Cheryl Walker, LCCE, RYT provides doula services for families in the DFW Metroplex. As a trained childbirth expert and mother of five, Cheryl’s doula services are about education and caring for the mother during labor. She incorporates the Lamaze method, yoga and essential oils to help the mother through pregnancy, labor and recovery—whether a mother is planning a natural birth, traditional hospital delivery or C-section.

What exactly does a doula do? Cheryl’s clients tell it best:

Testimonials

From the Abrahams

At our first meeting, Cheryl met with us, got to know us, got a feel for our home so she knew what to expect when we went into labor, I felt a peace about her. I loved her energy! I also loved that she was all about everything natural, because I decided to go with no medication for my delivery and Cheryl let me know that there were alternative ways that she could help me get through my contractions.

She used essential oils, alternative positions, we had hydrotherapy at the hospital, massage, music, and the ambiance to help me with my birth. Not only was she there to help me focus on birthing my baby with my birth preference but she was a great support for my husband. She explained and stood by my husband through my 24+ labor. She did not sleep, slack or complain. Instead, she brought her positive energy, rooted us on, and made sure we stuck with our birth plan.  She also went with her gut feeling when she felt like something was not right, with her years of experience she came to our rescue when she knew that I was not progressing with my birth and verbalized her concern to my husband who acted immediately in ensuring the doctor was notified. After the decision was made that I needed to have a C-Section, Cheryl could have left, but she stayed to ensure we were okay.  It was great to see her smiley face after 24+ hours of labor when we got back to our room.  I was so blessed that our son got to meet the individual who helped me birth our precious son and also go with her gut instinct to make sure our baby was in no distress. To her we owe many thanks!

Being a doula is not an easy job, I only realized after this experience.
My contractions were unbearable, but picking Cheryl to be my doula was the best decision ever because once a contraction came on she distracted me with oils, ice, massage, and cheer. I remember one extended contraction she used ice and oil and that felt amazing. I can’t fathom how much we appreciated having Cheryl as our doula because she also became a part of our family and checked in with us even after the labor. I would definitely go with Cheryl again and again if we were to have more children. She is worth every penny!

From the Peckmans

I have had four natural births and only decided to have a doula for the fourth. Each of my previous birth experiences contributed to my decision, but when it came to choosing a doula, Cheryl was my first choice. In fact, learning that Cheryl worked as a doula was the big push for me to decide to use one. I have been lucky enough to call Cheryl a friend for years, but if you just met her, you will probably call her one shortly. She is genuine and open with people and has the biggest heart. All of which makes her an amazing doula.

While my husband understands me, Cheryl understands labor. Which means that together they made the perfect birth team. Instead of getting stuck in one spot, which is what normally happens to me during labor, Cheryl gently persuaded me into trying different things. Moving and changing helped my labor keep progressing and made the process much less painful and difficult.

Even though I go silent during contractions, Cheryl gave me a way to communicate while I was in labor. That was ridiculously important to me and helpful for my husband. And when I did get loud at the end, she was there to reassure me and coach me through the most difficult part. She didn’t just take care of me and my husband during labor, she stayed with us at the hospital after my midwife had gone home and until they moved me to the recovery room.

I think it says something about Cheryl that all the career choices she’s made have revolved around helping and healing people. If ever anyone was designed to be a doula, she is. If you are considering having a natural birth, if you are worried and stressed about your impending labor and delivery, if you just think you’d like some extra support during one of the most vulnerable times of your life, you couldn’t ask for a better advocate than Cheryl. She not only supports every mom during labor, but the whole family. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have someone there caring just about you instead of focusing solely on the baby. It frees up the medical professionals to prepare for and insure the safety of the sweet newborn because there is an extra set of trained eyes keeping track of your comfort.

From the Sipes

As a soon to be first time mom, I think it’s natural (or, hopeful) to dream about a magical birthing experience. I was legitimately convinced that I would have an at home birth with an atmosphere similar to a yoga class, essential oils diffusing, and minimal pain. My child would enter the world while I had a few glistening sweat beads on my forehead and my husband lovingly gazing at me and our new little gift from above.

As ridiculous as that sounds (let’s face it- that’s NOT birth), my daughter’s birth day will forever be a truly magical memory. And, I will forever remember Cheryl by my side, and what an incredible support she was for me that day. Cheryl constantly reminded me of my strength when I was certain I had none left at all. I attribute much of my success to have my birth at home, unmedicated, and in my mind as peaceful as one can possibly be during birth, to Cheryl. Those essential oils? They were diffusing, and ALL over my body thanks to Cheryl’s unrivaled expertise in using oils for pain management and labor therapy.

I simply cannot day enough amazing things about this woman. My husband and I were blessed to be able to call her our childbirth educator, doula, and now forever friend. You will not regret including Cheryl in your birth plan… period!

From the Valis

There are truly not enough words to describe how much we LOVE Cheryl. My husband, Brandon, and I honestly believe that God must have set her in our path to help us with bringing our first child into this world.

We began working with Cheryl about 5 months into my pregnancy. She was extremely supportive of our wish to have a natural delivery and made several visits to our home to meet the parents and show Brandon and I stretches and exercises which would help with the pregnancy and during labor.

I love how she involved Brandon with everything – she taught him massages he could give me to help with pain and how to emotionally help me throughout the pregnancy. Being a huge fan of essential oils and yoga, she showed me some amazing oil remedies and poses to help with my stress, anxiety, and physical pains – in the last couple months, those were life savers.

One thing to point out about Cheryl is her constant positive energy. Every time we saw her, she always greeted us with a huge smile; her happiness and optimism is contagious, no matter what mood you are in. During labor, she was there every step of the way, and I honestly don’t think Brandon and I could have gotten through my 24 hours of labor without her.

She was extremely attentive, but also was very respectful and kindly excused herself when she thought Brandon and could use some time alone. When baby Levi was born, Cheryl took on the “mama bear” role for us and made sure that each family member had equal time to see baby Levi while still giving us time to rest and recover. After we were discharged from the hospital, Cheryl came to visit us to make sure we were all doing well and also helped us resolve Levi’s cluster feeding problem.

Truth is, I could honestly go on and on endlessly with reasons we love Cheryl and how she is the best doula ever, but having Cheryl as a doula is something that should definitely be experienced first hand. She is by far one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and she genuinely has your best interest and well-being at heart. She is incredibly knowledgeable, has a heart of gold, and is the only doula I have ever heard of that also teaches yoga and is an essential oils expert. She treated us like her own family, and I honestly can’t wait to call her again when it is time for baby number 2! She is the full package!

From the Venters

Numerous studies tout the benefits of hiring a doula – statistically fewer C-sections and a more positive experience for mom, just to name a few. As new parents, we first met Cheryl Walker in her capacity as our childbirth educator. Cheryl’s positive vibes, competence and personal experience as a mother of 5 led us to hire her as our doula.

Our son was born in a whirlwind. Less than two hours after contractions began, we arrived at labor and delivery with mom already dilated 5 cm. The nurses were there to do the medical job, but it was clear from the beginning how lucky we were to have Cheryl as our anchor. She helped mom cope with painful contractions, smoothed over our interaction with the nurses, and brought humanity to the room.

With a rapid first time labor, we can’t imagine how difficult things would have been without Cheryl at our side. Any couple would be lucky to have Cheryl. We have recommended Cheryl to our friends, and we recommend her to all others whole-heartedly!