The end of my pregnancy was really tough due to high blood pressure an old preeclampsia. I was put on strict bed rest and monitored at the OB/hospital every other. They were questioning inducing me early but thanks to Gina, she made sure I was well informed and I wasn't induced until 41 weeks. On the day I was induced, my boyfriend and my mom were with me and Gina came after my water had broken. To be honest, I was a little on the fence about having a doula but I am SOO glad I did! She made us feel so safe and so comfortable! She had me bouncing on the yoga ball, she did massages, she used special stones and aromatherapy! It was all amazing. I did end up with an epidural because I was absolutely exhausted! Even though it wasn't part of the plan, she never made me feel wrong about it. She encouraged me and even stayed in the room with me while I was receiving it! Gina said that it would help to calm my body to make progression easier. And she was so right! I slept for an hour, woke up to extreme pressure and I was 10cm! I pushed for almost 3 hours and Gina was right there every step of the way, cheering me on and reassuring all of us! When Blaise was born she even cried with us! The afterbirth was a bit scary as I hemorrhaged but was there to calm my family and they are so thankful for that. It was such an amazing experience and I am so glad she was there to share it with us. She even came to visit us the next day and brought lactation cookies! She is absolutely amazing and such a great friend!

I can't wait to get pregnant with our second so we can have her as our doula again! She laughed with us. She cried with us. But most of all she made us feel safe and loved and understood! I cannot thank her enough for what she did for us.

 

Laura G.

1/7/2015