Jaunitta Taylor, BBC Certified Doula

Juanitta became my Doula about 4 months into my pregnancy, after a really tough time and bad experiences at my OBGYN at the time. My family didn't knowing what to expect, as this was my first child and first experience with doulas and midwifes and everything! I am so lucky to have found such an amazing and supportive doula and without her my pregnancy would have undoubtedly become SO much more difficult. From day one of meeting her (via video chat as this was the height of the pandemic) she was so friendly, open, and ready to understand me and my needs and well as my fiancé’s! Immediately I knew why more and more women turn to doulas and suggest them! Like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because any worry or question we had she was ALWAYS there and ready. While my pregnancy was overall very healthy with thankfully very few to no issues, my labor had a bit more bumps! My midwives were amazing as well and made me feel very comfortable through my entire duration with them, however the day I got induced (my Son was 2 weeks late) there was a mixup when I was supposed to be induced and they called me around 7/8 AM a Weekend before the planned day asking me to come in as soon as I can to be induced! Of course my fiancé and I were TERRIFIED to say the least, already our birth plan was askew!! But Juanitta was incredibly calm, responded so quickly to calls and texts and met us at the hospital post haste. During labor, as talked about in the birthing plan with her and my midwives, I did my best to power and breath through it as long as I could before asking for any pain medication and Juanitta was there every step of the way supporting me and helping me do different exercises. As hours go by and I’m fully induced ( ballon, Pitocin, broke my water) the pain begins to get more and more intolerable and harder to deal with, until I decided to get the IV and finally till I can’t stand it I ask for the epidural. I never would have imagined at the time that an epidural ( or that doctors mix) wouldn’t work! I was in crazy pain, with my contractions coming so fast and strong it was hard to breath! But through it all right next to my fiancé was Juanitta so calm and supportive, instructing my fiancé and helping me breath and get through it. In the heat of the moment I’ve realized you forget things because of the pain and sometimes it feels so fast but I distinctly remember when I hit the point where I felt I couldn’t do it she held my hands and said yes you can, you can do this, we’re here, you can do this. I will be forever grateful to Mrs. Juanitta Taylor, she helped me bring a wonderful beautiful son into this world and was by my side every second she could be and I DEFINITELY will seek her out the next pregnancy I have if I am able! (I’m sorry this took so long too Juanitta!!)

Rebekah B.