Dylan, as a Birth Doula:
Why did you look into hiring a doula?
My husband and I had moved to Washington from Tennessee 6 months prior to becoming pregnant. I didn’t want my family living with me for the last month of my pregnancy or for the first month of my child’s life for “support” yet I also didn’t want to be isolated in a brand new community with the complete lack of knowledge that we had about pregnancy, birth, and early development as well.
What did you like about Dylan? We learned SO MUCH about ourselves as indviduals, a couple, and parents. She really got us to really decide how we wanted to experience pregnancy and how to bring our child into the world. It never felt “crunchy” and even when things went down a different path than we had wanted she suppourted us all the way and didn’t even bat an eyelash. I was on bedrest for 10 weeks before I gave birth to my son at 36 weeks and the comfort and knowledge and safety she gave us during those difficult times was monumental.
What was your experience of her as your doula before, during and after the birth?
I had originally searched for a birth and post-partum doula but the bulk of my services ended up being prenatal due to complications. I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to have a neutral third party to cry to when you are so nervous about complications and you don’t want to burden your partner with your tears because you know they are going through the same thing. During the birth she was priceless to my husband- he held my left leg while Dylan held my right and was a battlefield general for keeping everyone focused and positive. One of the things he jokes about was when it was time to push, he started to get very anxious and queasy and she immeaditely picked up on that energy and kept him focused on staying present and maintaining a positive labor and delivery for him as a father as well. After the delivery when my son had to go to the NICU to be monitored she stayed with me and explained exactally what was going on while my husband was tending to the baby. If she wasn’t there I would have been left alone in a room with no body or even worse- my son would have been in the NICU all by himself. The thought of either of those things happening just wrenches my heart. After we got home she came over to check on me, help me with nursing when I was so frustrated and discouraged, offered kindness and love to our new family, and even helped with the little things like how on earth you clip an infants nails (very carefully when they are napping just incase you need to know).
Do you feel that the payment was worth the services you received?
Not at all- she deserves SO MUCH MORE! She truly became a part of our extended family during our pregnancy and birth.
Would you recommend her?
If we decide to have a second child she will be my doula again. One thing I learned with my pregnancy/labor/delivery is that things change so quickly and sometimes you really need someone who can vocalize what you need and desire when you cannot. Plus turning a family of three into a family of four will have its own flavor of craziness that I will need patiness and wisdom to work through. Even if you have already experienced pregnancy before, a doula is a priceless addition to have in your arsenal. Eva Glosson-Wright, Cashmere, WA
What is Dylan like as a Parent Coach?
“Dylan truly understands how to work with kids – especially infants and toddlers.
I’ve asked her advice numerous times on a variety of issues we faced as parents. Her advice has always been full of knowledge, experience and wisdom.
One of Dylan’s gifts is her ability to synthesize all her knowledge into simple, workable solutions. Something as simple – and easy to forget – as seeing the world from the eyes of a two year-old changed our understanding of dynamics in our family.
And when it comes to dealing with pregnancy and birthing trauma – for mom, dad and baby – I’ve found no one my wife and I trust more. We’ve found her insights to be right on – even from a few thousand miles away.” Dawud Miracle, Chelsea, MI
“Dylan has assisted me in my work as a nanny on numerous occasions and in numerous ways. She has offered support and encouragement to trust my inner knowing about a situation with a child many times. She has also offered additional information and perspective that has helped me move to a more enlightened attitude in my role as an adjunct caregiver to other people’s children. Occasionally when I have encountered a “new” behavior (that I hadn’t seen before) in a child, Dylan has helped to de-mystify the situation and being me into a grounded, clear knowing and understanding, which enabled me to deal with the behavior in a much more effective way! She is great- she is clear, compassionate, effective, and also very efficient. Thank you Dylan!” Lucy Dickinson, Seattle, WA