Waking Yoga and Doula Services

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Introduction: I have been an avid student of yoga for 10 years and am dedicated to providing what my students request whether it be therapeutic, athletic, or playful yoga. I have taught thousands of classes around Chicago guiding all different types of students. I aim to facilitate a yoga class that empowers my students while connecting them to their hearts as well. My private lessons will take you beyond your group class experience by providing personal feedback on your alignment, one-on-one adjustments, and oppurtunities to advance your practice. As a doula I provide calm, empathetic and nurturing support to the family. I have attended all types of births ranging from hospital, birth center, and homebirths. My clients have written stellar reviews about my services and most of all walk away with a happy memory of one of the most important, life-altering events of their lives. I am passionate about providing emotional, physical, and informational support derived from evidence-based research. I help faciliate communication with careproviders so that my clients can navigate decision making during their birth. There are no words for the feeling of supporting someone in meeting their baby through an empowered, satisfying birth. I love witnessing my clients realize their own power and seeing the grounding, calming effect that yoga or doula support can bring.

Overview

1 employee

15 years in business

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Student age

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Reviews

Exceptional 5.0

8 reviews

100%

Brooke O.

Nov 13, 2014

I cannot recommend Veronica enough. She was the consummate professional, from the moment I asked her "So, what does a doula actually do?" through the preparation process and, finally, through an 18-hour labor. Long before contractions started, she helped me prepare physically and mentally for the no-epidural birth I wanted to--and ultimately did--have. She helped me build confidence that I could handle it and also was 100% onboard with my use of birthing hypnosis, which she immediately got up to speed on. Veronica knew I was scared, but also noticed I was a very motivated student, and she was eager to answer all my questions, recommend books and videos, and be my cheerleader through the entire process leading up to labor. Once contractions started, she worked with my husband to help keep me calm and as comfortable as possible, and create the environment I needed. That leads to a key point worth mentioning: I know a lot of fathers-to-be think, "Well, I'll be there for my wife. What do we need a doula for?" To that, I would say, "Well, dude, have you ever been at a birth?" My husband and I certainly hadn't and, for us, it was absolutely invaluable to have Veronica, who's doula-ed dozens of them, there to guide us. You never can know exactly how things will play out, and, for me, the benefit of her presence became immediately clear when we arrived at triage and I, in midst of full contraction, was standing at the front desk trying to answer check-in questions from an oblivious receptionist who, in retrospect, should've recognized I was in no condition to do so. Veronica immediately shuttled me away to sit down and rest, while my husband finished the paperwork. There were a million things like that, where her presence of mind and experience dealing with hospital staff was absolutely critical. Veronica is a fantastic advocate for moms and babies. You want her on your team. Trust me

Christa S.

Nov 13, 2014

I delivered my first child in May of 2013, and used Veronica as my doula. I was originally drawn to her because she is a yoga instructor, and as a seasoned yogini and instructor myself I knew this fact alone would provide me with comfort while in labor. As my labor began Veronica was immediately very attentive to my needs and listened to the details I gave her about my progress. Once she arrived at my apartment she immediately started to provide me with support and began to guide the other individuals on my birthing team through ways they could comfort me as well. Throughout my labor Veronica never left my side and made sure I stayed surrounded by positive energy. As we arrived at the hospital and my contractions began to intensify she kept me calm and focused. As I was transitioning into delivery and felt as though I couldnt keep going, she helped me push through my doubt and ultimately achieve the natural birth I wanted. Veronica was an amazing doula and support person through my entire pregnancy, labor and delivery. I will definitely use her again in the future and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a calm & comforting spirit during their pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Karen S.

Nov 18, 2014

We can not thank Veronica enough for her knowledge, support, encouragement, and excitement throughout the pregnancy and birth of our first son. She was a large part of the reason that we were able to have the birth that we wanted. Around the middle of my pregnancy, I really started to consider how I wanted the birth to go. After some research, I was leaning towards not wanting any pain medications. But, the more I read, I was scared about the uncertainty and the unknown. This is about the time that I learned about what a doula is/does. When I talked with my husband about the birth, he was on board and agreed with the plan, but was not convinced that we needed a doula. I was taking prenatal yoga classes with Veronica and one night after class decided to ask her a couple of questions. I convinced my husband to meet with Veronica and she could do the birth education with us (our schedules weren't matching up with the classes at the hospitals). She came over and taught us all about the phases of labor and what to "expect" by giving us the facts and research, not her opinions. After learning all of this, we were pretty set in the birth plan that we wanted, and it didn't take much convincing for my husband to agree that we could benefit from having Veronica at the birth with us. Veronica met with us a couple more times and helped us develop our birth plan by talking about each decision we would have to make and giving us research to let us decide what was best for us. As the due date came (and passed), I had several questions and Veronica was always quick to respond to my texts, calls, or emails with helpful advice and encouragement. She helped give us confidence to say "no thank you" when the doctors wanted to do cervical checks at 38, 39, and 40 weeks. She was there for support and comfort at our non-stress test when the baby's heart rate "slowed down" during a contraction. There were several times when the doctors started discussions that could have easily swayed my husband and I into induction and our birth could have ended totally different. Sure enough, contractions started on their own 3 days past my due date at 12:30 am. Veronica answered calls and texts VERY early on a Saturday morning. I'm pretty certain that if it wouldn't have been for Veronica, I would have headed to the hospital around 10:30 am (or earlier) and begged for an epidural. But, with the help of my husband and Veronica, we labored at home until about 3:00. She was a HUGE help, suggesting different ideas to help with the pain, providing another set of hands for massages/hip squeezes, reminding me to breathe, providing words of encouragement, and staying by my side so that my husband could use the bathroom, keep our parents updated, and finish getting our things around to go to the hospital. When arriving at the hospital, Veronica helped me check in while my husband parked the car. I was "checked" and I was 9 cm! WOW! We were so close! I quickly made it to 10 cm, but one problem - my water still had not broke. As I was at 10 cm and still needed another dose of antibiotics (I was strep b+), the doctor did not want to break my water for me. After suffering through a few more contractions and resisting the urge to push, Veronica helped us make our decision to start pushing and hopefully break my water on my own. (There was also no way I was going to be able to resist the urge to push for another 3 hours). Shortly after my son was born! My husband was able to stay with our baby as he was weighed, measured, etc. and Veronica held my hand as I "finished up". In the end, we are so pleased with our birth experience, largely because of Veronica's support. My husband is "never wrong", so it says a lot when has told me (and several others) several times, that he was glad that we had Veronica because we couldn't have done it without her. She was supportive and encouraging every step of the way, and for that, we are so grateful! Thank you, Veronica!

Jenny M.

Nov 19, 2014

Veronica was my doula as well as prenatal yoga instructor in Chicago. We worked together for many months leading up to the birth of my baby boy. She was ever professional and forthcoming with love, support, and truly what we needed - INFORMATION. I received the best prenatal education from her on top of her healing yoga instruction and other beneficial instruction. I could not have made it through without her support and direction. Always responsive, she stood with me and my husband for the near week-long labor I went through, as well as 36 hours at the hospital. To me, her services were invaluable and I am so glad I hired her. I would hire her again in a heartbeat (If I were ever pregnant again).

Jeff M.

Nov 13, 2014

Veronica has been my yoga teacher, and as such, a teacher of life, for years. She's smart, sympathetic, skilled, but most of all caring. She has a tremendous heart, the light of which reflects on everything she does. I can't recommend her enough, as a teacher or a doula who is fun, challenging, luminous and nurturing to body and spirit.

FAQs

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All the time. I am dedicated to always being a student of yoga and birth.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I grew imitating my mom while she did yoga and I loved hearing my own birth story that consisted of 36-hours of unmedicated, natural labor. I am passionate about helping people.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I teach them how to relax, breathe, and connect to their own strength.

Waking Yoga and Doula Services

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