Postpartum Support from a Mother's Eyes

After I end my postpartum doula services with a client, I ask them if they would be willing to provide me with a testimonial of my services and how it impacted their postpartum care. My families have provided me with some of the most heart-touching and beautiful words. I ask for testimonials, so I can use them on my website and for referrals when requested.Why you ask? I think that even though I try my hardest to explain what I do and what I provide a family, at times, it can seem so abstract to someone that has no experience with being supported during the postpartum period. Testimonials can help provide a clearer picture.I want families to see postpartum doulas from a fellow postpartum mother's eyes and see how she describes what postpartum doula support looks and feels like from her perspective.I had debated whether or not to post this testimonial. My intent is to not be "braggy or showy", but rather what I hope to do is help families envision what postpartum doula support looks like during the "fourth trimester". I hope to help families receive a clearer picture of postpartum doula services and the benefits to their family. I want families to see postpartum doulas from a fellow postpartum mother's eyes and see how she describes what postpartum doula support looks and feels like from her perspective. Below is a beautiful testimonial I received from an amazing mother that I had the pleasure of working with for several months. I truly felt her testimony encompassed the support that I, as a postpartum doula, strive to provide for my families:"Lisa is a gifted postpartum doula. She provides a sense of calm, slows down the clock, and helps moms to experience the joy of their newborn in those early, intimidating, sleep-deprived days of motherhood. Lisa respectfully provides guidance while supporting your parenting philosophy. She encourages bonding and attachment by assisting you with nursing, kangaroo care, and baby wearing. If nursing is not your choice or formula is a necessity, she will support you every step of the way. She has research-based knowledge and is full of practical mommy tips. She will show you a foolproof swaddle and take the fear out of a breast pump. Lisa is trustworthy. Your baby will always be in loving hands when in Lisa's care. She is a pleasure to have in your life during this special time.She has research-based knowledge and is full of practical mommy tips. She will show you a foolproof swaddle and take the fear out of a breast pump.Lisa loves what she does and it is evident in how she goes above and beyond for her families. Lisa showed me tips for my gassy baby. She did laundry and made me food. She accompanied me to doctor's appointments. She helped me to identify my son's food allergy. She alerted me to what was to come so I would not be alarmed when it happened. She helps support the entire family, including grandparents and great-grandparents. And if your family is not local, she acts as a surrogate.Lisa has a gift for gentle encouragement. Without Lisa I would have never met my goal of exclusively breastfeeding my son. On days when I was ready to quit nursing, she compassionately acknowledged how difficult it was and encouraged me to give it one more day since she knew it was my goal to breastfeed for at least a year. After two and a half months, I finally was able to to exclusively breastfeed . My son is now 15 months old, and I am still nursing. In those difficult moments, Lisa kept things in perspective through her great sense of humor. She helped me enjoy each day despite the challenges.Lisa does what she promises to do, which is help you feel confident as a mom and work herself out of a job. I am grateful to Lisa for providing me with the tools and solid foundation to be a great single mom.With heartfelt appreciation,Stephanie C., JD (& Baby William)"As a postpartum doula, I can explain what I do and the services I provide, but to hear what I do from a postpartum mother's perspective brings it to life! For additional information on postpartum doula services in the Cleveland, Ohio areaclick here.Lisa Falkenstein is owner and a postpartum doula at Nurtured Foundation, LLC serving the Cleveland, Ohio area with postpartum services including:day & night doula care,lactation & postpartum education,infant massage instructionandBengkung belly binding.