Here are some testimonials of parents having employed a birth doula.

Helen Pitt and William Oliver, Parents to Liam, born July 10, 2002, California, USA.
G.G., june 2001, California, USA.
Maria, post partum

Helen Pitt and William Oliver, Parents to Liam, born July 10, 2002, California, USA.
We were expecting our first baby and my husband had just had brain surgery. We didn't have time to attend childbirth classes and books didn't seem to make any of it real.
We found our doula by chance through a recommendation at my prenatal yoga class. As a fellow foreigner in the American health system (I am Australian) she understood my misgiving about the American health system and respected my desire for as natural a birth possible. Having a doula at our son's birth helped everyone - me, my husband and my son. She sensitively anticipated my needs during birth and was a wonderful guide for showing my husband how to help me in the best possible way. I would recommend everyone have a doula if they can - especially if they have a long hospital birth. Nurses are great but they only stay with you for the time of their shift. A doula is there constantly by your side, anticipating what might go wrong and doing her best to avoid it. Then rejoicing with you at the end of the birth - and in those difficult first few days when a new mother has no clue what to do with this new little human being. But the greatest gift a doula can give is the bearing witness to one of the most important moments in any couple's life. She wrote it all down in such vivid and loving detail - her diary of the events of our son's birth is a keepsake we'd have never had had we just been in the hospital without her. I would recommend a doula to any couple about to experience birth - especially for the first time.
Helen Pitt and William Oliver

G.G., june 2001, California, USA.
I gave birth to my first child in June 2001 in California, USA. I have known Viviane for over twenty years and requested her help after giving birth only because I had come to trust her completely and would not have surrendered myself and my newborn daughter (needless to say, in a very exhausted and overwhelmed state of mind and body) to anyone who did not have the kind of compassion, sensitivity, and deeply felt knowledge about women's and babies' bodies and psyches that Viviane has proven on many occasions.

As a mother and a trained and experienced therapist who is now a certified doula, Viviane embodies all the qualities of a birth and postpartum companion one can only dream of. Her detailed knowledge about the process of birth, breastfeeding, baby and mother care, as well as surrounding family dynamics is extremely helpful and reassuring when a new mother (especially with her first child) experiences specific problems with herself and/or the baby. Viviane's capacity to be emotionally present and to devote herself completely and without restrictions to the needs at hand provide to the mother and family a feeling of security and strong support. As Viviane is also very well able to set and respect boundaries around her presence and interventions, and is acutely aware of psychological and emotional dynamics, her presence is never felt as an intrusion.

Overall I wish to express that Viviane is the ideal doula to accompany a birth process. She is loving, warm, extremely competent and reliable, as well as thoroughly knowledgeable about anything one may want to know in this situation. Viviane is completely devoted to her task and very respectful of individual wishes and differences. I wish to commend her with my highest recommendations.

Sincerely G.G.

Maria, postpartum
I can’t say enough about the wonderful postpartum doula services of Viviane Lemaigre Dubreuil. As a first time mother, I had no idea what to expect once I came home from the hospital, or how overwhelming things would be, but I knew I would need all the help I could get.

Viviane met me and my family at the hospital, and she helped us load all of our clothes, gifts, flowers and of course our new baby into the car. Just seeing her face in the hopital room helped me calm down. She exudes a tranquility and quiet confidence, and has a calming touch. She is not in any way obtrusive, and is extremely generous with her time. I always felt that she would be there for me, for as long as I needed her. I was never disappointed.

Once we arrived home, she helped us settle in with the baby, arranging things and unpacking. She brought me some cream for my nipples, as I had terrible cracking and bleeding from the first days of breastfeeding. She then gave me a lesson in breastfeeding, showing me how to massage my breasts should I get any plugged milk ducts. I was extremely thankful several days later when I awoke with a painful hot spot on my left breast. Luckily, thanks to Viviane’s instructions, I knew exactly what the problem was, and how to deal with it.

In teh days and months that ensued, Viviane was more helpful than ever, going far above and beyond the call of duty. She babysat my son jack so I could get out and go to my weekly yoga class, which helped me get back into shape and feel good mentally. She was always there by phone, day or night with all the questions that plague new and inexperienced mothers –“Do I have enough milk ?” “What’s the best way to give him a bath ?” “He’s spitting up again—is this normal ?” She answered all my questions, recommending physicians, and bringing over reading materials that pertained to the subject in question.

My son is now 8 months old and I still call on Viviane for sage advice and support. She has shown me many new things, and has always been there for me when I needed her. She will often bring groceries, cook dinner, or run errands to local stores. She is one of the most giving, loving, gentle and selfless people I know. I highly recommend her as a postpartum doula to anyone lucky enough to secure her services. She is well worth any price.

Sincerely,
Maria