"Debbie, I can't tell you how valuable your class was for us. We had heard raging positive reviews from others and our expectations were still exceeded! We drove three hours to Houston to attend and would have driven longer. So much information presented in a way that was thorough, digestible, entertaining - not overwhelming. Thank you! Anonymous evaluation
"This class is different from others in our area because it makes you think "outside of the box" and enables you to make choices you didn't know you had." Mike
"Derek and I were so happy we took the class & Derek still talks about how accurate your birth sounds were and how he knew where I was at during labor by those sounds. I also was a classic case of "I don't want to do this anymore" lol right before Samson crowned. :-) You were spot on about it all!" Katie
"The most surprising thing was that my husband enjoyed the class so much!" Cecelia
"Thanks to the incredible prep by your class, I walked in to get checked and was already 8.5 cm dilated. {My midwife] was shocked - she thought I was in prodromal labor because I was very calm. Your class helped us so much in knowing what to expect during labor! We had a totally natural birth and it went even better than we expected." Nikki
"I also highly recommend her birthing classes. We felt well educated and prepared for the birthing experience. When the going got tough during labor which required Pitocin, I relied on many of the coping techniques she taught us and managed a difficult delivery without pain medication." Stephanie
When I got pregnant with my son, I knew I would be taking a birthing class. I knew there were a lot of options out there to attend classes, but didn't know there were private classes until Debbie told me she offered them. My husband and I opted for the private classes because 1) our work schedules made it difficult to attend a group class and 2) I wanted all of the attention. We were in the comfort of our own home, which to me, became very important when talking and learning about something as intimate as birth. Not that I'm particularly shy about the topic, but with Debbie as my doula, I knew she would be present in one of the most intimate times of my life. It was obvious to me that taking advantage of the opportunity to get to know her more (and for her to get to know me more) would serve us well during the birth of my son. And I think I was spot on with that thought! During the classes, Debbie did an excellent job in educating me and my husband. She gave ample time to answer our multitude of questions and gave me lots of material to look over in preparation for birth. Debbie's extensive knowledge coupled with experience from hundreds of births makes her extremely well qualified to teach birthing classes, but it's her ability to read people and relate to them on a personal level that really makes her an excellent educator. Whether or not Debbie is your doula, I highly recommend taking her private birth class. There's so much more to learn than what you would learn from a book or a class held in a hospital. Debbie makes you aware of all of your options which helps you make the decision on what's most right for you in your individual situation. I'm so very glad I chose private birth classes with Debbie. She helped me prepare, with realistic expectations, for one of the most profoundly life changing days of my life. Shara, mother to Leo
"Debbie - Thanks again for a great class. I really enjoyed it. As a soon-to-be father I am much more confident about our decision to use a birthing center and am much better prepared for any unexpected hospital visits. As a first time father-to-be, I greatly appreciated Debbie's focus on the father's role during labor. She walked us through what to say - and what not to say during labor... The BirthWorks classes with Debbie are relevant, updated, applicable and to the point. She covers all aspects of pregnancy, labor, and the early stages of life for your child. Throughout the entire class she focuses on the health and comfort of Mom and Baby. Debbie does a great job of keeping the topics clear and concise and allows the students to make their own informed health decisions. Expect to learn a lot of information at the class. Debbie has structured the class so that you will not only retain the information, but also be able to apply it." Grady
"I just wanted to thank you again for all that you taught us in the birthing classes. I already knew that I learned a lot, but actually going through labor & delivery only emphasized how wonderful your class was for us. There were so many times during the day when Grady or I would think or say, "Oh, Debbie said this would happen" or "Debbie said this is a good thing" etc., etc. It really made the whole birthing experience so much easier than it would have been without your class. So, thank you again for all that you taught us." Marissa
"It was a successful VBAC and unmedicated, and the most exhilarating thing I've ever experienced. And several times during my labor I heard your voice in my head, and some of the things you told me really helped me through. I wouldn't have recognized my body pushing except that it started exactly as you explained, and I gave myself over to what my body was telling me even above what the nurses were telling me. So thank you for helping to make me comfortable with what I was going to experience, because that was where I found my power and my ability to trust my body." Victoria
"EVERYONE who is pregnant should take Debbie's class! Whether this is your first baby or you have been through labor before, she will share invaluable information you didn't even realize you didn't know... about labor, women's bodies, babies, postpartum care, hospital policies, etc. She packs in SO much information. I loved learning what natural birth looks, sounds, and feels like, but she also covered topics that I hadn't considered (such as how to navigate hospital policies for a planned hospital birth or emergency hospital birth, and how to ensure you and your partner stay connected after the birth of your baby). She makes it really fun so the class time flies by. Debbie offers a bounty of information and resources so you can decide for yourself waht medial, labor, and delivery options are right for you and your baby. She passes along information and knowledge without judgement. I had fears about birth before taking Debbie's class, and after completing it, now my husband and I both feel confident and empowered. As if the class itself wasn't reassuring enough, after we signed up, we also kept hearing from countless midwives and doulas in the birthing community that Debbie's class is THE class for expectant parents to take... after completing it, now we know why! Her birthing class is an absolute "don't miss" for expecting parents. Heather