Testimonial for Marcia Mattern, CD (DONA)

My wife and I decided to utilize a doula for the birth of our first child. Marcia was the first doula that we interviewed. After our first meeting we looked at each other and knew she was the right choice for us. Marcia traveled to our home to meet with us twice before the birth, gathering information about our background, our birth plan, and also sharing great experience as a doula and a mother with us. After going into labor a day earlier than scheduled we called Marcia from the hospital room to tell her the news and she joined us about an hour later. Her guidance during the labor and delivery process was amazing. She knew every trick in the book (I should say a 3-ring binder) about keeping Mommy relaxed and positive throughout the 15 hours. My wife was actually able to take short catnaps in between her contractions! Marcia also coached us on how to talk to the doctors and nurses and get the information we needed to make the best decisions for us. After our baby girl was finally delivered at 5:48 a.m. one of my favorite moments was giving Marcia a HUGE hug on my way to see my baby. Unfortunately my wife had trouble delivering her placenta after the birth and I returned to her side to help her through as much as I could. I remember seeing Marcia standing next to the incubator with our newborn baby girl, watching over her while I stayed with my wife. She also came to visit us in the hospital two days after the birth and reliving the experience with her was a great memory. Including Marcia in our birth process was the best decision we could have made, especially in hindsight with the complications we experienced. Her experience, kindness, and instincts were absolutely priceless. If we ever have the fortune of another child she will be one of the first to receive the news along with a request for her doula services again!

-Kelli Ballard

December 19, 2011