Practice overview
For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth. I grew up in Nevada with horses and there were many nights I stayed awake waiting for a mare to give birth. These births were magical and each birth I have attended since has left me with the same sense of awe in a mother’s strength. When I found out I was pregnant with my first son, I began to read everything I could about pregnancy and birth. I was perplexed by how complicated the medical system makes birth in America today. I hired a doula to help me navigate the process and I will be forever grateful to her for the guidance and support she provided. A couple years after my son was born, I decided to go to nursing school at Georgia State and I graduated after the birth of my third son. Through my labor and delivery rotation, I saw firsthand how important it is for a family to have strong support and evidence-based information when making decisions about their birth. As a nurse, I felt limited in the amount of support I was able to offer birthing women and followed my heart to become a doula. As a doula and a Registered Nurse, I can help families make informed decisions about their labor and birth in any birthing environment. I love being there for my clients through each stage of their birth journey, from getting to know them to helping with the first latch. I have learned from my journey through fertility challenges, miscarriages, three births, and parenting that each situation is different and birth choices are not one size fits all. This knowledge allows me to provide non-judgmental and unwavering support. Each of my three births were very different and each of them have been life changing. I am a strong supporter of human rights and believe all birthing people have a right to a dignified birth of their choosing. I am grateful to work with all people and all families.
I live with my husband, three boys, and two dogs in Grant Park. When I am not at a birth, I love traveling with my family, camping, watching my boys play soccer, spin classes, long walks outside with my dogs, and movies.
Kate
September 16, 2022 at 10:49 am | Client reviewMegan is a phenomenal and truly exceptional doula. She listened deeply to what I wanted for my birth, my concerns/fears, and the exact kind of support that would help me most. When I experienced unexpected challenges at the end of my pregnancy, she checked in on me constantly and was full of resources and emotional support. When my birth did not go as planned, she was ready with the exact support I needed, both before and after. She also advocated hard to get my husband the information he needed about my status when I wasn’t there myself. Megan helped me feel empowered, prepared, and calm, and she’s truly one in a million.
Katie
September 16, 2022 at 10:52 am | Client reviewMegan was a crucial part of my birthing experience. She was there for my partner and I through the entire process and acted as my ears, brain, and voice. I genuinely feel I could not have done it without her. I cannot recommend her strongly enough!
Sarah
September 16, 2022 at 10:56 am | Client reviewI can’t say enough good things about Megan Gatewood. She is a doula and a nurse which is such a perfect combination and also exactly what I needed as a high risk pregnancy attempting a VBAC. She helped me in the prenatal period as I worked through the trauma and fears regarding my prior delivery. She has a very calming presence and listened so well to all my concerns and helped me talk through my goals. She met with both me and my husband several times on zoom and was also available via phone call or text when I had questions. When I went into labor she helped me decide when to head to the hospital and she met us there exactly when we needed her. Her presence in the hospital room brought so much peace. I can honestly say I didn’t feel afraid at any point and was able to have a completely intervention-free, medication-free natural labor in large part due to Megan. She worked so well with the midwife and the doctor that at my postpartum visit the doctor asked me for Megan’s contact info so she could refer more patients to her! Megan also took photos to help capture the golden hour we had with our precious little one and stayed with us until we felt comfortable and settled. She was also available postpartum for phone calls and a home visit. I highly recommend Megan to any mom!
L.L
September 16, 2022 at 11:04 am | Client reviewMegan helped us process medical information that the nurses and staff presented to us. She asked good questions and thought through details. She was supportive to both of us and very attentive. I would definitely recommend her as a doula.
Robyn
September 17, 2022 at 11:21 am | Client reviewMegan was very friendly, but even more importantly professional, knowledgeable, and the best patient advocate. I felt comfortable at the most vulnerable time bringing my sweet baby girl into this world. I felt comfortable delivering in a hospital because I had Megan by my side. I did not like how the hospital wanted me to lay on my back and hold my legs; I voiced my opinion that it wasn’t working for me and Megan quickly went into action and fixed it. While we played “tug-o-war” my baby arrived almost immediately since I knew how to push.
Megan
September 17, 2022 at 11:36 am | Client reviewI will forever be grateful that Megan was part of my first pregnancy and delivery experience. Having her available 24 seven to ask questions was invaluable. When it’s 2 AM and you’re not sure if things are OK it’s amazing to be able to instantly connect with someone who you know and trust. Her background as an RN, and use of evidence to help me decide what choices to make during labor and delivery were such an asset. I never felt that Megan was trying to persuade me, but instead to make sure that I knew what I needed to know to make the best decision for me and my baby. During the delivery, her attention to me specifically as a person, and my comfort was invaluable. She was a calm and steady presence for me and my husband throughout the final weeks of my pregnancy and delivery and postpartum. I cannot recommend her services more highly. You won’t regret it!
Bethany
September 19, 2022 at 10:52 am | Client reviewI feel like whatever I put down to words won’t due our experience justice. Megan was amazing support during our first birth. I highly appreciated her experience not only as a doula but also a prior RN. She made me feel very supported and safe in both the prenatal part of her role but also during active labor. She was a wealth of knowledge in preparing for labor, and a strong and calming presence during the labor process. She held the exact space we needed her to hold in this process; in sharing task of support with my husband, but was also a gentle guide and advocate for us during labor. I have already recommended her to another friend, and will continue to recommend her support to others that ask about our experience. She also took a ton of pictures during moments of rest which we now cherish and are so thankful for!
Jessie
September 19, 2022 at 10:55 am | Client reviewIt’s hard to imagine having the most perfect, incredible water birth that we had without Megan. Her unbelievable intuition, calmness, informed, experienced, reassuring, guidance and support allowed me to have a dream labor and my husband to be there supporting me the whole time. We met with Megan several times before the birth. It was our first baby and her straight forward, steady energy was just the best thing. We live in NYC now but might have to fly back to Atlanta if we have another baby to work with Megan again. Can’t recommend her enough.
Angel
September 19, 2022 at 11:12 am | Client reviewMegan’s philosophy of care is to support a mother during a whole journey, not just at the birth. Her care is thoroughly professional and personal.
Megan was prompt and communicative since the moment I first messaged her. Megan’s expertise as a trained nurse coupled with her personal experiences, gave me confidence that Megan would be knowledgeable in providing our family support in multiple facets. She was also quick to connect me with additional resources during pregnancy and even post-pregnancy.
Megan’s experience really shines in her ability to understand people, even when things are unspoken. She seemed to understand my emotional & mental needs. This skill also played out in the way Megan worked with the birthing team of midwives and nurses because she knew how to communicate with everyone.
My husband and I could not have dreamed up a better doula!
Kelsey
September 20, 2022 at 11:16 am | Client reviewI have nothing but good things to say about Megan! We connected with her super early (at the recommendation of a friend who also worked with Megan), so she supported us through much of our pregnancy. I was (am) an anxious first time mom and had lots of questions that Megan always answered with patience and kindness. My labor and birth progressed surprisingly rapidly and Megan was available for all the (many) texts and phone calls throughout that day. Her presence was so calming and helped give me and my spouse confidence through labor knowing someone was there to support and advocate for us if we needed it. She also stayed in touch and answered questions postpartum as well; if she ever didn’t know the answer to a question, she reached out to her network to find help. I would hire her 1000x over!