Testimonials

Dr. Denise YOUNG—UVA obstetrician

I have seen positive changes for our patients that have been part of the “Mothering  from Within” (MFW) program at the prison. One patient in particular has significant  difficulty interacting with others. She easily became angry and frustrated when dealing  with people. She has shown significant growth in managing her emotions through  techniques she has learned. She also stated to me that her whole outlook on life has  changed and that she wants to give her child the best life she can. She feels like she is  actively contributing to his health by continuing to pump milk for him. She feels more  bound to him and that she is actually part of his life. 

Looking at the lives that many of these women have lead, how horrendous their own  childhood was and what their own children have probably endured, I see this MFW program as a chance to help change the cycle. We have the opportunity to help these  women learn parenting skills without the pressures of having enough resources to survive. They don’t have to worry about housing, feeding their  family or finding a job. Though only with us for a relatively short time, I am hopeful that  these skills could carry over after release, especially if we could tie them in with  parenting support after they are home.

GRATITUDE FROM OUR JUSTICE-IMPACTED CLIENTS

“I just want you to know that I am so grateful to have you as a doula. I really don’t know how it would have been possible to have my baby and be okay through this process without your support. I think that what you are doing for people like us is amazing and you have a made a difference in my life.”

“I could never have done this without my doula. It’s truly been a pleasure being a part of this program.”

“You helped me through one of the toughest times in my life at the hospital. I truly appreciate it. Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Ms. Sara Zia, a volunteer yoga teacher and doula (birthing coach) is absolutely awesome! She teaches us yoga & breathing exercises. She gives us advice on how we can bond with our babies and helps us as women. She gives us homework that helps us think and get clarity of situations. This group has meant a lot. It helps with depression because it gets you to look at the bigger picture. It gives an outlet to express feelings to people who feel the exact same way. Most of all, it gives me comfort.”

“I am so very grateful for having my doula with me through my pregnancy, labor and postpartum time at the prison. I would have been lost and alone without her. I was unable to have my family present at the birth but was able to see them for a few hours on my discharge date and my doula was there to comfort me. I will forever be eternally grateful for my doula”

“VaPBP goes out of their way every week to make sure our beautiful babies get our breastmilk so we can feed our little ones and stay bonded with them. My doula will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“Thank you so very much for holding my hand, rubbing my head, talking to me, wiping my tears and just being with me during my c-section. When the baby was born they placed him on my chest and you helped me with him. It was one of the best 30 minutes of my entire life. You helped me breastfeed him and have skin-to-skin. You helped make the experience perfect and special. Thank you for visiting me every day and helping me breastfeed and rubbing my huge swollen feet. You gave me the best advice. To top everything off you were there for me on the hardest day when my husband had to come and take the baby away and I had to return back to the prison. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life and yet again you were there holding my hand. Finally, I want to thank you very much for working so hard on getting the breastmilk home to my baby every week. I am forever grateful.”

“Being incarcerated while pregnant can be so depressing and stressful, not knowing what’s going to happen with your case and your emotions are ten times stronger while pregnant. Most times I feel hopeless and alone but our doula group sessions actually brought me some type of hope and it’s actually very peaceful and its not just about yoga, they actually care about you in every way, with your pregnancy, parenting tips and just a genuine person to talk to and a listening ear. I look forward to every Wednesday when we have group and usually there’s nothing to look forward to in jail. And not to mention, the doula brings the most best food from the outside. I’m very thankful to be a part of this program.”

“I want to thank VaPBP for creating the opportunity for me to have a separation visit with my baby at the jail. This is my first child and I just found out I will still be incarcerated when I have her. I’m so grateful that I will see my mom and I won’t have to go through the experience of watching a stranger take my daughter away from me to her. Thank you for that and everything else that you do for myself and other women going through what I am.”

“I want to tell you thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done and are still doing for my sweet baby and I. The compassion and support you’ve shown me is amazing. You were such a blessing me to my on one of the best days of my life bringing my little one into the world, and you were there on the hardest day of my life when I had to send my baby away and go back to prison.”

“I know I could have done all this without my doula, but I wouldn’t want to! I actually never want to give birth again without her again. My doula was a blessing for me. Her support was life-changing and she helped me believe in myself.”

RN BSN—Labor & Delivery UVA

During my three years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, I have had the opportunity to care for patients who are incarcerated many different times. However, today was the first time I was able to work with an inmate who had a doula assigned to work with her during her hospital admission in L&D and postpartum. I am very excited that this program has been initiated and hope that it is able to grow to the point that all inmates seen through UVA OB are provided this service. I can already see the great benefits that this additional support and care has for the patient in helping her feel heard and cared for. I can see the potential that this program has for improving patient outcomes through the additional support and care of a doula.

RN BSN—Labor & Delivery UVA

Sara was an amazing addition to the team. It was a blessing for me as a nurse and the patient. While I was the nurse dealing with the medical side of things, Sara was able to be an emotional touchstone for the patient. She advocated SO well for the patient to get the best care possible – care that she deserved despite her incarceration status. I love the idea of a doula being present for all of the prison’s deliveries. Please keep this program going! I have been the nurse for an incarcerated labor patient before, and the change with having a doula present was palpable. Keep going!

Next testimonial 1

insert text here

Next testimonial 2

insert text here

Next testimonial 3

insert text here