Testimonials
Sarah's Story
I had the pleasure of meeting April with the birth of my third child. During labor she provided great support and assurance but her help didn’t stop there. I reached out to April postpartum when I was having trouble with breastfeeding. She listened to my concerns, provided resources to help me make informed decisions, and checked in with me regularly. She was so giving of her time, coming to my house to help with breastfeeding and even accompanying me to doctor appointments. She was there for me every step of the way. It’s obvious that she cares deeply for her clients, and her kindness, warmth, humor, and heart of service show she is truly called to this work. I will be forever grateful for the support and devotion she gave me and my little family. I can’t recommend her more highly to anyone needing birth or postpartum support.
Carmen's Story
Giving birth for the first time can be pretty scary and overwhelming, no matter how prepared you think you are. I had been to birthing classes, read books, and even watched videos on YouTube to prepare myself for the day my baby came. In the moment though, I felt completely lost. I had been to the hospital twice already with consistent contractions thinking that it was time for baby to come. Both times the doctors said I wasn’t dilated enough and they sent me home. The third time I went to the hospital I was still having contractions but I couldn’t feel the baby moving anymore. I was immediately hooked up to machines so that baby could be monitored. For a while I was able to rest and enjoy the effects of the epidural when suddenly the baby’s heart rate dropped. A button was pushed and nurses flooded in along with April. I hadn’t met April before this point, but I knew in that moment that she was there to help me, advocate for me, and make sure that every possible thing was done to support me and my baby. When the baby’s heart rate was back to normal April was able to explain that she was a volunteer Doula at the hospital and that if I needed her, she’d stay with me.
From then on, April was there for me. She explained things that the nurses were doing that I didn’t understand, she helped me stay calm when monitors would start beeping, and she gave my husband some much needed breaks to feed himself and walk around so that his legs wouldn’t go numb from sitting in the uncomfortable chairs. My labor in the hospital was really long and the epidural had slowed progress down. I was exhausted, my husband was exhausted, and I’m sure April was exhausted but she continued to be there for us. At one point she suggested we try something called the flying squirrel to try to get the baby in a better position for delivery. She made sure I was up for it and was comfortable the entire time we tried to move baby around. Another time I was exhausted from being poked and prodded and it was hard for me to say that I need a break. April could see how exhausted I was and she respectfully asked the nurses to let me rest and to come back later. I didn’t realize how much I needed someone to say that until she did. She had seen my need for rest and acted upon it. When the baby finally came she offered to take pictures for us, encouraged me the entire time, and stepped in or back when needed. Her care for me didn’t end when the baby was born though.
My husband and I agreed that we’d like her to continue her services through my postpartum recovery. She would come to our house weekly, even though it was quite a drive for her, and she would check in on all of us, not just the baby. She did everything she possibly could to help me with breast feeding, including taking classes and doing hours of research on milk supply issues. She was a shoulder to cry on when I was feeling overwhelmed and inadequate and she became more than just my Doula, she became my friend.
When I was pregnant with baby #2 I knew I wanted April as my Doula. When I reached out to her she was ready to help me prepare in any way that she could. She taught my husband how to release tension that I had and we worked together to come up with a birth plan. Once again, April was by my side through the birth and recovery of my second baby. Her expertise, guidance, and care were invaluable. I couldn’t recommend a better Doula than April.
Krysten's Story
April came into my life through a mutual friend I had met in a Mom group. After hearing the pleasant things my friend had to say about April, I asked for her information in case I would need it one day.
I had A LOT of trauma from my first birth and postpartum experience so this pregnancy I wanted to do something different. I met with several other doula's before meeting with April. After speaking with her for over 2 hours on our first phone call, I knew I had met my person. She just understood me. In a way other people, even my closest family members, do not.
In the next couple of months I began getting to know April on a deeper level. We discussed things that no one else knew about me- she knew them without me telling her. When we faced hardship, she was there for US. If we had a question, she had the answer. If she didn’t know the answer she would find it for us. She was patient with my hundreds of questions and encouraged me to ask more.
Originally I wanted to try for a VBAC but ended up with a second c-section. The day before my c-section I tested positive for COVID. This meant that April couldn’t be at my birth. I was devastated. Little did I know that she would show up anyways. After my surgery, as I came down the hall holding my newborn- there she was. She waited for me. She hugged me. She was there.
Postpartum, she helped with breastfeeding, she comforted me when I felt like I was failing, and most importantly she was also there for my family (husband and daughter). I feel that too often, the husband is pushed aside. April included my husband in everything and was there for him too. She holds a special place in all of our hearts! I can’t recommend Roots of Labor enough. We are so incredibly thankful for her.
Kenzi's Story
I think one of the misconceptions of having a doula is that they can get in the way of your partner. Or even take their place. But I can honestly say that if it weren’t for April I don’t think my partner would have been able to show up the way he wanted. And he would tell you that himself.
“I love April. She is very important to me. She was there for me when I didn’t know if I’d be leaving the hospital without you.” Words from my partner when I told him I was tasked with writing this testimonial.
I wish every woman could have a doula like April by their side. My biggest fear going into my second pregnancy was reliving the trauma I experienced in my first. April was there and knew how determined I was to have a different experience this time. Because of her, I did. She encouraged me to use my voice. Reminding me that I get to make all the decisions in regards to my body and my birth. Although I didn’t get my VBAC home birth I had hoped for, I got a birth filled with empowerment and choice.
Because of the complications that occurred during my second delivery I was asleep and in surgery for the first couple of hours my son was alive. April helped my partner comfort our boy until we were finally reunited. Something I will forever be grateful for. April is gifted beyond words and will forever be apart of our family.
With love,
Kenzie, Cal, Sparrow, & Sunny
Darian's Story
My husband and I decided we needed a doula with our second baby because I had a difficult birth experience with my first. I was heart-set on doing everything within my power to have a non-medicated vaginal birth again, but I did not want to repeat the long labor, painful delivery, and post-birth complications. We thought a doula would be helpful in navigating our post-traumatic stress, preparing for a more comfortable delivery, and also supporting both mom and dad during labor.
April greatly exceeded our expectations, supporting us from pregnancy to postpartum, which culminated in a magical (and healing) birth and newborn period with my daughter. Throughout the whole process, April was a wealth of knowledge, ensuring that we had all the information we needed to make informed decisions. She also held space for me to share my previous birth experience, process my emotions and trauma, and confront my worries with my second baby. Given both her personal and professional experience, April helped me grow in my comfort and confidence in my ability to have a different birth story with my daughter. For my husband, she also helped him process his feelings to be a more present and confident birthing partner. As we approached our due date, April grounded us in the present and gave us grace for our apprehensions, while fostering a sense of excitement and calm. She also helped me manage some pretty persistent back pain, which greatly improved my mood and comfort. I am forever grateful for April what she has done for my mental health surrounding motherhood and my traumatic first birth.
I cannot describe how night and day our first and second birth experiences were, largely due to April's support and presence during my second. With my first, I fought my body for control of my labor progression and physical pain. With my second, April's coaching built my confidence in my body's ability to progress to a spontaneous birth and with minimal discomfort. I remained hopeful and excited through labor! With my first, my labor stalled and I felt stuck in never-ending and painful contractions. With my second, April was with me every step of the way to help manage my pain and fend off intrusive thoughts. Plus, April had given my husband the tools to be a more present, supportive, and happy partner the second time around. With my first, I pushed for hours, had severe tearing (and birth-related complications), and don't remember much of my son's arrival. With my second, I allowed my body to spontaneously eject my daughter (with April's coaching), felt minimal pain, and had no tearing or birth complications. More importantly, both my husband and I were able to be fully present and in awe of the moment our daughter was born. It was the happiest moment of my life. Finally, in the postpartum period, April supported a much more informed and patient time of healing. She visited us frequently, gave us many tools for healing and bonding, and was always very accessible to help answer questions along the way.
I cannot thank April enough for all she has given us: her time and patience, her knowledge, her support and grace, and simply her presence. She will forever be a very special person to our family - my toddler son absolutely adores her - and I am honored to know her and have had her at my birth. We love you, April!