Each of us plans and wants to be at our clients’ births; however, life (and certainly birth!) is unpredictable, so we have created a back-up doula circle of care in order to ensure you will have a doula available when needed. Circumstances vary and when needed, a back-up doula may be present for just an hour or she may be with you during your entire labor and birthing time.
Our regularly scheduled meet-the-doula gatherings give you the opportunity to get to know everyone in the back-up circle prior to your birthing time. When back-up support is needed, we strive to make a smooth and comfortable transition for you and your birth companion(s).
Here you can read some testimonials from parents that were supported by a back-up doula:
Our regularly scheduled meet-the-doula gatherings give you the opportunity to get to know everyone in the back-up circle prior to your birthing time. When back-up support is needed, we strive to make a smooth and comfortable transition for you and your birth companion(s).
Here you can read some testimonials from parents that were supported by a back-up doula:
Katie's "The Beauty of a Back Up Doula" Story
"Early in my pregnancy, I knew I wanted a doula. I started researching doulas and found Erin Luben’s wonderful website. She seemed like the perfect doula for us. We met Erin for the first time at a “Meet the Doulas” event and loved her even more in person! We were also impressed by the other doulas that were there that night. We met and loved Julie McBurney– so much so that we debated who to hire all the way home! They both were so calm, competent, and reassuring - we knew we couldn’t go wrong.
We ended up hiring Erin, but as it turned out, both Erin and Julie were incredibly supportive and played major roles during my pregnancy and birth. Erin was there for me through thick and thin during the months leading up to my birth. She addressed my fears and concerns, led an amazing birth class, and empowered me to hold out as long as possible before I needed to be induced. Erin was very sick when I gave birth, so Julie served as my back up doula. I will never forget when Julie first entered my labor room – I was panicky from the intensity of my contractions, but she came in and instantly surrounded me with her calming, reassuring confidence and support. Julie stayed right by my side throughout my very long (30 hours!) labor and delivery, even when she was pregnant herself! She suggested different positions to try, walked and rocked with me, and provided gentle, non-judgmental support through some tough decisions. She was also an incredible support for my husband and helped him be an amazing birth partner for me. When I didn’t think I had the strength to push any more, Julie encouraged me to reach down and touch the top of my baby’s head, which gave me the confidence and determination for those last few pushes.
When our son was finally born, Julie took the first picture of us as a new family – a beautiful photo that I will treasure forever. I am in awe of the incredible service she provided to us. When Erin was feeling better, she came and visited me in the hospital and continued to provide wonderful post-partum support once I went home. Both Julie and Erin helped make the birth of our son an amazing experience and I will forever be grateful to them both. I feel so lucky that I got to benefit from the expertise and loving support of two amazing doulas."
Johanna was sent to support Jenn
"We were slightly apprehensive about having a backup doula, but retrospectively had nothing to worry about. Thank you for being the calming helpful presence we needed!" -Aaron
"We were slightly apprehensive about having a backup doula, but retrospectively had nothing to worry about. Thank you for being the calming helpful presence we needed!" -Aaron
Hope's Back Up Doula Story
"We couldn't have been in better hands during our birth experience, between Jamie coaching us on the phone ALL the way through our labor and Joanne meeting us at the hospital and stepping right in as Jamie's back up. I'd only met Joanne once and my husband had not had a chance to meet her at all, so we were amazed at how comfortable we felt with her. Joanne coached my husband on relieving my back labor and then used different massage techniques to help me breathe through the contractions. She even took the most stunning picture of our daughter as she entered the world. Most of all, Joanne was the quiet voice of reassurance as we made decisions that shaped our birth experience. Jamie and Joanne will always have a special place in our hearts and we hope to use them again."
Carrie's "The Perfect Doula For Me That Day" Story
"When we found out we were pregnant I knew I had a few "hopes" and one of them was to have a doula attend our birth. After asking a doula friend of mine in Oklahoma (my home state) I got to googling and ultimately we met with a super-awesome doula here in Durham named Erin. She encouraged us to go to a meet-the-doulas meeting to meet her back-ups. She said that she had only needed to call for back-up once before, but that it was always a good idea. So I went with my best friend Jennifer.
While there I solidified that I definitely wanted to hire Erin, but told her that if I was one of those people who needed a back-up, and the option was there, I would pick Joanne if I could. I just liked her vibe. :)
Fast forward six months...on August 22nd. I'm at the sewing machine working on the crib skirt for our little girl. We are due on the 25th and CERTAIN she will be late. I'm a twin who was born on her due date and both of my brothers were ten days late! We figured the universe would get me back for my "punny" ways by making me labor on Labor Day! I had even sent Erin an email earlier that day saying that I had only been 1cm at my appointment on Monday and I wasn't feeling anything so I was a sure I'd see her next week!
But at 11pm, after having worked until 8...labor began. And it wasn't "early" labor either--didn't feel a lick of that, I realized later. (At the time I was freaking out, looking at my phone on my app in between contractions and wondering why my timing didn't match early labor!) I messaged Erin who said she was already at the hospital with another mom--she'd send us a back-up doula for now and meet up with us after the mom delivered--the first twin would probably arrive soon. And turns out that not only was it Joanne, she was her only back-up available, so I was certain to get her.
As fortune would have it, Joanne turned out to be the perfect doula for me that day because I was having SO much hip pain and tension in my legs--and Joanne is also a massage therapist! Joanne was there for us at home to help us labor and went with us to the hospital. As it turned out, she was there all the way through my daughter's birth! (the second of the twins was slower to arrive than anticipated!) Erin got to come see us about 45 minutes after our daughter was born, and both Erin and Joanne teamed up to take care of the post-partum. It was wonderful!
I am SO glad we chose to hire a doula. I really don't know that I could've gone epidural-free (and even IV free) without one. They gave me confidence in my own choices, educated me when necessary and were just amazing! I continue to be so grateful for the incredible women who have chosen to care for other as doulas! I also had the pleasure of working with yet another doula (Julie) to have my placenta encapsulated. All in all it was a fantastic experience and we will definitely have a doula be a part of any future bundle-of-joy deliveries!"
Kara and Mike's "Seamless Backup" Birth Experience
It was so hard for us to make the decision to hire a doula. None of our birthing friends had done so; it really felt like an extravagance or an indulgence of sorts. But everything I read and heard about doula care tugged me in that direction and I felt, deep down, like having a doula would give all three of us as healthy a birthing experience as possible. Our midwife recommended Johanna and she was just as skilled, calming, knowledgeable, and kind as all of the reviews we read about her attested. Despite COVID prohibiting in-person meetings, our virtual meetings with her solidified that we had made the right decision. Johanna helped us prepare and work through what was important to us in the birthing experience such that we could look forward to labor and delivery rather than fear it. When I went into labor two weeks early, Johanna was with another momma in active labor. But, one of the beautiful things about her doula practice is the skilled and amazing back-up doulas she partners with. We had taken a childbirth class with Andrea Denali and were so fortunate to have her at the ready for us. Johanna got our info to Andrea seamlessly so we could focus on labor, and Andrea was right there for us when we needed her. Johanna was also an incredible support to us in the postpartum period. From breastfeeding advice to reassurance and help processing the hard parts of our birth, she gave us peace of mind and confidence in some difficult days. We wish every expectant family had this kind of amazing doula support!
- Kara & Mike
- Kara & Mike
Diana's "Unexpected Doula" Story
"I had been told to approach labor knowing my preferences, and to be open to the unexpected. And indeed that is what happened: When I called my doula to tell her that I was going into active labor, she told me she was not going to be able to make it. This was one of the few scenarios I had not imagined. My doula told me this had only happened to her once, hence, I had barely paid any attention to the list of back-up doulas. At the beginning I felt disappointed and very uncomfortable at the idea of laboring with a doula I had never met before, a little bit scared that I was going to feel "on my own."
Jamie was waiting for us at the triage at the hospital, and in less than 10 minutes I felt completely at ease with her, as if I had known her for years. She proved to be the perfect doula for me. She knew exactly how to do a wide variety of things necessary (or: to support me) in labor: she was able to distract me and able help me to concentrate, she was able to calm and relax me, and able to motivate me and encourage me to keep on laboring. She was also the perfect companion and assistant to my partner, who felt equally comfortable with our “unexpected” doula. We ended up having an awesome labor and we feel that a big part of it was thanks to Jamie. She really helped me to find the strength to have the natural labor we wished for and she also made it very beautiful. She knew when to leave my partner and I to have some intimate time, and knew when to take over so that he could rest or help me when I needed her. I never imagined that I would end up laboring with a stranger but now I would absolutely not change anything about it."
Lisa's "Empowering Birth" Story
"My birth experience was the most special and powerful moment of my life, thanks in part to the help of two wonderful doulas, Erin Luben and Julie McBurney. Their back up doula system helped me to have a beautiful, powerful, and peaceful birth. When I went into labor I called Erin, who had let me know that one of her clients, a second time mother, had just gone into labor as well and was progressing quickly. I was immediately reassured that I would not be without a doula for my birth and she was right. My husband and I were never left alone. She came to my house when my contractions became more powerful and gently helped me through each and every one until Julie arrived. I was relieved to feel instantly safe with Julie. She had a magical touch which melted away my tension and made the contractions more bearable.
I am convinced that I was able to labor at home for so long (from the morning until 2 AM) because of Julie’s reassuring presence and soothing massages. When we got to the birth center, I was happily surprised to see Erin come not long after we arrived. I had two doulas for hours at the Birth Center. They supported me and my husband in so many ways- helping to change my son’s posterior position with a rebozo, teaching my husband to help me keep my voice low to ensure effective contractions, massaging my shoulders, drawing a bath for me, encouraging my husband to take a well-deserved nap, making sure I stayed hydrated… I could go on. The love I felt for my son, Elijah, was immense and overwhelming. When he was born, Erin not only took great pictures (at my request), she also helped Elijah to latch on during the first hour. She just knew when to help and when to allow us some family time. My birth exceeded my expectations, and I am indebted to Erin and Julie for empowering me throughout the process. My husband also thoroughly enjoyed the birthing process in large part because they provided so much help to both of us. Their support freed us to really focus on the experience and live in the moment."
"My birth experience was the most special and powerful moment of my life, thanks in part to the help of two wonderful doulas, Erin Luben and Julie McBurney. Their back up doula system helped me to have a beautiful, powerful, and peaceful birth. When I went into labor I called Erin, who had let me know that one of her clients, a second time mother, had just gone into labor as well and was progressing quickly. I was immediately reassured that I would not be without a doula for my birth and she was right. My husband and I were never left alone. She came to my house when my contractions became more powerful and gently helped me through each and every one until Julie arrived. I was relieved to feel instantly safe with Julie. She had a magical touch which melted away my tension and made the contractions more bearable.
I am convinced that I was able to labor at home for so long (from the morning until 2 AM) because of Julie’s reassuring presence and soothing massages. When we got to the birth center, I was happily surprised to see Erin come not long after we arrived. I had two doulas for hours at the Birth Center. They supported me and my husband in so many ways- helping to change my son’s posterior position with a rebozo, teaching my husband to help me keep my voice low to ensure effective contractions, massaging my shoulders, drawing a bath for me, encouraging my husband to take a well-deserved nap, making sure I stayed hydrated… I could go on. The love I felt for my son, Elijah, was immense and overwhelming. When he was born, Erin not only took great pictures (at my request), she also helped Elijah to latch on during the first hour. She just knew when to help and when to allow us some family time. My birth exceeded my expectations, and I am indebted to Erin and Julie for empowering me throughout the process. My husband also thoroughly enjoyed the birthing process in large part because they provided so much help to both of us. Their support freed us to really focus on the experience and live in the moment."
Sonja's "Surprising Birth and Two Doulas" Story
Johanna Wright is AH-MAZ-ING! I was in such distress bc my water had broke but I was not experiencing contractions. The doctors told me I would need to be induced (which in my mind meant drugged)! I was terrified And I was six weeks early and had not been able to do any class in preparation for the birth. Johanna told me the research that she had read and told me that this was MY birth experience and MY baby! She empowered me and I decided to wait just a little bit longer before being induced. FINALLY my contractions began! Johanna was with me every step of the way... helping me to breathe and relax and remind me that my body and my baby were doing EXACTLY what needed to be done in order to bring my baby into this world. I felt SO assured. Joanne Dahill also came because she was my assigned doula and Johanna was a sub because Joanne had another birth she was attending to. I was SO lucky to have two doulas helping me. In the end, I gave birth to my son who was 6 lbs and 11 ounces. My husband who works 12 hour days was able to sleep on the couch in the room until the real pushing began. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to go through all of it without my doulas. I feel like they saved mine and my baby's life... but regardless they made my dream of a drug free delivery come true. My husband and I both agree that they were worth every single penny spent to get them to be part of my sons birth-day. I am TRULY eternally grateful and don't think it's possible to repay them for how they helped bring my baby boy into this world.
Johanna Wright is AH-MAZ-ING! I was in such distress bc my water had broke but I was not experiencing contractions. The doctors told me I would need to be induced (which in my mind meant drugged)! I was terrified And I was six weeks early and had not been able to do any class in preparation for the birth. Johanna told me the research that she had read and told me that this was MY birth experience and MY baby! She empowered me and I decided to wait just a little bit longer before being induced. FINALLY my contractions began! Johanna was with me every step of the way... helping me to breathe and relax and remind me that my body and my baby were doing EXACTLY what needed to be done in order to bring my baby into this world. I felt SO assured. Joanne Dahill also came because she was my assigned doula and Johanna was a sub because Joanne had another birth she was attending to. I was SO lucky to have two doulas helping me. In the end, I gave birth to my son who was 6 lbs and 11 ounces. My husband who works 12 hour days was able to sleep on the couch in the room until the real pushing began. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to go through all of it without my doulas. I feel like they saved mine and my baby's life... but regardless they made my dream of a drug free delivery come true. My husband and I both agree that they were worth every single penny spent to get them to be part of my sons birth-day. I am TRULY eternally grateful and don't think it's possible to repay them for how they helped bring my baby boy into this world.