Testimonial for Shannon Mathews CD(DONA), CVD (TVL)
I have no idea how my wife found Shannon, but I feel very lucky to have worked with her. My understanding of a doula as the supporting parent in the birth was an expensive person in the room talking to my wife about how to breathe and stay calm. Boy was I wrong!! My wife had always dreamed of having a natural birth, and without Shannon’s support she would never have got one. Shannon directed us to a Bardley Method class to help us prepare, but our baby was breech at 37 weeks. We were told a C-section was in order and an ECV wasn’t recommended because it wouldn’t be successful. The OB who said this never seemed receptive to our birth plan, and there were other red flags too.
Shannon let us know that we did have other options, and not all midwife/ OB groups would feel the same way. Through Shannon’s connections we were able to switch to a new midwife/OB and hospital group late in her 3rd trimester. We had a successful ECV performed.
Come to the birth day and we couldn’t have asked for a better team. Shannon not only led us to an amazing OB/MW practice and hospital, she was also very hands-on involved in the birthing process. She helped with positions, and used several soothing and pushing techniques with my wife. She knew when it was appropriate to switch gears, and she brought out a strength in my wife—both physically and mentally—that might not have been possible without her guidance.
Shannon also took care of me. Her presence made me feel safe to trust and enjoy the beauty of natural birth. She helped me to feel involved in the process and reminded me to drink water too :p. We couldn’t have asked for a better birth for our first child and will take advantage of Shannon’s services for the birth of all of our future babies. We can’t thank her enough.
-Kaitlyn Wilkes
November 07, 2023
Shannon Mathews CD(DONA), CVD (TVL)
Nova Birth Services
Birth Fee: $1250 to $1750
Postpartum Rate: $50
