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Megan Howarth Doula Profile

Megan the Doula

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Website: www.meganthedoula.com
Phone: (514) 966-1657
Type of Practice: Solo practice
Clients per Month: 2 to 5
Birth Doula
Experience: 1 years and 25 births attended
Area of practice: Montreal, QC
Travel range: 30 miles
Travel comments/restrictions: I have a car and can travel off the island of Montreal.
Languages spoken: English, French

Birth Doula Certifications

CD Advanced Holistic Doula

Breastfeeding Certifications

Nursing Mothers Counselor (Nursing Mothers Counsel)
Nourri-Source Breastfeeding Support Mother

Other Credentials

Adult and Infant CPR Certified

College Education

BA/BS

Specialized training or previous experience:

Teens
Over 40
Families conceiving with ART and IVF
VBAC
Home Birth
Twins
Postpartum mood disorders
High risk
Single parents
Cesarean birth
Waterbirth
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Survivors of Previous Life Trauma

Special services available:

Cloth diapering education
Babywearing education
Baby-led weaning

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals
The majority of women in Montreal deliver in a hospital setting. I'm very comfortable in this environment and help make my clients feel relaxed and cared for. I am non-confrontational and respectful of the staff and the majority of my experiences at hospitals in Montreal have been great.
Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers
I have personally had experience giving birth at a birth center in Montreal and had a fabulous experience. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in midwifery care. I would gladly support anyone wishing to give birth in a birthing center.
Attends home births? Any Home Birth
For women wishing to give birth at home, I will most certainly support them, provided there is a midwife present.

Birth doula fee: $600 to $900
Fee details: I can provide insurance receipts through the ANQ (Association des Naturotherapeutes du Quebec).

Client Testimonials for Megan Howarth

Kerry Howard

Labor with my first daughter back in 2008 didn't go so well. I had a long labor, and a difficult recovery. I suffered postpartum depression that went on far too long. So when I found out I was having twins, I was determined not to repeat the same experience. I found Megan the Doula on a pregnancy forum, and was so impressed with her answers to the many questions and concerns pregnant women have. It wasn't my first pregnancy, so many their concerns were not the same as my own. What I needed was someone to work with me through my biggest fear: a repeat of postpartum depression. Megan worked with me during the pregnancy to help find twin support groups, discussing my plan to breast feed, and at length about depression. Although Megan was not with me during the delivery by emergency c-section, she was at the hospital with my husband before, and stayed with us after the twins were born. With her help, my daughter latched immediately after birth, and my son a few days later. Megan was there through the many phone calls, and emails (there were many), and both myself and my husband credit her with our ability to stay sane with newborn twins. It is also because of Megan that I was prepared mentally to handle the stress of twins. I also feel that from Megan's support, I was able to keep a positive attitude, and avoid the postpartum depression that I suffered with for 8 months with my first. If you are thinking of including a Doula in your birth plan, do it. You will not regret having the support and peace of mind. Also, hire Megan. She makes the best banana bread!

Posted 3/2/2012

Sarah Kalisa

My husband and I were very fortunate to have Megan Howarth as our Doula for the birth of our first born this past October. We believe that having her educate, guide and support us during my pregnancy and labour, really helped us have a memorable birth experience.
My active labour spanned almost 24 hours; Megan came as soon as we called her and stayed with us until our little one was born. I laboured for almost 20 hours without any medical pain relief and I believe I couldn’t have done it without Megan’s positive reinforcement, support and calming nature. Megan helped me remain focused and in control, she patiently worked with me through each contraction by massaging my back and suggesting positions that could assist in pain relief. Even after 24 hours of labour, I never once felt Megan being tired or ready to go home, she was consistently patient, calm and encouraging.
Although the birth of our daughter did not go as we initially planned (I had an epidural), Megan was very supportive and made me feel that it was ok and that we had done all we could do without any intervention.
We are so glad we used Megan’s services; it was the best investment ever! We sincerely highly recommend Megan!

Posted 12/5/2011

Richard Matthews

Although hiring a doula was my wife's idea, I quickly came to appreciate the invaluable contributions she made to our birth experience. Pre and post birth she addressed all of our concerns and provided lots of useful information. During the birth she helped in so many ways that it is hard to enumerate them all. In addition to being a calming presence she contributed practical advice including massasge techniques for pain relief. She interfaced with the medical staff to execute our birth plan and worked seamlessly with the doctor and nurses. Thanks in large part to Megan, our birth experience was a truly memorable one. She is not just a great doula, she is a good person who we are now proud to call a friend. So It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Doula Megan Howarth.

Posted 10/17/2011

Margaret Shirnian

My experience with doula Megan was very special and memorable. I am a first time mother, who met Megan for the first time at the last trimester of my pregnancy. From the first get to know each other meeting I touched her compassion and a sincere intention to help and share her experiences with me. She is a good listener, she gave a lot of attention to what I feel, my worries about delivery, how to take care of my baby and myself afterwards. During our pre-partum sessions she made sure to answer all my questions, helped me and guided me with the practical preparations before birth. She was always in touch with me by phone and email to follow up on my progress before birth. At the day of my delivery she was supportive throughout the whole process. I was induced and had a long delivery which after 48 hours led to an emergency C-section. Megan was supporting me and my husband during the whole process. She applied different techniques to help make me relax. I can’t stress enough how amazing she was in morally supporting me when my delivery did not progress and the doctor decided to go for c-section. She as well gave precious advice to my husband during stressful decision making moments. After the birth of my baby , she followed up to make sure that my breast feeding is going well, she helped me with her magic tricks on how to position myself and the baby during breast feeding and make breastfeeding fun experience . Megan is a wonderful person; I was blessed having her next to me. I can’t say enough good things about her, she loves what she is doing!

Posted 10/4/2011

Christine Simoneau

Our first birth experience over exceeded our highest expectations and we believe Megan's presence (before, during and after the birth of our son) contributed greatly. Prior to the big event, she met with us at our home and offered us her plethora of knowledge about labour and birth, breastfeeding and newborn care. During our discussions, Megan shared her expertise and personal experiences, which gave us the added confidence we needed. We were reassured when we saw Megan arriving at the hospital at the same time we did. She immediately started massaging my back and saying encouraging words. When the labour was getting difficult, these encouragements made it possible for me to stay focus and confident. As labour progressed, she suggested a birthing position that worked for both myself and the hospital staff. One of the most memorable moments of the labour, was when Megan put by bangs up with a bobby pin. This little act made me feel understood and cared for. Megan's enthusiastic, caring, and maternal nature makes her easy to befriend. Moreover, she is reliable and thoughtful, which makes her a fantastic doula. We are extremely thankful and highly recommend her!

Posted 9/13/2011

Miranda and Charles Perreault

Megan was an invaluable support to us before, during and after the birth of our son! I am confident that without Megan's support and (magical massaging hands!!), I would have been unable to have the delivery I wanted; one without medication or epidural. It was my first birth and my labor progressed quickly and intensley, so I desperately needed an experienced person to calm, reassure and focus me. Megan did all of this perfectly! She and my husband worked really well together and he has repeatedly said how thankful he is that she was there to help him as well. I cannot imagine having done this without her and there is no doubt in my mind I will need her for my next birth!

Posted 8/18/2011

Rebecca Loadenthal

We are so grateful to have had Megan Howarth as our doula. We couldn’t be happier with the entire birth experience and Megan played a key role in making it all possible. She helped us to prepare for the big event by asking my partner and me key questions for reflection during her home visits prior to the birth, and by coaxing us towards the realization that nothing is predictable or totally controllable during labour. This way we were more ready to let the process unfold organically and take each challenge as it came. She is approachable, reachable, reliable, and generous with her time. During the labour itself, I found Megan had an energetic presence. She was warm, supportive, and provided lots of encouragement. She offered suggestions for different positions during labour. What I thought was especially helpful were positions that involved my husband- like leaning towards him and holding his hands. This helped us to feel more connected as a couple throughout the experience. We highly recommend Megan. She helped us to feel cared-for before, during, and after the birth. P.S. She also makes incredible banana bread!

Posted 8/17/2011

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