Testimonial for Megan Gifford, CD(DONA) from Cynthia G

Testimonial for Megan Gifford, CD(DONA)

After taking a childbirth ed class, my husband & I agreed that we needed a doula: an expert to support me laboring without pain meds & a coach to support my husband.

We got Megan's contact info from our midwives & liked her right away. She put us at ease with her kindness, excitement about our baby, wealth of information and excellent questions - I could tell she had a counseling background since she checked in about our emotional needs.

This was my 2nd labor after a hospital transfer & unneccessary overnight stay. This time I really wanted to labor at the birth center with our midwives. Megan helped this happen! She advised me on my birth plan & my birth center bag and taught us the 3 Sisters exercise with a rebozo! She asked important questions identifying my worries & helping us find solutions. During labor she gave me much needed reminders to hydrate & eat, helpful suggestions on positioning during contractions & coached my husband on support positions & ergonomics. She provided a TENS unit which gave me pain relief! When I started to feel fatigued and a little helpless during transition, she guided my focus back to my body - how much good work it was doing, a sign things were working! I felt safe, supported & grounded during the entire process. We got to welcome our baby girl with the birth team we wanted in the place we chose! She prepared my placenta into capsules which stabilized my mood & boosted my breast milk production. She even created a beautiful print from the placenta, a keepsake from this time.

I'd recommend Megan to anyone seeking an educator, emotional supporter and expert labor coach! She has a wealth of information to share but is in no way pushy, actively listening so she can meet your family's goals in a compassionate, competent way. I'd especially recommend her to people who have trouble voicing their own needs. She is wonderful!

-Cynthia G

January 26, 2021