Testimonials
Moms
“Moana was my doula during an induced labor that lasted four days. She provided consistent support for my husband and I. We worked together to write our birth plan and went to the labor and delivery tour together. During labor, she provided moral support, helped me articulate my needs and desires to hospital staff and advocated for my comfort in very difficult situations. I am Type 1 diabetic, and suffered from cholestasis during the last two weeks of my pregnancy.
Moana helped us visualize what we wanted in our labor experience in advance of the induction. While each of us may have had an idea, we had not verbalized it before Moana’s encouragement. This helped us communicate with each other. She did a lot of research, contacted other doulas about induction, and was eager to be a part of every aspect of labor, though it was likely to be a very long process.
Her most valuable skill during all of this was PATIENCE—There were times when I was having contractions regularly, and a lot of times when nothing was happening. Moana was there by my side, coaching me through contractions, in the shower massaging me, or just sitting and having conversation with me and the nurses. Because my labor required many interventions, she helped me ask relevant questions of the medical staff about my choices. During cervical checks, which were very traumatic and painful for me, she was right by my side telling me how good I was doing and that it would soon be over.
She brought flowers into my delivery room, helped my husband by encouraging him to get food and rest when he needed it, and was respectful of our privacy when we needed it. She brought a lemon and handed me fresh slices that really helped me with nausea and general well being. She helped me focus on music, the beautiful view, the final product—our baby boy.
Moana was right by my side and encouraged me throughout. After about 60 hours, I was still at 3cm and felt completely defeated and exhausted. I wanted to save my energy for pushing if I was to deliver vaginally, and Moana was extremely supportive, helping me through the insertion of an epidural. Because my labor did not progress—I was 5cm dilated after 69 hours of induction, and I was suffering from fever the last several hours—we decided to have a cesarean. Moana was supportive of my decisions thoughout the labor.
Her patience and skills—using massage, positioning, breathing, coaching and general encouragement—were all absolutely perfect for my needs. The labor and delivery staff also really appreciated her presence and commented that she was an excellent doula. Overall I could not have imagined a better person to be with me during a very difficult and somewhat scary birth experience. Throughout it all, she helped me keep my sense of humor and allowed me to be as strong as I possibly could have been.”
–Betsy, Evans and Dzikamayi
“Moana Minton is a stellar labor assistant. She provided genuine, caring attention for my family and I during my VBAC, and helped me remain focused and calm.
Moana is a natural when it comes to doula services, and knows very well how to respond to the needs (both spoken and unspoken) of a laboring woman. She used a gentle massage on my feet and a wonderful squeeze for my hips. Her soft voice was very comforting and she maintained a pleasant demeanor throughout the entire process.
Moana was instrumental in helping me find another doula to attend my 6-year-old daughter at the birth. She never made me feel hurried or rushed. She was extremely patient and caring. She made me feel confident and strong—especially considering that this was a VBAC. I’m truly grateful.”
–Josephine, Ahava, Jinji and baby Ahava
“Moana is a perfect match for her job. She was made to be a doula. I could not have done what I did at Daniel’s birth without her. I felt such trust for her in that moment, I cannot imagine anyone else in her place.”
–Daiva—“the happiest mom in the world”
Dads
“Moana is exceptionally gifted at the interpersonal skills that allow her to help a laboring mother. Moana has the ability to help others relax, and she can explain birth issues in a nonjudgemental, calm, clear manner. Moana is a person you can easily trust, and the trust is justified and well earned.Moana assisted my wife Daiva with our first child, and also visited our house before and after birth.
During labor, Moana helped Daiva feel confident, unafraid, comfortable and supported. She was able to help Daiva relax, focus, and complete a natural childbirth process. Daiva fully trusted Moana, and gained strength and will to complete the birth without pain medication. Our birth process was a full success substantially because of Moana’s help. We like and admire her and recommend her to any and everyone.
I am sure that I’ve met few people so well qualified to enter into the lives of others for so vulnerable a moment and only help and guide and support. I’d rather tame lions without a chair or a whip. Moana is clearly fascinated and delighted with the processes of childbirth, and even though I am uncomfortable with much of the childbirth process, Moana’s education helped me come to terms with the birth.”
–Drew, Daiva and Daniel
Nurses
“Moana was extremely effective, encouraging the mother to continue with her birth plan. She kept close to the mother and father, encouraging them throughout the labor, and massaged and helped with back counter pressure.
Moana helped reposition the mother from standing to rocking to birth ball to bed during labor, and squatting to bed with pushing. She explained every step of the way including helping with breastfeeding after the delivery. The patient had a successful unassisted vaginal delivery!
If all doulas were so effective in coaching and presence at births, all patients would be so lucky and so would the nurses! Moana has a natural presence and positive birth energy which is extremely encouraging and effective during labor—very impressive to us.”
–Daphne