Alys & Jeff P.’s Birth Testimonial
For my first 3 births, I did not have a doula. My first experience was a bit traumatic and each subsequent birth was dramatically more positive! When I found out I was pregnant with twins I knew my birth plan would be tossed out the window and I had to make a multi-situational plan.
In this plan I knew I had to have a doula to support me in the moment, to let me know what was happening, make me aware of things I wasn’t seeing or hearing -because I would be in labor-. I was matched with Emily through Everyday Miracles. Prior to being matched I prayed for the right person to support me, someone who would be aligned with my values and beliefs and someone I connected well with. I was matched with Emily and we quickly bonded over larger families, homeschooling and more. I feel so blessed that Emily was my doula for my 4th and 5th babies! She consistently prayed for me and encouraged me in having the labor and delivery I wanted which was to be as natural and med-free as possible.
Ultimately a few weeks prior, I threw out my med-free plan and decided to get an epidural just in case there was an emergency so I wouldn’t need general anesthesia (the epidural didn’t work anyway so I just had meds in my body doing nothing). In our conversation leading up to the birth, she reminded me of my initial desires and confirmed that I wanted to shift and get medication. Once I confirmed, she supported me in my decision.
When I went into labor, we all knew it would be fast and likely in the morning due to my previous births. As soon as my contractions started, I gave Emily the heads up that it was likely babies day as contractions shifted from my months of prodromal labor. About 20 min later we were all packed and heading to the hospital. Our birth location of choice was diverting people because they were full, so we called our back up location followed by our OB. We then called Emily again to give her the heads up of the hospital switch and to give her an update on labor. She left in the middle of a massage to get to the hospital for us!
My labor from first contraction to the second twin’s birth was 3 hours 37 minutes. She joined me at the hospital when I was about and hour to a hour and a half in (pretty quickly because the drive was about 40 minutes!) She supported me with suggesting position changes as it was in my birth plan. She also assisted my husband in better supporting me. My second twin had placental abruption, which caused bleeding during labor. I had never experienced this with previous babes, so I got a little concerned in the moment, but she helped me remain calm and continue to progress my labor. She stayed by my side in the OR (the only location they would allow me to birth twins, which was a new experience for me). My second twin arrived incredibly fast as my OB (who also supported my decision to remain med free or as natural as possible) told me to push her out or have a c-section due to loss of heart rate. Avoiding an c-section was one of the most important points in my birth plan. Emily cheered me on along with the nurses. She stayed by me and our older twin while my husband and the NICU nurses were reviving my daughter. She helped hold the babies when I asked her to, otherwise she encouraged the babies to be in mine or my husbands arms. Post birth, she stayed by my side for a few hours encouraging skin to skin and helping me with getting liquids and food.
I highly recommend Emily as a doula for singletons or multiples. She maintained a calm quiet space (as much as possible with as many professionals that were involved) which is what I wanted and supported me throughout the entire process. I am not sure what our experience would have looked like without her!
- Alys & Jeff P.
Emily Lindgren is a birth doula serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and beyond. Her services include prenatal, labor, and postpartum doula services in a hospital, birth center, or home birth setting. Emily also provides general breastfeeding support during postpartum visits. For more information, visit her doula services page.
