Client Testimonials
"Let me get right down to it: I cannot recommend Candace highly enough. For some reasons why, read on.
When my husband and I first met her, we immediately felt at ease. Her caring and easy-going nature were evident from the start. It was clear that she sincerely wanted us to have the birth experience that we envisioned, and that she would do whatever she could to help make it happen. This being our second baby, we didn't have many questions, but she was very helpful in answering those we had.
On the morning that I went into labor, Candace was bringing her daughter to a class. As soon as we told her we were headed to the OB, she dropped everything in order to meet us at the hospital shortly after we were admitted.
During my (unmedicated) labor, Candace suggested positions and techniques for managing my pain. She also showed my husband what he could do to help and made him look really good. :-) And it was great to have her there to chat with during that 6-hour-or-so period, just to keep the two of us from going stir-crazy between contractions.
My daughter's delivery was an eventful one, to put it mildly. Candace held my hand and directed my attention to my daughter while the nurse - midwife worked to fix me up afterwards. This might seem a small thing, but it was a huge comfort to me.
About a week after DD'S birth, Candace met us at our home for a post-partum visit. She suggested a treatment for the edema in my feet and calmed some of my husband's and my fears over our breastfeeding struggles.
Overall, I am so glad we chose to hire Candace, and if we have a third child...and assuming she's available...I know we won't hesitate to do so again."
-Brooke
"My husband and I used Candace's services for placenta encapsulation. Because our baby arrived 3 weeks early, we hadn't decided about encapsulation, and decided about 12 hours before birth that we wanted to do it in case it would help my recovery from an early arrival and a 3-day long labor! Once we decided, our fantastic doula immediately contacted Candace, who arrived shortly after the birth - she only had a few hours notice, but made herself available just after delivery. She met us at the hospital early the next day with capsules and a tincture to use later on if needed. Because I'm only 5 days postpartum, I cannot speak for the full effect of the capsules, but I will say that after a very very long labor and delivery process, I have rebounded surprisingly well. I have energy, seem to be recovering well and am in good spirits in spite of the expected sleep deprivation -- and our son seems to be thriving since my milk came in very quickly! I would recommend Candace's services to anyone - she was thoughtful, prompt, and kind - she even checked in on me several days later to see how we were doing and if all was going well. Thank you!!!!"
- Elissa
"Candace was a loving and supportive presence during a very difficult and emotionally traumitizing birth experience. I had found out that I was going to have a c-section due to my son's position and planned a family centered c-section, taking Candace's advice and recommendations into consideration as I made the plan with my OB. My son had other plans, however, and made his entrance two days prior. Candace met me in L&D triage and provided gentle and calm support and I withstood very painful, quick labor as well as a sea of emotions resulting from the knowledge that I was about to undergo surgery and the sad beginning of my grieving the positive birth I had wanted. As I labored she massaged my hips to reduce the pain, helped calm down my husband, and helped me understand what was going on medically. I found out much later that she had come to help me in spite of the fact that she had a major life event going on at the same time!
After my c-section she went to recovery with us to help me begin breastfeeding. We did not know at the time that I would have many obstacles to successful breastfeeding, but I appreciated her kind and professional help. A few days later she visited us at the house, taking time to process the experience some and help me learn to use a breastpump. She provided beautiful burp cloths that helped us when our baby became a "spiter."
Many months later in the throes of post-partum depression and some sort of trauma response I contacted Candace for memories of my birth to try to make peace with what happened. She gladly recounted what she remembered in a sensitive and helpful way.
If you are reading this testimonal I wish you and much more hopeful and happy birth experience. From my perspective, however, I can't recommend Candace highly enough."
-Guida
"I found Candace when I was looking for a birth doula, and when we met I mentioned that I was also interested in having my placenta encapsulated. She was warm, loving, and completely open and honest. I felt like we had a connection right away. Candace took the placenta after I gave birth and she had the pills to me within 48 hours. She brought them to me at the hospital, and went through the directions for taking them. She answered all of my (and my husband's) questions. I was also able to contact Candace afterwards with any additional questions I had. I'm so thankful for Candace's efficiency in getting the placenta encapsulation done, and for her complete willingness to talk through all my questions and concerns. I'd recommend her to anyone looking into placenta encapsulation!"
-Annie
"Josh and I both are very appreciative of Candace. As new parents, we were unsure of just about anything concerning labor and delivery...and pregnancy...and new babies. But Candace, from the first moment we met, was nothing short of exactly who we needed. She was supportive of our decisions, sincere and open about her own experience, understanding of our situation, patient throughout all of our questions/doubts, and most importantly she was kind. Throughout our last trimester, labor, delivery and postpartum, Candace was present and attentive. I, as the mom, was especially grateful to have her there during the LONG 20 hours of labor. There were moments I thought I couldn't do it, but she and my husband were the most amazing support team ever and made me feel like a rock star. I HIGHLY recommend you use Candace! I'm writing this as I nurse my almost four week old daughter and I have no doubts that I will be telling her one day about the amazing doula that helped bring her into the world!"
-Tiffani
"My wife and I couldn't have been happier having Candace assist us with the birth of our first child. We're very practical people and wanted to make sure we could find someone that wouldn't push their own particular agenda on us. We found that someone!
The process started with a nice informal meeting to discuss our birth plan, what we wanted, didn't want, and put to bed any concerns that we might have had. Candace made clear that her agenda was our agenda, and that'd she'd support our decisions and advocate for us through the entire process. As the due date neared, we had another meeting at our house to talk about any last minute concerns and work out the logistics of when to call, where to meet, etc.
Once the time came, Candace met us at the hospital and made good on all of her promises. Having her experience and perspective was incredibly valuable. With this being our first child, we had no basis for comparison when decisions had to be made, but having assisted with numerous other births, Candace helped us make those tough choices.
Through the labor process Candace was supportive both physically and emotionally. As the dad, I really appreciated this, since I could only guess at how to be most helpful. She stayed with us through the night (we were admitted just after midnight), and even stayed into the next day when things were wrapping up. Simply put, she went well above and beyond the call of duty.
In short, If you're looking for an experienced, down-to-earth, practical doula to help you through the birth of your first or your 10th child, I would highly recommend Candace."
-Maxwell