From Suzanne ~ Helping Jasmine was, in my opinion, nothing much. I offered her some information and asked if she wanted suggestions or support. I've been through lots of prodromal labor myself, and even wrote a blog post on it!
She is a friend and I'd do what I did for her for any friend really. I appreciate what she wrote here, but I did want to clarify one thing. Jasmine is a deeply religious person and knowing that about her, I spoke to her heart in the way I knew would make the biggest impression on her. In doula work, I've learned to see what would be the best way to help someone, and then I meet them where they are at. The way I supported Jasmine may look very different from the way I'd help another mother.
PS: Take a peek at Jasmine's beautiful birth
She is a friend and I'd do what I did for her for any friend really. I appreciate what she wrote here, but I did want to clarify one thing. Jasmine is a deeply religious person and knowing that about her, I spoke to her heart in the way I knew would make the biggest impression on her. In doula work, I've learned to see what would be the best way to help someone, and then I meet them where they are at. The way I supported Jasmine may look very different from the way I'd help another mother.
PS: Take a peek at Jasmine's beautiful birth
I have no idea where to start describing how wonderful and amazing Suzanne was throughout my pregnancy! From the beginning, Suzanne and I share a friendship I hold dear to my heart. I live in Texas, and she is in Washington State. We've grown to know each other through a Facebook moms' group. Even with this distance, I trust the advice Suzanne provides. She is always courteous and respectful of other's opinions. Before giving advice, she will ask if you want advice or just an ear to vent to. More importantly, she never judges. I appreciate these qualities.
Before getting to know Suzanne through the moms' group, I NEVER thought I could get through a natural, unmedicated birth. I have a very low pain tolerance, and I surely didn't think I could birth a child naturally. Though, unknown to Suzanne, her stories and advice encouraged me that I indeed could birth a child naturally. I became empowered by her belief in how natural and beautiful child birth is, and more importantly, birthing without fear. As a matter of fact, birthing without fear became one of my birth affirmations. I also learned a lot about birth interventions and breastfeeding from her conversations. However, the one thing I kept in mind over others from Suzanne is that how I birth is my choice and however I choose to birth is ok, that being getting an epi, a C-section, at home, or in the hospital. Suzanne encouraged me to be unapologetically comfortable in my choices. This comfort and determination is pivotal for any woman in any situation!
Hence, when I became pregnant with my second child, I wanted Suzanne as my doula. Though, due to the distance, it was not possible. Still, she did not let that stop her in providing support. Suzanne checked in with me consistently, just as if she was a doula 30 minutes away. I had prodromal labor that started at least a month before I delivered. It was overwhelming and exhausting. Suzanne not only explained what prodromal labor was, provided literature on it, advised techniques to cope with the pain and change baby's position, but also UNDERSTOOD what I was going through. She knew how easy is it to give up at that point and want an induction or go into the hospital too early leading to unwanted interventions. She knew my birthing goals and reminded me of them. When I was at my wits end, days from going into actual labor, and considering induction techniques, I reached out for advice. Suzanne told me to rely on my faith, pray about it, and listen for God's voice in the matter. She did not tell me what to do. She spoke to my heart. She reminded me of my purpose.
The night my labor was starting to kick into gear, Suzanne knew without me saying anything. She noticed I was up incrementally throughout the night. She reached out to me to check in on me throughout that night. She encouraged me through contractions from hundreds of miles away via text. The advise she gave was also effective in helping to cope or ease the pain. I am forever grateful for her company on that night.
Not only was she consistent in showing how much she cared about me and my little one, but she was also accurate in the advice she gave. Without Suzanne's kind, listening ear, I do not think I would have achieved the birth I desired. She was an instrumental part of my birth experience, and that was only through an online presence. I truly wish she would have been able to be at my birth. I can only imagine how supportive she would have been in person.
All that to say, I highly recommend Suzanne and Waiting with You. She has truly personified the name of her business.
Before getting to know Suzanne through the moms' group, I NEVER thought I could get through a natural, unmedicated birth. I have a very low pain tolerance, and I surely didn't think I could birth a child naturally. Though, unknown to Suzanne, her stories and advice encouraged me that I indeed could birth a child naturally. I became empowered by her belief in how natural and beautiful child birth is, and more importantly, birthing without fear. As a matter of fact, birthing without fear became one of my birth affirmations. I also learned a lot about birth interventions and breastfeeding from her conversations. However, the one thing I kept in mind over others from Suzanne is that how I birth is my choice and however I choose to birth is ok, that being getting an epi, a C-section, at home, or in the hospital. Suzanne encouraged me to be unapologetically comfortable in my choices. This comfort and determination is pivotal for any woman in any situation!
Hence, when I became pregnant with my second child, I wanted Suzanne as my doula. Though, due to the distance, it was not possible. Still, she did not let that stop her in providing support. Suzanne checked in with me consistently, just as if she was a doula 30 minutes away. I had prodromal labor that started at least a month before I delivered. It was overwhelming and exhausting. Suzanne not only explained what prodromal labor was, provided literature on it, advised techniques to cope with the pain and change baby's position, but also UNDERSTOOD what I was going through. She knew how easy is it to give up at that point and want an induction or go into the hospital too early leading to unwanted interventions. She knew my birthing goals and reminded me of them. When I was at my wits end, days from going into actual labor, and considering induction techniques, I reached out for advice. Suzanne told me to rely on my faith, pray about it, and listen for God's voice in the matter. She did not tell me what to do. She spoke to my heart. She reminded me of my purpose.
The night my labor was starting to kick into gear, Suzanne knew without me saying anything. She noticed I was up incrementally throughout the night. She reached out to me to check in on me throughout that night. She encouraged me through contractions from hundreds of miles away via text. The advise she gave was also effective in helping to cope or ease the pain. I am forever grateful for her company on that night.
Not only was she consistent in showing how much she cared about me and my little one, but she was also accurate in the advice she gave. Without Suzanne's kind, listening ear, I do not think I would have achieved the birth I desired. She was an instrumental part of my birth experience, and that was only through an online presence. I truly wish she would have been able to be at my birth. I can only imagine how supportive she would have been in person.
All that to say, I highly recommend Suzanne and Waiting with You. She has truly personified the name of her business.
~ Jasmine C.
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