Testimonials
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with women during birth. Here is what some of my previous clients had to say about my doula services:
Sandra G., Leander
My birth experience with Darlene was wonderful. We did not have a doula for the birth of our first child and it was so great to be able to have a natural birth with Darlene's help the second time around. She was very thorough in our prenatal visits and very accessible before the birth to answer my questions.
During the birth, what we liked most about Darlene is that she participated as much as we wanted her to...and she really let me and my husband work together to deliver our baby. She guided us during the process, adjusted the setting of the room as needed (and did so on her own when we were too involved in the labor to think to do it for ourselves) and assisted us in making the appropriate decisions about how the birth was to progress based on what we had discussed prior. She was such a source of comfort for us and we were so happy to have her there!
Stephanie T., Elgin
Darlene was such a blessing to us. Our birth experience could not have been as wonderful and fulfilling as it was if she hadn't been there. Her touch was very soothing to my during my contractions. Her knowledge and support before, during and after our birth was beyond anything we expected. I would recommend her to anyone and would love to have her attend our next birth.
Keri J., Austin
Darlene recommended to me from a friend’s doula. In anticipation of my first childbirth and hoping to delivery naturally, I knew I would need support and assistance. However, being a soon-to-be single mom, I didn’t have a traditional partner by my side. I had a lot of questions and knew it would be helpful to have an experienced partner working together with me and assuring me that everything would be o.k.
I appreciated Darlene’s availability and openness to answer questions when I needed assistance pre-labor. I felt comfortable in saying what I wanted. Her non-judgmental approach helped me feel comfortable in expressing concerns. She fully supported my needs and understood when I wanted to change our birth plan as the situation arose. She didn’t force anything upon me. She sat back when it was clear that I needed space, and she intervened when it was necessary. There was a good balance! In addition, when I was overdue and becoming increasingly impatient and feeling the pressure to induce, she helped to reel me back in to my original wishes. She helped me practice patience and try not to let other distractions get in the way. In addition, she performed Reiki on me, and that helped me relax before the impending birth.
The most significant results of our work together were a greater understanding of childbirth without medical intervention, an acceptance of how the delivery goes even if it doesn’t fit the birth plan exactly, and appreciation of the strength of women during childbirth and the importance of a support system. I now have a beautiful son. I feel like although I didn’t follow my birth plan exactly, it was a wonderful experience. As a matter of fact, it was the most amazing experience thus far in my life.