"Exie's calm and knowledgeable presence was most helpful because she empowered my husband to support me in the utmost ways possible.  Plus her strategies really did help with the pain.  This made for an especially rewarding birthing experience.  WE DID IT TOGETHER!"

"Even the doctors were impressed with her support.  She was focused on keeping us informed beginning with our first consultation.  Exie understood what the hospital staff needed while keeping in mind my personal needs and values.  She was able to use that understanding to not only keep me informed about what was going on, but also make suggestions about the best ways to honor my birth preferences."

"She was a great support to both me & my husband.  I was able to achieve my goal of delivering without the use of drugs with the help of Exie.  She came to our home so that I could labor there instead of spending more time in the hospital, where I couldn't eat or drink."

"(my husband) felt she was greatly supportive of us sticking to our birth plan.  Her calm presence and knowledge of the process helped us to relax and manage to stay focused rather than be overwhelmed by the stress of going through labor & delivery for the first time."

"I don't know how (we) would have gotten through labor without Exie's confidence in us and what we were doing.  She made me feel like everything was on track and we were okay - I might not have felt that way alone!"

The most helpful aspect of having a doula was "Having someone with us the whole time who knew what was happening and could provide comfort and confidence."

"Exie went above and beyond.  Her being there for me and capturing pictures of my son coming into our world was wonderful.  Something that I will always cherish."

"Exie has a lot of knowledge and is compassionate.  Without her support, knowledge, patience and calming effect, I would not have been well informed or have the birthing experience that I had."

"Exie gave constant reassurance and positive encouragement to both myself and my husband throughout labor.  She helped me to visualize the baby moving downward and to breathe through contractions when I wanted to push but (my cervix) wasn't ready.  She was constantly available before delivery for concerns and questions."

"During labor she answered my husband's questions and suggested many ways to deal with pain." 

"The most helpful aspect of having Exie present was being able to rely on her experience and calm demeanor, since neither my husband nor I had any previous experience with labor."

"Exie was worth her weight in gold!  I don't know what we would have done without her."

"Exie presents the information in a professional, 'let's take a look at this together' way instead of a condescending, know-it-all way.  This was much appreciated."

"Exie helped us to stick to our birth plan and not be discouraged by others."

"When changes needed to be made in (our) birth plan Exie helped explain what it was, our options, and risks but allowed us to be comfortable in our decision and was supportive."

"She gave us support, encouragement, & vital information that I truly believe helped us to avoid a second c-section.  Informing us of our options and of what was happening physically, as well as the mind-body connection, I feel was key in our having a successful VBAC"

"Exie gave us the sense that no matter what happened, there was an effective way to handle it to achieve the natural birth we wanted."

"I honestly don't think I could have gotten through the last stage of labor without Exie's support and encouragement."

"Her presence helped me fight the panic I was feeling at the pain and remind me to stay focused on the baby and not my pain."

From a husband: "I found that I was much more at ease, and more able to focus on being there for (my wife).  It also helped keep me grounded."

"I thought she was a wonderful addition in the pregnancy and labor...she was there to comfort my husband by reassuring him."

"She made my husband feel important and kept him involved.  Also my mom, who was helping, thought Exie gave precise directions and was caring in nature to both mom and family."

"I would highly recommend Exie to anyone who is pregnant and would use her again as my doula.  From the prenatal massage and acupressure to her role in the labor room, she was caring and professional."

"The physical support was so important as this was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  The massages and positioning helped to alleviate some pain and discomfort.  The (perineal)compresses and (essential) oils were very beneficial and I believe helped me to have less physical complications after the delivery and birth."

"The emotional support was tremendous.  Exie's words of encouragement and her directions given to my husband were just what we needed.  Exie puts you at ease and I could...just concentrate on what needed to be done to have a natural and healthy birth."

"(My husband) felt very good having (Exie) there.  It took some pressure off of him and he was able to just support me.  He knew he had that additional support person who would work with the hospital staff and keep us informed."

"We highly recommend Exie to anyone that can have a doula."

"[Exie] gave me tremendous emotional support...[Exie] stayed by my side encouraging me and holding my hand."

"I especially liked my birth plan.  I had no idea that I had so many options.  [Exie] helped me prepare a birth plan that worked for me and supported my decisions even when I changed my mind."

"I was very impressed (with my doula's role).  My husband was more impressed.  He wasn't sure why we needed a doula.  At first he was skeptical.  In the end he was so glad we had the doula."

"[Exie's] support (to me) and support to my husband made the experience go smoothly and with ease."

"I feel that (having a doula) was one of the best decisions I made...I would definitely use a doula again"