I don’t think I would’ve had the resolve to do a natural birth without having a doula. First of all the book Katy recommended to me and lent to me at our first meeting, “Natural Hospital Birth”, was exactly what I needed to get in the right frame of mind for having a natural birth. Katy’s support during the whole time leading up to the birth was key for me to be able to do it without an epidural, and all her suggestions were useful in how to make that happen. Mostly just knowing she was there and supporting me meant I didn’t worry and she lifted the weight of worrying from my shoulders. At the hospital I was just able to focus on Katy and her voice rather than a bunch of Doctors who I didn’t know and wasn’t convinced had my best interests always in mind. -EW