Neri Fernanadez Birth Planner
2022-07-25T14:20:15.981Z
Neri is the most amazing doula and helped me have the birth of my dreams! I highly recommend her.Neri was professional, kind, authentic, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and supportive through every step-- before, during, and after the birth. She made me feel comfortable and relaxed going into the labor and delivery process. From the moment I met her, I was at ease, knowing I had someone amazing to support me in giving birth.Neri had excellent communication. In my last few weeks of pregnancy, she checked in with me every couple of days to see how I was doing, give helpful suggestions, answer questions, and provide emotional support. And after I gave birth, she checked in with us again several times to see how we were doing.She knew exactly what I needed when during labor. I was amazed! When I was in the midst of contractions and couldn't speak, she could read my body language and, using her knowledge of the labor process. know exactly what I needed in the moment. I felt like she could read my mind, always anticipating and meeting my needs. She knew the perfect positions for me to be in at every stage of labor, when I needed words of encouragement, and when I needed silence.Neri also helped my husband support me. She was like my spokesperson in all the right ways. I remember there was one moment when my husband lovingly tried to caress me mid-contraction. I couldn't verbalize that that didn't feel good at the moment, but Neri knew and kindly offered him a suggestion of how else he could care for me. She was like a silent set director, carefully guiding him on how to support me in labor.Even though it was my first birth, I felt so at ease because Neri supportted me and set the mood and I really think that's why my labor went so smoothly. (I labored for only about 6 hours. The first time my OBGYN checked I was already 8 cm dilated. I used no drugs or epidural, but felt amazing the whole time.) Neri knew how to transform the sterile hospital environment and created a perfect, safe space for laboring. She brought her diffusor and made the room smell amazing, dimmed the lights, and applied hot water compresses to just the right spots. Throughout my labor, I kept thinking "I feel like I'm at the spa." By setting the perfect mood with the dim lights, calming smells, and warm water, Neri helped me be at peace throughout the whole labor.Besides supporting me physically and emotionally, Neri also was amazing at helping me navigate the hospital policies throughout the labor. I really appreciate that Neri always followed the hospital policies, but also helped me see where there was wiggle room to have a more comfortable labor. Neri helped me advocate for and achieve the birth that I wanted.Neri also supported my husband and me, caring for us before and after the birth. She gave us a very thorough birthing class, talking us through what to expect, and taking the time to answer all of our questions. She got to know us personally so she could make sure she was caring for us in the right ways. My favorite was her teaching my husband how to use the rebozo to help alleviate pressure during pregnancy and labor.From start to finish, Neri was a friend, a guide, an advocate, an ally, an expert, and everything I hoped my doula would be. I highly, highly, highly recommend her.