Halfway through my 3rd pregnancy I knew I wanted to try out the possibility of having a doula. I did not have one with my first baby and I believe having one would have drastically helped. I found Lauren through a friend and immediately called her, she was everything I needed and more. She was calm, understood my preferences and beliefs and we immediately clicked! She was always a phone call/text away through my whole pregnancy when I had questions or needed advice! When I went into labor my husband had to be with my family so she came to my house to support me through labor, she was magical! Although my birth did not end up how I would have ever imagined, she never left my side. She was there praying with me when they told me I would need a c section, she was there for me through the c section and came to visit postpartum in the hospital and at home. She was absolutely incredible and I would recommend her to anyone!

During the late months of 2021 we started praying for our (yet to be conceived) baby. We knew this pregnancy and deliver had to be different from our other two. Between planned inductions and epidurals I knew that was not going to be our story this time around. Shortly after finding out that we were pregnant I made a list of nonnegotiable items. I wanted a voice, I wanted to make my own decisions, I wanted freedom to birth my sweet miracle in a way that felt natural and seamless. I did not know that free choice, having a voice or simply walking around my delivery room without being hooked up to machines were even an option before I met Lauren. During the early stages of pregnancy Lauren gave me podcasts to listen to and birthing affirmations to think over. As my pregnancy progressed I wrote my own affirmations and practiced them daily, she even gave me questions to ask my doctor and offered to step into appointed with me when I felt defeated and overwhelmed. By the end of my pregnancy we went through different stretches, she took time to meet with my husband and myself, and we had a plan set in place for the early stages of labor. When our sweet baby finally decided to join us earth side Lauren was exactly where I needed her to be- a text, a phone call, and when I began to get nervous, right beside me. When I was in active labor she allowed my husband to sleep and guided me in different stretches so I would progress a bit quicker. My brain was concentrating on breathing and she literally did everything else- she tracked every contraction and helped me to stay at home for as long as possible. When we made it to the hospital she was my voice and my advocate. She knew my birth plan from heart and would not let the nurses sway me in a different direction. Admittedly, before knowing Lauren, I only knew of doula’s being with you through the end of your pregnancy- I had no idea that she would show up for me in the early stages, encourage me through sick months when I felt defeated and treat me as a family member instead of a client.

Lorren was a complete blessing to our birth story. Her gentleness and support was something we desperately looked for in our redemptive birth. Lauren stayed in touch the whole pregnancy and met up with me to chat many times. Once i realized I was definitely in labor she checked in every hour to see how we were doing. She met me at the hospital shortly after we arrived and was such a calm present doula. It’s very easy to get in your head and become fearful and the second she would see me tensing up she would remind me to relax and loosen my jaw and drop my shoulders. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to have her there with us. We wanted the birthing pool at the hospital but they did not have all the parts to fill it, so she filled water buckets and put them in the birthing pool until it was filled. Shortly after I transitioned to the water, it was go time. She poured water on my back, worked the pressure points, suggested new positions, and praised a successful birth after my son came. It was beautiful. The support was incredible. During the aftermath of birth she held my hand the entire time. I’m so grateful, so so so grateful for her.