Tzipi was my doula at my second birth.
We had a pre-birth meeting in which I was able to explain how I wished her to support me during labour and where she was able to advise me about the labour process (a “refresher” antenatal session). We discussed my birth plan and how we envisioned the labour and birth. She was very supportive about my husband being present while I was in labour and how we wanted to experience the birth of our daughter together at all times.
I really wanted to experience this birth in it’s fullest without an epidural.
I was in regular contact with Tzipi when my contractions started and she was available at any time I had any questions throughout the day. She came to my house that evening and helped me through my contractions when I felt that they were becoming stronger. It was a pleasure to labour in the comfort and familiarity of our home. Tzipi walked with me, brought along a birth ball and suggested a bath which was very soothing.
I decided to have a sleep and told Tzipi I would call her later. When my husband and I went to the hospital at 1:30am she met us there and was with me throughout the labour until my baby was born and afterwards. She assisted me physically and emotionally, she made suggestions, recommended positions that were comfortable and helped the labour to progress, used relaxation and visualisation to keep me focused and strong while I experienced each contraction and encouraged me during the process.
She explained the physiology of the different stages to my husband and I as labour progressed. My husband was involved and actively participated as he felt comfortable to do so.
Tzipi stayed with me after the birth, encouraging skin-to-skin contact after birth with our baby and initiating the breastfeeding.
Tzipi was also available to assist me with breastfeeding advice and emotional support in the weeks after my baby was born. She also did a postnatal visit in hospital and at home.
I had a wonderful and empowering birth experience.
'Not only did Tzipi help me before and during my birth,
but afterwards she was a great support.'
We had a great experience with Tzipi. Initially, I was hesitant to use a doula for my baby’s birth, as I thought it may be unnecessary and at times may be an inconvenience instead of a help. However, Tzipi proved me wrong.
Tzipi came to my home, and with her vast knowledge and experience helped me understand birth from a holy jewish perspective. It was that, that made me interested in her service as a doula.
Instead of doing antenatal classes, my husband and I decided to do hypnobirthing classes which was recommended by a good friend. The reason we chose this route, was because it trains your mind to calm your body and make birth an empowered experience. When I told Tzipi about my decision, she was totally on board. She read the book, and during birth she was able to remind me of all the exercises and relaxation methods I had practiced during my pregnancy. Tzipi also helped me write a birth plan that I was happy with. .
Not only did Tzipi help me before and during my birth, but afterwards she was a great support. Running to the shops to buy things I was missing, assisting the mohel at our sons bris, visiting me, teaching me how to nurse and being there whenever I needed.
Tzipi is a true Eishet Chayil, and the exact person I would want to be around during this intense experience. I would recommend Tzipi’s doula services for anyone who wants an uplifting and holy birth.
'Without Tzipi by my side I would never have established the confidence I needed and I could have had a very different experience.'
For any woman, pregnancy is life changing but the thoughts that consumed my mind in the last trimester revolved around how is this baby coming out of me!!! The proudly South African debate of Natural vs C Section came into play as my due date grew closer. As the time was fast approaching I sought the advice of someone who could help me through the birthing process - whatever birth option I chose. Tzipi proved to be a my rock at this stage, with her guidance and support I learned so much about both birthing plans and decided to try for a natural delivery.
As Murphy’s law would have it, my baby had different plans for me - when I learned the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice we opted for a C section delivery. While it is not common for a Doula to be used in a C section delivery, for me Tzipi was an irreplaceable person at my birth. The overwhelming feeling of having a new born baby placed on your chest where moments later you are expected to feed like it's second nature and let your maternal instinct kick in doesn’t always happen quite that way. Without Tzipi by my side I would never have established the confidence I needed at the hospital, and without that confidence and her unwavering support, I believe I could have had a very different, possibly negative experience. Tzipi’s help did not end there, she was a person I could turn to for advice at 3am, a person who guided me on how to successfully breastfeed as well as a person who went out of their way to assist me with my baby’s first bath.
I would highly recommend that any woman who is going through the motions of pregnancy, deciding on a birth plan and looking to build their confidence consider utilising Tzipi’s services. There are no words to explain the value she added to my birth and new motherhood experience. To this day I know that she is a woman I can call at any time for help and one who would assist in any way possible.
'Tzipi was at my side throughout the labour, massaging my back, suggesting helpful positions and helping me through every contraction.'
We used Tzipi Orkin as our doula.
She was unbelievable. She was kind, caring and supportive.
Before the birth she came to my home and gave me a few informative classes. We discussed a “birth plan”.
When I went into labour and before that time, she was there for me for whatever I needed even just to call her at any time day or night and ask a “silly” question. She was at my side throughout the labour, massaging my back, suggesting helpful positions that were pain coping techniques and helping me through every contraction.
Without her I would not have been able to go through the labour. She was so encouraging throughout the entire process. With kind and softly spoken words, she both mentally and physically and spiritually willed me through each contraction.
I highly recommend Tzipi as a doula.
Not only was she there for me during labour for a consecutive 24hour period awake, supportive and helpful, she even stayed with me to “latch” and breastfeed right after I had given birth. She visited in hospital a few times to make sure I was healing properly and that baby was healthy and breastfeeding was well.
She came again when I was at home again, to make sure we were fine and helped with whatever I needed.
My husband felt that his ability to assist was quite limited and therefore Tzipi was an incredible help. She was there to do whatever I needed that he could not do for me. He was very grateful for her presence.
She is patient, understanding and is knowledgeable about the physiology of birth and medical procedures and terms. She was extremely helpful when it came to any decision making during labour as doctors and nurses come in and out and offer many options and interventions that need to be assessed and discussed as to what is the best way forward and how these could be a hindrance or a help. She was present and alert the entire time.
I had a very positive birth experience.
I honestly feel I could not have gone through the birth process without her.
'I managed to deliver a healthy baby totally naturally with no medication. The first thing I said was: "I can't believe I just did that.'
So to be blatantly honest, I did antenatal lessons for discovery points! I had heard such mixed reports from people questioning the value of ante natal lessons that I didn't really believe I needed them myself. I also have lots of nieces and nephews so I had been exposed to new borns before and wasn't scared to handle my own.
For various reasons, I thought I would have to have a Caesar but at 38 weeks, my baby had a different plan and I went into labour.
All the things Tzipi had discussed during our lessons together started becoming a reality. Because of her, I knew when I needed to get to the hospital (411).
My labour progressed very quickly and there was no time for an epidural. This is when ante natal classes really proved their value. While going through the most intense pain I had ever experienced, I had Tzipi's voice in my head saying don't tense up, open up for the baby, I really believe that helped move the labour quickly and smoothly. I managed to deliver a healthy baby totally naturally with no medication. I even remember the first thing I said was: "I can't believe I just did that. "
In terms of breast feeding - it is not the most natural instinctive thing. Both baby and mom need to learn what they are doing. Tzipi's advise and lessons made me feel more confident to try and now feeding is my favorite thing in the world!!
Thank you so much Tzips. Turned out the discovery points were just a added bonus and the real benefit were in fact the antenatal lessons.
All our love
'I felt as if she helped connect all the dots together and I felt motivated and ready to face any challenges this birth may give me.'
I attended Tzipi’s 4 week course last year titled: “Raising your kids, without raising your voice”, which I thoroughly enjoyed, thus I thought Tzipi would be the ideal neonatal specialist for a basic refresher antenatal class. I wanted a single private session as this would be my second child and I had already experienced natural birth. I wanted a more spiritual aspect of the birth process as well as just a refresher of labour.
The refresher was so “refreshing” - we went through the different stages of labour as well as excellent advice should I not get to the hospital in time. Which nearly happened last time. But most importantly she focused on my main need – the spiritual side of birth. I felt as if she helped connect all the dots together and I felt motivated and ready to face any challenges this birth may give me.
She also provided some additional aspects of the bris.
I thoroughly enjoyed the time spend with her, all my learning goals where achieved and more. I highly recommend Tzipi as a midwife/doula and birth coach. I will most certainly be doing follow-up courses with her in the future.
'As my husband said later on, Tzipi and I will be forever connected by the birth of our son David.'
I hadn’t really thought about my birth plan before I got pregnant or even after I fell pregnant. I had always thought that I would have a normal birth and that if I just trusted my doctor the whole process would fall into place. I didn’t want to read anything about birth because I thought that it would scare me too much.
My husband and I had started attending antenatal classes at around 24 weeks and it was around that time where I had stopped trusting my doctor as I thought he was leading me down the path to having a c-section without giving natural birth a chance. I met Tzipi at my antenatal classes where she came to speak to us about having a doula during the birth of your baby. She gave some good advice and really left an impression on me.
I called her a few days later and she suggested that we meet to chat about birth and different options. We had our initial meeting which was an informal chat about birth and what my expectations were. After that initial meeting my husband and I met Tzipi again. This meeting was so that my husband could also get to know Tzipi so that his first meeting with her wouldn’t be during labour. After this meeting Tzipi provided me with a very informative book about labour. We met again to discuss my birth plan and the final meeting was so that I could be introduced to Tzipi’s partner Dina in case Tzipi would not be available on the day of my labour.
We remained in contact throughout the rest of my pregnancy and Tzipi provided me with great support. She was also very supportive when I decided to change my doctor and when I decided to change to a different clinic that was more supportive of natural birth.
On the day before my due date I started to get a show. I felt unsettled because even though I knew that I would give birth any day I still never really felt prepared. I called my husband first to let him know that maybe something was happening and he should come home from work. I then called my mom and then Tzipi.
Tzipi was very reassuring, she said that it may take a few days to go into labour and that I shouldn’t panic she also suggested that I should call my doctor just to inform her which I did and my doctor was not concerned either. My husband and I then stayed home together. It was like any other night, I cooked supper and we ate and watched some TV and went to bed. Except that when we went to bed I couldn’t get comfortable, my back was aching so we decided to go back to the lounge and try just relax and watch TV for a bit longer. My husband started to Google what the back ache could indicate, was I in labour or not? Was it just Braxton Hicks contractions? Had I overdone it during the day? We weren’t sure. Later on into the evening we started timing the contractions and they seemed to be more regular, we didn’t want to panic but it seemed as though labour was starting and may have even progressed further than we had thought.
At about 2:30am in the morning we decided to callTzipi (I got my husband to call - as she had predicted may happen). We felt bad to disturb her so early in the morning but she was very calm when we called. She asked how I was doing and my husband said I was managing but should we head to the clinic because the contractions seemed to be at the stage where the doctor suggested we should start going to the clinic. Tzipi said we shouldn’t rush to the clinic if I was managing and she suggested that she would come to our house and stay with us while the labour was progressing. We took her advice. She arrived at about 4am and stayed with me. Tzipi was amazing she just knew what I needed at every stage. She wet a face cloth and filled it with ice to make sure my face was cool she found where my comfortable places were around the house and massaged my back with deep pressure to relieve the pain. She made sure I was drinking enough liquids and going to the toilet. She came with me to shower and massaged my back in the shower. Everything was on track and I was managing with the contractions.
I had my 40 week doctor’s appointment on that day and Tzipi suggested that we start going to the hospital so that when we got there the doctor could check me internally to see how far along I was. We arrived at the clinic at around 7am. They took me to the delivery room so that the doctor could check me. When she checked me she said I was 8cm dilated. We were so excited at how far I had come and we expected that the baby would be born in the next few hours. But as with any birth – it was all very unpredictable. My baby wouldn’t drop and engage. It was another 5.5 hours. My husband and Tzipi were with me throughout. They never moved me from the delivery room because they thought the baby would be born soon and the room was excruciatingly hot. But Tzipi made sure that I was drinking, she gave me ice to chew, washed my face down with a cool, wet cloth, tried to give me some sweets and energy bars to keep my energy up. She continued to massage my back throughout the labour. She supported me through all the internal checks, she also ensured that I was as comfortable as could be when the foetal monitor was on me and I had to be on my back. We walked around and she helped me get to the bathroom. After a few hours the doctor suggested that I may need some pethadine to try and relax me and that I should be monitored closely. In the last 2 hours there seemed to be too many decelerations on the foetal monitor and the doctor said we couldn’t try the pethadine and that I would have to be prepared for a c-section. I was devastated. I turned to Tzipi I asked her what she thought. Was there anything else we could try? She was supportive and said that I had done all I could and that the doctor was giving me the right advice. It was very upsetting. I only started feeling the pain of the contractions when I was told I had to have a c-section.
When we were asked if we wanted Tzipi to be there during the c-section my husband said of course we did. She had been supporting us throughout the labour and it was the right thing to have her there to experience the joy of the birth. When the baby was born it was a relief and such a happy moment – one I will never forget. Tzipi reassured me that I had given birth and although it didn’t go according to my original plan I had done the best I could. She had made the labour and the birth experience so positive and was supportive throughout.
Tzipi ensured that I had skin to skin contact with my baby after the birth and that he was well latched for the first breastfeed.
After the birth Tzipi was in constant contact.
Our little boy had to go to the ICU for a few days. Tzipi said I should still express milk and have skin to skin contact with him. She put me in touch with a breastfeeding consultant who came to my house when I needed her.
She also visited me when the baby and I came home from the hospital. Although the birth didn’t go according to my original plan I’m glad that I had Tzipi supporting me throughout. She made the whole experience positive and memorable. As my husband said later on, Tzipi and I will be forever connected by the birth of our son David.
'Tzipi helped with the basics of caring for our new born son, including advice on breast feeding, bathing and sleeping routines.'
We have no hesitation in recommending Tzipi as a birthing coach, doulah and antenatal coach. Tzipi assisted Mandy during the late stages of her pregnancy and was always accessible, calm and knowledgeable when faced with any question or concern (no matter how seemingly small).
Tzipi proved to be full of useful tips in finalising our birthing plan; patient in her approach and understanding of Mandy's wish to experience a natural birth without medication if that was possible.
We were blessed with a beautiful boy, Samuel, who was born naturally at the Park Lane Clinic after a private, spiritual and meaningful labour in which Tzipi proved to be a compassionate and caring friend, coach and mentor to both of us at home and in the Clinic (and even after waking he in the early hours of a Sunday morning).
Her presence during the birth was stabilizing and uplifting. In the early days after Samuel's birth, Tzipi helped with the basics of caring for our new born son, including advice on breast feeding, bathing and sleeping routines.
We are certain that any couple would greatly enhance their experience during pregnancy and afterwards with her professionalism and composure.
'Tzipi was there for me like a mom, sister and a friend!!'
I have lived in South Africa for a year. My mother who lives in Israel said she wouldn't make it to be with me for the birth.
One day I got a call from Tzipi, to she would be happy to be with me during my labour.
We met together a few times, she told me all about the birth, preparing and calming me for labour. She helped me write a birth plan which was very helpful.
When the contractions started she said she would come whenever I wanted. She called every while to see how I was getting on and gave me some ideas of things to do. When I felt the contractions were getting really intense she came to my house, helped and supported me with each contraction – massaging, breathing and a ball she brought with which also helped a lot. The whole time we were talking, chatting together, laughing, crying…
In the labour ward Tzipi was there again to help me release the pain. The support she gave to me and my husband was so helpful.
She was there to hold my hand, to give drink / food, to daven and even just to listen to my complaints and pain… with loads of patience, care and love.
My contractions went on for many hours (more than 30!) and without Tzipi I would have gone to hospital earlier and my birth probably would have ended up with an induction or a cesaer etc.
Without tzipi I don't think I would have managed to have a natural birth!
B"h I had a positive birth experience.
After labour Tzipi didn't leave me. She helped me with nursing the baby and to see how I felt…
Tzipi was there for me like a mom, sister and a friend!!
'Tzipi's support and encouragement was invaluable… especially since nothing went according to our birth plan.'
My wife and I would like to highly recommend Tzipi Orkin as a doula.
As first time parents, the whole birthing process can be quite daunting.
Tzipi met us at home and we discussed what we were looking for.
The time arrived and Tzipi supported us all the way, my wife was in constant contact with Tzipi. Eventually Tzipi arrived to support my wife while she had contractions at home, and later during the whole process at the hospital.
She is totally committed, she was with us for more than 24 hours .
She has a rapport with the labour nurses and Doctors and was able to seek the appropriate medical advise for us during our birth experience.
Her support and encouragement was invaluable… especially since nothing went according to our birth plan.
'Tzipi provided physical comfort, reassurance and was a great companion. Nothing was too much for her.'
I recently used Tzipi as a doula for the birth of my daughter. The service she provided far exceeded my expectations.
During the last few weeks of my pregnancy, I met with Tzipi a number of times. She provided information and lent me books that enabled meto make informed decisions. She was always willing and able to answer any questions I had.
From the moment I thought I had gone into labour which was actually before I had really gone into labour, Tzipi was there for me. She provided physical comfort, reassurance and was a great companion. Nothing was too much for her and she always had a smile on her face!
After the birth, Tzipi visited me both in the hospital and at home.
Tzipi did all of this for me on Yom Kippur and having her own baby only 5 days after me.
Based on this, I highly recommend Tzipi as a doula.
'I am forever grateful to Tzipi and so lucky that I chose such a wonderful doula to assist me.'
Tzipi was the doula for the birth of our second child.
We met and kept in contact during my pregnancy, and I always felt that I could voice my concerns, questions, and thoughts to her.
No time was a bad time for Tzipi, she always made herself available to me.
During my labour I felt calm and secure with Tzipi by my side. She asked me what positions I wanted to be in, and offered suggestions when I wasn’t sure. She was with me the whole time from when my labour started to intensify, supporting me and keeping me focused on allowing my body to do what it needs to.
Labouring in the comfort of my own home with Tzippi was a wonderful experience. She coached me through the birth, giving me encouragement when I was ready to just give up, and felt that I could do no more.
She stayed with me for a while after the birth, and assisted with breastfeeding. She also visited us after the birth to check up on how I was and of course to see the baby. Tzipi’s open and relaxed personality is a pleasure to be around. She is friendly and understanding, and is passionate about the work that she does, wanting only the best for each woman she helps. I am forever grateful to her, and so lucky that I chose such a wonderful doula to assist me.
'Being the selfless human being that she is, at 8 months pregnant constantly massaged me and kept me calm through the whole experience.'
WOW WOW WOW!!! What can I say what a woman!
From the day I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to experience a natural birth.
I had never even heard of a Doula until I was at the Parklane clinic and saw an old friend of mine Lara Lipschiz who put me in contact with Tzipi . I decided to call Tzipi who told me about natural deliveries and my mind was made up that this is what I want to do!
Our baby girl turned head down at 28 weeks and Our gynie Dr Mark Van Der Griendt said I can go ahead and try for a natural delivery but I will need a Doula, with which I replied I have one.
On the night of the 8th Of September 2014 I started getting mild contractions to which I texted Tzipi who said I must chill and just watch to see that they are still timed far apart which they were. By the afternoon of the 9th of September my contractions started coming on much quicker, stronger and closer together - I knew this was it !
I called Tzipi who arrived at my house immediately being the amazing woman that she is. Tzipi herself being 8 months pregnant not only kept me calm but she got down on her knees with me during every contraction and massaged my lower back while keeping me calm and together during the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced in my life!
By midnight I was begging for a C/section saying I cannot go on with this pain. Tzipi kept encouraging me and kept me not only be together but my anxious family waiting in the labour ward with me …She kept saying “ look how well you are doing look how brave you are” !
If Tzipi wasn’t there to keep me calm and tell me that everything I was experiencing was normal I could never have had the birth experience I did. Tzipi took control of everything for me and finally at 4:45am I gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby girl. Tzipi never left my side not for one second!!! Being the selfless human being that she is at 8 months pregnant constantly massaged me and kept me calm through the whole experience.
And then you were there afterwards helping me get my baby to latch ! You were there for me every step of the way!
Without you Tzip I could have never done it!
Thank you so much for all your guidance and advice during my pregnancy during the times we met and by phone ...I can only highly recommend any woman who wants to experience a natural delivery to call Tzipi because I truly believe without a Doula like her you could never keep going and going like the way I did.
I love you Tzipi thank you.
'With Tzipi's help I was able to have the calm and wonderful birth experience I desired after having a c-section with twins'
I highly recommend Tziporah Orkin as a doula.
I recently had a VBAC after having twins two years ago.
I knew I wanted a natural birth if possible and finding support from my husband and family was difficult at first. Tzipi was highly recommended to me and I am so glad I used her. She has also had a VBAC.
Our meetings before the delivery day were very helpful for me to understand what was going to happen on the actual delivery day. Tzipi is so incredibly supportive that she also helped my husband feel more comfortable with my decision to have a VBAC.
I also got the feeling that my Gynae was not as attentive and supportive as I would have liked him to be and Tzipi encouraged me to go and investigate other options such as private midwife based care. I ended up choosing to go to Genesis Birth Centre to have my baby and for me that was also the right decision and Tzipi helped my husband feel happy with that decision as well.
Having a natural birth after a c section is a decision that took time for me to make but I knew with the right support system I could achieve it.
Tzipi was with me for the birth and was so reassuring and calm. I also called her many times before that when I thought I was in labour.
Without Tzipi I believe my chances of having a VBAC would not have been as good. Not only did she support me but she gave support to my husband who has always been one to go to hospitals and see that Genesis was the right place for us. At Genesis I was given the best chance of having a VBAC.
With her help I was able to have the calm and wonderful birth experience I desired after having a c section with twins. If I have another baby I will definitely use Tzipi again. I fully believe she helped me achieve the birth I wanted…a birth free of pain medicine and as natural as could be.
'My wife couldn’t have done it without her, and I certainly would have never managed without her.'
We used Tzipi Orkin for both our ante-natal classes and as a Doula.
My wife and I were adamant that we should do whatever we can in order to have a natural birth which is why we opted to use Tzipi as a doula. When my wife’s water broke Tzipi was our first phone call at 10pm, to which she calmed us down on the phone and gave us simple instructions until she arrived. As our first child was on the way we were totally clueless and Tzipi was amazing.
She arrived at our house and took control of the situation and helped my wife through the contractions and got me involved too to assist in any way possible. I drove to the hospital and Tzipi sat in the back with my wife assisting her the whole way giving both physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
Tzipi stayed with us all the way though the birth. Due to minor issues during birth, our baby had to be admitted to ICU and even then, Tzipi stayed with us giving constant support.
Labour, especially for the first child is traumatic and scary. No matter what anyone tells you, you don’t know what you are doing. Tzipi was incredible in calming the situation and given us direction and telling us what to do. My wife couldn’t have done it without her, and I certainly would have never managed without her. She was not only brilliant as a doula, but also in terms of her caring and calm nature.
I would definitely recommend Tzipi to anyone having their first child, and as we have already decided, for any more children we may be blessed to have.
Tzipi’s support did not end after our boy was born, she visited us at the hospital, made a house visit to show us how to bath him, and stayed in contact and going far beyond what was necessary.
As I said above, we will definitely be asking help from Tzipi again for any more children we are blessed to have.
'From the time we met up until the birth you continued to give positive support, encouragement, knowledge and most of all strength.'
I wanted to thank you on behalf of myself, Anthony and Samuel for filling such a special and intricate role in assisting us with the birth of our precious gift of light Aurelie.
From the time we met up until the birth you continued to give me and my family positive support, encouragement, knowledge and most of all strength.
After not managing to have a natural birth with Samuel and a lot of unanswered questions surrounding that … I was more determined than ever to make sure the second time round I would educate myself and do whatever was necessary to have my natural. Hence adding an educated birth companion to the picture.
I could not have imagined the wonderful experience to have gone any better and would not have managed to go through with my desired birth plan without your guidance and support.
I can comfortably say on behalf of Anthony that you assisted him to participate in the birth process and be exceptionally involved, as he was concerned initially as to where he would fit in, through your guidance he experienced the birth as best he could and felt elated when his princess was born.
Now 8 weeks later I look back at my experience and reminisce in the fact that you helped me believe in myself, strength and ability to have brought our precious gift into the world in the way Hashem intended and we desired.
Thank you from all of us.
Wishing you and your family love, light and only good things.
'Tzipi completely distracted me from the pain and sat with me through every contraction, rubbing my back and breathing with me.'
Tzipi Orkin - what a woman!
When I was about 5 months pregnant I found myself debating whether or not I would like / need a doula to assist me with my birth (Why would I need one if I have my husband and mother to help me? Yet on the other hand it would be nice to have someone who is trained and knows what they need to do to assist?). I went back and forth and back and forth in my head with all my options until a few weeks later I decide to go ahead with it.
Now comes the question of who? While I'm still looking around I get a phone call from Tzipi! Immediately I felt this connection and pull towards her! She sounded so calm and down to earth. I made an appointment with her right away.
During our appointments Tzipi continued to be so supportive of how I hoped my birth experience would go. Not once did she try convince me to do other things. She made me feel comfortable and looked after.
The best advice she gave me during our time together was 'just come in with an open mind.' As I had come there with a mindset of 'I need this,' and 'I want that' I quickly learned from other women's experiences that it's all In Hashems hands and whatever is meant to happen will happen regardless.
When I went into the initial stages of labour, being a first time mom, I immediately wanted to go to the hospital and check my progress and stop the pain! I phoned Tzipi and in a completely understanding and non forceful manner she managed to convince me to stay at home a bit longer and breathe through the contractions just as she has taught me. I did exactly that. Using the tools she gave the me I was able to cope the whole evening, breathing deeply and having in mind that Hashem is looking after me and He would never give me something I couldn't handle.
Tzipi also told me that she can come to the house any time I want her. She was available to me 24/7. I managed until the morning and Tzipi called and told me that she would be right over. Luckily that day I had scheduled an appointment with my OB/GYN.
Tzipi came past and completely distracted me from the pain and sat with me through every contraction, rubbing my back and breathing with me.
I then went to my scheduled appointment and was surprised to hear that I was already 4cm dilated! Wow!
I was sent up to the labour ward immediately. Tzipi stayed with me throughout.
To cut a long story short because of Tzipi 's support, knowledge, calm, kindness and pure Bitachon I surprised myself by having an extremely out of body and spiritual birthing experience.
I definitely could not have done it without this angel sent from heaven!
As Tzipi says, 'If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.'