TESTIMONIALS
We could not have gotten through labor and delivery without Corey. Her knowledge and expertise allowed us to make decisions each step of the way from comfort techniques to answering questions about where to go next. While every aspect of the game plan went out the window, Corey kept us grounded and moving forward to meeting our sweet boy. Corey was crucial to our birth story and we would have been at a huge disadvantage without her. No matter the type of birth you are planning Corey can help you immensely! ~ Nickolee, State College, PA
Corey was a godsend before, during and after the birth! Her knowledge was so essential to our peace of mind, and her gentle guidance was key to our successful decision making. Her presence and assistance is one of the most helpful things I could have imagined. If I look back at the birth of my son as a positive experience, it is mostly because of Corey's support in so many ways. She discussed various options with me when unexpected circumstances arose, which, because of my complete trust in her, was much more helpful than speaking only with the doctor. I felt relaxed and confident during one of the most potentially scary experiences of a lifetime. Her hands-on assistance was magical; when I felt hot, all of a sudden someone was fanning me, and when I was getting hotter, cold rags appeared too. Her help and services were beneficial to both me AND my husband, from start to finish, and I can't recommend her more highly. Corey on your team is the winning team. ~ Sabrina, State College, PA
Corey was our doula in the birth of our daughter. Corey was wonderful from the beginning to the end. My birth experience was exactly what I had hoped for - non medicated and without complications. Corey had helped me to stay calm, relaxed and focused. She was there for every single contraction helping me to do this. She gave me words of encouragement when I needed it, but also stayed quiet and kept a relaxing atmosphere when I needed that as well. She was there to give me the birth experience that I wanted (with emphasis on "what I wanted"). I would highly recommend Corey to any other mothers who are looking for a doula that will help you achieve what you are looking to achieve. Corey was also wonderful in making sure my husband was included and encouraged in the delivery process.
The day after I delivered, the doctor who we had for delivery (which is a doctor from Mt Nittany Physician Group) came to check on me. He said that he has worked with a lot of different doulas over the years and feels as though a lot of them are jokes. However he said that he is always happy to see when Corey is in the room. And thinks that she is a great doula. It made me smile because I knew that meant a lot coming from this particular doctor.
I felt like Corey worked wonderfully with the nurses and doctor at Mt Nittany Medical Center. She knew all of them. And they were all thrilled to see her. One nurse even commented that Corey makes her job a lot easier. This made the experience even better because if they did not like her or her work, my experience may have been very different. It is important to have synergy between everyone on your birth team.
~ Shannon, State College, PA
I had a fairly easy pregnancy. Still, Corey was there as a supportive ear when I wanted to vent. Towards the end of my pregnancy, her support became even more important. As we approached our due date, the doctors suggested induction. At times, the doctors "scare tactics" were pretty convincing, but Corey was always available to help us understand whether or not there was any real danger.
During pregnancy, my husband and I attended Brio birth classes, studied Hypnobirthing and read countless books. We felt very calm and prepared as we approached our due date. However, once labor started, we felt as if we knew nothing. The first few hours of labor, before we called Corey, were really rough and I didn't think it would be possible for me to deliver my son without an epidural. Once we called Corey, things turned around. I truly believe that Corey saved the day. Having her there to reassure me that everything was going normally was exactly what I needed to relax and stay on top of my contractions. When I did start to struggle, Corey was there to talk me through it. She took great care of me, adjusting the room temperature, handing me cool washcloths, helping me make decisions and offering suggestions when I asked for them. We ended up having a very positive hospital birth experience with very little intervention.
After we returned home, Corey continued to be supportive as I dealt with some crazy hormonal shifts. She came to visit and brought our baby's birth story which was complete with pictures. I have no idea how she managed to take these photos without me even noticing, but I love that we have them! I am so grateful for Corey's help throughout the whole pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period. I highly recommend Corey's services to any pregnant woman. I'm not sure that I'd want to go through the process again without her!
~ Mandy, State College, PA
Delivery of our Baby started the most extraordinary experience in our life. Having Corey prepare us for the day our Baby showed up was the best thing! We felt ready and well informed. Knowing that Corey will be with us from the very first moment gave us assurance and confidence. Her constant guidance and tremendous knowledge left no room for worries or concerns. I felt peace and trust and I could focus solely on my Tiny New Little Person. I knew that even if anything unexpected happened, she would help me make the best choice possible. I wish every future mom to have such a great experience and birth companion. Thank you Corey! ~ Aleksandra, State College, PA
We have had the pleasure of Corey's presence at all 3 of our births. There are so many things we loved and appreciated about Corey. She really got to know us before our birth, and took the time to talk to us about our expectations for the big day. She really balances talking about the parents' wants and needs with what the local hospital will actually be able to offer, and she helped us firm up our birth plan (all the while reminding us of its flexible nature....) Corey was always available via email and phone for any questions, and she was genuinely interested in my pregnancy concerns, and my questions about labor. Her system of talking about pain management was so honest and helpful! During labor itself, Corey was there to help comfort me, and also to remind us of the things we wanted. She encouraged without being overwhelming or intense. I can't imagine a better doula experience. She was there as a support and a help - but was not in the way one bit. After my first child, Corey was always quickly emailed after a positive pregnancy test... we always wanted to make sure she had us penciled in. :-) ~ Ona, Bellefonte, PA
Corey Strouse attended three of my four children's births. When my first son was born, it was a nightmare. My husband and I had attended childbirth classes and had a birth plan, but nothing was what we expected.
So when I because pregnant the second time, I asked the doctor and midwives for suggestions to improve the birth. They suggested a doula. What an amazing difference it was. The birth was actually amazing. Because my goals had been clearly outlined when I doubted myself, we would evaluate together and I was empowered my make the best decisions for my daughter. The midwife actually didn't believe I was ready to deliver because I was so relaxed and at peace (I didn't have pain relief of any type.) For my third child Corey was there supporting me and cheering for me as I delivered a 10 pound 8 oz baby boy with minimum medical interventions.
My fourth child was the where Corey's support really made a difference. I was being pressured by my doctor's partners for extreme medical intervenes. My doctor didn't feel they were needed, but she was not the doctor on call, so I had to be my own advocate. Corey was there, not making any medical decisions, but supporting me in what I know was the best choices for me and my family. This was especially important because of how overbearing the doctor was, in trying to bully me into having procedures that I did not medically need nor want. My daughter was born again with minimal medical interventions and extremely healthy.
Corey's support also helped my husband. Instead of having to be my coach and advocate, he was able to be my partner and expectant father. I would strongly recommend Corey as a doula for any expectant parents. She skills and knowledge are outstanding, but her personality that works with the staff, family, and expectant parents is what really shines. ~ Denise, State College, PA
My first child was born via a c-section so when I got pregnant again knew I wanted a different birth. That's when I searched & found Corey! She was so friendly & warm right from the get go. I explained how important a natural VBAC was to me. Corey made me feel very confident in my ability to achieve this. Corey helped me make my plan and also the epidural contract. This contract outlined the steps which would be taken if I asked for the epidural. The day I went into labor we called Corey, she talked to me a bit & asked if we wanted her to meet us at the hospital or wait to see if they admitted me, we just had her wait. We called to update Corey and she again asked what we wanted her to do. This was great in my opinion, it showed she really was there just for me. I think it was about 2 or 3 in the morning when she did arrive, everything was a blur at that point, I was in so much pain. The minute I heard Corey telling me to do positive self talk I knew I would make it all natural. Her voice and presence really helped me stay grounded. Corey always told me "When you think you can't go anymore, that's usually all the further you have to go." and she was right. Thanks to Corey I was able to have my VBAC with minimal interventions. She took some great photos and wrote a very emotional birth story for me which she gave to me at my post partum meeting. I can't stress enough how wonderful it was to have someone by my side during my pregnancy and especially my birth. My husband was there of course but Corey knew just what I needed to hear and when I needed to hear it. I highly recommend hiring a doula for your next birth. I know the next time we get pregnant the first person I will be talking to will be Corey! She is an Angel and no words can ever express how thankful I am for her. ~ Trista, Curwensville, PA
I have used Corey three times; once for the birth of my first son which ended in a cesarean section due to the cord being around his neck five times, again for the birth of my second son which ended as a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and the third time for my daughter, another successful VBAC.
Corey provided me and my husband with continuous support for my first son for 36 hours. She came to our home and suggested many things to try and get my labor started after my water broke. She then came to the hospital and was with us through many hours of labor with pitocin and no pain medication, labor with pain medication and eventually through the decision to go ahead with the cesarean section. She was pivotal at helping me and my husband process and accept that the outcome of my birth was not my fault.
When we found out we were expecting again the first words out of my husbands mouth, "We are having Corey again right?" She provided continuous support to me and my husband for 65 hours of prodromal and active labor. She came to my home, went to the hospital, continued to keep in touch through the night (as I was sent home after the hospital), again came to my home and provided me with suggestions to try and reposition the baby (we suspected my prodromal labor was being caused from poor positioning) and again back to the hospital. At the hospital she provided support through out the night and next morning, making suggestions to help labor along until after 2.5 hours of pushing we welcomed our VBAC baby boy into the world.
She would remind me of my birth plan and wishes throughout my birth. She would never speak for us. She would help us process and understand what the medical professionals were saying. My husband and I cannot speak highly enough about the support Corey provides as a doula. If we choose to grow our family we will be contacting Corey again. ~ Samantha, Bellefonte, PA
Copyright 2012-2019 Corey Strouse
We could not have gotten through labor and delivery without Corey. Her knowledge and expertise allowed us to make decisions each step of the way from comfort techniques to answering questions about where to go next. While every aspect of the game plan went out the window, Corey kept us grounded and moving forward to meeting our sweet boy. Corey was crucial to our birth story and we would have been at a huge disadvantage without her. No matter the type of birth you are planning Corey can help you immensely! ~ Nickolee, State College, PA
Corey was a godsend before, during and after the birth! Her knowledge was so essential to our peace of mind, and her gentle guidance was key to our successful decision making. Her presence and assistance is one of the most helpful things I could have imagined. If I look back at the birth of my son as a positive experience, it is mostly because of Corey's support in so many ways. She discussed various options with me when unexpected circumstances arose, which, because of my complete trust in her, was much more helpful than speaking only with the doctor. I felt relaxed and confident during one of the most potentially scary experiences of a lifetime. Her hands-on assistance was magical; when I felt hot, all of a sudden someone was fanning me, and when I was getting hotter, cold rags appeared too. Her help and services were beneficial to both me AND my husband, from start to finish, and I can't recommend her more highly. Corey on your team is the winning team. ~ Sabrina, State College, PA
Corey was our doula in the birth of our daughter. Corey was wonderful from the beginning to the end. My birth experience was exactly what I had hoped for - non medicated and without complications. Corey had helped me to stay calm, relaxed and focused. She was there for every single contraction helping me to do this. She gave me words of encouragement when I needed it, but also stayed quiet and kept a relaxing atmosphere when I needed that as well. She was there to give me the birth experience that I wanted (with emphasis on "what I wanted"). I would highly recommend Corey to any other mothers who are looking for a doula that will help you achieve what you are looking to achieve. Corey was also wonderful in making sure my husband was included and encouraged in the delivery process.
The day after I delivered, the doctor who we had for delivery (which is a doctor from Mt Nittany Physician Group) came to check on me. He said that he has worked with a lot of different doulas over the years and feels as though a lot of them are jokes. However he said that he is always happy to see when Corey is in the room. And thinks that she is a great doula. It made me smile because I knew that meant a lot coming from this particular doctor.
I felt like Corey worked wonderfully with the nurses and doctor at Mt Nittany Medical Center. She knew all of them. And they were all thrilled to see her. One nurse even commented that Corey makes her job a lot easier. This made the experience even better because if they did not like her or her work, my experience may have been very different. It is important to have synergy between everyone on your birth team.
~ Shannon, State College, PA
I had a fairly easy pregnancy. Still, Corey was there as a supportive ear when I wanted to vent. Towards the end of my pregnancy, her support became even more important. As we approached our due date, the doctors suggested induction. At times, the doctors "scare tactics" were pretty convincing, but Corey was always available to help us understand whether or not there was any real danger.
During pregnancy, my husband and I attended Brio birth classes, studied Hypnobirthing and read countless books. We felt very calm and prepared as we approached our due date. However, once labor started, we felt as if we knew nothing. The first few hours of labor, before we called Corey, were really rough and I didn't think it would be possible for me to deliver my son without an epidural. Once we called Corey, things turned around. I truly believe that Corey saved the day. Having her there to reassure me that everything was going normally was exactly what I needed to relax and stay on top of my contractions. When I did start to struggle, Corey was there to talk me through it. She took great care of me, adjusting the room temperature, handing me cool washcloths, helping me make decisions and offering suggestions when I asked for them. We ended up having a very positive hospital birth experience with very little intervention.
After we returned home, Corey continued to be supportive as I dealt with some crazy hormonal shifts. She came to visit and brought our baby's birth story which was complete with pictures. I have no idea how she managed to take these photos without me even noticing, but I love that we have them! I am so grateful for Corey's help throughout the whole pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period. I highly recommend Corey's services to any pregnant woman. I'm not sure that I'd want to go through the process again without her!
~ Mandy, State College, PA
Delivery of our Baby started the most extraordinary experience in our life. Having Corey prepare us for the day our Baby showed up was the best thing! We felt ready and well informed. Knowing that Corey will be with us from the very first moment gave us assurance and confidence. Her constant guidance and tremendous knowledge left no room for worries or concerns. I felt peace and trust and I could focus solely on my Tiny New Little Person. I knew that even if anything unexpected happened, she would help me make the best choice possible. I wish every future mom to have such a great experience and birth companion. Thank you Corey! ~ Aleksandra, State College, PA
We have had the pleasure of Corey's presence at all 3 of our births. There are so many things we loved and appreciated about Corey. She really got to know us before our birth, and took the time to talk to us about our expectations for the big day. She really balances talking about the parents' wants and needs with what the local hospital will actually be able to offer, and she helped us firm up our birth plan (all the while reminding us of its flexible nature....) Corey was always available via email and phone for any questions, and she was genuinely interested in my pregnancy concerns, and my questions about labor. Her system of talking about pain management was so honest and helpful! During labor itself, Corey was there to help comfort me, and also to remind us of the things we wanted. She encouraged without being overwhelming or intense. I can't imagine a better doula experience. She was there as a support and a help - but was not in the way one bit. After my first child, Corey was always quickly emailed after a positive pregnancy test... we always wanted to make sure she had us penciled in. :-) ~ Ona, Bellefonte, PA
Corey Strouse attended three of my four children's births. When my first son was born, it was a nightmare. My husband and I had attended childbirth classes and had a birth plan, but nothing was what we expected.
So when I because pregnant the second time, I asked the doctor and midwives for suggestions to improve the birth. They suggested a doula. What an amazing difference it was. The birth was actually amazing. Because my goals had been clearly outlined when I doubted myself, we would evaluate together and I was empowered my make the best decisions for my daughter. The midwife actually didn't believe I was ready to deliver because I was so relaxed and at peace (I didn't have pain relief of any type.) For my third child Corey was there supporting me and cheering for me as I delivered a 10 pound 8 oz baby boy with minimum medical interventions.
My fourth child was the where Corey's support really made a difference. I was being pressured by my doctor's partners for extreme medical intervenes. My doctor didn't feel they were needed, but she was not the doctor on call, so I had to be my own advocate. Corey was there, not making any medical decisions, but supporting me in what I know was the best choices for me and my family. This was especially important because of how overbearing the doctor was, in trying to bully me into having procedures that I did not medically need nor want. My daughter was born again with minimal medical interventions and extremely healthy.
Corey's support also helped my husband. Instead of having to be my coach and advocate, he was able to be my partner and expectant father. I would strongly recommend Corey as a doula for any expectant parents. She skills and knowledge are outstanding, but her personality that works with the staff, family, and expectant parents is what really shines. ~ Denise, State College, PA
My first child was born via a c-section so when I got pregnant again knew I wanted a different birth. That's when I searched & found Corey! She was so friendly & warm right from the get go. I explained how important a natural VBAC was to me. Corey made me feel very confident in my ability to achieve this. Corey helped me make my plan and also the epidural contract. This contract outlined the steps which would be taken if I asked for the epidural. The day I went into labor we called Corey, she talked to me a bit & asked if we wanted her to meet us at the hospital or wait to see if they admitted me, we just had her wait. We called to update Corey and she again asked what we wanted her to do. This was great in my opinion, it showed she really was there just for me. I think it was about 2 or 3 in the morning when she did arrive, everything was a blur at that point, I was in so much pain. The minute I heard Corey telling me to do positive self talk I knew I would make it all natural. Her voice and presence really helped me stay grounded. Corey always told me "When you think you can't go anymore, that's usually all the further you have to go." and she was right. Thanks to Corey I was able to have my VBAC with minimal interventions. She took some great photos and wrote a very emotional birth story for me which she gave to me at my post partum meeting. I can't stress enough how wonderful it was to have someone by my side during my pregnancy and especially my birth. My husband was there of course but Corey knew just what I needed to hear and when I needed to hear it. I highly recommend hiring a doula for your next birth. I know the next time we get pregnant the first person I will be talking to will be Corey! She is an Angel and no words can ever express how thankful I am for her. ~ Trista, Curwensville, PA
I have used Corey three times; once for the birth of my first son which ended in a cesarean section due to the cord being around his neck five times, again for the birth of my second son which ended as a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and the third time for my daughter, another successful VBAC.
Corey provided me and my husband with continuous support for my first son for 36 hours. She came to our home and suggested many things to try and get my labor started after my water broke. She then came to the hospital and was with us through many hours of labor with pitocin and no pain medication, labor with pain medication and eventually through the decision to go ahead with the cesarean section. She was pivotal at helping me and my husband process and accept that the outcome of my birth was not my fault.
When we found out we were expecting again the first words out of my husbands mouth, "We are having Corey again right?" She provided continuous support to me and my husband for 65 hours of prodromal and active labor. She came to my home, went to the hospital, continued to keep in touch through the night (as I was sent home after the hospital), again came to my home and provided me with suggestions to try and reposition the baby (we suspected my prodromal labor was being caused from poor positioning) and again back to the hospital. At the hospital she provided support through out the night and next morning, making suggestions to help labor along until after 2.5 hours of pushing we welcomed our VBAC baby boy into the world.
She would remind me of my birth plan and wishes throughout my birth. She would never speak for us. She would help us process and understand what the medical professionals were saying. My husband and I cannot speak highly enough about the support Corey provides as a doula. If we choose to grow our family we will be contacting Corey again. ~ Samantha, Bellefonte, PA
Copyright 2012-2019 Corey Strouse
