Need a Doula in San Antonio?

Lara’s 2nd baby was born in May 2007 with Brenda’s assistance after a disappointing 1st birth experience.  Lara is now expecting her 3rd baby in February of 2009. Here is what she had to say about her 2nd birth:

“Brenda is such a warm and giving soul – she really made me feel comfortable and important. She found out what things were important to me for the birth of my son and made sure that I got them – she negotiated with the hospital staff when I was in the middle of painful contractions and they were asking me question after question and I was starting to get agitated. She rubbed my feet & back during each contraction, and when I went through transition, she was my strength. I was feeling like there was no way I could get through the pain and she was right there telling me I could. And she was right!

I appreciated that she left for the hospital as soon as I called to tell her I was in labor – even though she lived 2 hours away. I was so relieved when she walked into the room – even though my husband was very supportive, he was not prepared for how emotional I would get as the contractions intensified. Brenda helped me change positions, kept track of my progress and reassured me when I was getting tired and unsure that things were going well. She tirelessly held a back massager on my back to ease the contractions, and helped me in any way I asked.

I couldn’t have done it without Brenda and I recommend her to anyone desiring to have a great birth experience.”

Keyla has 3 children, the 1st one was born in the hospital and including many interventions that Keyla did not want to have. For her 2nd and 3rd births, she and her husband decided to give birth at home. It has been an honor to be Keyla’s doula because she is a personal friend of mine. She was also my inspiration to become a doula – thanks Keyla!

Keyla’s testimony: “Having Brenda attend my 2nd and 3rd birth was wonderful!  Brenda has been present at my last two home births.  My daughter, Belisia  was born at home on July 3rd 2006 and Valor (born at home) on August 1st 2008, my birthday!  She is a wonderful friend and like a sister to me!  Brenda knows all the right words to say to me while in labor.  There is a beautiful peace when she speaks to me that I believe comes from GOD.  I believe Brenda was made for encouraging women during labor and she can share her gift especially by being a Doula.  The testimonies I’m going to share are mixed with Belisia’s birth and Valor’s birth…
 
Brenda was very loving and encouraging to me with prayers and verses that I had requested her to recite to me.  Brenda helped me remain focused for as long as she could using peaceful and relaxing techniques. Brenda would massage me when I would have contractions and just soothed me the best she could.  She would back off when I needed her to back off (transition) and then return when I would just cry to her.  When I cried she comforted and held me and when I could no longer walk she would catch me and when I would scream she would whisper in my ear that it was “okay”… She would say, “I know, I know”  or pray for me when she sensed I was feeling like I wanted to give up. I knew she knew because she’s had several home births as well.  So I knew she could relate.
 
Brenda helped my midwives with some direction of where some essential oils that I requested were to be rubbed. She was encouraging to my husband, Jacinto when he didn’t know what else to tell me or how to tell me.  Brenda was a beautiful mediator for us. Brenda always gives her best to help mothers have the type of birth they request.  I can’t imagine not having Brenda at any of my births. I know and believe Brenda will do her utmost best to try to give you the birth you desire. Thank you Brenda for all you do and are to me and my family!”

Christina with her new daughter

Christina and Brenda with her new baby girl

Christina has used a doula for all 3 of her babies, and Brenda was privileged to help her with birth’s #2 and #3. Christina says this about her doula experience:

“Brenda was great. She went the extra mile and I really appreciate it. This birth was unforgettable and was exactly the way I planned it. Brenda reminded me why I was there during the birth. She told me that everything that I was going through was going to be worth it and that it was good pain.”

Helen gave birth to her 2nd baby in Sept. 2007. Her reason for wanting a doula was because they didn’t have any family close by and needed to make sure that Helen would not be left alone during the labor and birth.

Helen’s testimony: “I very much valued the time and trouble that my doula took with me and my family. It was very reassuring to know that I had additional support if I needed it. Brenda was very respectful of mine and my husband’s wishes and choices and was not at all intrusive during the birth.”

Brenda and Sharon with her 6th baby, first unmedicated birth

Sharon decided that she wanted to have a natural birth after using pain medications, etc. for 5 previous births. She wanted to have a doula to help her in this new experience, even though she was already a very experienced mom.

Sharon says this: “This pregnancy was #6 for me and the first time I had the blessing of a doula. I had never heard of a doula much less had one help me! Brenda Minica informed me about her availablility – with my new interest in natural childbirth from a book I had read, the timing was perfect. Brenda’s doula service has been a huge help to me – her encouragement, knowledge, counsel, availability during all phases of pregnancy, help with working thru communication with my spouse, and making her resources available, and being right there with me during my labor assisting my husband, I was able to have the natural childbirth experience I had hoped for. With the doctor’s and staff going the ’standard practice’ of drugs that they have been trained with and hurrying a delivery through, often with their interests above the mother and baby, I see now how the support and assistance of a doula is very important and helpful. Even with a homebirth, the encouragement and assistance would be so helpful I am sure. I really appreciate Brenda  working with my husband and assuring him of her support of his role and her not ‘taking his place’ but supporting both of us and helping to encourage and assist in all ways. I highly recommend Brenda as a doula and would be glad to answer any questions about a doula that I can from personal experience. Best wishes for your pregnancy.”