Amazing Births and Beyond

Geri Quisenberry, our doula was absolutely amazing. Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful this woman is and how blessed my husband and I felt having her at our birth. Her true calling in life is a doula. She was a wealth of knowledge and support for us in a time we so needed it. When we began looking for a doula we were only 3 weeks shy of my due date and we had our hearts set on Vivian. We knew Vivian because we were currently taking her HypnoBirthing classes. I also had heard great things from my boss who had her as their doula. Vivian unfortunately did not have the availability to take us on. So we began our search. I read the bios online on the Amazing Birth and Beyond website and Nikki, the coordinator, gave me her suggestions. Geri did stand out to me while I read her bio and I did put her on my favorites list but she wasn’t my #1. For us we were looking for someone who was like Vivian extremely knowledgeable, very calming, could make us feel at ease and had to know the techniques of HypnoBirthing because that’s the method we wanted to implement for our birth. We met three doulas before Geri and they were all excellent. I actually began to have really bad anxiety because I had no clue how we were going to choose between them. My husband wasn’t sure who to pick either which is so unlike him because he’s usually very decisive. My husband even said let’s cancel the last doula meeting because it might make our decision even harder and we had already found 3 we liked. Each doula was different and had their own strengths and made us feel comfortable. When we met Geri though it was just like this aha, light bulb turning on, clouds parting moment. She made us feel so at ease and was so knowledgeable about all our questions and immediately began to give us advice on how to make our pregnancy better. In our meeting with her, time just seemed to fly by. You could tell she was a wealth of knowledge and experience, which was very important to us but at the same time you felt like you were hearing it from a friend. I wanted to tell Geri right then and there «you’re it» but I stopped myself because I wasn’t sure how my husband was feeling. We began saying our goodbyes and I told Geri I would be in touch. Geri than told us that we needn’t worry about hurting her feelings if we didn’t pick her or any other doulas feelings because they were all professional and they all understood that some people are just a better matches with others. The most important thing she explained is that we choose the best doula possible for us. That meant so much to me because really I was concerned about this at the time. Then as we began to walk away, my husband said to me «I guess we found our doula». I was so beyond happy he felt the same exact way I did about her, which if you know us, you’d know this doesn’t happen often. Now to talk about the birth: Our journey was not an easy one. That affirmation you repeat, as part of Hypnobirthing «I am prepared to meet whatever turn my birthing takes» was the most applicable for my birth by far. My husband and I have said it so many times, we have no idea what we would have done without Geri. C-​section was being brought up repeatedly, so many decisions needing to be made quickly due to complications and pressure due to timing. Geri was so invaluable to us as a counselor and advisor. She safely guided us every step of the way on this 29-​hour journey. Always offering information, alternatives and caring non-​judgmental advise. No doubt in mind I would have ended in a c-​section if it weren’t for her because we would have surely folded at the pressure of the on-​call doctor. Even after the birth she was there for me, as I felt so utterly vulnerable during those first few days/​weeks of motherhood. She was also there for me imparting advice and support as I struggled with my micro supply of breast milk and latching issues and the struggles you go through with the flood of emotions. I have already recommended Geri to another mom and she was very happy with her as well. I will always be Geri’s biggest cheerleader to any other moms-​to-​be in search of a doula.
P. S. I forgot to mention my birth was on a holiday, New Years Eve to be exact! lol

Vivian was my doula and hypnobirth instructor when I chose a hospital birth with my daughter 8 years ago. Since then, I have referred several of my acupuncture patients to her and they have always received great care. As noted in the other reviews, her calming presence is a true blessing when faced with a daunting delivery and I would highly recommend her to other moms-​to-​be.

I’ve known Vivian and Lori for almost ten years and they’re both amazing women. Their business is aptly named. Vivian was my HpynoBirthing instructor and the doula at the birth of my second baby. She has an incredible presence and is able to send a calming feeling in any situation. She is truly a miracle walking the earth. I know that sounds crazy over the top, but I really feel like it’s true and anyone who has contact with her feels the same. She was able to keep me calm when I needed to be and also discuss critical decisions with me and give her recommendations. Her knowledge about birth is extensive but really it’s her presence that is a gift to a laboring mother. I highly, highly recommend anyone from their business either for HypnoBirthing classes or for a doula.

Lorie McCoy from Amazing Births was my doula with my first pregnancy two years ago and she was absolutely fantastic! When I found out I was pregnant again, there was no doubt in my mind I would be using her again. I just had my second little girl a few weeks ago and she was just as wonderful as the first time. She is so supportive and encouraging! She knew exactly what to say to help me through labor and get me get through the contractions. She was essential to my birth team and helped me have the natural, unmedicated birth I wanted — twice! My husband and I absolutely love her!

Well, I have had my baby and unfortunately, Vivian was not able to attend my planned home birth. She was busy at another birth. The back-​up Doula that I selected through Amazing Births and Beyond was also not available for the first 30 hours of my labor as she was also at another birth.
Though I am sure that this scenario does not happen often, it was upsetting and difficult not having the support I was anticipating for this critical stage of labor. For what it is worth, a third Doula (whom I had not met) was sent for part of this stage, but she and I did not click and it was uncomfortable having her there at times. Mostly she just sat there and stared at me, but acted mildly indignant when asked to help with basic tasks like keeping the birth pool warm or warming food for us, offering water, etc. There was very little effort given to birth guidance or nurturing/​support. In retrospect, I should not have been so patient in allowing her to stay. My husband observed that my labor would actually stall when she was around me.
After 30 hours of labor at home, my midwife declared «failure to progress» and I transferred to the hospital where my original back-​up-​Doula was finally able to meet us. She was wonderful and was a godsend for helping me navigate the unexpected challenges I faced at the hospital. She was nurturing, supportive, funny, professional, patient, knowledgeable and kind. I think the chances are pretty good that if she had been able to attend my birth while I was still at home, I probably would NOT have ended up at the hospital. In the future, I will not accept an unknown Doula to show up to my birth. It would have been better having no doula than one that had a detrimental effect on my labor.
Though my Doula experience did not work out as planned, I believe every birthing Mama should have the care of a Doula that they are comfortable with. These extraordinary women are experts on «what a woman needs» during her birth.