Anna Marie stayed right by our side when labor got almost unbearable.  She gave me a perfect visual of how my labor was progressing by repeating the same thing over and over during the most intense contractions.  By her doing that, it made me see the progress my body was makind and helped me stay focused.  She also encouraged me to change positions even though it was hard.  She also videotaped our birth, and the videotape was amazing!!!!  For the memory captured by her, that alone made it worth having her there!  Not only do you have a Doula, but a professional videographer!  She should add that to her qualifications!

My desire was to go all natural with no drugs.  This was our first child, never did I ever think I could accomplish something like that.  Throughout the whole pregnancy all I heard was discouragement.  Anna Marie was the encourager!  With her there by mine and my husband's sides I was able to think the unthinkable, do the undoable, and accomplish what I thought could not be done.  If I had not had her there I don't feel I would have made the right decision for me.

My husband and I praise God for the way He orchestrated the whole birth.  The very first time we met with Anna Marie and I told her what kind of birth experience I wanted, she gently pointed out that the hospital we had chosen had policies AGAINST the things that I wanted to do during birth.  I had no idea!  Anna Marie helped us pick a great hospital and care provider that really supported our choices.

Anna Marie was able to show my husband exactly what to do and how to be there for me!  Our birth experience made us grow closer and stronger as husband and wife.  Our birth experience was incredible and I would not take anything from it! 

Thank you so very much and God Bless you, Anna Marie!

Caroline T., Arlington, TX (available for eMail reference)

 
The most helpful things Anna Marie did was showing me breastfeeding techniques and labor positions, also support and encouragement during delivery.  She gave important information to questions we had about labor, delivery, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.  As first time parents, my husband and I felt it was worth every penny to have Anna Marie there during labor and delivery for advice, information, and coaching.  Having the knowledge she provided made us feel more comfortable and confident.  We were empowered through the knowledge.

Eve S., Dallas, TX (available for eMail reference)





It was wonderful to have continuous support during labor and delivery.  I trusted Anna Marie completely and she helped make the birth experience a very positive one.  I had hoped to have a medication free birth, but when I decided to have an epidural Anna Marie was 100% supportive of my decision, and that really helped me to feel confident that I made a good choice.  I am so happy that I did my resarch and selected care providers (including Anna Marie) who helped me to have such a positive birth experience.  Having Anna Marie as my doula was well worth the expense.

Lila R., Dallas, TX (available for eMail reference)





Due to horribly high "stroke level" blood pressure and slow progression of labor, I ended up with a cesarean delivery, but thank GOD - also a beautiful, healthy baby!

I have written a few nasty letters to hospital executives and board members to let them know the details surrounding my frustration and dissatisfaction with some of the medical staff who participated in my birth.

Even though my labpr/delivery experience was NOT what I had "planned" or hoped for, Anna Marie was invaluable in helping me get through it.   Aside from the amazing support she provided during my labor experience, I was simply thrilled with how she followed through with EVERYTHING she promised, including sending me helpful reading materials and coming by after I returned home from the hospital to assist with my adjustment to nursing.  I'm pleased to tell you that I EXCLUSIVELY breastfed my daughter for 6 months.  In lieu of my "grief" over my hospital experience, I was DETERMINED to have a good nursing experience, and I had it - with Anna Marie's help and encouragement and lots of loving support from my family - and I am so THANKFUL!

I only wish I had taken Anna Marie's words to heart when she told me of the standard policies at the hospital I had chosen.  What I was told would happen in childbirth classes and what my Dr. told me would happen was completely fraudulent!  I will certainly take her advice when I choose a care provider and hospital for baby #2! 

Connie L., Dallas, TX (available for eMail reference) 


Anna Marie helped me immensely when our son was diagnosed with reflux.  I had an overactive let-down and an overabundance of milk which meant that I was drowning my child whose digestive tract could not handle what I was producing which caused projectile vomiting.  We used beach towels instead of burp cloths at nursing time.  After I contacted Anna Marie and explained the situation she came over the next day and helped me with upright feeding positions, the best way to expel milk and provided me with a nipple shield.  These techniques paired with holding him upright after feeding led to our son only throwing up once a week instead of twice a day!  Our baby is so much happier and we are thrilled that we do have have to use medication at this point.  We are so thankful for Anna Marie's help.

Amy B., Dallas, TX (available for eMail reference)

My goal was to have a short vaginal birth

Dottie S., Dallas, TX (avalable for eMail reference)

Anna Marie gave valuable advice and guidance before and during the birth, and in the postpartum period.  She was always available to help me and answer all of my questions as well as offering reassurance and encouragement.  We look forward to using her service again as we grow our family.

Terri B., Coppell, TX (available for eMail reference)

 

 

 

Anna Marie, you rank up there with one of the best choices I've ever made in my life!  Thank you for all of your guidance during my pregnancy and helping me find a Dr. and hospital that offered what I wanted.  Thank you for being a constant, relaxing, reassuring, and extremely helpful presence during my intense labor and birth.  Because of your talents and knowledge I was able to have the labor, childbirth, and happy alert newborn I had been hoping for.  Your job is hard, but you were there every second doing exactly what I needed.  I'm so pleased with my birth experience and I'm thanking myself for asking you to be a key part of it.  We'll never forget you!

 Erika M., Dallas, TX

 

 

 

I highly recommend Anna Marie to you. My experience was wonderful.  She is very skilled and knowledgeable about what she does.  My husband was thrilled to have the burden of helping me deal with all that happens during labor off his shoulders.  He was able to relax and enjoy the experience.  I used Anna Marie for my third delivery, the easiest, and the one with the least amount of pain.  My first two deliveries were typical hospital intervened and I was able to deliver my third without any drugs whatsoever.  Not having pain medication enabled me to feel what was happening and allowed me to decide when to push and when not to.

It was hard and painful, but I WOULD do it again.  The hardest part was crowning.  That is when I felt pain at a 7. Before that the pain was about a 5 and was greatly reduced, and at times completely relieved by techniques offered by Anna Marie.  Of course, if you want pain medication you should have it.  You are the boss and Anna Marie is there to offer support.  She is "the servant to the mother."  Anna Marie offered support and guidance both before and after delivery.  She knows much about pregnancy and nursing.  Even though it was my third I had plenty of questions that she was able to answer.  Using a doula is the way to go, and Anna Marie is top notch. 

Robin T., Dallas, TX

Anna Marie has encyclopedic knowledge of pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding. What she doesn't know, she'll research and fill you in on the pertinent details. Having that knowledge base on our side has helped keep my stress level low from the time we hired her up through today, more than 2 months after the birth of our daughter. 

Lynn T., Dallas, TX  (available for eMail reference)

 

 

 

There are not words to describe what Anna Marie did for me, my husband, and our baby. I would NEVER have made it without her and I mean that sincerely.  After coming home from the hospital, I had complications and had to return.  Anna Marie returned to the hospital and stayed with me and ended up caring for my 1 day old baby as the hospital would not. She was a true advocate for me under extremely difficult circumstances.  Anna Marie is an amazing doula and human being. I am so grateful that she is the one who was with us during the birth. I do not want to even consider how it would have otherwise been. If I have more children, I would absolutely want and need Anna Marie to be there.  Before the birth, my husband thought I was throwing away money to hire a doula because he would be there. After the birth, he said he that he would pay 10 times the amount to have Anna Marie be there again. We even tried to give her more money because of the extra hours she spent with us after the birth and she wouldn't accept it!!!!!   I could write you 10 pages about my birth experience and how Anna Marie made it better. I really truly believe that Anna Marie is the best there is . I know from my own experience you will not regret that choice. I am sure that she will be an incredible asset to your birth experience as she was to mine. My experience was wonderful.  She is very skilled and knowledgeable about what she does.  My husband was thrilled to have the burden of helping me deal with all that happens during labor off his shoulders.  He was able to relax and enjoy the experience.  I used Anna Marie for my third delivery, the easiest, and the one with the least amount of pain.  My first two deliveries were typical hospital intervened and I was able to deliver my third without any drugs whatsoever.  Not having pain medication enabled me to feel what was happening and allowed me to decide when to push and when not to.

Deborah S., Dallas, TX

Anna Marie was a constant source of support and information to me.  I was older when giving birth to my second child.  I cannot begin to express how wonderful it was for me to have such a knowledgeable and caring person as part of my support.  She was always attentive and actually listened to my problems.  I had severe sciatica problems during my pregnancy.  Without my regular pregnancy massages, I don't think I could have continued my busy life as a mother and wife.   Anna Marie's private child birth classes were a Godsend.  My husband is extremely busy with work, he just couldn't fit the hospital's classes into his busy schedule.  Anna Marie provided us with tailored classes that fit our schedule and personal needs.  I have given birth once without a doula and once with a doula.  There is NO comparison.  Having a Doula was a huge factor in the joy and comfort of my second son's pregnancy and birth.  My husband thanked me for insisting that we needed Anna Marie's help.  He recommends her to all of our friends!  

Tina A., Currently in Waxahachie, TX (available for eMail reference)

Anna Marie was WONDERFUL!    She gave me so much support emotionally, physically, and she was a wealth of information.   Anything I needed, she was there.    I knew I was in good hands.    In short, I would highly recommend her!

Kirstin K., Ft. Worth, TX

Anna Marie was my doula in February 2004 for the birth of my 4th daughter.  I had no idea there was even such a thing as a "doula" until I met Anna Marie.  Having delivered three babies without a doula, I can certainly tell you that having the assistance of Anna Marie made all the difference.  I wish I would have had her help and support with my first three deliveries.  She gave me a lot of valuable information so that I could make informed decisions about the type of delivery I wanted to have.  She was totally comfortable with the hospital environment and the hospital employees were totally comfortable with her also.  I was rarely laying down in bed like my previous labors and the different positions Anna Marie suggested were much more comfortable.  You cannot underestimate the importance of having someone who is focused only on you and your comfort, both emotionally and physically.  Sure my husband was there and I needed him to be there--but if your husband tells you "calm down" or "you can do it" you just want to slap him--he has no idea what you are going through.  And I don't know too many husbands who can stay focused just on you for 12 plus hours of labor.  I would definitely recommend Anna Marie if you are thinking about using a doula.  She is caring, warm, friendly, funny, encouraging, & empowering.  Anna Marie is good at what she does and she loves what she does.  My labor and delivery was a much more positive experience because of her expertise.  

Sherri G., Waxahachie, TX (available for eMail reference)

On July 28th, 2003, our family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl.  My wife and I were very fortunate that we had Anna Marie, a certified doula and registered massage therapist, assist us.   Before I met Anna Marie, I didn't even know what a doula was or that they even existed.  But she sure made a believer out of me!  She gave us so much valuable information and support.  Anna Marie is a very caring and understanding person.  She stayed with us for the full duration of the labor and delivery which took place over a span of two days.  She really enhanced the experience and kept both my wife and I focused and calm, even during some very sticky situations.  I strongly recommend  having Anna Marie around for a birth.  Even though I took the Lamaze classes with my wife, I would not have come up with half of the ideas and recommendations that Anna Marie gave us.  I only THOUGHT I was prepared!  Having an experienced doula there for my wife every step of the way during labor was a Godsend.  Still today, Anna Marie's a good friend and someone you can really rely on.  I'm looking forward on using her services again in November 2005 for our second child.  Thank you, Anna Marie! 

James  F., Red Oak, TX (available for eMail reference)

There is no way I would attempt labor without the assistance of Anna Marie. I used her for the birth of my 1st child, Faith, and would not have survived the experience without her, both from a mental, and possibly from a physical standpoint. She has so much knowledge and experience regarding what is going on, and as a first timer, my husband and I knew nothing. Anna Marie helped us make decisions by educating us on our options. Believe it or not, during these trying experiences, the doctors and nurses will give you choices to make that you know absolutely nothing about. Anna Marie helps you to weigh the pros and cons without the influence of what is most convenient or cost-effective for the hospital. I could go on and on forever about the reasons to use Anna Marie, my 1st labor was 40 hours long. She was with us the entire time, constantly providing me with care, massages, anything I needed to stay calm and comfortable. She is also an expert at breastfeeding, she assisted me while I learned how to do this. People say it comes naturally, and don't be stressed about it. Well, I am here to tell you, there is a lot to learn and a lot to get used to, and it is invaluable to have someone there by your side guiding you and counseling you, until it is a natural thing to do. I successfully breastfed my Faith, for 8 months, but there is no way I could have gotten off to the proper start without Anna Marie's assistance. Breastfeeding is vital to an infant's healthy start in life, but most women who try fail in the 1st 2 weeks. They decide it is too hard, or things are not going as they should, too stressful, etc. But with an expert like Anna Marie on their side women can actually have a successful experience, and more babies can be breastfed and reap the lifelong benefits. My second baby is due soon, and Anna Marie will once again be by right by my side!

Sharmyn F., Red Oak, TX (available for eMail reference

As my postpartum doula, Anna Marie provided coaching on nursing techniques and offered reassurance on following my motherly instincts in caring for my baby.  I also appreciated the general advice on some of the basics of baby care, especially because I am a first-time mother.

As my postpartum doula, Anna Marie provided coaching on nursing techniques and offered reassurance on following my motherly instincts in caring for my baby.  I also appreciated the general advice on some of the basics of baby care, especially because I am a first-time mother.

 Allison E., Cedar Hill, TX

I found Anna Marie's emotional support, personal knowledge, and input from other birth experiences to be very helpful in assisting my husband and I in make critical decisions in the turn of events prior to the birth of our daughter.  Anna Marie also gave me great emotional support during the postpartum period.  As a first time mom, I cannot imagine what my experience would have been like without Anna Marie.  I dont have many friends that are expecting, but I am spreading the word about doulas and I highly recommend Anna Marie.  If my friends are local, I insist that they call Anna Marie.  Thank you so much, Anna Marie, I will never forget your being there for us.

JoAnn E., Cedar Hill, TX (available for eMail reference)

 

Anna Marie helped me as a post-partum doula.  She is a "wife" to the mother and instinctively knows what to do.  The most helpful thing Anna Marie did was give me excellent breastfeeding advice.

Virginia S., Plano, TX

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Marie is a great doula!  She helped to ease our fears about labor and delivery, coached me through natural delivery (my choice) and is answering new mom questions I have.  I know I could not have had a natural delivery and be a confident new mom without Anna Marie's support.  Thank you, Anna Marie!  I don't know how women do it without support like you!

Rachel S., Dallas, TX (available for eMail reference)

Anna Marie reassured me that 4 weeks was not too late to latch and babies can still learn to latch after taking a bottle. It has been 10 weeks and my baby and I are still going strong.  Because I gained the confidence I needed with breastfeeding I am able to breastfeed anywhere!  I even nursed at Chuck E. Cheese!   [Anna Marie was not the doula, but was used as a lactation consultant after breastfeeding difficulties.]

Mary W., Dallas, TX