When I was on my pregnancy journey, I asked a dear friend, “What is the one thing you suggest I have?”— her answer: Renée
I first heard of what a doula was about 5 years ago. I knew doulas were support systems for mom. What I did not realize was all that support entailed— it was so much more…
Simply stated, our birth plan and vision could not have been fulfilled without her.
She helped us advocate for our rights: Rights that I would not have known we had without her. She provided evidence-based research so that we, as parents, could make informed decisions. She let us know what questions to ask the doctors- things I didn’t even know to consider! We weighed risks vs benefits carefully and made decisions personally and for our family.
During labor, she supported my weight physically and emotionally. My husband and her took turns comforting me. Thanks to our prenatal visits, my husband was prepared with comfort measures to help me through contractions even without her present. She reassured us – telling us we were doing great, reminded me of breathwork, options for movement, mindset, and I was able to stay present through each moment.
Renée worked her magic through use of the rebozo wrap, inversions and birth ball. I went from 4-5 cm dilated to 10 cm in about 1.5 hours — even the nurses were surprised.
After what seemed like an all-day process then was shortened to 15 minutes or less of pushing. Little Mia had arrived!
The doctors and nurses were all impressed of this physiological birth without meds and knew Renée had played a huge role!
Renée helped our baby latch right away and held her up while I was too physically exhausted. She then supported me to stand up, hydrate me, and walk me to go to the bathroom.
She checked in on us hours later, captured our birth through photographs, and came to visit and evaluate our feeding and birth story shortly after settling back at home.
After my best friend had used Renée with baby #1 and mentioned, she is the one thing I highly recommend you need for birth, I knew I could not go without her! Renée was an investment for our future and helped us achieve the goals and vision we wished for. She continues to support me through this new journey of motherhood and I am grateful to have her as part of my tribe.
– Lara, Michael, and baby Mia (and pup Farley) Kats
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