Mary -Thank you again. I am really glad we met and were able to cover so much. Thank you for taking the time to see me individually – I am so thankful I found someone that would do an overview-type class that was tailored to my wants/needs. I really learned more than I had expected – more about what my reactions including being more inward/focused, for example – those things weren’t really covered in the 30+ books I have read. Thank you again. — Kyra Biondolillo, Everson, WA
Mary – I’m really doing very well in comparison with my past c-section recovery. I look upon my birthing experience as a huge success. I have a whole new appreciation for my body. It is funny: my first birth experience was quiet and peaceful since I had the epidural, and I sent most of my labor lying in bed, chatting with my family, until I was told it was time to push (since I couldn’t feel the contractions, I didn’t know) and then the c-section when that didn’t work out. This birth was noisy, messy, extremely painful, and pretty scary there at the end — and yet I find it to be the far more satisfying birth. In the society we live in, I think a lot of people don’t understand why I did it this way when I just could have scheduled a c-section. I wish that I could find the right words to explain to these people. Why wouldn’t I do it this way? This is the way it is supposed to be done! And I have to admit a sort of “I told you so” satisfaction in regard to my doctors, who expressed so many doubts about my VBAC because if I had had one large, OP baby, I was likely to have another — which I most certainly did, and I pushed her out anyway! Hooray for me! I want to thank you so much for your help. I truly believe I couldn’t have done it without you. You were like a conductor of an orchestra. When I was pushing, and getting enough oxygen to the baby was so important, you had Eli reminding me to breathe. Because of the urgency in his voice, I knew it was important, and it gave me the strength to take deep breaths when I wouldn’t have otherwise. However, because he sounded so urgent, I might have panicked ifI didn’t have Lorelle and Mel and my mom on my other side, who you encouraged to give me positive feedback. I remember hearing Eli’s intense urging to breathe on one side, and my cheerleaders telling me how great I was doing on the other. If I hadn’t had that perfect balance of support and encouragement to breathe, I don’t think I could have done it. Thank you. — Liz Vignali (VBAC mom), Bellingham, WA
Mary – Jacob Charles Lange arrived Monday morning Jan 14th at 12:34 am weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces, and just one day early. Our little family went home on Tuesday afternoon and we’re slowing adapting to each other. Nights are a little frantic with his need to feed every 20 minutes or so, but days are quiet and he’s a really good sleeper (and eater!) otherwise. I feel wonderful. But more than that, I feel very fortunate that Brian & I had you as an instructor. I cannot tell you how much your class put me at ease with what was to come. I felt so much more prepared after the weekend class. I was really nervous with what I might expect and how I might handle it. Of course, I was fortuante with such a quick labor, but even if it hadn’t been, I felt ready to take it on and fully informed as to what I might expect. I was overprepared if anything, and I thank you so much for that! I walked away from your class thinking that birth could be a wonderful, romantic experience if you allow it to be. And, for us, it was. Regardless of the pain, I had my life partner at my side willing to go the distance and both of us were ready. Thank you so much, Suzanne, Brian, and Baby Jacob Lange, Sumas, WA.
A note of thanks for a wonderful childbirth preparation class! Your calm, peaceful and reassuring nature helped remind us of what we have to look forward to with the birth of our new little one. Many thanks, Jennifer (Empowered Birth After Cesarean class participant)
Looking at (our new baby daughter) I feel so humbled by the universe, and especially so grateful to you and your strength, patience, and belief in nature, our bodies, and childbirth… I feel so lucky to have had your support and friendship as a doula for so much of the pregnancy, and for so many hours during labor and delivery! Mary, you are an amazing woman. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our little family. I don’t remember how many times during (our daughter’s) birth I looked to you for reassurance and help, and you were always there, holding me up, encouraging me, and keepng my husband strong for me too. There is no doubt in my mind that having you as our doula was THE main reason we were able to help our daughter into the world without drugs and we are still amazed at how professional, caring, knowledgeable, and skilled you are, especially after no sleep, hardly any food, and how long the labor lasted. We can never thank you enough! May you bring many more happy and healthy babies and parents into the world. With love and gratitude, Kelly.
I absolutely loved this class and the information it provided us. I most valued the pain coping techniques because I had no idea how effective they can be. I think these classes gave (my husband and I) a better idea of how to approach birth and helped us to have a “game plan.” Classes were comfortable, open, and relaxed, and Mary was very informative and reassuring. Thank you! Jackie and Clark Bourgault
Great job! This class series was an absolute pleasure. I valued hearing the instructor’s as well as other participants valuable information regarding their own experiences and knowledge. I enjoyed it more than I had anticipated, and felt more able to cope and understand the entire birthing experience. Thank you, from an expectant father.
I liked Mary’s ability to listen to everyone – she let everyone express themselves without putting words into their mouths, yet helped if they were struggling. I valued getting to know others. These classes brought much greater understanding of how (my husband) can assist with birth and bring out his feelings and concerns, and gave (my husband and I) a good foundation for further discussions. I enjoyed these classes more than I thought I would. – Amy Vergillo
Your class gave us an opportunity to discuss the birth process – perhaps I wouldn’t have participated or made a complete effort otherwise. At present, I feel a level of trust that you helped instill. You have a fun, beautiful, comforting way. Thank you! – 6-week series class participant
Thank you again for everything we couldnt have picked a better teacher and friend to put our assumptions of birthing into concrete form. I think your class has really opened our eyes that there are people like us still out there in this crazy world who have the desire to birth the way nature beautifully intended. Much Love Always, Rebecca and Jesse – 6-week series participants
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Testimonials
Posted in Birth Matters, Doulas & Dads, Keeping Labor Normal, Testimonials, VBAC, tagged Bellingham childbirth classes, bellingham doula, birth classes, birth classes in Bellingham, birthing from within, chidbirth preparation, comments, doula, expectant fathers, labor support, Life Song Perinatal Services, Mary Burgess, pain coping in childbirth, private childbirth preparation, Testimonials, trust in birth, VBAC on January 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Mary -Thank you again. I am really glad we met and were able to cover so much. Thank you for taking the time to see me individually – I am so thankful I found someone that would do an overview-type class that was tailored to my wants/needs. I really learned more than I had expected – more about what my reactions including being more inward/focused, for example – those things weren’t really covered in the 30+ books I have read. Thank you again. — Kyra Biondolillo, Everson, WA
Mary – I’m really doing very well in comparison with my past c-section recovery. I look upon my birthing experience as a huge success. I have a whole new appreciation for my body. It is funny: my first birth experience was quiet and peaceful since I had the epidural, and I sent most of my labor lying in bed, chatting with my family, until I was told it was time to push (since I couldn’t feel the contractions, I didn’t know) and then the c-section when that didn’t work out. This birth was noisy, messy, extremely painful, and pretty scary there at the end — and yet I find it to be the far more satisfying birth. In the society we live in, I think a lot of people don’t understand why I did it this way when I just could have scheduled a c-section. I wish that I could find the right words to explain to these people. Why wouldn’t I do it this way? This is the way it is supposed to be done! And I have to admit a sort of “I told you so” satisfaction in regard to my doctors, who expressed so many doubts about my VBAC because if I had had one large, OP baby, I was likely to have another — which I most certainly did, and I pushed her out anyway! Hooray for me! I want to thank you so much for your help. I truly believe I couldn’t have done it without you. You were like a conductor of an orchestra. When I was pushing, and getting enough oxygen to the baby was so important, you had Eli reminding me to breathe. Because of the urgency in his voice, I knew it was important, and it gave me the strength to take deep breaths when I wouldn’t have otherwise. However, because he sounded so urgent, I might have panicked ifI didn’t have Lorelle and Mel and my mom on my other side, who you encouraged to give me positive feedback. I remember hearing Eli’s intense urging to breathe on one side, and my cheerleaders telling me how great I was doing on the other. If I hadn’t had that perfect balance of support and encouragement to breathe, I don’t think I could have done it. Thank you. — Liz Vignali (VBAC mom), Bellingham, WA
Mary – Jacob Charles Lange arrived Monday morning Jan 14th at 12:34 am weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces, and just one day early. Our little family went home on Tuesday afternoon and we’re slowing adapting to each other. Nights are a little frantic with his need to feed every 20 minutes or so, but days are quiet and he’s a really good sleeper (and eater!) otherwise. I feel wonderful. But more than that, I feel very fortunate that Brian & I had you as an instructor. I cannot tell you how much your class put me at ease with what was to come. I felt so much more prepared after the weekend class. I was really nervous with what I might expect and how I might handle it. Of course, I was fortuante with such a quick labor, but even if it hadn’t been, I felt ready to take it on and fully informed as to what I might expect. I was overprepared if anything, and I thank you so much for that! I walked away from your class thinking that birth could be a wonderful, romantic experience if you allow it to be. And, for us, it was. Regardless of the pain, I had my life partner at my side willing to go the distance and both of us were ready. Thank you so much, Suzanne, Brian, and Baby Jacob Lange, Sumas, WA.
A note of thanks for a wonderful childbirth preparation class! Your calm, peaceful and reassuring nature helped remind us of what we have to look forward to with the birth of our new little one. Many thanks, Jennifer (Empowered Birth After Cesarean class participant)
Looking at (our new baby daughter) I feel so humbled by the universe, and especially so grateful to you and your strength, patience, and belief in nature, our bodies, and childbirth… I feel so lucky to have had your support and friendship as a doula for so much of the pregnancy, and for so many hours during labor and delivery! Mary, you are an amazing woman. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our little family. I don’t remember how many times during (our daughter’s) birth I looked to you for reassurance and help, and you were always there, holding me up, encouraging me, and keepng my husband strong for me too. There is no doubt in my mind that having you as our doula was THE main reason we were able to help our daughter into the world without drugs and we are still amazed at how professional, caring, knowledgeable, and skilled you are, especially after no sleep, hardly any food, and how long the labor lasted. We can never thank you enough! May you bring many more happy and healthy babies and parents into the world. With love and gratitude, Kelly.
I absolutely loved this class and the information it provided us. I most valued the pain coping techniques because I had no idea how effective they can be. I think these classes gave (my husband and I) a better idea of how to approach birth and helped us to have a “game plan.” Classes were comfortable, open, and relaxed, and Mary was very informative and reassuring. Thank you! Jackie and Clark Bourgault
Great job! This class series was an absolute pleasure. I valued hearing the instructor’s as well as other participants valuable information regarding their own experiences and knowledge. I enjoyed it more than I had anticipated, and felt more able to cope and understand the entire birthing experience. Thank you, from an expectant father.
I liked Mary’s ability to listen to everyone – she let everyone express themselves without putting words into their mouths, yet helped if they were struggling. I valued getting to know others. These classes brought much greater understanding of how (my husband) can assist with birth and bring out his feelings and concerns, and gave (my husband and I) a good foundation for further discussions. I enjoyed these classes more than I thought I would. – Amy Vergillo
Your class gave us an opportunity to discuss the birth process – perhaps I wouldn’t have participated or made a complete effort otherwise. At present, I feel a level of trust that you helped instill. You have a fun, beautiful, comforting way. Thank you! – 6-week series class participant
Thank you again for everything we couldnt have picked a better teacher and friend to put our assumptions of birthing into concrete form. I think your class has really opened our eyes that there are people like us still out there in this crazy world who have the desire to birth the way nature beautifully intended. Much Love Always, Rebecca and Jesse – 6-week series participants
Read Full Post »