Heather Mccullough

I had a great experience with Heather and would definitely recommend her to anyone interested in a doula. Prior to meeting Heather I really didn’t know much about labor and delivery and my options. After hiring her, we had 2 prenatal appointments. She did a great job of educating my husband and I and laying out our various options for our birth plan. She is very knowledgeable about pregnancy and labor and delivery and has a lot of delivery experience. I really appreciated having her with us for labor and delivery. My labor progressed fast and I was unable to get an epidural until 8 cm dilated 90% effaced. The pain was intense and she helped coach my husband and I through it. During the pushing phase, I was having difficulty getting my son out because of the shape of my pelvic bone. Heather was very helpful in suggesting different positions to try. After my son was born so made sure that he latched prior to leaving. He took to breastfeeding right away and I attribute it to latching minutes after birth (something I would have forgotten to try in the moment!).

Expecting moms: whether you are looking to have a home birth, natural birth or one in a hospital with an epidural (like me!), do not hesitate… HIRE HEATHER TO BE YOUR DOULA. Heather was not only my doula last month, but a guardian angel for my husband, baby and I. Even now as I sit here to write this review, I am starting to well up with tears, as I recall the intense emotions I felt during my difficult labor and childbirth, and how much Heather was there for our family. During the arduous FOUR days and nights of contractions that I experienced at home, Heather made herself available via phone and text message to me at ALL hours, for four days straight. Even at 4am she would respond within 5 minutes of my text! She not only saved us a trip or two to the hospital, but she came over to help me at home with exercises and examine me. Once we finally got to the hospital to be induced, I ended up needing an intense forceps delivery. She was not judgmental of me wanting an epidural and encouraged me to make decisions that I was most comfortable with. Heather was there for us at every step of the way. She is more knowledgable about birth than an OBGYN (she is also a midwife and has delivered tons of babies in the past) and having her by my side as I pushed, watching the monitors, communicating with the nurses and doctors, and comforting us, was priceless. Now I have a happy and healthy baby girl and although it was a difficult experience medically, Heather provided us with the comfort we needed to make it a beautiful experience, emotionally.

I spent some time with Heather before moving from Chicago, and I was amazed by her knowledge and experience in the birth industry. I would trust her to assist my birth and would love to attend any class she teaches!