April was our guide into parenthood. We met her as our childbirth instructor and asked her to be our doula. We were drawn to her deep level of expertise, her wit and humor, and the evident significance of love, acceptance, and intuition in her life and in her work. From building our birth plan, to sharing clues that labor was on its way, to the actual childbirth and delivery, she was a confident advocate that birth is a celebration and that we would be ready to be parents.
--Jeanne & David, expectant parents in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class and doula clients, Spring 2009
I thank April for all her support, encouragement, and wisdom. I really can't imagine having to do it without her!
--Doula client's husband & birth partner, Fall 2007
Even though our son's birth didn't follow the plan, it still feels so perfect. Part of why it feels so right was the great team I had around me. I felt such relief when we arrived at the hospital and April was there. I wouldn't change a thing if I had it to do again!
--Doula client, Fall 2007
April is a joy to know. I am so thankful for her efforts to bring our baby happily into the world. I could feel her belief in my ability and I relied on her encouragement and positive energy. It was wonderful to have her to talk through ideas during the pregnancy, hands-on during labor and phone support postpartum. She was sensitive and professional at each and every moment of my labor. I was in transition for several hours and needed to fight the urge to push for some time, so her work was really cut out for her. Together, both she and my husband made this amazing team and I felt so supported and validated with my decisions at various points. When I experienced complications, April was there with me while my husband was able to be with our baby. Without her, that part of the birth would have been traumatic for me. Instead, I treasure the memory of my birth.
--Jessica, expectant mother in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class and doula client, Spring 2009
I thank April for going on this emotional, spiritual and physical journey with me. Her guidance, support and openness were absolutely key to this beautiful birth. Despite the surgery, this birth felt so whole, my voice so strong, and my path so clear. What a tremendous gift to myself and my daughter and the whole family- as we move forward, together, as a family.
--Doula client, Fall 2005
I am so grateful to have had April as our birth doula. She was such an integral and dedicated part of the birth process that I have a hard time imagining the experience without her support. April had been our birthing class teacher, and so when a previously contracted doula was no longer available to attend our birth, I knew that April was the person to call. My planned home birth involved a transfer to the hospital, many hours of very close contractions and back labor, and finally a short but intense pushing out of the baby. April was by my side the entire time, working closely with my partner to provide me lower back relief (for what was probably at least six straight hours), and providing me plenty of reassurance and guidance when I needed it. She has the perfect combination of knowledge, experience, strength, warmth and that certain nurturing quality that makes the difference. Following the birth, April really helped me work through my emotional response to the birth, and just continued to go above and beyond what I ever imagined.
--Sadie, Doula client and expectant mother in my Homebirth class, Winter 2009
We are extremely thankful to have met April and feel lucky to have had her as our teacher. She was present for us during our baby's birth and her teaching was so important to us during the entire time. She's been a gift to our entire family.
--Expectant parents in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class, 2004
--Doula client, Spring 2007
We learned from April not only information about the mechanics of childbirth, but also about enriching our own attitudes and appreciation for welcoming new lives into the world. We are grateful for her help in this.
--Doula client of twins, Spring 2006
--Doula client, Fall 2002
Throughout the years as I watch my son grow, I will always remember her as a friend who helped and guided us through one of the most amazing experiences life has to offer. I will always be grateful.
--Doula client's partner, Summer 2001
My husband was a great birth partner and the techniques from our class were very helpful (THANKS APRIL). Even though the labor was extreme and we ended up having a hospital birth, the experience was amazing and the hospital staff was amazing. Having this baby has been the greatest experience of our lives and we would do all of this a million times over.
--New mother who attended my homebirth course, Summer 2008
Even though we only were able to go to two (of your childbirth preparation) classes, what we learned with you played a key role in the good health of our baby today.
--New mother who had a premature birth, Great Starts Childbirth Preparation class series, Summer 2008
I credit our CEAS class and our childbirth educator, April Bolding, PT who graciously served as our labor support person for helping us articulate what kind of birth experience we wanted, and I credit the birth center for making that vision a reality.
--Karen Dunne, CEAS (now, Great Starts) Newsletter, Winter 2002