Chantal saved me from having a c-section, TWICE. During my second pregnancy I decided to enlist the help of an experienced doula to improve my chances of a VBAC. During the 34thweek of my pregnancy, the baby’s weight gain began to slow to the point where I was asked to deliver between 38 and 39 weeks. At 38 weeks, the baby was still “floating” and I was not dilated- the doctors said the chances of my going into spontaneous labor were extremely slim. It seemed unlikely Chantal and I would work together because I was scheduled for a c-section in 4 days and my body wasn’t showing signs of going into labor. But with Chantal’s guidance, I miraculously went into spontaneous labor the night before my scheduled c-section! Save #1.

In the middle of the night during the last week of August, the hospital was understaffed and they took too long to get me set up in the birthing room. In the meantime, my baby was descending rapidly. My doctor had not arrived and the young attending decided I needed an emergency c-section because the baby’s heart rate dropped- but that was only because he was already in the birth canal. The only person who knew what was going on was Chantal! Seconds before they were going to operate, Chantal hurried my doctor to the OR explaining what was REALLY happening. My doctor stopped the surgery and asked me to push. My healthy, normal weight baby was born in two pushes. Save #2.

Without Chantal, I would have certainly had unnecessary surgery. Her knowledge and work were priceless. 

Rini G.