Megan McCleary Photo

Megan McCleary

Soulshine Doula Services

Bristol, CT   Service range 40 miles

https://www.soulshinedoulaservices.com

//instagram.com/soulshinedoulaservices

Birth Fee

$1200 to $1850

Birth Fee

$1200 to $1850


Medicaid and Third Party Insurers

Currently approved to receive payments from the following programs:


Birth Doula Experience

4 years and 33 births attended


Birth Doula Certifications

  • Connecticut - Department of Public Health Certified Doula
  • Madriella Doula Network - Certified Labor Doula

Doula Training

  • Madriella, January 2022

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1 to 3

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Any Home Birth


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • Childbirth education services
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Lactation consultant/counselor services
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Reiki
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Family Support Provider through home visiting services

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

Fee includes 2 Prenatal visits, attendance of the birth and 1 postpartum visit. It also includes access to text/phone support throughout the length of hire.

Service Area

Bristol, CT Service range 40 miles

Certifications for Megan McCleary

Click a certification thumbnail to view the full size image.

Certification

Learn more about evaluating doula certifications, an important part of the interview process.

Report any issues or concerns with certification images.

Client Testimonials for Megan McCleary

Post a testimonial for Megan McCleary

Daniela

10/31/2025

We began our natural birth journey a little late into our pregancy, about 5 mos in.  We had hoped to have had a doula for our 1st, but with COVID, it felt pointless to be unable to have her during active labor. But with our 2nd, we were motivated and quickly began interviewing. When we spoke with Megan, there was a sense of ease and calm about her. We instantly felt a connection and knew she would be the right choice for us. Megan was extremely informative and helpful preparing us for labor, and was completely available for any questions we may have had along the way.  She provided material for us to read and exercises to practice weeks leading to labor. When labor began, it came hard and fast, but was very much prolonged. We called Megan and she arrived quickly and truly rolled up her sleeves. She tried her hardest to get me moving even when I felt contractions were rough, she helped me find calm and kept me centered through affirmations and breath.  She stayed by my side for nearly 60 hrs of labor and waited in the hospital until our little girl was born.  Days and weeks after, Megan was available to help me work through any trauma I experienced, helped me navigate through my emotions, recommended a therapist to continue healing. I 100% recommend Megan, and if I ever am blessed with another baby, I'd call on her services again!!

Rachelle Reid

10/16/2025

I would 100% recommend Megan as a doula to anyone who is expecting. As someone who knew barely anything about doulas before meeting Megan for a consult, I was shocked at how pleased I was with my experience. Megan had a gentle way of meeting me where I am at, listening keenly to my specific preferences, fears, and concerns from pregnancy to postpartum. During my birthing process (which was filled with curve balls and unexpected turns), Megan pivoted seamlessly and still functioned as a key player on my team even when I was unsure of how to 'make use of' her skillset because I was not able to labor in ways in originally planned (e.g., not being able to use a birthing ball or hydrotherpy, not being ambulatory). She honored all my feelings throughout the process, stood in the gap between myself and my husband, myself and my medical team in such a graceful and gentle way that respected all parties involved. Because of my experience with her, I cannot see myself going through the birth process without a doula in the future. My ability to have a vaginal and unmedicated birth without suffering, with a sense of peace and present moment awareness (something I did not think I could ever do) is due in large part to Megan's support. I made one of the best decisions I could make for a life changing event by choosing her as a doula.

Laura

3/20/2025

From the moment my husband and I decided that working with a Doula would be the right choice for our pregnancy, we knew that we would have to find someone who was compassionate, knowledgeable, down to earth, and personable. Not only does Megan possess all of those qualities, but she also has a great sense of humor, ability to remain calm, and adapt to the needs of her clients all while maintaining a reassuring and positive presence.

As a VBAC client, I felt such a sense of comfort knowing that my Doula was competent with VBACs, and willing to support me in navigating the end of my pregnancy, through my labor and delivery process. Not only did Megan’s presence help me feel confident to listen to my physical and emotional needs throughout pregnancy and labor, she was also able to help me feel empowered in moments where fear and pain would have otherwise won. She always made sure to prioritize my personal goals, needs, history, and allowed me to truly feel seen and prioritized. We could not have asked for a better support system that provided exactly what our family needed for the birth of our second child, and successful VBAC! We cannot thank Megan enough, and would recommend her time and time again! ??

Elizabeth Eames

11/8/2024

My husband and I feel so fortunate that Megan supported us through the birth of our first child. As anxious first-time parents, we were seeking a doula to guide us through the process. Megan's positive energy, calm demeanor, sense of humor, and genuine compassion put us at ease from the beginning. Throughout my pregnancy, Megan provided us with evidence-based information as well as personal anecdotes about pregnancy and birth options, allowing us to make informed decisions and feel confident advocating for ourselves. She has extensive knowledge and experience with pain management techniques, birthing positions, and visualization strategies. When my labor did not go as planned, Megan helped us effectively communicate with the medical staff, talk through our options, and, most importantly, maintain a positive atmosphere despite the stressful situation. We are so appreciative that Megan was a part of our team!

Kelly and Daniel

3/23/2024

We were so lucky to have Megan as our doula for the birth of our first child! As first time parents, we had no idea what the heck was going to happen at birth and we wanted someone there with experience, who could support Kelly when/if Daniel couldn't, and who was aware of and supportive of the experience we hoped for. Kelly knew she wanted an epidural eventually (but not too early in the process), so we looked for someone who would be supportive of that and a hospital birth. We are a pretty go-with-the-flow couple, but we appreciate explanations and evidence/science-backed input - Megan came with all that as well as a bunch of options for pain management! She was friendly, kind, and followed our lead while also quickly jumping in (besides the tub, the MVPs of labor were her comb and spiky ball, though the back pressure was also key). She was happy to chill quietly, be super involved, or chat as we preferred, and she took photos during the birth that we are so happy to have. I appreciated getting to know her on our pre- and post-visits, and that she was available by text as a resource if it was needed (for us it wasn't haha, as Kelly went from very not in labor to in labor quickly, but we know if she had had a more confusing ramp-up we would have appreciated the resource). All this to say, we highly recommend working with Megan and we're very grateful she was there to help us meet our little guy!!! 

Madeline Patrick

3/20/2024

Megan's gentle and open nature was  essential during my pregnancy. I knew I could come to her with any question I had, at any time.

She also made sure to ask how I was feeling after doctors appointments and throughout my pregnancy was proactive with check ins. 
My labor and delivery was very quick! - Quicker than expected- but Megan hustled to be at my side and remained there until after baby was born and was there through the post delivery procedures. Knowing there was someone to oversee my needs during this part of the delivery was a big source of comfort for me. 

She checked in on me and my husband after our baby was born and visited us at home, too. This post birth visit was great. It was nice to look back on everything and talk about what went right, what surprised us, and how we were getting along with a new bundle of joy.

Megan really went above & beyond for me and my family and we'll be forever grateful for her assistance, knowledge, and compassion. I will sing her praises and recommend her to anyone thinking about getting a doula for their pregnancy journey. 

Melissa kowalczyk

2/7/2023

I hired Megan for my Third burth/first home-birth. I didn't realize how impactful her role would be until she came the night I went into labor. 12am January 24th she came and never left my side. She jumped right in and took control of my needs and never once made me feel anything but comforted and cared for. She was made to for the role of being your doula! I knew right away that she was who I wanted to work with. She stayed with me through every contraction and was very hands on, she knew exactly what I needed in every moment, at times I didn't know what I needed and her being there she took that stress from me completely. What an amazing experience I had and I couldn't have done it without Megan by my side!!! 

Carrie Hess-Marcoux

10/15/2022

I hired Megan for the birth of my first child and had an amazing experience with her even though my birth itself did not go as planned. Leading up to the birth, Megan was highly knowledgeable about birth and the labor process. She had tons of fun "tools" such as a birth ball, affirmation cards, a mirror etc. that I could use during labor and not have to worry about finding them or bringing them myself. She was great about checking in and making sure she knew what I hoped for in my birth regarding a "birth plan". We connected on similar philosophies and fascination with the natural birth process and the amazing capabilities of the human body. I ended up having an unexpected c-section at the last minute and Megan came to the hospital and spent time with us in recovery and was there for us despite things not going as to plan. Megan is someone I trusted and would recommend!

Birth Availability for Megan McCleary

= Available. Calendar last updated: 01-22-2026

{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-72.940650939941406,42.259277643597301],[-73.3277910071305,42.181803097087297],[-73.611197205958504,41.970138699728402],[-73.714931074319594,41.680999755859403],[-73.611197205958504,41.391860811990398],[-73.3277910071305,41.180196414631503],[-72.940650939941406,41.102721868121399],[-72.553510872752298,41.180196414631503],[-72.270104673924294,41.391860811990398],[-72.166370805563204,41.680999755859403],[-72.270104673924294,41.970138699728402],[-72.553510872752298,42.181803097087297],[-72.940650939941406,42.259277643597301]]]}