Testimonial for Morgan Hayward, CD(DONA)
Working with Morgan made my dream birth possible, beginning with making a plan and through our daughter’s birth.
When I told Morgan I wanted an unmedicated birth, she asked me what my plan was for pain management. I had no plan – but I knew at that moment that Morgan was the one to help me build one. And indeed, she was. Morgan provided me with references, resources (books, especially) and guidance that helped me and my husband to build a birth plan and a plan for pain management that had built in flexibility and an ability to handle changes in circumstances.
More than that, she helped me navigate the unexpected throughout my pregnancy. Her advice and support helped me formulate next steps when we learned my daughter may have a genetic disorder, and again when a doctor told me, without evidence, that I should assume I would have to be induced in a few weeks. It was Morgan’s suggestion to seek a second opinion that built our relationship with a doctor who supported our plan and helped us avoid induction until the last possible moment.
In the end, I had to be induced, but Morgan’s advice helped me negotiate to be able to move around, despite continuous monitoring, and made it possible for me to give birth without anesthesia, quite literally standing on my own. During labor, her help with counter-pressure and suggestions of new positions made the pain manageable and helped me to work through the difficult stages of labor. My birth experience wasn’t what I pictured, but because of Morgan it was everything I hoped for.
I highly recommend working with Morgan – her work changes outcomes in every stage of pregnancy and labor, and her support gave me the resources and the strength to feel good about my birthing experience.
-Sara B
March 28, 2023
Birth Fee: $1500
