Haebe, Liz

Liz was absolutely incredible as our doula. She was so knowledgeable, kind, and made us feel empowered. I cannot fathom having labored without her, and we will absolutely ask her to be our doula again for our next baby.

Liz, was incredible. Before our birth she was educational, accepting, encouraging, and had a great sense of humor. During our labor and birth she brought stability, comfort, and a quiet authority that helped ground my husband and I through the process. I cannot recommend Liz enough!

Getting our doula Liz with Birth First Doulas was the best choice we did! We got a late start on our journey, starting just 2 weeks before our daughter was born. Rebecca did a great job matching us with Liz. My husband and I felt an instant connection with her and she made us feel supported and at ease. During labor, Liz was there the whole time with us (30+ hours!). She knew just what to do to help me feel comfortable. Liz was an amazing support for my husband as well. She was so easy to talk to and always made my husband and I feel we had a voice, a choice, and a laugh. We could not have felt more cared for during our time with Birth First Doulas, especially during covid times.

To better understand the immense role that Liz played on my pregnancy context is vital. I decided to have a Doula to help my partner and I through pregnancy and labor because 1) this is my first child, and 2) I am not in contact with my mother (which is the most loving thing I can do at this point). The third element that made my pregnancy an exceptional case was the fact that I was pregnant during a global pandemic. I spent my third trimester in self-isolation and was told right away that I would not be able to have a second support person in the delivery room. I had to choose between my partner and my Doula. Needless to say I walked into the experience of pregnancy and labor with some extenuating circumstances. At no point did Liz balk at the hurdles and obstacles. She fielded anxious texts and phone calls at all hours. She set up zoom meetings and did a remarkable amount of virtual handholding through the steps I found overwhelming (which was everything - it was all overwhelming when you’re simultaneously coping with suddenly working at home, losing physical access to your support systems, and trying not to get sick and die). Liz consistently balanced her empathy for my experience and feelings with strategizing how to deal with the situations that helped keep my sanity and continue moving forward. The day that I was scheduled to be induced, my doctor called saying doulas were allowed back at the hospital. Top ten best phone calls of my life. In the delivery room, Liz was present, gentle, skilled, and supportive to both me and my partner. I joke that my little one waited to arrive until Liz could properly join us instead of hanging out on a video chat via laptop. I cannot say enough about her positive impact on this experience for my husband and I. Should we have another child in the future, I will be requesting Liz as our doula.

Liz was incredible with my VBAC! She is warm, funny, and very passionate about helping you deliver your baby the way YOU want to without any judgement or reservations. I had a very fast and intense labor and Liz was very quick to meet me as I was being admitted into Labor & Delivery. I had discussed with her previously of wanting to have an all-natural VBAC and she was supportive all the way through. When I couldn't think or breathe, she was there calmly guiding me through everything and helped me regain control. She was my voice to the nurses and midwives when I couldn't speak because of the pain and exhaustion. I can honestly say that if it weren't for her encouragement and support, I would've had a very different delivery.

Sometimes you don't know what you have until after the fact. When I asked Liz to be my doula, I didn't know exactly what I was asking for. No one I knew had ever had a doula nor a midwife. Babies were born in hospitals by a male doctor, that's all I was familiar with. I wanted to have as different and comfortable an experience as could be possible. Liz became everything I needed before, during and ever after my son was born. She checked-in with me (as much or as little as I needed) before hand and was a supportive presence throughout the long 30+ hours of labor I endured. I had my husband and my mother in the room and being the nurturing person, I am, I knew that I would struggle with their needs vs. mine, and that's where Liz stepped up. She tailored herself to my very specific needs: I needed someone to be with my mom and comfort her when I was unable to. I needed someone to make sure my husband drank and ate, when I was unable to. I needed someone to tell me everything was going to be ok, when I was unable to believe that. Liz was there for all of that and more. A week after our son was born and we were finally settled in our home trying to get into the new rhythm of newborn life, my husband reflected on the experience and said "I'm so glad Liz was there. I didn't know what to expect but I'm so glad." Sometimes you simply don't know what you need until you're in the moment and Liz was there for those moments of uncertainty. We will all look back at our birth experience for what it was: a unique and universal experience across the human experience but what made my birth so special was knowing Liz was there, watching over us and I am forever grateful.