I have just one word to sum up my experience with Tessa - incredible! Tessa came into my labor experience at a point that I was losing faith in my ability to complete the birth experience I was hoping for - a natural, unmedicated birth. I had already been in hard labor for about 10 hours and my body wasn't progressing as quickly as I was hoping; in fact, after that 10 hours, my body still had only progressed to 2cm. When Tessa came in, she was such a quiet yet strong support, exactly what I needed at that time. I was tired of hearing everyone tell me that I could do it, I just need someone to be there for me. Throughout the night, Tessa continued to be a physical presence for me, and helped me with many different positions and counter pressure techniques, and also encouraged me to drink and eat as much as I could handle in order to help my body continue through the laboring marathon.
As the night progressed and turned into morning, my body continued to labor, but progress wasn't being made. Tessa was such an incredible support for me and showed me such empathy in a time that I could feel my dream of a natural birth slipping away. By the end of 17 hours, my body was starting to shutdown. I was so dehydrated that I was having 3 and 4 contractions on top of each other and my pain was so excruciating, I was screaming during each contraction and passing out in between. Tessa was seriously amazing and irreplaceable during this time. She just held me and loved on me and was the most calming physical presence - her face and presence with me before being transferred to the hospital is one of the few things I remember during this time.
Once I was transferred to the hospital and received my epidural, Tessa then became my support for a transition in my birth plan and attempting to still have a vaginal birth. She asked me so many helpful questions and jotted down a new birth plan to give to my nursing/midwife staff at the hospital so that all of our wishes would be met.
At the end of my experience though, what I value the most about Tessa is that she has become a lifelong friend. Her support, her love, and her laughs truly pulled me through a very difficult labor and even more difficult process of having my natural water birth no longer be a reality.
Thank you Tessa for everything! I love you and appreciate every moment you spent with me more than you know!!
- Tiffany Perkins -
Doula Reference for Tessa from Candace Ives
Tessa is an amazing doula! She is so passionate and devoted to her profession and her enthusiasm came across in all our interactions with her. Tessa has a lot of knowledge about pregnancy, labor and childbirth. Whenever I had any questions I would call her up and she was always so positive and full of facts.
My husband and I met with Tessa on numerous occasions before the birth of our daughter and I found this to be so helpful. It was important to my husband and I to get to know her before the big day at the hospital. Tessa is so friendly, down-to-earth, professional and fun to talk to! We looked forward to all our meetings with her.
Tessa accompanied me on several doctor visits and I found this to be really helpful as well. She was able to meet my OB/GYN before the birth of our daughter and got to know my doctor a little bit too. I thought this was so neat that she went above and beyond what I thought a doula would do!
This was my second baby and I had her at Northwest Hospital. I had to be induced and Tessa spent over 15 hours at the hospital with us. The pitocin took a long time to “kick in” and when it finally did, Tessa's skills as a doula really came out. I had a natural labor and she was so good at helping my husband comfort me. She brought hot stones and showed my husband how to put them on my lower back during contractions. She has so many good ideas on comfort measures when you're in labor. She was always so encouraging and supportive!! Just when I thought I couldn't stand another contraction, she came up with another idea on how to help me through it.
I highly, highly, highly recommend Tessa as a doula! I couldn't have gone through my intense, natural labor without her. Tessa is such a sweet and compassionate person and her love of attending births is very evident! She was the perfect doula for us and I am so happy and pleased that we found her!
Tessa also went out-of-her-way to meet with us numerous times after the birth of our daughter. I had a hard time breastfeeding and she was helpful with helping my daughter latch on properly. I had so many questions and concerns about nursing and once again, with all her knowledge- she was able to reassure us. Of course, it helped that Tessa was also a nursing mama!
I just can't say enough good things about Tessa! She is wonderful and very dedicated as a doula. Thank you, Tessa! You're Amazing!
