The amazing Mariya Volzhskaya with her son Henry (8 months). Mariya had a healthy pregnancy but found her doctor, whom she thought was supportive of her birth plan, to be quite a force to work with throughout her labor and delivery. Henry had to be induced due to low fluid, and the process took three long days. Thankfully she had the support of her husband and doula and was able to have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Like so many, Mariya thought that breastfeeding would be easy, that the problems and hiccups wouldn't affect her. Even though she was armed with the support of a postpartum doula, she found initiating nursing and getting her son to gain weight, very difficult. She was able to work through it and is enjoying a positive breastfeeding relationship with Henry today. Mariya believes that positive images of women are so important in today's society and chose to participate in the project to be a part of that.
postpartum doula