Testimonial for Meredith Markussen, CD(DONA)
Meredith was a blessing to have present during my labor. She is a great source of calming energy.
My husband and I had moved to Dallas when I was 32 weeks pregnant. I had read several books, practiced yoga, and generally did all that I could to prepare for a natural childbirth. A friend recommended that I find a doula to help me through childbirth in order to avoid the medicines like I wanted. In the past, my body did not react well with drugs, and I did not want to start motherhood that way. Meredith was recommended to me through the North Dallas Doula Associates, and I am grateful that she came into my life. My labor progressed not as I expected. I was late, started labor the day of my scheduled induction, and then failed to progress, only to learn later that the baby was being straguled by the cord. My natural childbirth consisted of 36 hours of labor that ended in a c-sec. Throughout this time, Meredith provided me with what I needed. Casual conversation so I would stop staring at the baby's heart monitor, confidence that I was making good decisions, and techniques to manage the pain and progress the contractions. My labor was the opposite of what I wanted, but I have no regrets or ill thoughts about it. I do credit this to Meredith, as she kept my husband and me calm and confident during the whole process. I never felt judged for choosing to get the epidural or finally hours later, the c-section. I also know that if I did have a natural delivery, with or without pain medicine, that Meredith would have been an amazing support during it.
please excuse any typos as I am the sleep deprived mother of a newborn.
-Joanna Canales
June 30, 2016
Birth Fee: Not specified
