Having Renee There Made A Huge Difference

Renee was my Doula at my son's birth in September of 2010.  I did not have a doula with the birth of my first son in 2007 - having Renee there made a huge difference.  She helped keep me calm and focused on having a natural child birth.  She graciously blended into the scenery and was supportive when I needed her and also seemed to fade into the background when I didn’t.  She helped my husband support me in ways he didn’t know how and brought us closer in the process.  

Kudos for the Ladies of the Labyrinth!

I knew I wanted to hire a doula very early in my pregnancy, but it was well into the third trimester when I finally started looking.  After a brief phone conversation with Teresa, I knew A Labor of Love was for me.  Teresa made me feel confident in my ability to choose the best birth for me and my baby.  I attended the next Meet The Doulas Tea.  I listened to each doula speak about herself, and I felt drawn to the Ladies of the Labyrinth.  I hired them on the spot.

Dear Warriors- A Letter From A Student

Guina teaches an immersion two weekend series. This is a letter from one of her students. The editing done was only for brevity.

Dear Warriors:
Hi everyone! Doug and I wanted to let you all know that we welcomed Louis Livingston Frederick into the world on December 29, 2010 at 1:06 AM. At the end of this very long email, I will list some thing that I found helpful through the process. 

Here's a little of the birth story for you:

A New Mom Shares

Mothers and Mothers-to be,

We are blessed with a beautiful baby girl on early hours of Sunday. 

First, thanks to Teresa for all the wisdom about motherhood that she has passed on to us. I had a natural birth and I believe it happened only because of Teresa and her wonderful team. 

Girls, please make a note of this. If you want a natural birth and want to enjoy your birth experience, have a DOULA with you. She is your mother when you are going through labor and can guide you through the process especially when you are overwhelmed with pain and anxiety and are clueless of what is going to happen.

A Trio of Praise

This is a letter I got from a woman who hired Pam Roe to be her labor doula, took Pam's classes and Teresa's breastfeeding classes and hired Jennifer Fargar as her postpartum doula. Pam was sick and Guina Bixler filled in as her doula. This is the letter she sent regarding our services:

Thankful Parents Share Their Gratitude

This is the emails they said I could share:

2nd time Mom shares her thoughts about Teresa

Recently I received an email from a recent client who had a wonderful natural birth at Northside. She used a midwifery group there. This was her second baby. She birthed very quickly- having only been in labor for 3 hours when she gave birth. She was only at the hospital for less than an hour when she birthed. Sometimes folks think a fast labor would be ideal. But a fast labor is sometimes a bit traumatic because you hardly have time to wrap your mind around being in labor! I arrived only a few minutes behind her arrival. She was unsure she could do it without medication. She had had medication for her first birth and really wanted to have a natural birth this time. She got what she desired although she questioned whether she wanted it near the end when those around her knew she was going to be birthing again soon!

Home Birth Couple Loved Their Classes!

I had a couple recently who gave birth to their first child at home. They came to me for private classes due to so many scheduling conflicts with joining our regular series (we do have home birth students in our regular classes often.). This is the letter from them that they sent the day after the birth! (I did edit some personal information out of the email to protect their privacy.)- Teresa

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!  As you already know, baby boy was born on Monday.  Same birthday as daddy, YES, Matthew and Baby have the same birthday! :)  Baby is doing very well.  Quick update.  I had a 5.5 hour labor (labor started about 6:15am Monday morning, he was born 11:48am) .  Went very well, smooth and healthy for mommy and baby.  Baby weighed in at 8 lb.12oz. and was 21 and 1/8" long.    VERY healthy, with a great APGAR score and a good healthy newborn exam checkup.  Nothing could have gone more smoothly, and Matthew and I thank you SO MUCH for you labor classes and all you taught me, AND for the breastfeeding info. which I read through thoroughly all last week and it has helped so much.  Baby is sucking great already! and no soreness for me.  THANK YOU!!!  Another checkup to come for mommy and baby at home in 48 hours.  Can't wait for you to see the little guy when we come to pick up the body cast. {I did a bellycast for them as well.} I am sure it looks beautiful as you say!  :)  A has very good coloring and he is so VERY handsome!   Looks just like Matthew. ;)

Thank you again so much for your love and support Teresa.  You have been a God-send and a blessing in our lives!

Much love in Christ,
Jamie and Matt"

When I asked if I could share their story, she told me, "Yes, and as Matthew said when I asked him too. "you never hear the good stories, only the horror stories.....""

"thanks again....Charlotte said he and I should teach coaching classes one on one to other first time home birth couples. :)  You taught us well!  "

A Mom Births Again, Shares Her Recommendation of Teresa

"I’ve been trying to find a minute to write to thank you, really thank you. I think that one of the most challenging parts of this birth (maybe THE most challenging part) was preparing for it mentally and spiritually.  The labor of love orientation was the second doula group we visited looking for a doula.  On our first visit to the group[....], David and I both left discouraged.  None of the doulas felt deep enough or truly connected enough to what we knew that birth could be.  Then we came to you guys.  I liked a number of your doulas, but it wasn’t until you spoke that I was sure.  You talked about women being warriors, even lions, I think.  What you said made me cry, and I turned to David and said, “that’s her.”

A recommendation letter from a nurse!

I have had the privilege to work with a wonderful nurse at AMC- Atlanta Medical Center. Although I have edited out parts that have information not relative to this recommendation, I have been given permission to share a bit of her letter with you here. Often folks ask how nurses feel about working with doulas. I think this letter tells the story of how some like working along side of us!

Doulamatch.net

There is a wonderful format for you to read about each of us on this site:

http://www.doulamatch.net

• Teresa Howard's profile is found at http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/172/teresa-howard
• Patti Shultz's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/2254/patti-schultz
• Jennifer Fargar's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/145/jennifer-fargar
• Alicia Pillsbury's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/1506/alicia-pillsbury
• Amy Schmidts' is here- although she is on a family leave http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/1514/amy-schmidt
• Renee Wymer's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/2258/renee-wymer
• Guina Bixler's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/2255/guina-bixler
• Pam Roe's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/1186/pam-roe 
• Persis Bristol's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/2260/persis-bristol
• Gail Dupont's is here http://www.doulamatch.net/profile/2268/gail-dupont

Look for our new additions as those doulas get theirs added as well!

Cudos for Our Company from a New Dad!

Teresa, I can't say anything but great things about your organization. You and your doulas/instructors are more than just vendors of a service but become integral parts of their clients lives as it relates to their birth experiences and beyond. When my wife needed reassurance about breastfeeding you and Pam were there even at late hours. When my wife's labor and delivery was so quick Guina was there long after to help my wife through the pain of being separated from her baby and husband while the baby and I went to nicu and my wife got some stitches. Guina was there long after the time I was expecting her to go, helping with some lactation coaching and then when she did leave, she gave both me and my wife a kiss on the forehead. Then she came back the next day for a little bit to make sure we were ok. If this is some tricky marketing ploy, to get us to tout your company's services then you've got me hook, line and sinker. Although, I vehomently believe that you have surrounded yourself with truly compassionate people. People who are delighted to share in the lives of others and the payment that they receive is a fraction of the reward that they experience in doing what they are doing.


Thank you again for all the help that has been afforded to my wife, Jenna, and our new baby Camille.
 
Austin Mascarenas
6.11.2010

Recomendation from a past client x3

Resa, a mom who I have had the pleasure of being with at all three of her births, recently sent this comment to me after I encouraged her by telling her I loved her mothering style. She allows her children to be creative and self expressive. She is a homeschooling stay at home mom of three and quite the Wonder Woman!.

She shared this with me and told me I could share it with you!

"You're a woman and mom I aspire to be like. Ron and I often think back to some of the things we learned from you in our childbirth class and realize it has applications to our decisions as parents. Meeting you created a ripple in the life of the R5 much further than just their three splendid births. And this is a ripple I couldn't imagine being where I am today without."

I appreciate knowing that things I teach have a ripple effect! Thanks Resa!

A note of appreciation for Teresa

Dear Teresa,

Many many thanks for today's help. I cannot express in words my gratitude
to you.

The way that my wife was relaxed and comforted through her birth and later
was priceless. I will also send you some pictures once I download them.

Thanks again,

V

Lee's Letter About Teresa

Teresa was an invaluable resource during our birth experience!
Although this was our first birth and we have never known anything
different, we would never think to do anything differently from here
on out. First time parents-to-be NEED to have a doula present for
their birth experience. If you are first time parents-to-be, you NEED
to, no matter how much you know about the medical and birth industry.
I don't care if you yourself are a doula, midwife, or OB-GYN. So much
of your knowledge, research, and preparation just sort of goes out the
window when your baby actually starts making his or her entrance. If
you want to be at all in control of your birth (you should not just
let yourself be at the whim of an intervention-hungry obstetrician),
you need to be informed, and a doula will help you continue to be
informed in the heat of the moment(s).

It was so helpful to have a professional there who could keep a level
head and steady hand. Her experienced presence was worth a good
portion of her fee; my wife labored better when Teresa was present,
even when Teresa was not actively helping in some way. She even
helped turn the baby from posterior facing to anterior facing! For
those who don't know, that means Teresa helped turn the baby to avoid
dreaded back labor. TWICE. Our goal was pretty much a party line
completely unmedicated, intervention-free natural birth. Teresa
helped us achieve that goal. For anyone on the fence about hiring a
doula, do it. If not Teresa, someone from Labor of Love.

Dena shared on doulamatch.net

Thanks Dena- great recommendation for Jennifer Fargar!

"Jennifer was my post-partum doula for several weeks after my daughter Jenna was born in February 2009. She was an excellent help during a very tiring, stressful time. She was so warm and calming and really helped me relax during those initial tiring weeks. One of the things I loved is that Jennifer really catered her help to my particular needs. When we first met, I told her that I had been forgetting to eat. She went into my kitchen and made small individual snacks that I could easily grab during the busy days. She even put the snacks next to my breast pump and bed so I could have some during the night. On days when I needed sleep, she would watch my daughter and help with laundry or whatever needed to be done at the time. She was also respectful of my choices for my daughter (such as supplementing breastfeeding with formula) and gave helpful suggestions without judging or questioning me on my choices. I would highly recommend Jennifer as a postpartum doula to any lucky mom that can have her!"

Letter from Jan

This was a letter recently received for Guina from the husband of a woman who had a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with Guina as their doula.

Dear Guina,

Like most people, the most important thing in my life is the health and happiness of my family. I'm somewhat limited in all that I can do so I ask God to help me with the rest. Sometimes I fail to recognize those blessings, and I just seem to take them for granted. No doubt the birth of a child is a gift from God, but the way that Sarah was born given Amy's history and deep desire, there was definitely a bonus.

I want to thank you for your involvement. Your sensitivity, kindness,professionalism, wisdom and calm not only added to the joy of the event, but I am convinced that it was your presence that allowed Amy to realize one of her dreams. Something that we both know was so very important to her. I have to run to pick her up from the hospital...but I want you to know my gift from God included you.

Thank You so much...Jan

Letter from April

March 19, 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

Patient enduring reliable supportive irreplaceable sistah! That is what comes to mind when I think of Persis Bristol Dodson. I am not sure what her mothers intentions were when she gave Persis that name but that is what it means to me. P.E.R.S.I.S. was truly a God send.

At already 8 months and taking various child prep classes, I had heard of a Doula wanted one but did not know where to even begin looking for one. Persis was an interpreter for one of my classes and offered her services to me. This could not have come at a better or more needed time. Shortly after we met only once I began labor for my first baby.

We hadn’t had time to even discuss birth plans or even enter a contract and Persis was there and stayed with me the entire time. I felt so relaxed and confident that I could do it with her help constantly reassuring me that all is fine and that every inch was taking me closer to the end. Never leaving me to feel alone or misunderstood. All of my family and friends were nervous, tired and stressed at one point or another but Persis was undaunted by the task and stood as my knight. She’s so necessary that I have come to the conclusion that she is needed for all of my future children as well. To give birth without Persis almost seems unnatural!


I can’t seem to thank her enough!

April Lee Mbakop

Letter from Sherri

January 28, 2005

From: Sherri Paterson
To: Prospective Client of Guina Bixler

Subject: Letter of Recommendation

Early in my pregnancy I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa. It was looking for a while that I would likely have a scheduled C-Section. So, for a long time, I did not think I would need a doula. I had meet a couple of doulas (not affiliated w/ Labor of Love) early on in my pregnancy, but by the time I found out the placenta had moved out of the way in week 32 the doula's I meet where booked up!

Luckily, I had been going to the Norcross YMCA and met Kate, a Prenatal Aquatics Instructor. As a doula student herself, she referred me to www.cappa.com. In turn, I saw a Labor of Love doula on the list (Teresa) and was then referred to Guina. Who I was told up front, was a very gentle, soothing doula.

Teresa was certainly right….. Guina has an extremely gentle and soothing, grace under pressure spirit. My husband, Troy and I felt comfortable with her from our first meeting. It was great to have found a doula and we felt good knowing that Labor of Love had several doula's in case Guina had 2 births in the same night, there would be a back-up doula available. Luckily, the night I went into labor, Guina was ready and available.

I was 4 days past my due date when I went into labor and was READY to have the baby! I started labor on Dec. 1st at 4:30 p.m. and went to the hospital at 10:30 p.m. Guina met us at the hospital shortly after midnight. She found us in the hallway walking around. She showed me how to "squat" and hold onto the rails in the halls, which helped my contractions. During my 24-hour labor Guina and my husband Troy were there. As well as hospital staff and Troy's parents periodically.

During my very looooong labor Guina helped us with breathing techniques, massages (as I had back and leg spasms), birthing ball (which rocks! I loved rotating my hips, and got in a trace-like state to get through the contractions), soft music was played, she used lavender massage lotion and oils, affirmations and mantras to get through the labor. Unfortunately for me labor was felt from 2cm and upwards it just got more and more intense! If I had not done some of the techniques Guina showed us I never would have made it to 8cm. Near the end of my labor I had pain meds and an epidural. Good thing too because to everyone's surprise, when I was at 8cm my placenta ruptured. An emergency C-Section was done.

I am happy to say Ben and I we're doing fine. I was weak after the labor, as would be expected. I think Ben was actually doing better than I was, at that point!! We stayed in the hospital for a few days and went home healthy and very happy!

Ben is now 4 mos. old and is doing great. I am recovered from my C-Section and have been back at the gym recently, which is just wonderful!

Guina came by to visit us not too long ago and brought us some pictures during labor and Ben's Birth Story. It was such a wonderful experience that I highly recommend and of course I highly recommend Guina as a doula.

Sincerely,
Sherri Paterson, a.k.a. Ben's Mom

Letter from mom of twins

Here is a letter from a mom who Teresa Howard assisted in having her first children, twins. It was an unmedicated, vaginal birth that was amazing. A few years later, she asked me to return to assist her with the labor of her third child. Again, unmedicated and wonderful! She is totally amazing!

"...When I think about those days,I feel such a close bond with you. I have often felt strange about this, but you are somehow much more than just a healthcare provider hired for just a few hours of advice and service. I had such high hopes for my births, both in terms of medical choices we were able to make but also in wanting

to experience it with joy and confidence and empowerment rather than fear and frustration and regret. And, while I praise God for three wonderful, healthy, medically uncomplicated

births, the warm positive emotions that I feel when thinking about those experiences are due largely to your care and expertise.

I think the other important role you play in my mind is that you give me permission to feel the way I do about childbirth. That it is a normal, natural and healthy process that our bodies know how to do; that it is an experience to be sought after and embraced not avoided through medication or elective surgery; that it can

be a primal, empowering moment that reveals a woman's unknown strength (perhaps most of all to the new mother herself); that the experience itself can be one of the most joyous and

cherished of a woman's life, not just the painful, unavoidable process that resulted in the joy of a child. I don't know that I need permission to embrace these feelings. It's just that they are so rare among my own circle of family and friends that it's nice to have a voice in my head that validates and agrees to them. All that to say Thanks for sharing your

kind memories of me and my children. You will always hold an important and special place in my heart."