Doula Testimonial

When I started looking for doulas I found Staci Bishop through the Hypnobabies website since she is a hypno certified doula.  I had planned to “interview” multiple people but after I met Staci I knew I didn’t need to look any further!  She was so warm, so knowledgeable, and made me feel so comfortable and confident that I could have the beautiful natural childbirth that I wanted to have.

She was available to me throughout my entire pregnancy to answer any questions that I had and was always extremely responsive.  During birth she was right by my side the entire time bringing me water, cold compresses, applying counter pressure, etc.  Not only did I love her, but my husband was also SO glad that we had Staci as our doula.  She helped him tremendously throughout the birthing day. 

I also loved how thorough Staci was during our postpartum visit.  We talked about everything from how I was adapting to mommyhood and my emotional health; breastfeeding and the benefits of it; vaccinations; pediatricians; chiropractic care for newborns; homeopathic treatments for newborns through adults; postpartum exercises; baby wearing; etc!  It was probably the most beneficial meeting of my entire pregnancy!

I honestly can’t say enough great things about Staci!  Seriously, just hire her, you won’t regret it!  J

-Mary  |  Fairview, TN

Doula Testimonial

The 5 W’s of Why Staci Bishop Rocks
By: Sarah - Nashville, TN

Who:
My fiancé and I were bound and determined to be ready to knock down doors to have a natural childbirth. After enrolling in Bradley classes, which armed us with knowledge about informed consent, the birthing process, and a myriad of details, we felt semi-prepared and ready to go. As the day grew closer, I started to doubt myself. Would I be strong enough? Would Shawn remember everything? I knew from the beginning that it would just be the two of us in the room. I wanted it to be intimate and I wanted every decision made to come from my heart and not an outside influence. I knew that Shawn supported my decisions, but who would be there for him when the going got tough? We decided around 36 weeks that we would need a doula. We scheduled three interviews and only had one. It was with Staci. I didn’t need to meet anyone else.

What:
Maybe it was the aromatherapy, the specialization as a hypnodoula, her crazy good organization skills, or her calm, but assertive manner, that made our instant decision? It was all of the above. The essential oils did so much for me at home. I BELIEVED in their ability to help and most of all BELIEVED in Staci using them to guide me through. I tried to get into hypnobabies during pregnancy, but couldn’t. On birth day, Staci was armed with the CD and it got me further than I ever thought it could.

When:
54 hours is a long time to be in labor. Staci was with us when I thought the contractions were bad, when they started to get bad, when they were REALLY bad, and when they stopped. Her techniques allowed me to remain calm and at home through early labor. Your sense of power is amazing when you have someone there with you, working through each contraction, telling you that YOU WILL deliver this baby and YOU ARE strong and DOING GREAT.

Where:
Staci spent early labor at home with us. She went to the Vandy with us…twice. Most of all, she was there when I felt defeated and opted for an epidural. Sometimes medication is needed. For pain. For rest. I needed both. Having the support of my partner and my doula allowed me to relax. I was able to get into the side position that Staci and my Bradley classes had taught me, and in an hour and a half I was ready to push. Charlotte came into the world with Shawn, Staci, and our (third) midwife by my side. I remember Staci and Shawn cheering as I was pushing. It still brings instant tears. This woman that I met a few short weeks ago had helped me achieve a LIFE dream. How can I every repay her?

Why:
Without Staci I would have almost definitely had an unplanned cesarean. I would have gone to the hospital early, I wouldn’t have had the courage to decline an unwanted ultrasound (to look for an amniotic leak that would have put me on the 24 hour clock), I would have just wanted it to be over so that I could go to sleep. She worked me through almost two days of contractions at home, gave me support with all decisions that we made, and kept me drinking fluids to keep my energy up. All of this AND the support she provided for Shawn. A great midwife told me once that however many people are at a birth is how many it takes to deliver a baby. For Charlotte’s arrival, I needed Shawn, but we BOTH needed Staci. My heart soars when I think of her. Needless to say, she comes with high recommendations from our family. When it comes time for another baby, I can only hope that she will be by my side once again.

Doula Testimonial: Hypnobabies and Postpartum Support

Staci Bishop is the most valuable investment I made when planning for my birth, not only for her support before and during labor but especially during my postpartum difficulties. There are so many decisions and details she helped me sort out with information and care to support my choices. Since she was trained as a Hypno Doula, she was also able to provide specific support for my natural, drug free childbirth. My husband was equally pleased with Staci's professional guidance, especially since she worked with us during the busy holiday season. My ObGyn even commented to me twice on how impressed she was with my Doula. With so many decisions to make when I was pregnant with my first baby, I am so incredibly grateful I hired Staci as my Doula. 

Lori Gentry - Nashville, TN

Client Testimonial

Staci Bishop was a fantastic doula! She was a calm and helpful presence during a surprisingly difficult labor for both my husband and I. I would strongly recommend using Staci and plan on calling her as soon as we are expecting #2!

~Hope

Client Testimonial

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about having Staci as our Doula for the birth of our daughter on August 15th 2012. There were many ways she was such a wonderful doula. She was thorough in her explanations and education about birth with us. She really helped me stay accountable to my desired birth plan and she is so easy to talk to and work with. She was very reassuring by how prepared, knowledgeable, and compassionate she was through the whole process. I really knew that she cared for me and my husband through the whole process and her kindness showed through the whole labor and delivery as she helped guide my husband and I through each and every contraction with gentleness, knowledge of coping techniques in labor and reminders of ways to make it all go as smoothly as possible. She has a kindred spirit and I cannot recommend her enough as I already have told many people about her. Anyone would be glad to have her as their doula.

Shawna & Rich Brinsfield 
Nashville, TN

Doula Testimonial

By: Hannah Phaneuf

Where do I start? Staci is amazing. My daughter's birth was the most spectacular event of my life, & a LOT of that had to do with Staci. My first baby's birth didn't go at all the way I'd wanted it to, so I wanted to do things differently the 2nd time around. Staci really encouraged me to research my options, without trying to sway me one way or another. After doing a LOT of research I opted for a home birth at the Farm. It. Was. AWESOME! Staci even wrote her own account of my birth story; check it out!

Staci was there for me my entire pregnancy for moral support, came to a couple of my prenatal appointments to get to know my awesome midwives, and at the end when I was 15 days past my due date and very ready to be done, she gave me a ton of emotional support to get through those final days. I was only in active labor for 90 minutes! I think a lot of why my labor was so fast was because I was never afraid - Staci had a LOT to do with that. She helped me get into a comfy position & provided counter-pressure on my back that helped ease the pain immensely. She was a huge emotional as well as physical support to me. When I wanted to give birth on hands and knees, with Staci still pushing on my back, she and my midwives made it work!

I just can't quite put into words how amazing and wonderful my daughter's birth was. I wish I could. I wish I could find some way to describe it to you so that if you are considering natural birth even a little bit, you'll go for it! It was the most awe-inspiring, life-changing, empowering experience of my life so far. Staci was incredible; I don't know what I would have done without her. Her kind, gentle spirit, her sweet & calming demeanor, and most of all, her passion for helping mamas and their babies get the kind of care they want, need, and deserve...I don't have words. Just love.