It was our first pregnancy, and I wanted a doula because I liked the idea that I would have someone with me who could tend to my needs, and was experienced in natural births. I had a fairly short but intense labor. I started having contractions and my water broke an hour later. I called Maya to let her know that things were getting started, and she said to call her as often as I wanted, and that she would come as soon as I needed her. She came to my house a few hours later, and I was already in active labor. I didn’t really know what I wanted, but Maya did. She was always there with exactly what I needed, whether it was a back rub, hot pack, or water. She knew exactly what I needed, even though I didn’t. She suggested different positions to keep me comfortable, but that would also keep my labor going. She helped me through each contraction, reminding me to breathe. She seemed to always be there the second I needed her, but she was never in the way. We left my house about two hours after Maya arrived. At the birth center, she continued to provide just the support that I needed, and my daughter was born an hour later.
Initially, my husband thought hiring a doula was unnecessary. He thought he could provide any support I needed. From the moment we interviewed Maya, Pete loved her. After going through the birth process, Pete is so glad that we had Maya with us! Physically, he could have done everything Maya did for me, but he wouldn’t have known what to do (how could he know when I didn’t even know?), and I needed him right by me. They were both integral and necessary parts of my birth team.
In the days and weeks following my daughter’s birth, Maya continued to support me, and I feel she played a huge role in me being able to successfully breastfeed. I simply can’t imagine having gone through this process without her, and she will forever be a part of our family. I definitely want her present for my next birth!
Katy and Pete D. Renton, WAMy wife Heather was very concerned about dilation and delivery after watching her sister give birth and hearing stories of how she tore her way out of her mother. Heather assumed from the start that medication would be required to aid dilation, but dreaded the process because of her fear of needles. Maya met with us months before our due date to take notes on our birth preferences and medical history. Maya was confident that Heather would be able to dilate and avoid the dreaded needle. She recommended some good books and videos on labor and delivery to help us prepare.
My wife's water broke at 2am and labor started. We tried to get a little more rest in between the lighter early labor contractions, but we were too excited. We were able to reach Maya on the phone in the early morning with the first call even. Maya was at our door shortly later. At first the contractions were irregular and Maya walked us through positions and exercises to help the baby reposition and dilate the cervix. My wife labored in the comfort of our home for five more hours before going to the hospital. Without Maya to assure us that things were progressing normally we would have been at the hospital during that time. Heather was in labor for an exhausting 19 hours, which is actually relatively short for a first child. From the minute she arrived Maya was helping position, support, encourage, and relax Heather.
Heather gave birth 100% naturally to a very healthy (apgar score 9) baby and we both know that without Maya that our birth plan would not have been followed
Heather and Eric S. Duvall, WA___________________________________________________
Maya gently encouraged me to go for a walk and proceeded to challenge me to do things that would help bring on contractions and bring my baby closer to this world. Without her support I am sure I would have been lying around for another hour thinking that being comfortable was what I needed. Maya continued to make sure that I stayed hydrated, helped point out areas that I was holding tension while working through contractions, and photographed and video taped portions of my birth. Even while providing all of this support I never felt that she was in my face, or overshadowing my husband in his support role.
Corinne M. Snoqualmie, WA
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Maya's presence at our home birth was invaluable. She is knowledgeable, compassionate, and really fun to have around! With her help we were able to achieve the birth of our dreams, and we would have her again without a second thought! Thank you Maya!
Nick K. and Mari K. Bothell, WA
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As I started to push, it became apparent that the midwife would not make it. My husband is an RN which definitely helped in the end but he had no desire initially to birth his own child. Maya guided him through the process of checking for the baby's head and preparing for the birth. In the meantime she was multi-tasking, getting ready for the baby. After only about 6 pushes Story made her very fast entrace into the world. John caught her and Maya immediately starting rubbing her with towels fresh out of the dryer. The midwife arrived within minutes of Story's birth and delivered the placenta.
I had initially decided on Miranda for the middle name. When the midwife asked her name I said Maya without thinking twice. I feel that Maya helped me more than I can actually say in words. Her inner strength, beauty and wisdom helped me stay strong and grounded. Her calm gentle professional support helped my husband have the most beautiful birthing experience any father could wish for.I was a VBAC candidate and knew I wanted a doula in order to have the best chance of success. Maya was extremely knowledgeable about the hospital procedures and was even able to give me names of nurses who were more experienced with and supportive of natural birth. Two of my nurses remarked how impressed they were with Maya. Afterwards, at the home appointment, Maya was able to help me make sense of nursing lying down and help affirm my decision to go ahead with the c-section. It's also comforting knowing I can still pick up the phone six months later and still have that support, advice, and encouragement.
Erin T. Snohomish, WA
Throughout our relationship with her, Maya was extremely adept at reading our wishes and feelings, even those that went unsaid. This made her easy to work with and because she is so adaptable we feel her approach would work well with other clients. We would not hesitate to recommend Maya to our friends.