After finding out I was pregnant and wanting to be very intentional/confident for what the first 9 months were going to involve, I was fortunate to recieve information through the library about a doula who worked in my area. Elated to have found someone, I reached out to Jill. I met with both Jill and Elizabeth and got to learn more about what exactly a doula is and how they help a mother and her baby (while also honoring and educating the fathers walking this journey as well). First thing was that I saw was not only were these women so incredibly knowledgeable about pregnancy, labor, delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum, ect. they also deeply cared about their clients and look to find ways that ensure safety, trust, and joy throughout the mother's journey-always in the mother's corner. I appreciated all of the information they had and knew my husband would have more comfort moving forward with more education surrounding pregnancy and child birth. Through my pregnancy and labor, I went through really intense pain and had to pivot from what I originally wanted as my "labor and delivery wish". But both Jill and Elizabeth were there with us every step of the way and so encouraging and supportive through it all. Also stepping in at the hospital to ensure that I was as comfortable as I could be, making sure there were no students coming in, making sure I worked with women only, and that my care would be through someone who has done delivery before-things I would have never thought to have asked for in the midst of a very intense labor! But my son arrived after a very long labor, these women not leaving my side, and it was the best day of my life knowing how much work went into getting him here. I will forever be grateful for these two women and the care they gave us, alongside struggles with postpartum and being new (and exhausted) first time parents, to make sure that we felt supported as a new family through it all. I would HIGHLY recommend Birth Blessings Doula for any mama who is looking for sincere care and support in her decision for the birth that she wants.
— Annalyse Cerio