Josie and Zola's Birth!

For several weeks leading up to the birth of Zola I had false labor. It was exhausting both emotionally and physically. Thankfully my partner and I had Whitney as a sweet, patient, and reassuring voice. She always made herself available to us for questions and offered excellent advice. I can’t even count how many times she reminded me to relax, rest, and hydrate leading up to the birth!

My labor with my first child, Micah, was close to 19 hours with nearly six of them spent stalled at 8cm. Going into Zola’s birth I had hoped things would move quicker than they had before. Apparently my body doesn’t move fast! On Saturday the 25th I lost my mucous plug and had sporadic contractions throughout the day. Around 7pm that evening they became stronger and developed a solid pattern. After so much false labor I was hesitant to call Whitney, but my partner called her and she came straight away. She stayed with us for about and hour and during that time my contractions started to space out and lessen in intensity. She recommended we try to get some rest and call her if we needed anything. We went to bed and around 3:30am I woke up with strong contractions yet again. This time I was pretty sure this babe was on her way and we called Whitney at 5:30am.

She came with us to the hospital where I was admitted at 4cm and 80-90% effaced. It was really beautiful to start the morning with a gorgeous sunrise and the knowledge that Zola would be with us soon.

Whitney was an amazing help to myself and my partner. She took the pressure off of him to be anything other than a loving partner to me. She was able to give him quiet suggestions of how he could best support me as well. I know this was invaluable to him and deeply appreciated. Her support of me was incredible. There is something very empowering about having another woman attend you during birth. She was able to be the sister and friend that could make me laugh between contractions. She was also able to be the mother who pulled my hair back for me and rub my back gently when I vomited during transition.

I was incredibly blessed to have an amazing midwife and L&D nurse with me as well. Because Whitney was such a knowledgeable and reliable presence, my midwife and nurse repeatedly mentioned how they hardly felt needed in the room during labor. I felt so at ease in the care of those three women!

Pushing has been the hardest and most rewarding part of both my births. It is intense and all encompassing. Just when I started to feel like Zola was never going to make her debut and I was feeling like my body might have hit a wall, I heard my midwife say something truly beautiful. There I was with my partner beside me and holding my hand, one leg resting on the nurse, the other on Whitney, and my midwife right in front of me, and the midwife said “now this is what it is to be attended by women.” Sitting there surrounded by powerful women and holding the hand of the person I love, we were joined by another little woman. Zola was born at 7:17 and was a big, healthy girl! My partner caught her and laid her onto my chest immediately. She nursed not long, maybe fifteen minutes, after birth and Whitney guided me on how to let Zola find my breasts on her own and initiate nursing on her own.

Whitney was there from start to finish. She had a way of knowing exactly what I needed without me ever having to say it. Having a hospital birth that truly felt like a home birth wouldn’t have been possible without her. She is an incredible woman and her ability to be an advocate, sister, friend, support, and a true professional is so very amazing. She is an incredible doula and I would strongly suggest her to anyone embarking on the journey of pregnancy and birth.

Anthea's and Max's Birth

After a traumatic experience with my first birth, I knew that I wanted to attempt a VBAC with our second child. During my third trimester another doula recommended Whitney to us. After briefly meeting it was obvious to me that to succeed with a natural birth it was going to take a tremendous amount of strength on my part and an exceptional team. That team would have to include a supportive and knowledgeable doula as well as a supportive staff of midwives. Whitney fit the bill perfectly since she is dedicated and passionate about her job which resonates in her constant availability and coaching. She also led us to an exceptional midwife practice since my OBGYN was not supportive of me attempting a VBAC.

I was diagnosed with Prodromal Labor aka "false labor" weeks before my due date and Whitney spent several nights answering my questions and being on call. She was so supportive and even after my numerous visits to the triage she reassured me that my body was doing what it needed to do to and that I was doing a great job. When I finally went into true labor, Whitney met us at the hospital and coached us through the birthing process. She made sure that my husband and mother had roles as well.

I was in labor for a total of 19 hours. Whitney did what no one else on the team could do- she helped me discover a part of myself that I never knew was there. She called it my inner Warrior. I not only succeeded with my VBAC but I also experienced a spiritual journey within myself. I will be forever greatful to Whitney for taking my hand and guiding me through my fear to an unchartered place of strength within my own self.

Wendy and Javier's Birth

Javier Manuel's Birth

Around 6:30 my water was broken in the hospital, as my doctor had planned. By 10:30 my contractions were strong enough to really use Whitney's expertise in the area in which she specializes. Although she has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience, Whitney also has the ability to coach at a comfortable and non-invasive distance and was able to teach my husband what he needed to know in order to be a stronger, more valuable labor partner.

Through the thick of labor (as it progressed in strength) Whitney was able to coach both my husband, Dan and I through the contractions and keep my focus on the task at hand (to tend to my totally natural birth plan in a hospital setting). Not only did we succeed in having a totally unmediated and natural birthing experience, but when my body soared from 7 centimeters to the crowning of my son's head in a matter of minutes, Whitney kept her cool and continued to guide me through the experience.

After the delivery, Whitney was supportive in both my after-care and of Javier's health, as well. She was willing to be of assistance for as long as needed and conveyed true care for the outcome of our health.

My husband and I are very thankful for our relationship with Whitney and feel strongly that without her professional support, we may have missed out on our opportunity to experience a beautiful and natural childbirth experience. She is a blessing and because of her presence during labor we now have a healthy baby boy as the result of an amazing journey through labor.

Debbie and Aleia's Birth in Pictures!

Ineke and Levi's Birth Story!

I had had mild contractions earlier in the evening, but took Whitney's advice to try to go to sleep (especially since I had had two false labors within the prior couple of weeks). I went to bed at around 10 pm and woke up about half past midnight when my water broke. I called Whitney who told me she would meet me at the hospital within the hour since my contractions were less than 5 minutes apart and the doctor on call told me to come on in.

Whitney arrived a few minutes after we did, while I was still hooked up to the monitoring machine. Unfortunately, the nurse assigned to me was unable to find my cervix and was unaware how dialated I was and told us all to go walk the halls for an hour. Whitney was terrific while we did this, helping me breath and providing great reassurance and coaching through my contractions. I was doing great! However, just as we were returning to the room for the next check-in, I hit transition labor and the real fun began. Having no real desire to experience the pain of a natural labor, I had very much wanted an epidural and had communicated this strongly to the hospital staff. However by the time they checked my cervix for the second time (and actually found it this time!), it was time to push. The hospital staff ended up scrambling to get my OB to the room on time because they had no idea I was that far along. Unfortunately, I wasn't mentally or physically prepared for the incredibly intense pain, and having Whitney there to help guide and calm me really helped me keep it together.

While Whitney felt bad that my labor didn't go as planned, I actually had MORE of a need to have her there because I was unprepared for a natural birth. My labor was only 4 hours long (though very, very intense because of that) and Levi was born at 4:32 am, just 4 hours after my water broke. I know I had what many people think of as a dream labor, but the short labor made it very painful and, compounded with the mix-up of the hospital staff, I just wasn't prepared for it. I might have survived a labor with an epidural without Whitney, but I would have likely fallen apart with my unexpected natural labor (and missing OB) without her help.

My son was incredibly healthy, weighed in at 8lbs 12 oz, and scored 9 and 9 again on his Apgars. He had no problems latching on and went straight to work when put on my chest and was alert for about 2 full hours after the birth. I highly recommend Whitney, and using a doula, to anyone who asks!

Maya's Birth (written by her mommy, Pria)

I had my wonderful daughter, Maya, on February 8th at 9lbs, 4ozs, 21". Thanks to utilizing Whitney as my doula, the birth experience surpassed my hopes and expectations.

When I had my son 10 years ago at 30, my labor was 21 hours and I ended up with Pitocin, an epidural, episiotomy, vacuum, and forceps. I was very "cooked" after and didn't even feel confident in holding my son, much less breast-feed right away. My memories are also tainted of the immediate post-birth time. I wasn't alert and "present." My son ended up with severe Jaundice and was back in the hospital after just a day at home to be under the lights while I pumped and fed constantly. It was my third day of no sleep.

My labor with Maya was 7 hours and Whitney coached me throughout. If Whitney and my husband didn't take turns working on my lower back during contractions, I can't imagine making it without drugs. Whitney in particular had a special back pressure technique that helped a lot. When I thought I couldn't take the next phase while my contractions were getting closer and closer, Whitney encouraged me and informed me about what to expect next. She provided knowledge and emotional support that a hubby wouldn't know to do! The feedback on my sounds and breathing were valuable. At one point, she crawled behind me in a chair to rub my back during contractions, and I would rest leaning against her, which was very comforting.

I can't believe I made it through the delivery without drugs to deliver such a big, healthy baby. Immediately after delivery, I was very alert, along with Maya, who nursed right away. I have clear memories of the moments leading to her birth and after that I will treasure forever, thanks to Whitney. Maya didn't have Jaundice, which I attribute partly to having been able to nurse right away.

My husband was also relived to have Whitney there and I'm sure he felt less pressure and was able to enjoy the experience more. She was able to reassure him as well, when he thought I might not be able to make it without drugs! She offered him tips, such as the position he took when Maya was born - he was behind me, supporting me, which was wonderful as it made us feel he was participating in her birth more, and was not a spectator. He could see her emerge in the mirror along with me and support my back.

We are both very happy with our birth experience and have great memories, thanks to Whitney. We are glad to have utilized Whitney and highly recommend her for your birth.