testimonials

testimonials

birth positive ™ doulas receive many thank-you notes from clients. Here are just a few examples of the praise and gratitude expressed by women whom we've helped to "birth positive."

"Jodi,

I can't really put into words how I feel about what you've done and what you've meant to us throughout Liam's birth. I never would have dreamt that one person's support and encouragement could possibly have made such a difference. Liam's birth became so medicalized and chaotic beyond my wildest dreams; however, all I had to do was look at you and somehow I knew everything would have its place. I've always believed karma had a strong hold on my life, but how fate brought you to us. You entirely helped me through Liam's birth.

I will remember and love you forever
for your incredible patience, guidance, support and love.

We love you beyond words

xoxoxo"

- Amanda & John, first time parents

"Dear Jodi,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I want to take the time to write you this little note to say thank you and show you how much we appreciate your help during the somewhat difficult birth of our daughter.

When we first decided to have a midwife help us deliver this child, we never imagined being so compelled to labour and deliver at home. As we were slowly won over by the advantages of home birth we learned more and more about the benefits of Doula assisted births. Once we learned about the role a Doula can play during labour and delivery we realized that the person we choose to attend our birth must be both experienced and understanding. It was especially important to me that our Doula be patient and calming. While asking around for references, you came highly recommended, and I now know why.

After each time you visited our home in preparation for the big day, I felt more and more prepared. The day I went into labour we called you at midnight and you arrived within 30 minutes, smiling, wide awake, and eager to help... I was impressed. Then 18 hours later you were still pretty bright eyed and smiling when I needed you most. In the end, we never got to have the home birth we had hoped for, but you were even more valuable during the complicated times in the hospital. Frank was especially thankful that you were in charge of coming up with new ideas to cope with the pain and he just had to be there for me to lean on and squeeze. (And, he loved having a back up when he needed to sneak out for a coffee the next morning.)

Some people spend a lifetime trying to find a career that they love, something that doesn't feel like a job. It's obvious to me that, even at such a young age, you have found your calling.

I want you to know how much we appreciate your help during the difficult birth of our daughter. I don't know what we would have done without you.

Thank you"

- Michelle & Frank, second time parents

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"Where do we begin to thank you. You played such an important part in such a big event in our lives. Although many go through pre and post labour without a doula, we wouldn't want to do that. From the encouraging words, sympathetic ear, to the massage and pressure just where I needed it. Your knowledgeable know-how and professional presence are something both Brian and I are grateful for.

Thanks again"

- Carol & Brian, first time parents

"December 2003

It is our honour and pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Jodi Hinds. We met Jodi when she served as a doula for the birth of our first son this fall. We work in the health care profession and have rarely met someone like Jodi whose professionalism and expertise is matched by their outstanding interpersonal skills.

[...] Jodi was an invalable information source, having clearly made herself very familiar with community resources. Perhaps more importantly Jodi was able to communicate, over the telephone, in a way that helped us to build trust in her, before we even had a chance to meet. We had some health concerns that were likely to impact the delivery and were causing us anxiety. While Jodi helped us to explore our own issues, she inspired confidence by her listening skills, and proved herself able to support our needs and concerns.

[...] At our initial meeting we were tremendously impressed with her balance of professionalism and interpersonal warmth. She was clearly informed beyond her scope of practice, and while she did not make any recommendations beyond her scope, she was able to use that information to make appropriate referrals and to empathize with our concerns. She clearly defined what her role would be, and ensured that through herself and other community partners our needs were being met.

[...] On the second occasion [...] we probed several deeper concerns we had regarding decisions we would have to make about the birth and postpartum care. Jodi was able to facilitate a rather difficult discussion very well. While we knew she had personally been in our position before, and we looked to her for answers about what she had done, she was able to gracefully communicate all options available to us, and to maintain a professional distance.

As the pregnancy developed we found out that we would be having a cesarean delivery, which meant that Jodi's role as a support person during and following the birth would be significantly changed. It also meant that we had a lot of adjusting to do with what we anticipated for the birth. Jodi was able to support us as we went through this process. She redefined her role for us, and checked to determine whether it would still be useful for us to have her assistance. Christine made many phonecalls to Jodi as she learned more about the pregnancy. Again, Jodi was incredibly resourceful in providing information and resources about this new situation. She also helped Christine as she came to terms with the Cesarean, and supported her as she came to understand the physical and psychological impact this form of delivery was likely to have on her birth experience.

At the delivery Jodi again exemplified her high degree of professionalism. She was able to act as an advocate for us while encouraging us to act for ourselves by providing the information we needed to make important decisions. She supported us through several stressful situations, using her knowledge, her warmth, and her humour to assist us. During the weeks after the birth of our son, in consultation with us, she again established her role with us, stepping forward or back as the situation demanded as we, and our extended family, learned to care for our child.

[...] Throughout the time we have known her we have been consistently impressed. As a doula, she needed to balance emotional and educational support, and to constantly adapt to our changing needs. She did so with total professionalism, and maintained warmth and trust continuously, while managing to balance our needs and her own."

- Christine & Jason, first time parents, cesarean birth

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