From Vanessa...

"My husband and I were on the fence throughout most of my pregnancy about having a doula. My midwife insisted that I have one for my birth. I kept thinking that having a doula would be a frivolous thing to have especially when I have a very supportive husband. Well, I was totally wrong.
 
I had 45 hours of hard labor [Vanessa had back labor, which does not give painfree rests in between contractions]. I was in so much pain that my husband was almost panic stricken because he's never seen this side of me. Tamrha was able to coach my husband in how to help me and she was able to keep me focused and calm. At one point, I felt bad because I know that she had two children at home and I suggested that she would go home and come back. She looked at me straight in the eye and said I'm not leaving you until this baby comes out. She did above and beyond of what she was hired for. We are so grateful that she was able to share the birth of our little girl with us."

From Helen...

" I cannot say enough good things about Tamrha.  I was pregnant with my third when I decided I wanted the support of a doula.  I wanted a non-medicated birth and I felt that my best chance at that would be if I had a doula.  I met with Tamrha in my third trimester and had a very good rapport with her.  She's such an advocate of women and the entire birthing process. 

I've always gone 41 weeks with my babies and with this pregnancy; there was some strong pressure to induce.  According to the doctors and my midwife, the baby hadn't grown in 4 weeks.  I was confused because my baby felt strong (lots of movement and karate kicks) and my abdomen was growing pretty quickly in those final weeks.  I panicked when I agreed to an induction.  I knew that if I went through with the recommendations, I would most likely require an epidural due to the strong pitocin-induced contractions.  I immediately called Tamrha after I spoke with my midwife.  I was to check into the hospital at 8pm.  The wheels were set in motion.  But Tamrha talked me off the ledge.  She asked me how I felt.  She encouraged me to follow my instincts, as a woman and as a mother.  I called the midwife back and declined induction.  The response was "your baby could die," which really infuriated and disappointed me.   

The following morning I met with another midwife in the practice and she recommended castor oil.  It did the trick.  By 7:30pm, I was in labor.  Tamrha met us at the hospital.  My labor and delivery was quick, but Tamrha was phenomenal.  She listened closely to what I needed and truly facilitated the process for me.  I felt empowered by her, as did my husband.  She is so good at what she does that there's very little video or pictures of the baby because my husband was less photographer and more birth partner, this time around.  Because of Tamrha's support, I was able to have the kind of birth I wanted.   

I think Tamrha is a wonderful doula and an asset to any woman who chooses to use her services.  She's attentive and very accessible.  There's nothing I would change about my birth experience."