What people are saying about Sweet Nellie!
"When I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I immediately knew I wanted a doula to help me achieve a natural VBAC. I had a scheduled C-section with my first child because he was in a breech position. I felt that I had a better chance of a natural birth with a doula's support and wanted someone I knew and trusted to be present at the birth. (Sure enough, a visiting doctor whom I had never met delivered my daughter.)
After meeting Maria and speaking with references that raved about her, my husband and I asked Maria to be a part of the birth of our daughter. We had several meetings with her during the pregnancy to get to know one another and for Maria to better understand our preferences and hopes for the birth. She gave us a refresher childbirth course and was always available to talk during the pregnancy. She really took the time to get to know us. By the time I went into labor, we truly felt like Maria was part of our "team"!
During labor, Maria was amazing! She was so positive and supportive throughout labor, providing gentle guidance, encouragement, and suggestions for coping with pain while respecting the process my husband and I were going through together. When I struggled to find my rhythm at certain points and was fearful I wouldn't be able to continue, she was right there with words of encouragement, suggestions to alleviate the pain, or just being present with me while I did the work to bring our daughter into the world. Because of Maria and the support of my wonderful husband, our daughter was born naturally without drugs! Although my husband later admitted he was skeptical of the role a doula plays in a birth when I first suggested it, our experience with Maria easily persuaded him how important and comforting a skilled doula can be. We both are so glad that Maria is part of our daughter's birth story!"
-Jennifer, Montpelier, VT
"When my husband and I found out we were pregnant we were thrilled. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad anxious about labor and delivery. One thing though that I thought would be very helpful would be to have a midwife that we both felt comfortable with. I wasn't thrilled then when I learned that at the birth center where we would be going, there were 6 midwives and while they'd try to get you to meet all of them before your labor, there was no guarantee that that would happen. I couldn't imagine being comfortable laboring with the support of someone I'd only met maybe a couple of times.
Thus, we started looking for a doula. Immediately upon meeting Maria, I felt comfortable- I'm not sure how to describe it other than that both my husband and I felt really good in her presence. She was definitely knowledgeable, and also incredible open to hear about what kind of birth experience we wanted. Maria made herself really available to us and by the the time my due date rolled around I felt completely comfortable with her. I can't imagine having had our son without Maria's support. She was the one who coaxed me into the car, fed me ice chips, and coached us to move into other positions while I was laboring. Both my husband and I felt like she was a really strong advocate for us. One thing my husband had worried about was what his role would be if we had a doula, he needn't have worried, Maria was incredibly involved but not at all pushy. She supported both of us and there were many times that night when we both looked to her as our source of strength. While the nurse and midwife were both great, it was instrumental having Maria there because she knew me. I can still hear her right by my ear quietly encouraging me that I could do this.
When people ask me about my son's birth story, I love to share it. Welcoming him into this world was a beautiful thing and I think Maria was a big part of that."
-Jenna, Montpelier, VT
"I really enjoyed meeting other moms-to-be in a comfortable and caring space. The birthing class empowered me by allowing me to look at my fears and move past them, and prepared both me and my husband with many ways to move through the process of labor and birth. The birthing class was a very supportive place."
-Katie, Worcester, VT
"Thank you so much for coming to our house early in the morning and spending the whole day with T. Your presence allowed Steve and I to focus on the task at hand knowing that our little guy was safe and cared for and having fun. Being able to birth at home with our son present was an unbelievable experience, thank you for your generosity of time and spirit."
- Ellen, Warren VT
After meeting Maria and speaking with references that raved about her, my husband and I asked Maria to be a part of the birth of our daughter. We had several meetings with her during the pregnancy to get to know one another and for Maria to better understand our preferences and hopes for the birth. She gave us a refresher childbirth course and was always available to talk during the pregnancy. She really took the time to get to know us. By the time I went into labor, we truly felt like Maria was part of our "team"!
During labor, Maria was amazing! She was so positive and supportive throughout labor, providing gentle guidance, encouragement, and suggestions for coping with pain while respecting the process my husband and I were going through together. When I struggled to find my rhythm at certain points and was fearful I wouldn't be able to continue, she was right there with words of encouragement, suggestions to alleviate the pain, or just being present with me while I did the work to bring our daughter into the world. Because of Maria and the support of my wonderful husband, our daughter was born naturally without drugs! Although my husband later admitted he was skeptical of the role a doula plays in a birth when I first suggested it, our experience with Maria easily persuaded him how important and comforting a skilled doula can be. We both are so glad that Maria is part of our daughter's birth story!"
-Jennifer, Montpelier, VT
"When my husband and I found out we were pregnant we were thrilled. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad anxious about labor and delivery. One thing though that I thought would be very helpful would be to have a midwife that we both felt comfortable with. I wasn't thrilled then when I learned that at the birth center where we would be going, there were 6 midwives and while they'd try to get you to meet all of them before your labor, there was no guarantee that that would happen. I couldn't imagine being comfortable laboring with the support of someone I'd only met maybe a couple of times.
Thus, we started looking for a doula. Immediately upon meeting Maria, I felt comfortable- I'm not sure how to describe it other than that both my husband and I felt really good in her presence. She was definitely knowledgeable, and also incredible open to hear about what kind of birth experience we wanted. Maria made herself really available to us and by the the time my due date rolled around I felt completely comfortable with her. I can't imagine having had our son without Maria's support. She was the one who coaxed me into the car, fed me ice chips, and coached us to move into other positions while I was laboring. Both my husband and I felt like she was a really strong advocate for us. One thing my husband had worried about was what his role would be if we had a doula, he needn't have worried, Maria was incredibly involved but not at all pushy. She supported both of us and there were many times that night when we both looked to her as our source of strength. While the nurse and midwife were both great, it was instrumental having Maria there because she knew me. I can still hear her right by my ear quietly encouraging me that I could do this.
When people ask me about my son's birth story, I love to share it. Welcoming him into this world was a beautiful thing and I think Maria was a big part of that."
-Jenna, Montpelier, VT
"I really enjoyed meeting other moms-to-be in a comfortable and caring space. The birthing class empowered me by allowing me to look at my fears and move past them, and prepared both me and my husband with many ways to move through the process of labor and birth. The birthing class was a very supportive place."
-Katie, Worcester, VT
"Thank you so much for coming to our house early in the morning and spending the whole day with T. Your presence allowed Steve and I to focus on the task at hand knowing that our little guy was safe and cared for and having fun. Being able to birth at home with our son present was an unbelievable experience, thank you for your generosity of time and spirit."
- Ellen, Warren VT
