Review About: vicky york

Author

 Kristi Pambianco (N/R)
Rating:
*****

Relationship
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Review #753

Where to begin? As a woman executive I had expected parenthood to be another one of those challenges to tackle, and handle with grace. Was I surprised! Had it not been for Vicky, a true Godsend mind you, I know that I would not be the mother and woman I am today. Vicky was a constant source of comfort, support, reassurance, wisdom and love – love for me and my new daughter. Three of the greatest rewards which resulted from Vicky’s services are: 1) Learning how to breastfeed. It’s not natural for most moms. It needs to be taught and unfortunately modern medicine doesn’t provide the kind of support women need to get through those first few weeks. Vicky does. I am still breastfeeding after 6 months. 2) Trusting my instincts as a mother. 3) Benefiting from a woman who has endless experience and wisdom and is willing, no eager to share them with you in a non-threatening, nonjudgmental way.

Vicky York exemplifies all that is good in motherhood. She mothered me, my husband and my daughter Sophie. From making me sandwiches to make sure I ate, to bringing me water before and after breastfeeding, to burping Sophie so I could just stay in bed and get the needed rest, to putting together my breastpump (those manuals are dozens of pages long. Trust me, after giving birth and not getting sleep those first weeks, it can be a daunting task) and showing me how to use it, to teaching me various positions to breastfeed to optimize my comfort and sleep, to just listening and being there when we had questions. Oh, and did we have questions! How do we give this beautiful little girl a bath when she’s so fragile? Vicky showed us. How do we massage her to calm her down when she is fussy? Vicky showed us. How do we burp her when the way they showed us at the hospital and mommy baby visit doesn’t work? Vicky showed us. And now, at 6 months of age, how do we introduce solid foods to minimize allergic reactions, ensure ease of digestion and optimize nutrition? Vicky didn’t just tell us, she sent us several white papers from experts in the field.

Vicky is a member of our family now. She evolved from being a doula into a doula slash baby care giver. Sophie adores her. The only negative thing I have to say about Vicky is that she moved away and we miss her terribly. Fortunately for us, her nature is such that we can still go to her with questions/concerns and know that we will be provided with the help we need, and then some. One last comment, besides Vicky’s extensive personal knowledge and wonderful bedside manner, she knows just about every resource out there when it comes to parenting, child birth, pregnancy. So, even if you have a question that may not be Vicky’s area of specialty, she knows how to connect you to the person or group that does. Vicky York exemplifies what a doula should be, but I believe many are not. She is a friend, mother and grandmother to new mom’s, and their babes.