The New Dansby Family
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Melissa & Trent were so happy to welcome Cash
Michael. His entire family gathered to offer a welcome
champagne toast, using the Waterford Crystal that celebrated the
wedding of Mom & Dad.
The nurses at Harris Methodist were lovely and offered great
support to this new family. Cash is so cute, isn't he? |
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"Brenda was truly a
Godsend for us during the birth of our first baby! She was the
"common denominator" when our doc wasn't on call that day and
the nursing shift changed during our labor. Brenda was the
"constant" that we could trust to give us advice when
everything was new for the first time. And because we had thoroughly
discussed our options and preferred birth plan with her, when things
started progressing differently than I had hoped, we trusted her advice,
knowing that she shared a mutual understanding and respect for our
preferences.
Brenda was such a calming presence for everyone involved - myself, my
husband, our families and the nursing staff. Her bedside manor is
amazing (I wish the doctors had had the same!)
In the end, even though my labor didn't progress as I had hoped, I was
still able to have a very positive birth experience! I consider it a
blessing to have had Brenda with us during this journey!"
- Melissa Dansby
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Karen & James were determined
to have a natural birth. They worked hard together and Baby Gavin
came soooo pretty! He is now a GREAT nurser, and the pride and joy
of his big family!
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Sami & Chris chose a care
provider who was very supportive of their choices. She in fact,
said nothing when Sami's dilation "paused" at 9 centimeters
for over 10 hours! Precious Morgan was born naturally after many,
many hours of hard labor for Mommy.
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Tina Marie's faith helped her make crucial decisions that saved her
son's life. Within hours of her labor, she changed doctors and
hospitals to ensure that her choices as the Mother were honored.
We didn't know at the time, but the change to a Level III Neonatal
Hospital would make the difference in Luke's recovery from a
complication that no one could have predicted!!!
 
Waiting for the next
Contraction The Food of Luv!
Cuddling Luke Nathaniel...
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The positives for having a Doula are so great.
I don’t know where to begin.
My dream of an unmedicated, natural childbirth became a reality
because of the assistance of a Doula.
There is no doubt about this.
In fact, the course of my labor could have been altered if it
weren’t for her presence.
Brenda increased my confidence level so I could endure
that hard pain. Her
assistance with positions during labor was invaluable, guiding me to
that much desired 10 centimeters!
Her interventions gave freedom to my husband, allowing
him to love me calmly.
The suggestions she made on my delivery position kept me
from the dreaded episiotomy and even from tearing.
I had skin-to-skin contact with my baby right after her
birth.
I cannot stress enough the importance of having a Doula
present. That
‘someone’ who can rationally think for the husband and wife; that
person who can speak with knowledge and professionalism to the medical
staff. Let’s face it,
what other event in a woman’s life encompasses, pain, emotional
stress, unpredictability, exposure, vulnerability and the possibility
of major surgery all at the same time?
Positive outcomes occurred for Daddy, my sweet baby
girl, Caroline Grace and myself.
I am beaming with happiness because of the personal goal I’ve
accomplished.
My Doula Brenda made my dream come true.
I will always be grateful for this positive memory that will be
held dear to my heart for a lifetime.
- Sabrina Cademartori
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Benjamin James is son of Nina & Randy
Knight. Isn't he a cutie pie?
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Mary Elizabeth is truly a miracle baby ... For the first 16 weeks
gestation her Mommy's lab work indicated that this
"wasn't a viable pregnancy" ... Her Mommy & Daddy knew
differently!
Celebrating
with the new family!
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I had Brenda Shumway as my
Doula. She was WONDERFUL!! To me and my husband.
I had planned a VBACand she was right there with support and
encouragement. Turned out after many hours of pushing I had to have
another c-section. Brenda never left mine nor my husbands side. She
stayed with me while my hubby and baby went to the nursery.
I really don't know what I
would have done without her she is kind, sweet, She even went with me to
my Dr. to discuss my wants. She knows what she is doing and she knows
how to make you feel good and comfortable.
I have to say, We Love Brenda!
--- Carol Howell
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Mandy
& Tim are head over heels in love with Mikayla Grace. They
were so touched by doula care that Mandy is now a birth doula as well!
I'm
so proud!
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Lisa & Doug were such a good team. He was a very tender,
compassionate coach. Precious Tori Marie is the cream on the top
of their wondeful marriage. I am proud to say that Lisa has joined
me as a Doula herself. In fact, at a recent workshop, she awarded
my Lamaze certificate. It was a wonderfully tearful moment!
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| Toby and I have reminisced about the birth,
what a miracle it was and how glad we were for (Brenda's) support
throughout. Even if the particulars can never be predicted, the event
itself went just as we'd hoped -- no unnecessary interventions and no
rushing. Toby's confidence in asserting at that last minute that I
did not want an episiotomy was surely due in no small part to (Brenda's)
gentle guidance and presence, and I'm very grateful because i healed so
nicely with little discomfort. (Her) continued support and advice after
the birth was much appreciated.
(Her) help and guidance which enabled Toby and I to
approach the birth with well-informed excitement and to go though it
with calm joy. We hope (she'll) visit from time to time so that
Marshall will be able to meet the woman who filled his passage into this
world with tenderness by her presence and knowledge.
---- Debra Baldwin
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Baby
Marshall – what a cutie!
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 Cindy & John wanted an intervention free birth for their 3rd
child. Hard work and persistence paid off, here she is and
all Cindy's choices were respected!
Christina’s Pretty Announcement
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Juanita & Eric accomplished their goal of a VBAC
delivery with Miss Victoria Rose. She arrived at the hospital
complete and delivered within the hour. Whattawoman!
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Rachel & Shawn wanted a VBAC delivery sooooo
badly. Their doctor kept wanting to induce but Rachel held
firm: She knew that her body could do this on its own.
Sure enough, the night before she was scheduled
to go in for induction, her water broke. In less than 2 hours,
precious Mason Thomas arrived - no pitocin required, thank you very
much!
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I
am delighted to tell you that I absolutely love Brenda! If I ever
have another baby, I will ask her to be my Doula.
I
very much wanted to have a Bradley birth. (No drugs.) I chose
Brenda because she is a very experienced Doula, she has extensive
knowledge of the Bradley method, and because she has coached several
clients in the Bradley method.
I
am very proud to say that when I arrived at the hospital, I was
completely dilated and ready to push! I absolutely could not have
done it without Brenda. Brenda has a magic voice and a magic
touch. The only way I made it through all those contractions was
by Brenda holding my hand and talking to me. Not even my husband
could comfort me in the end. Only Brenda.
Unfortunately,
my baby was trying to present his forehead rather than the top of his
head, and I had to have a C section. But, Brenda's experience came
into play even here. She told me that I could assume the
knee-chest position, breath through the pushing contractions, and wait
for gravity to assist the baby OUT of the birth canal. Once the
baby's head had come unwedded, I could try to push him down again.
Unfortunately, I was exhausted and could not fight the pushing
contractions, and so had a C section. Brenda was with me every
step of the way. She provided an impartial opinion when my husband
and I discussed the C section. And, she fully supported our
decision once it had been made.
Brenda
was my eyes and ears, and sometimes, my voice. She knew my birth
plan and very politely but firmly helped me and my husband refuse
certain procedures. When I was concentrating hard on dealing with
a contraction, Brenda helped me answer questions from the nursing staff.
When my son was born, she told me everything they were doing to him. She
somehow snuck the camera away and snapped a beautifully intimate shot of
my husband and I greeting our new son. When three hours had passed and
my son still hadn't come out of the nursery, Brenda went in search of
him. He appeared (as if by magic) about 20 minutes later.
When I was thirsty and starving, Brenda found crackers and juice for me.
But
the most precious thing Brenda gave me was the letter she wrote to my
son about his birth. She remembered a thousand little details that
I had forgotten: that I spent 45 minutes laboring in the warm
shower; that my husband was a perfect imitation of the nervous father
when we were getting ready to drive to the hospital; that an anesthesia
specialist had to be called because no one else could insert my IV.
She remembered the names of every one of the medical staff that assisted
me.
I
can not say enough good things about Brenda. I fell in love with
her simply by talking with her one the phone. She is a very
special person with a special gift.
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can not say enough positive things about Brenda and the service she
offers to pregnant women. My birth experience was SO positive, it was
exactly what I wanted and Brenda was a large reason for that. She was
totally supportive of my choices. She was extremely helpful while I was
pregnant both in preparing me for the birth and in giving me advice when
I asked for it.
My
husband was initially leery of hiring a doula but after meeting with
Brenda and in particular after we had Katy he has said several times
that it was great having Brenda there to support us and that it was the
best money we spent.
Brenda
was there to support me before I had Katy, during the actual
birth and was very helpful to me during a particularly difficult period
I was having with my daughter shortly after having had her. She came to
my
house and spent several hours with me to help me when I called crying
about a week after I had Katy.
One
of my closest friends has just found out she is pregnant for the
first
time and she will be hiring Brenda as her doula based on the positive experience
I had and the glowing recommendations we have given her.
In
short I simply cannot say enough positive things about Brenda and
the
service she provided me as my doula. --- Lara Perrault
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Meredith & Rob were to meet friends for dinner. Her water
broke and she delivered less than three hours later. They didn't
even have time to call their friends. I think they were forgiven!!
Isn't
Brett Elizabeth as pretty as her Mommy?
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Kellina & Joel appreciated doula support for the
birth of Kyler, their 3rd child. They are hoping for number 4
soon!
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Jersey Jermaine Alexander's
Mommy's belly casting
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Kevin & I wanted to let you know
how much we appreciated your help during the birth of William. If
you had not been there I would have taken medication, but because of
your constant attention, I was able to avoid it. Kevin also realized how
valuable a Doula can be. He recognized the difference a trained
person can make. Both of us are very satisfied with how it turned
out. Thank you again for all your help.
--Rachel Hansen |
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Chris was free to witness Colin's entrance into the world as Rachel is
fully supported face to face...
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Hollee & Brian Edwards with
Ransom Reece.
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