One Birth, Two Points of View
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?
February 2022
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? FAMILY MEDICINE DR, MIDWIFE, OB?
At home with our midwife, Britt
WHY DID YOU HIRE A DOULA?
Birthing person: To help with birth positions to support me and Baby while in labor, to help progress labor if needed (based on my first birth), to advocate for us especially if we needed to do a hospital transfer, for knowledge on birth and birthing spaces and policies, and resource support. Oh and for emotional support when things get hard.
Partner: To have support for my wife during her pregnancy and labor. Also an advocate in case of having to move to a hospital.
HOW DID OILY DOULA ADVOCATE FOR YOU?
Birthing person: In my prodromal labor, I remember you asking Britt and the assistant midwife to pause before the cervical check so I could breathe and prepare myself for the pain. Otherwise I don’t know that I needed much advocacy this time around.
Partner: Made sure we were hydrated and fed which is important during births as I have learned.
HOW DID OILY DOULA HELP PREPARE YOU FOR BIRTH?
Birthing person: 2 prenatal visits and resource support. I found my midwife, PT, chiropractor, and postpartum doula through Rhonda. All of those people supported me by preparing my mind and body for finishing my pregnancy and for birth. We also did our childbirth Ed class with Rhonda before having our first so that information was still in the back of our minds.
Partner: Making sure we had a birth plan. Checking in in general. Sharing different poses to help labor along
WHAT DID OILY DOULA DO DURING THE BIRTHING TIME?
Birthing person: Coordinated back up support for us because she was at another birth. Then she arrived a few minutes after the baby was born. But I had an atypical prodromal labor about 3 weeks prior to Baby’s birthdate, and Rhonda helped a lot during that time. She worked really well with the Midwives attending my birth and helped get Baby in a better position. She helped with exercises, stretching, different movements, emotional support, she held my hands, I was sitting on her lap at some point, she reminded me to breathe, she reminded me and my other supports to make sure I was eating and staying hydrated. She does a lot if you need her to during the birthing time.
Partner: It was a fast labor so she arrived when the baby came out but during labor she was letting us know when to call the midwife to come to the house and stuff.
HOW DID OILY DOULA SUPPORT YOU DURING THE POSTPARTUM TIME?
Birthing person: Rhonda stopped by the house a few different times and just sat and talked to me which was nice. She never pushes to hold the baby - not that I would mind if she held the baby, but it’s refreshing to not be pressured to hand my newborn off. She also gave me the name and contact of the postpartum doula we hired and that made a huge difference for us! She also helped with bottle feeding support for my husband.
Partner: She came over and checked in with us in person.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?
Birthing person: Rhonda is exceptional at what she does, she is one of the most resourceful people I’ve met, and she will be invited to any future births of my children no matter where we live! Last thing, she is great at including partners! Some of the birth professionals we’ve encountered haven’t been great at including my boyfriend, now husband in the meetings and conversation. But Rhonda actually reminded us how he’s more important than her in some ways during the birthing time and made sure he was included and comfortable each step of the way. We love Rhonda and I refer her to everyone I know who is having a baby in the metro area! She actually attended my sisters birth too!
