Unsupported and Lost to Informed and Confident
Updated: Mar 13, 2022
Today I'd like to share a few client testimonials. This is not to toot my own horn, rather to share the variety of positive experiences women have with doula support - each has unique needs, yet doula support can be right for all of them. These will be helpful if you're wondering what benefits there are to hiring a doula, even if she can't be in the hospital when you give birth.
Sarah's speaks to the value of a birth doula even when you know the doula won't be able to be by your side in the hospital itself.
Lori's explains the confidence generated during our Birth Prep sessions.
Georgia's shares the magic of support through my Postpartum Doula Services.
Sarah's Experience with Birth Doula Support:
I hired Madison for my second birth. My previous birth was in Barcelona and since the hospital we’d chosen didn’t allow more than 1 person to accompany me, I thought we didn’t “need” a doula. The labor ended up being extremely long and both my husband (Spanish) and I felt lost and unsupported during the whole process. So, when I became pregnant with baby #2, I knew I wanted to hire a doula, even if she couldn’t attend the birth in the hospital.
I live outside of Segovia, so from the beginning, Madison and I set clear expectations on the level of support she could offer being so far away. I knew support was likely to be just virtual for the labor, but I needed someone I could trust to help coach me through laboring at home. On top of that, she made the trip out to my house for the training sessions, which I think was above and beyond.
The prep sessions with Madison were not only informative (even for a second time mom), but also really helped to calm my nerves after a somewhat traumatic first birth. She helped me feel confident, while also recognizing the limitations of the hospital I’d be giving birth at. I did not want to drive very far, so there was only one hospital that was an option, and it wasn’t the most “progressive” hospital. But weighing my various options, I knew it was the right choice for me, and Madison helped me confidently make that decision.
When I finally went into labor, I didn’t even utilize Madison on video call like I thought I would. My labor ended up being really quick, and thanks to something she mentioned in one of our prep sessions, I headed to the hospital at JUST the right time (40 minutes between entering the parking garage and giving birth).
In summary, I’d definitely recommend Madison as a doula, even if if you live outside the city.
Lori's Experience with Madoula's Birth Prep:
Madison of Madoula's prenatal services proved to be invaluable during my first pregnancy. Although I speak Spanish, having my first child abroad in Madrid (and during the pandemic) seemed daunting. Navigating the system here proved to be complicated, and I didn’t have an easy pregnancy. But Madison got me through it. Her calming, non-judgemental, and helpful demeanor was exactly what I needed. She helped me prepare for birth, providing me with all the information I need to be educated choices right for me from my birth plan to breastfeeding and beyond.
I ended up taking a prenatal course at the hospital where I planned to give birth, and I was actually quite unhappy with it. During the hospital course, I felt judged, and there were too many opinions and not enough practical information.
In contrast, Madison helped me examine what was important to me, armed me with information, and listened while I made my own choices and came to my own conclusions, all in my native language, which made me feel even more comfortable. She even has a library of pregnancy books which you have access to when you enlist her services.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I needed a doula. But looking back, I couldn’t imagine my pregnancy without her. If you’re on the fence about if or why you need a doula, just hire Madison from MaDoula. She's exactly what you need for a calm, healthy and happy pregnancy! I highly recommend her and will be contracting her postpartum services as well.
Georgia's Experience with Postpartum Doula Services:
My partner and I had support from Madison both pre (in the form of antenatal classes) and postpartum (in the form of home visits and remote support.) I simply cannot recommend her highly enough. She made us feel supported, confident, calm and informed. As a pregnant woman, she made me feel that my wishes and feelings were important and to be respected, helped me visualise and cement the type of birth I wanted, and is definitely a big part of the reason that I was lucky enough to have a completely positive and wonderful birth experience.
On a personal level - as a new mum - I chose Madison because I wanted a supportive, maternal figure to be there for me in the vulnerable postpartum period (knowing that the mum instantly falls by the wayside!) She was a gift from 'me' to 'me' and I couldn't have had a better person to help me along my postpartum journey: she was a friend, counsellor, parent and coach. I loved every minute she spent with us and I would urge every prospective mum to engage her services. Do it for you!
If you're an expecting mom or dad living in Madrid (or anywhere in Spain) and you're wondering what giving birth in Spain is going to be like, Madison from Madoula can support you on that journey! As a doula, Madison's goal is to help every family feel confident and have peace of mind as the birth of their baby abroad approaches. She mainly works with intercultural couples and English-speaking couples to help them understand the process here in Spain compared to their home culture, to have hands-on support during the birth itself, to feel confident breast or bottle-feeding, and to lend practical and emotional support during the postpartum period.
Madoula Services include:
All services are available online or in-person (in Madrid and surroundings).
Giving birth in Spain, far from your home country, can be an empowering experience you approach feeling totally at peace and ready!