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Please recommend your doula
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Anonymous
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At this late stage, my husband and I have just decided that we do want a doula to be present at your daughter's birth in early July. We live in Falls Church and are delivering at VHC in Arlington. I am trying for an unmedicated birth. Please recommend your doula - I need to start interviewing!
TIA. |
Anonymous
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I used Nurtured Beginnings, a group of 3 or 4 doulas in Falls Church. I thought they were great! The doula who was with us for the birth of our son is taking time away from her doula work due to her own family responsibilities, so she is not currently working, but I was very comfortable with the entire group. (The way they work, you meet with all of them and then your doula is assigned based on when you go into labor (they have assigned days, similar to a group OB practice).
http://www.nurtured-beginnings.com/ |
Anonymous
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I was so grateful for the support of my doula, Heather Wilson, before, during, and after my labor. I highly recommend her! Her website is www.heatherwilsondoula.com.
Good luck to you! |
Anonymous
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I haven't given birth yet so I wouldn't feel right recommending my doula at this time, but I started my search at DONA.org.
http://www.dona.org/search/results.php?region=US+-+VA&doulas=birth&x=19&y=14 |
Anonymous
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I had Debora Harvey (douladebora@yahoo.com) at both my non-medicated births. She lives in Arlington.
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Anonymous
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Claudia Booker is awesome! DCBirthingHands@aol.com
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Anonymous
| Emma Keeton (birthwithemma@hotmail.com) assisted with my birth at Sibley in February. She was phenomenal before, during, and after labor and delivery. I can't recommend her highly enough. Please email me with questions or for more information (vssms*at* gmail.com). |
Anonymous
| Sorry -- PP here - my email address is vssmsw *at* gmail.com for questions about Emma. |
Anonymous
| I didn't use her because she wasn't available for my dates. But I did a lot of research and interviewing and Amy La Buy Crane was the most highly recommended regarded doula among everyone I spoke with (this was 2 years ago). I don't have her number. She's also a lactation consultant and was in the process of becoming a mid-wife, so I'm not sure she's still practicing as a doula. I did use her as a lactation consultant afterwards. If you're really close to your due date, though, she probably wouldn't be available and you may be better off going with a pratice that is going to be more flexible in terms of how many pregnancies they can take at once. I've heard good things about nurtured beginnings, and I think they have a lot of eperience at VHC. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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Another rave for Heather Wilson! We were so glad to have her with us for our baby's birth a few months ago -- can't say enough good things about her!!
Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I also had Emma Keeton as my doula, but at GW. She was FABULOUS. I could have never have gone through my birth without her. I had a very difficult delivery and she stayed by my side the entire time, for nearly three days! My husband and I consider Emma part of the family now. I can't give her enough praise. We plan on asking her to be our doula for our next baby, too. Her email is birthwithemma@hotmail.com |
Anonymous
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I would highly recommend my doula, Janet Hazelbaker (jryhazelbaker@gmail.com).
She has attended births at nearly every area hospital, and provided the encouraging hand that my husband and I needed throughout the preparation for, labor, and delivery of my first son. She is excellent with doctors and nurses, and worked with us to communicate our preferences for a drug free birth to the team that delivered my baby. I don't know what I would have done without her during nearly 36 hours of labor! Very best of luck with the birth of your child! |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Because of H1N1 etc., Most hospitals will only let ONE person accompany the woman during labor and birth You may have to choose between your husband and the doula! I'd look into this before you consider hiring a doula right now! |
Anonymous
Hopefully that won't be the case in July. But at least a doula can still work with a mom at home so that she doesn't rush to the hospital too early. |