Lizz C.

I often joke that I would still be pregnant if it weren’t for Kristina being by my side for my son’s birth (in retrospect, the closer he gets to being a teenager the weirder that joke gets). There are lots of things “they” don’t tell you could happen when you get pregnant. For example, did you know that there’s something called Protracted Labor? This is labor that is abnormally slow cervical dilation or fetal descent during active labor. I had contractions every 20 minutes for a full week. Kristina was there, checking in by phone or in person every day, multiple times a day often, with everything from the exact right words to encourage or a massage to distract from the discomfort. When I was finally at a point of “I cannot keep doing this” (sleep came in 10-15 minute increments a night for that week so I was ex-haust-ed) Kristina met me at the hospital and stood with me as they broke my water and the REAL fun started. From holding my hand, applying pressure to just the right spots, saying the perfect thing for that moment, suggesting different positions and options in which to labor-Kristina was there for every minute of all 10+ hours. And, when things went not according to my birth plan (au revior, natural birth- your time had come and gone and you weren’t for me anymore. C’est la vie) Kristina was right there with me, supportive as ever. I really can’t imagine not having her by my side for this most magnificent moment of my life and I HIGHLY recommend the time and money investment in having her by yours.