My time with Cherie as my doula was eye opening and calming. I learned things about myself and who I am as a mother in an atmosphere that helped me see that strength and grab ahold of it. I spent different parts of my third pregnancy worried and afraid. Having dealt with extreme postpartum/postpartum psychosis with my first two children, I was fearful that this baby and I would have the same fate. Much of my boys’ early moments are a blur to me in memory and I knew I did not want that with this baby. I wanted to be present and whole for both of us. Having the opportunity to work with Cherie the year prior in her trauma therapy, I was given the opportunity through my pregnancy to see how far I had come. I not only did not have any sign of postpartum depression but I was also able to have the drug free/spiritual birth I wanted. She was the calm voice in the storm at many points, especially in the hospital when they realized my daughter was going to have breathing problems just before she arrived and I began to panic. Cherie was able to get my attention and help me refocus on what was most important and channel that energy and focus. When my baby was laying transverse at 38 weeks and a C-section was being pushed for by my doctors, Cherie was over at my house every night for several days reworking energy and helping me connect with my baby to help her get head down. By my next appointment she was head down and engaged getting ready for her birth. Further complications arose when my pregnancy went past 41 weeks and induction was being heavily talked about by the doctors. Cherie knew my expectations and hopes for this baby and her arrival and that an induction was not what I wanted after enduring it twice before. She continued to come over in the evenings and help me work energy and try to get the process moving naturally. We were successful. Because I had been induced early both times before, I had no idea what to expect doing it completely natural. I knew that a home birth wasn’t something I felt comfortable doing, but I wanted as hands off by modern medicine as possible. She brought with her, her strength and knowledge and ever-calming energy that saw me through those uncertain 9 months and 13 hours. She was with me the time at the hospital afterward delivery and even once we went home. She continued to support me with whatever I needed to heal. Having my daughter was a completely different experience than with my boys. My daughter and I were and are healthy and bonded deeply. None of this would have been possible after my years of exposure to childhood trauma without walking through the healing process and having Cherie by my side to support me in welcoming this brand new life.