Testimonial for Maggie Gott (Watkins)
We engaged Maggie's doula services for the birth of our second child after having an unplanned c-section for our first birth. We believed that the c-section was unnecesary and I was confident with the right support team in place I could successfully give birth vaginally. Maggie had such positive reviews and when we spoke during the inital phone consultation I felt immediately comfortable with her and confident that she'd be a valuable support person during my labor and birth.
She was instrumental in mentally supporting me during days long prodromal labor leading up to actual labor and offering guidance and advice via text to both me and my husband. When labor actually began and we were in the hospital Maggie was a very calming influence in addition to being an amazing second set of hands (an underestimated quality). She worked to setup the room while the nurses were prepping me for admission - she dimmed the lights, kept unnecessary nurses and staff out of the room if needed, started the essential oils and helped my husband to physically support me prior to receiving the epidural.
Once in more active labor she repositioned me with the peanut ball, offered hydration often and just generally had a calming and pleasant demeanor the entire time which was really crucial. At the pushing stage Maggie and a nurse each held a leg which freed my husband up to offer words of encouragement in my ear and to (finally!) announce the gender of our baby when she came out!
Maggie was instrumental in helping both me and my husband through a very long labor and I truly believe without her support I may have ended up in another c-section scenario. She asked all of the right questions of the doctors and nurses and helped to distill information to me when it was necessary. When things were getting questionable toward the end, she kept her calm while I was freaking out. If we decide to go for a third, I will definitely engage Maggie again!
-Kelly W
June 13, 2022
Maggie Gott (Watkins)
The Homestead Doula
Birth Fee: $1800 to $2350
Postpartum Rate: $25 to $45
