So, 8 months later...How lucky we were to have found Dakota! She was referred to me by another doula (that I knew in another professional manner and we didn't want to cross different paths) and I am so thankful that I took the advice and called her!!! She is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. So compassionate and readily available to answer the questions of this inquisitive first time mama. I learned so much from her about labor and delivery. Sure, I'd read about it all in books, talked to my doctor, and heard from other mom friends; but her perspective was much more soothing and easier to digest. I wanted to have an all natural delivery and if it hadn't been for her guidance and knowledge during our final difficult hours, I can confidently say I wouldn't have made it to the end. Don't get me wrong, my husband is the calm and logical one in this marriage, but during the most vulnerable moment of his life to date, I didn't want him to be 100% focused on taking care of me. I needed to know that he was processing his thoughts and feelings and thoroughly experiencing each moment of our daughter's birth, too. That was very important to me. Thanks to Dakota, my daughter's difficult arrival was exactly as we could have expected, even though 80% of our birth wishes went out the window by the end of the first 10 hours, wee! My husband is a tough crowd, but he really loved having her around, too. He said that it took a lot of pressure off of him having to anticipate every possibility while trying to remain open minded and calm. Seeing someone you love in that much pain isn't fun, but knowing that he could walk away for a moment and catch a few deep breaths without leaving me alone was the best gift we could have received. Even now, I wish I could be her BFF so I could always be in her loving energy. read more