Finding out I was pregnant was not an easy pill to swallow for me at the time. My emotions were torn. On one side, I was extremely happy to know that I would finally be able to be a mom. The ability to experience pregnancy, with all of the kicks and flips the baby does in your belly was always a phenomenon that I longed to experience. The other side of me was completely afraid because, although the baby was planned, I just ended my relationship with the father due to its abusive nature.

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''I quickly learned that the energy and mindset of the woman has to be in the most positive place...''

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I felt timing, and luck was not on my side. Due to the circumstances of my situation, I knew having the proper team in place was pertinent to create the experience I wanted for welcoming my first child. After doing some long research, I quickly learned that the energy and mindset of the woman has to be in the most positive place in order to create a great birth experience. This led to a very tough decision of not wanting to have the father there with me during the delivery time. This put me in an empowered place to decide to CHOOSE happiness for me and my baby.

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I knew a friend who was a doula and immediately reached out. We talked and it made a world of a difference. I mean literally change my entire experience for the better. My doula was one of my biggest support systems during my pregnancy when it came to reading the right positive books on a positive mindset.

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She helped me with things to eat to develop a healthy baby (which was extremely important to me because I had a vegan diet), and someone to confide in with the different stages of my pregnancy.

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''Hiring a doula was the best decision I made for myself during my pregnancy.''

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Hiring a doula was the best decision I made for myself during my pregnancy. I honestly feel as if I owe the rest of my life to making her happy because she gave a life changing experience. Her presence during my delivery was the biggest blessing I never knew I needed. She provided comfort, support, guidance and peace of mind. She brought amazing energy. My doula rubbed my feet and back, helped me push through contractions, kept my mind positively focused, and was fully engaged in making sure I had the best experience considering the circumstances.

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Originally, I wanted a water birth at a birthing center. Everything was perfectly planned out and set to go. 5 days before my due date, my water began to leak. In order to keep a close eye on me and the baby, I had to deliver in the hospital. My doula was flexible with this transition. I was in latent labor for 3 days but I didn't want to be induced. Finally the OBs left me no choice because my water was broken for over 24 hrs. My doula fought for everything I desired and landed me with the best experience possible even for the long, rigorous birth I had. She fought for me not to get a C-Section which was my #1 wish. She was an absolute angel.

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''My doula fought for everything I desired and landed me with the best experience possible.''

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Finally, my son came out, fully alert and ready to meet his mommy. I was frozen in amazement at what I had just accomplished. My life was forever changed for the better. Three days later, I was released from the hospital. My doula came to my home to make sure I was fully acclimated to my new life with a newborn. She helped to straighten up my place and even watched my son so I could get a good nap in. When I tell you she was nothing short of amazing!!! I'm crying as I am writing this because I am reminded of how blessed I was to have met her and have her by my side during one of the most challenging, yet amazing milestones in my life. I really have no idea how my experience would have turned out without her, but I am blessed with beautiful memories of how she supported me in the most loving way to be an empowered, healthy mom for the delivery of my first born son.