Kind Words

“Rachel was a calming, peaceful and strong presence during our birth.  Rachel supported me through a drug-free hospital labor with massage and verbal encouragement,  while my husband literally held me up as I hung onto his neck during strong contractions.  She also helped me with positioning and with breathing — reminding me to  breathe deeply and calmly.  For both my husband and me, she felt like part of our team.  As soon as our daughter arrived and was in my arms, I remember turning to Rachel and to my husband,  and exclaiming, ‘We did it!’ Rachel made herself available to help in any way that we needed during labor — whether that meant running out to grab lunch for my husband or wrapping me in her shawl and walking the halls with me during contractions — but she was also a part of our prenatal experience, taking time to get to know us, to understand our desires regarding birth, even coming to Dr appointments with me.  Though this was my third birth, it was my first time to labor with a doula.  I am truly grateful to have shared this beautiful experience with Rachel.” Sara, mother of 3

“Having Rachel Nehme present for the birth of my daughter was very helpful. At first I wasn’t sure that a birth companion was right for me, but now I see her presence as a necessary part of my birthing experience… For instance, before the labor she encouraged my husband and I to ask questions of my health care providers  and to explore all my birthing options. Creating a birth plan and creating clear expectations as far as interventions and pain relief helped prepared me for labor and communicating with hospital staff.  She  came to my house before my due date a number of times which allowed us to get to know her. She showed me how to practice some helpful birthing exercises to aid in labor as well as to clarify my husband and I’s wishes just in case our birth plan did not go the way we wanted… Rachel was attentive, loving, very helpful, and fully present for me… She was there with battery operated candles to soothe the room as well as with a drink of water anytime I needed it. I really don’t know what I would have done without her. When I was resting she was getting my husband a sandwich or something to drink.  She made our experience much much less stressful and helped me to feel fully supported so that we could more fully enjoy the birth of our sweet baby girl.” Gewel, first time mom

“First off, if it weren’t for Rachel, I don’t think I would have gotten my natural birth. From the time I learned about doulas I thought they were a good idea, but I had no use for one.  After a planned epidural birth and planned c-section with breech twins, I knew I wanted to have a natural childbirth this time around. When my doctor suggested a doula as a route that would give me more confidence to labor at home longer, I decided to look into it.  I started interviewing doulas as deciding who is going to be at your baby’s birth is a big deal… Rachel came to my home and I just loved her from the beginning. During the whole process, she had the perfect touch, but when it came to labor and delivery, that’s where she brought her magic.  I called her to my house 2 times (apparently confused about what “real” labor is).  She was encouraging and knew when to pull back.  She allowed me to labor how I wanted to and do what felt right to me and she had suggestions that I think really helped things along.  I wanted to be as close to transition as possible before I went to the hospital.  Having Rachel is what helped me not jump the gun…  As it turns out, by the time I actually got to the hospital and they were able to check me, I was at an 8 and had our sweet baby girl minutes later… Even remembering the moment makes me feel so accomplished.  Rachel kept her cool while both my husband and I were absolutely in the moment…  What a blessing she was for us.” Andi, mother of 3

“Rachel, how can I begin to truly thank you for such a thoughtful, caring, and beautiful experience? You are a part of our family story now and we will always be connected in that way. I could not have done it — 55 hours of labor — without you and Carter.” Shannon, first time mom

“I really appreciated Rachel’s devotion and willingness to commit to us.  She made time to meet with us multiple times before the birth and was very, very conscientious about finding out our wishes and giving us good advice on how to make it happen… She was a constant source of good ideas and inspiration.  I have rarely in my life been as completely grateful to a virtual stranger as I was to have Rachel there.  She went far above and beyond the call of duty and helped make our daughter’s birth a truly special experience.  It seems that we were never going to have the natural childbirth that we wanted, but my wife and I know that we tried our absolute hardest.  Rachel was our constant friend and support through the ordeal, and without her we would never have made it so far.” Geoff, first time dad

“Due to a number of variables, my husband and I were restricted to having our second baby in the hospital, when our first choice had been to have a home birth. We hired Rachel to help bridge the “gap” in our initial desires. She was not only an incredible advocate for us and our wishes, but was also swift yet calm in anticipating our needs, sensitive to and appropriate in her level of involvement at every stage, and the most ideal encourager during birth. We heartily recommend her to all.” Mindy, mother of two