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 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 (the mom)
 Anna Marie, thank you for helping both of us do it. I am sure that without you, I wouldn't have been able to give Erika enough support throughout the labor. You are an amazing person who made our baby come into this world with open eyes. Thanks.
Jay M., Dallas, TX (the dad)
 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.
Jennifer S., Currently in Salt Lake City, UT (available for eMail reference)
 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.
LynnT., 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.
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 helped us with the arrival of our 3rd baby in October, and I highly recommend her. She did a great job of educating us on everything the first time we met with her. Anna Marie was always available for questions throughout the pregnancy. You would think I wouldn't have many questions since it was my third, but I had all kinds of strange things happen! And I'm one who always hates to call and "bother" someone, but she always acted thrilled to help. During labor, she was GREAT and was incredibly helpful with breastfeeding. We were unsure about using one this time because my husband and I are both somewhat introverted and couldn't imagine having someone share such a personal time with us. But Anna Marie is someone we both felt immediately comfortable with.
Crissa B., Gunter, TX
 Anna Marie played an essential role in my labor and delivery. She was essential in keeping me focused. Her words were encouraging. She physically helped to alleviate the back pain, which was very helpful during the labor. My labor never stalled and I had no complications. Medical interventions were only those that the hospital required. I just recommended Anna Marie to a friend of mine at work. So, yes, I definitely recommend her.
Tracy V., Rockwall, 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.
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 encouraged me through the contractions and delivery. She was there the entire time (6 hours) and suggested different positions the might be helpful. She also worked as a liaison between my husband and me, helping me to communicate with him during contractions. Most helpful was when she physically leaned on my body during contractions. It seemed to dull the pain. (She leaned on my back as I labored laying down on my side.) I will definitely recommend Anna Marie specifically by name, and I am 100% positive we will hire her again for subsequent deliveries. Also, take advantage of the pregnancy massages. They worked wonders for me and helped me to bond with Anna Marie before the big day. I am so happy Linda Worzer (my Bradley Instructor) recommended her to me!
Anne M., Dallas, 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
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