Testimonial for Marcia Mattern, CD (DONA) from Leah

Testimonial for Marcia Mattern, CD (DONA)

Marcia blew my expectation of a doula out of the water! For the birth of our first, I went back and forth for months on whether or not I wanted a doula. As it was my first birth I didn’t know what I would want during the process of labor since I am pretty independent and like my space. Once we finally decided to hire a doula, I kept telling myself I was doing it for my husband (to help him feel more comfortable and for him to have support/encouragement in how to support me during labor). While that was definitely an aspect of Marcia’s presence - she was so much more! Once I was in labor and Marcia arrived at our home she was in it with us - ready with ideas on how to help regulate pain while also giving so much space for us to just keep doing us. It was such a primal/instinctual experience for me but there were so many moments where I had no idea what was going on/if I was doing the right thing or not and Marcia was right there with the encouragement and affirmation that I needed to hear. She was a very peaceful presence. Once our babe was earth side she along with our midwife got us tucked into bed. She scanned our kitchen and made us breakfast and even scouted out fresh pj’s for me. She also help us through the first feeding with baby. And then, she came back to check on us a few days later with flowers and soup in hand. Spending a few hours reflecting on the birth, giving some more tips on breastfeeding, talking through questions we had, and aweing over baby with us. She also called me to check in over the next few weeks - it was really so helpful to have that support in those first weeks and just have someone to process with and asking any and all questions as we’re just figuring everything out. She is huge in checking on your emotional health. My experience with Marcia can be summed up in this: she was everything I didn’t know I would need! I am so grateful to have had her on my birth team.

-Leah

May 31, 2023