Darcie is an angel. I am so grateful we met her at such a critical time in our lives. She was our doula for both of my births. I did not know what to expect, neither did my husband. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming, but Darcie helped calm our worries.
As my due date approached, she kept in close contact by coming to my Dr appointments and calling to check in with me. Her reassurance helped me know I was in expert hands.
My first child, born April 2006, was a scheduled induction. I checked into the hospital the night before to allow for the process to start. She contacted me to make sure I was comfortable and ready for our birthday. Then morning of my son’s birth, Darcie arrived early to make sure I was ready for what the day held for my growing family. She helped to explain what was happening from the pitocin to the epidural while constantly monitoring my progress. Darcie certainly made me feel at ease, she even massaged my feet to help me relax. Then, later in the afternoon around 4:00, it was showtime. Darcie held my hand, while my husband held my other hand and coached us both along. At 4:45 my son was born and everything was perfect. After his birth she helped me learn how to breast feed and assisted with stumbling blocks I had. In the days following my release, she even came to my house to help me, since nursing was a challenge at first for me. I remember we were giving our son his first bath when she arrived, and she immediately jumped in and helped us (and we needed it)!.
My second child was due in March of 2008. By then I was considered high-risk and had to be induced early. I was hoping his birth story was going to be similar, I checked into the hospital and was immediately placed on a pitocin drip. It was a very long day of walking, massages and focused breathing. Then we found out my son was breech and an emergency c-section was required. Given the shocking and disappointing turn of events, Darcie helped my husband and I tremendously. She insured us she would be in the operating room and would be with us every step of the way. During prep, the anesthesia did not take and I was required to be under general, my husband and Darcie had to leave the room. She stayed with him, calming him during a very surreal and scary time.
She stayed with him after the baby was born and was there when I was finally released from Post-Op (1.5 hours later). Nursing was once again a challenge and Darcie was there to help us ever step of the way. However it turned out our son had to be rushed to Children’s Hospital in Denver 36 hours after birth because of Hirschsprung’s Disease. Darcie checked in with us constantly, and made sure I was well taken care of, knowing I was leaving the hospital without my baby. She helped me plan for nursing by storing my milk and for what may be in store for me after my son was released.
I am happy to say my boys are now almost 4 & 6 and are thriving. Anyone venturing into motherhood, or high-risk, I highly recommend Darcie Ell to be your doula. She is remarkable and one of a kind. She is extremely passionate about babies and guiding their parents into starting families in a safe, secure and delightful way. She will always have a special place in our hearts!