Bethany Dickson is the reason I had the exact birth I wanted.
We worked with Bethany for the birth of our first baby, and I would absolutely work with her again.
My goal was to have an unmedicated birth, but what mattered most to me was that my birth plan was respected fully — including that if I asked for an epidural or any medical intervention, Bethany would support that without question. She was 100% aligned with this approach from the very beginning and never once tried to push me toward a different path. That trust and respect meant everything.
Bethany supported us well before labor even began. We met multiple times to connect and set expectations, she provided examples and a template to help me write my birth plan, and she shared resources and videos showing different positions for laboring. When I was laboring at home, she was available by phone and offered specific guidance and positions to try.
Once I arrived at labor and delivery, things got intense quickly. The nurses were offering an epidural, and I started to doubt whether I could really have an unmedicated birth. One nurse even said, “No one gets a prize for having an unmedicated birth,” which honestly made me feel like they didn’t believe I could do it, and in that moment, I wasn’t sure I believed it either. Even though I was wavering, I wanted to wait until Bethany arrived to see if working with a doula could change things.
Bethany’s presence changed everything.
I got into the tub to labor, and Bethany arrived shortly after. From the moment she walked in, the entire energy of the room shifted. She immediately took charge in the best possible way — dimmed the lights, turned on the LED candles, gave my husband a clear role (i.e., she coached my husband to be involved rather than replacing him), and focused fully on me. Her confidence was unwavering. She knew I could do this, and that belief gave me the strength to do it.
She handed me labor combs, guided my breathing (breathing with me the entire time), and helped me stay grounded in my body. My only job was to follow her lead — and I did, all the way through full dilation and pushing. I stayed unmedicated, not because I felt pressured, but because I felt supported, safe, and capable.
My pushing phase was short and Bethany was right by my side the entire time, alongside my husband and medical team. The room felt calm and coordinated: Bethany worked seamlessly with my nurses and doctor, never overstepping and never being sidelined. It felt like a true team effort, and I felt fully supported by everyone in the room.
After our baby was born, Bethany gently showed me how to breastfeed as my newborn crawled to my breast. She took photos without ever being asked; photos we cherish deeply today. She made sure everything was settled, said a quick goodbye and then quietly slipped out so we could have privacy during our golden hour. She arrived at exactly the right moment, did exactly what we needed without us having to ask, and then stepped away without making anything about herself.
Bethany is confident, grounded, deeply caring, and genuinely joyful for the families she supports. She has an incredible ability to be fully in command while also being deeply attuned to her clients’ needs and wishes, and to recognizing when something may need to shift to support their labor goals.
Beyond the birth itself, Bethany also set us up for success postpartum. Before I even had the baby, she provided an extensive list of resources (e.g., postpartum recipes; mental health referrals; lactation and breastfeeding support; pelvic floor specialists; and more). By the time I needed those resources, I didn’t have to scramble or research anything; I already had my library of tools ready to support me.
Bethany is an incredible fit for anyone looking for strong, confident support from someone who honors your autonomy and works seamlessly with a medical team. I truly had the exact birth I wanted because of Bethany’s support. If you are considering working with her, know that you will be cared for with intention, confidence, respect, and love — before, during, and after birth.
- Raana S.