Client Comments

"Lara was a fantastic resource and we could not have done this without her."
-Paul and Marcea

"When I was having my first child I really struggled with the issue of who should be in the delivery room -- who did I want to share this incredible journey with? I have several willing mothers, sisters and friends, but I felt very strongly that I needed someone who would be able to help me keep the experience in perspective and provide comfort and encouragement to both me and my husband. Lara was able to do that and more. She knew just when to step in to help and she always knew what to say. She patiently helped us work through the labor, suggesting so many options to help me cope and supporting my husband as he tried to comfort me. She explained things to us in ways that made sense. She made us laugh and she cried with us. Now that we are preparing for the birth of our second child, I cannot imagine giving birth without Lara."
-Aimee

"I would definitley recommend that couples use a doula for the delivery of their child. As the father, having Lara in the room took a tremendous amount of pressure off of me. I no longer felt like I had to be the only liaison with the medical staff for my wife, but instead I was able to fully experience the child birth process and concentrate solely on helping comfort my wife. I also received guidance from Lara on ways to comfort and assist my wife while she was in labor--some of the methods I would not have thought of on my own. Lara's knowledge, experience, compassion and humor assisted us in numerous ways during the delivery process. Our second child is due in a couple of months and we plan on having Lara with us once again."
-Steve

"Thanks to Lara's support and expertise, not only were we able to have the natural birth we wanted, but we did so with the confidence and comfort that we had someone providing guidance and care with only our best interests in mind. We would highly recommend Lara's services to anyone - having the care and support you need to have the type of birth you want makes all the difference."
- Sabrina & Isaac

"Having Lara on board as a partner in the birth of our second child
made a big difference in the quality of the birth experience. She
was a calming presence for me and my wife. I now instantly recommend doula services to everyone I know who is pregnant."
-Charles

"I'm not sure I would have made it without an epidural had it not been for Lara! My husband was great, but having Lara there was better. She was like the coach for our team and we (husband, baby and me) all made it through the tough spots with her help. I've recommended her as a doula to everyone I know since."
-Kylie

"I interviewed a number of doulas and Lara was my clear choice, not a question in my mind. From the birth expertise side, she just plain knows her stuff. She was clear about her mission and responsibilities during pregnancy and labor. She had a clear plan of how she would prepare with me and help during birth. Lara understands the power and beauty of birth. She's truly excited about her clients' impending births--she shares that thrill of birth. I had a simply beautiful, marvelous, dreamy, natural birth. And much of the credit goes to Lara, who kept me grounded, gave me direction, and just plain kept me company. She was right there, looking in my eyes, making sure I wasn't lonely in the overwhelming land of labor. Words that come to mind when I think of Lara as a doula: professional, confident, focused, serene. This is her calling! Everybody deserves a doula. And Lara didn't walk away from the birth, into the mist. She checked on me, reflected with me, held my chubby cherub and reveled in our birth success. "
-Nancy

"...16 days past our due date, 28 hours of labor, we could not have had
the birth we wanted without Lara!
-Anita

"I wanted to play an active role in the birth of our child. Lara gave
me the freedom and space to share the experience with my wife while
providing support and guidance when I needed it the most. "
- David

"I really struggled on whether or not to hire a doula. Most everyone told me I'd be fine and swore by the epidural. I was so nervous and anxious about labor and delivery. I really had no idea what to expect since everyone had a different birth story - most of which sounded horrible. My husband and I both agreed we wanted to have a doula with us. After meeting with Lara, my husband and I both looked at one another and we just knew she was the right person for us. She is honest, confident and reassuring through the whole process. She allowed me to relax and kept me focused on the birth.  She was able to look at me during labor and know exactly what I needed. Lara really helped my husband stay calm and he was able to turn to her for help in assisting me.  She also provided continuous support after the birth by keeping in touch and answering questions through email and phone. I honestly don't know what I would have done with out her. Birth really is powerful and Lara supported me through a natural and beautiful birth."
-Shauna

"I knew that my husband would be wonderful and attentive during labor and delivery, but I also knew that he just wouldn't know what to do to help me.  It's why I chose Lara and Robin to be with me.  Once I made that decision, they were a great resource for any questions that came up during my pregnancy.  I went 12 days past my delivery date, and I think that one or both of them either called or e-mailed every single day from a few days before my original due date until I finally had to be induced due to low amniotic fluid.  I got lucky and was able to have both Lara and Robin with me during delivery, and they were a huge support to my hubby and me.  Their care included back massages, suggestions for comfortable positions and positive reinforcement.  My husband said it was the best money we spent, and I've overheard him advise two of our couple friends to hire the Lara/Robin team.  He tells the men, "I didn't know what to do.  It was great having them there."  I think that I'm a "one and done" mom, but if I change my mind, I would definitely want to have Lara or Robin (or both) in the delivery room with me."
-Kelly

"My most memorable part of Lara is her voice, gentle and soft.  Carrying me at times, guiding me at others.  Always in sync with my needs at that moment."
-Jennifer

"Lara is a fantastic doula.  Her experience as a nurse, doula, and mother, as well as her wonderful care and easy-going presence put me at ease as I prepared for childbirth and during labor itself. She knew just the right things to say and do and worked seemingly effortlessly with my husband, mom, midwife, and nurses.  Everyone was comfortable with Lara, and she helped so much to create a relaxed, positive, and natural environment for our baby's birth.  I wish every mother could have the kind of life-affirming, beautiful birth experience that Lara can help create with a family."

"My husband was my birth partner and main support, but Lara was right there beside us, helping him support me and getting my mom more involved (which she and I both wanted, but she was apprehensive at first)."
-Molly

"I was really glad she took pictures (they were very tactful). There is no way I could have documented the experience while helping my wife with labor!

Also . . . just the right amount of involvement."
-Andy

Birth is Powerful !

Copyright 2006 A Better Childbirth, Inc.