Experienced Doula, First Time Family
Client Stories and Photos Disclaimer
At OIly Doula, I am honored to share the unique and beautiful birth stories of the families I've worked with. Please note that each birth experience is deeply personal, and the stories and photos shared on this website are submitted with the explicit permission of the families involved.
By sharing these stories, I aim to celebrate the diversity of birth experiences, inspire others, and highlight the work I do. However, all content is intended for viewing on the OIly Doula website only and is not for further distribution, reproduction, or use outside of this site without prior consent.
I respect the privacy of my clients, and while I am grateful for their trust, I understand that every birth is unique. The information shared may not reflect the experiences of all clients, as each journey is different.
Thank you for respecting the privacy and wishes of the families who have graciously allowed me to share their stories.
WHEN WAS YOUR BABY BORN?
April 2021
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? FAMILY MEDICINE DR, MIDWIFE, OB?
Fairview Riverside, Midwife and OB
WHY DID YOU HIRE A DOULA?
I wanted a doula because as a first-time parent, I did not know what to expect from this process. I wanted to go into birth as prepared and informed as possible. I needed someone who had walked through this process to help me figure out what I wanted for my birth and how to advocate for that. I wanted support for both myself and my partner to help ease our fears and boost our confidence.
HOW DID OILY DOULA ADVOCATE FOR YOU?
Rhonda was at my side the entire process. She made sure I understood what the medical team was telling me and what decisions were mine to make. She collaborated with the medical team to make sure I had every tool available to me and every technique was used to get that baby to move! When I made the decision to have c-section, she went into super advocate mode and got the anesthesia team there stat. She advocated to be in the surgical room with me and held my hand until they kicked her out (when I had to be put under general anesthesia). She made sure my wishes were carried out once the baby arrived and helped support my husband until I was reunited with them. Something for which I am forever grateful.
HOW DID OILY DOULA HELP PREPARE YOU FOR BIRTH?
After attending Rhonda’s EBB [Evidence Based Birth] class, my husband and I felt as prepared as we could for birth as first-time parents. Rhonda also came to our house to walk through the positions and techniques together. The evidence-based information we received from Rhonda was incredibly helpful in figuring out what we wanted going into the birth and how to advocate for ourselves in the hospital. But even more than that, Rhonda’s confidence and belief in me and what my body could do was incredibly calming and empowering. I borrowed that confidence in the weeks leading up to the birth and it helped to ease my fears and anxieties.
WHAT DID OILY DOULA DO DURING THE BIRTHING TIME?
What didn’t Rhonda do for us during the birthing time?! She was incredible. She fed us, supported us, made us laugh, and held my hand when I cried. She helped my husband know how to support me both physically and emotionally. She stepped in when he needed a break. She helped us try allll the birthing positions, taught me how to use allll the tools (including nitrous oxide, which was a life saver). When my husband could no longer keep his eyes open (it was a long birth), it was Rhonda who stayed up with me, talking to me and holding my hand. I am so proud of everything I was able to do in my birth and that is because I had Rhonda at my side telling me I could.
HOW DID OILY DOULA SUPPORT YOU DURING THE POSTPARTUM TIME?
Rhonda was there when we were in the thick of it. My baby had jaundice at birth and lost more than 10% of his birth weight in the first couple days at home. They were worried about him not getting enough breast milk and there was a possibility he would need to be readmitted to the hospital. I did not have the energy or wherewithal to try to figure out what to do. Thanks to Rhonda, I did not have to. One text to her and she snapped into action. She was at my house the same day with bags of donor milk and taught my husband how to supplement with a syringe. I can honestly say I was not stressed by the situation and that was because I had Rhonda there to give us the support, information and resources we needed to navigate it.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?
Rhonda was the most important member of my team. She made the scary and/or stressful moments not so scary or stressful. I am so grateful to have had her as part of my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.
