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Worst experience with a Doula: Empower — A Birth Collective

I’m Dolores and I just want to share our experience with Empower A Birth Collective in Virginia. They assisted me during my first pregnancy. I was able to talk to Hope Rooyakkers and discuss our goals, what to expect since we’re first time parents. At first it went well and it seems like they’ve answered all our questions. Back then I’m trying for a natural birth, so I think it will be very helpful to have them there. My husband was very nervous and that’s the reason why we hired a doula to help us through the process with comfort techniques and answer the questions we may have.

Here’s my issue, since it’s our first time I thought their program was really good, and didn’t even check other doulas. Then along the way we felt like the support was not really enough, it’s almost we’re on our own. Some of our questions were not answered, not sure if it’s intentional or what. We were really upset that time, our first contact with Hope Rooyakkers was good but it seems like it just ended there. Her coordinator was not that really accommodating which is what we need for the time like this. My husband then asked some of our friends about this doula and it got mixed reviews. Somehow it’s also our fault not checking other doulas. We should’ve compared their programs to other doulas and also the rate. It shows that they are really expensive. So if someone will ask me if i will recommend Empower A Birth Collective? It’s a BIG NO!