Testimonial for Marcia Mattern, CD (DONA)
(post 2 of 2)
I particularly appreciated her knowledge of natural pain relief, including essential oils, heat, cold, massage, positioning, and emotional support. She was also supportive of the pain relief options I had brought along, such as my TENS unit and comforting music.
Marcia did a wonderful job involving my husband in my birth and empowering us to handle the situation as a team. I knew no matter what, Marcia would know what to do, and it usually involved her encouraging me to make the decisions that were right for my family. When I decided to use an epidural for pain relief, Marcia provided the perfect amount of guidance, helping me to exhaust other options and reminding me of my original plan to birth without medication, while still supporting me when I ultimately made the decision to proceed with the epidural. Though I know it sounds like a simple act, I'll never forget how quickly she would whisk away the emesis bag when I threw up, while always having a cool cloth available to help me feel better. This small act of kindness really demonstrates Marcia's unique blend of knowledge, caring, and attention to detail. She was always so helpful, and she particularly did a great job helping me understand how to push effectively when the time came. I think the delivery staff was surprised at how well I was able to push, and a lot of that was because of Marcia's instruction. The other thing I remember the most is how long she held my leg during pushing and after my daughter's birth while I was being stitched up. It was a long time and she never once showed any emotion other than joy for the successful and happy birth of my daughter. Throughout my entire pregnancy and birth experience, Marcia was supportive of me and my family in all senses of the word. Thankfully, my VBAC was a wonderful experience, and I'll never be able to repay Marcia for her role in this joyous event.
-Emily Sutton
September 05, 2018
Marcia Mattern, CD (DONA)
Your Doula Marcia Mattern
Birth Fee: $1700
