Shawna Z, RN, CDE, written for:
Rook
Scarlett
Megan
Beno

This letter is on behalf of the individuals mentioned above. Beno and Megan have passed away, but their precious babies Rook and Scarlett are still here, lovingly born with Donna.

When Megan was first pregnant with Rook, I told her about the wonderful home birth of her husband, my son Beno. Megan, being the loving nature enthusiast she was, had a great desire to experience this for her family.

We looked around and found Donna. With my experience as an RN, CDE, and early intervention specialist, we knew how important good beginnings are and how crucial it is for a family to have a good birth experience. It has proven to be a blessing for our family.

At first, we were impressed by her knowledge of nutrition, herbs, and remedies. Then, we were impressed by her many years of experience and successful results, as well as the precious, beautiful, and healthy babies she has helped bring into this world.

Then, we fell in love with her strong, loyal, and consistent support throughout her pregnancy, along with Holt, an excellent and helpful young midwife in the making. Holt, in her tender years, knew more than most adults. She was also amazing and the sweetest to us. Megan wrote that she had a beautiful and safe experience and had a healthy baby boy, and that she was determined that with an expert like Donna, she would have her second child, Scarlett, exactly the same way with Donna and Holt.

Megan often said how well she felt during her pregnancy with the special diet, vitamins, and herbs Donna recommended. Whenever she had a slight deviation in her heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, or any other symptom, Donna was on top of it, monitored it, and always knew the right remedy. Megan felt on top of the world during her pregnancies. She never gained too much weight, but she stayed at the perfect weight for an easier delivery. Donna made sure she had the right herbs and supplements to help her muscles prepare for the work they would be doing.

Donna supported the entire family. She wasn't just helping bring a baby into the world; she was helping bring a family into the world. She supported Beno and encouraged him to participate and be a strength for his family. I remember Beno's words, "Every fiber of my being said run, run," when he and Megan were in labor with Rook. But Donna had prepared him, and her reassuring manner gave him confidence and strength. We, the spectators, the rest of the family, felt confident and secure, knowing our loved ones were in good and capable hands.

Those days of pregnancy and delivery with our most precious Rook Nicholas and Scarlett Rae, are some of our most cherished memories. Donna will always be our favorite midwife, mentor, friend, and holistic healer.

We would recommend her to anyone who wants to be healthy and enjoy a beautiful homebirth experience.

Thank you Donna and Holt!
Shawna Z
Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator, Early Intervention Specialist II

Photos:
Megan and Beno together.
Megan hiking with Scarlett one month after giving birth.

Megan at 38 weeks with Rook
Beno, Megan, and Rook 24 hours postpartum!