all after 6 more hours! Michelle helped me weigh all my pros and cons, since I didn't ever think I would be getting a c section! She was my shoulder to cry on when I knew it was my only option and made me feel as good as I could in that situation. She talked with my Dr and was able to join us in the operating room and I was still able to get skin to skin on the table! She got some amazing photos from the delivery that we will cherish forever! Although it wasn't an ideal birth story it is my birth story and we got an amazing healthy little boy because of it! My significant other is now a hugeeee doula advocate! I hear him tell his friends that have wives that are pregnant that they need to get one and how amazing Michelle was for us! We truly were blessed to have her be a part of our birth and couldn't imagine my story without her in it!
I also did the placenta encapsulation which has helped tremendously during my postpartum! She came over after explained it all to me & even made a cute heart out of his cord!