Charity was the most amazing doula I could have asked for. When my doctor discouraged a VBAC she encouraged me to get another opinion and possibly switch doctors. I was shy but she helped me feel okay. She found a great practice that supports trying for VBACs. She reviewed our birth plan and got to know our wishes. Having had a VBAC before, she was knowledgeable about the subject but never pushed her ideas onto us. She only gave us the necessary info so we could make informed choices, and then she supported us.
The day I went into labor Charity was almost as excited as we were! I had severe back labor, so she referred me to a chiropractor to help the baby drop. Then at my home she helped me mentally escape the pain to a happier place.
At the hospital Charity walked with us through the halls over and over. She showed my husband how to ease my pain. She let me lean on her during contractions and helped me breathe through them. She talked to me about my happy place and told me how strong I am. She and my husband had to push HARD on my back and hips to ease the pain of my back labor. She never complained. She helped me try some maneuvers to help the baby drop. She stayed by my side and helped with everything I needed. She only went to sleep when I did.
If I did not understand what was going on she explained it to me and was my advocate to help the hospital staff follow my birth plan as closely as possible. She was kind to hospital staff, and never overbearing.After being in labor for a few days I kept saying I could not do it anymore. Charity said I could do it, but that I didn’t have to. Once I got an epidural she told me how proud of me she was for making it that far. I had to have a C section and she waited while I had the operation, even though it was late at night and we hadn’t slept much for 3 days. She helped me with nursing and even got me a beautiful gift at the gift shop. The experience was absolutely perfect!
-Nicole Sampson