Swedish Hospital Doula Services - Seattle — Local services in Seattle

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this program. When I initially called to inquire I chatted with a nurse who asked me a number of questions about myself, the baby and my ideal birth plan in mind. She gave me a list of three candidates who I was able to follow up with and interview.

Two candidates actually reached out to me first through both email and phone. I corresponded with both through email and then decided to call and set up an interview with one.

I had a few ideas about my plans but it wasn’t until I met Laurie that I began to really think about the big day and how I could best prepare my body and my mind to have a baby. I knew right away when meeting her she was the best choice!

Laurie is AMAZING!!!!! I’m a first time mom and had so many questions, concerns and honestly- unknowns; I wasn’t even sure where to start. Laurie also helped me come up with some good questions to speak to my doc about that I hadn’t even thought of. We met a few times before I went to the hospital. She was particularly helpful with my husband. He had more questions than me- but she was patient, funny, upbeat, positive but very realistic. And by the way- we also had a post delivery visit where she gave me the most mind blowing massage!!!

Laurie stayed with me until the baby was born, which was FOUR DAYS OF LABOR! I was induced and she rarely left my side- even when other clients came though the hospital to have their babies she found others on staff to stay with me or help her out with others. I was never alone and I appreciated that most. I was unmedicated until I eventually had a C-Section. But up until then she massaged, stretched, and rubbed my back, my head, my legs and especially my feet; as they had swollen up like sausages! She brought twinkle lights, music and aroma therepy to help. Laurie slept on a bench or in a chair next to my bed while i was in and out of contractions. I don’t think she slept for more than a few hours the entire time I was there.

Again- I can’t say enough about the program and about Laurie. She was the best thing that could have happened to my husband, little Allyson and I. I couldn’t have done it without her and the staff. From the bottom of my...

TL/DR: Having a doula that is already accredited/badged by Swedish will make your birthing experience much easier. I was also able to use my Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending to pay for this service.

Kelsey El Fassy Fihry was a key part of our birth experience for our first child, Oscar, who was born on July 12. She was onsite at the hospital as soon as I was admitted to the labor and delivery triage at Swedish First Hill. From that point until my son appeared, she was "on" and worked in lock-step with my husband and the Swedish nursing staff. Because I was given an epidural as soon as I was admitted (due to high BP), Kelsey was extremely knowledgeable in terms of allowing me to shift into different positions while I was in bed, since I couldn't walk around to pass the time because of being a fall risk. Without her suggestions, I probably would have just laid there in bed.

She was also a big advocate with the nursing staff to find and use tools/props in the hospital to improve my comfort (like finding the inflatable peanut). As I progressed through labor, she had a bunch of items in her doula bag of goodies to help reduce stress (like essential oils), improve comfort (having gummy bears to eat, as one of the few approved "foods" to eat while on the epidural) and reduce pain (hands on massage techniques). Kelsey was extremely attentive and helpful in anticipating some of the things that I would need/couldn't verbalize in order to assist with my labor.

My husband and I also noticed how well Kelsey worked with the Swedish nursing staff. We think that because of her Swedish badge (as a part of the Swedish doula program), she had instant credibility with the staff and they could incorporate her into the overall birthing staff. She worked seamlessly with the medical team (nurses, anesthesia, the delivering doc).

Prior to birth, we were open to the concept of having a doula (based on many peoples recommendations) but weren't totally convinced about how much help/assistance they could provide. After working with Kelsey, we can't imagine having gone through this process without her and are 1000% convinced in the aid that...

I regret using a Swedish doula during my labor and would not recommend- I feel a bit traumatized by my experience.

I did not feel supported in labor positions I wanted to try or ways of coping. She was really insistent on a specific tuck position I was not comfortable doing, and kept pushing despite resistance. My husband set up a nice bath for me, and it was helpful in coping with back labor. The doula told me that by taking a bath, I had lost progress and was negative about my nice experience - something other Doulas have subsequently told me doesn't happen. She made a number of inappropriate comments- ranging from telling me the obstetrician would be disappointed in me for taking a break to telling me I was wasting time pushing ineffectively due to my need to grab a bar while I endured a failed epidural. At one point my water broke and no one seemed to care or want to check so I was on wet sheets.

During my failed epidural, anesthesia told me they'd come back if I wanted them to and try to reset. Doula later argued with me that I could not have them come back or have any pain meds. This was incorrect given myself and husband had heard the anesthesiologist and also not a time to argue with someone you're paid to support.

I asked for status checks multiple times and would have loved getting some assistance getting a nurse or Dr to check. It was incredibly isolating not being listened to. There was supposed to be a pediatrician in the room when my baby was born, but ultimately there was no doctor and baby was caught by a break relief nurse who had very little notice.

I learned earlier in the day someone else had actually bit said doula while in labor, and...