River Valley Doula

08/06/2025

Hey everyone! I’ve been super busy the last year in nursing school!

I’m in the Accelerated BSN program at UAFS💙🤍

I’ve just finished my 3rd semester and I’ll be graduating in December of this year 😱🥹😍

I have had an incredible whirlwind of a year:
✨Spoke at our White Coat Ceremony
✨Many amazing clinical experiences
✨Completed an Externship at Mercy in L&D (of course) and on cardiac stepdown
✨Joined our SNA team at the convention in Seattle where I met Nurse Mike with Simple Nursing
✨And cared for so many incredible patients that have changed my life🩷🩷🩷

I hope to be working in a L&D unit or ED after graduation, but I’ve honestly enjoyed other departments so who knows what the future holds!

Well, that’s my update, maybe I’ll be on here a little more frequently, but if not, know it’s because I’m raising kids and doing my best to keep my head above water!!!

Love & Light

09/11/2023

Those who are pregnant, postpartum, parents with littles, anyone in the community who wants to be a part of building community to support survivors of perinatal depression, anxiety, or even to come and help normalize how postpartum may feel so that parents know they are not alone. There will be food, activities, a walk, and more!

is hosting their climb in October in NWA and Mercy Hospital is one of the sponsors for this event!

04/08/2023

Wow! This doula has been busy the last few months!

✨I had bariatric surgery in September and I’ve lose 90 pounds
✨I became a jeep girl!
✨I graduated with my BSOL
✨I’m getting out there and being active again
✨I’m running in the okc memorial half-marathon at the end of this month

For 2023, I wanted to find joy in each day, which has included daily gratitude journaling and trying new things with my 3 kiddos and husband of almost 8 years ♥️

I and still taking clients for labor and postpartum, so reach out if you are looking for someone in the Fort Smith area!

Finally, I begin Pre-Nursing classes to work on my BS to BSN this summer ☀️ 👩‍⚕️

09/28/2022

✨Let me reintroduce myself✨

I’m Meg, owner of River Valley Doula! I am certified through ProDoula as a labor and postpartum doula♥️

I live near Fort Smith, Arkansas with my husband and our 3 kids. We have an English bulldog named Beau and a black cat named Cassie.

When I’m not with clients, I spend my time substituting, working out in the gym, cleaning AirBNBs, or trying to complete homework as I am finishing my bachelors and set to graduate in December!

I have a very easy going personality, rely heavily on my faith to keep me strong, and I want whatever my clients want!

I have been blessed with amazing clients this year and I am currently booking clients due in 2023. Since it’s just me, I limit labor clients to 1 a month, occasionally 2.

If you ever want to grab a coffee or lunch, maybe even meet at the Nature Center I would love to get to know you!

I’m an open book, so ask any questions you might have for me below ⬇️

09/19/2022

Baby girl tried to come out elbow and cord first!

Momma was incredibly strong as she breathed and swayed during labor. The shower brought some relief, but miss sassy had plans of her own in the end.

She’s a squishy, beautiful, and hungry butterball of a baby💕

09/18/2022

I’m ever so grateful to be in this space, and always amazed by the strength of my clients ♥️

Last night was no different!

I want to thank the birth team at Mercy, especially an incredible Dr. Bell for his calm demeanor and caring hands!

09/02/2022

Yep, that’s about right ♥️👌🏼

Having the right support team for birth matters.

When I was in nursing school I worked as a doula and absolutely loved being in that role. I still incorporate a lot of the skills that I learned as a doula into my midwifery practice.

I highly recommend you hire a doula and surround yourself with an educated, wise, supportive support team for your birth.

08/15/2022

Have you heard of the ’rest and be thankful’ stage?

A perfect example of the time in labour coined the ‘rest and be thankful’ stage.

“Sheila Kitzinger, decades ago, identified it as the “rest and be thankful” stage of labor, during which the uterus reforms itself around the now-descended baby, and when contractions may slow down or stop altogether. If this stage is not interfered with, the contractions will pick up when the uterus is newly formed and ready” ~ Midwifery Today

Repost
・・・
when your body needs rest // Tiffany was right there at the end, fully dilated and mentally ready to meet her baby. But her body needed rest. She pushed for a while in bed, but it just didn't feel right. What did feel right was a nap. So she and Matthew curled up in bed, with a peanut ball to help keep her pelvis open, and they passed out. Midwife Sam and I raided their kitchen to find coffee, and chatted downstairs, giving them space to sleep. And after a while, we heard labor sounds coming from the bedroom! We headed back upstairs, and shortly after, she birthed her beautiful baby in the tub, with powerful surges that were so much stronger than before.⁠⁠
Listen to your body. Just because you are fully dilated doesn't mean your body (or your baby) is ready yet. Let yourself rest, eat, move...lean into what your body needs in the moment!⁠⁠
Midwife:

08/14/2022

Yep!

"Many women come to me and say "I want a peaceful zen birth like the ones I see on social media".
"What would that look like?", I ask.
"I want to be in a pool of water, breathing my baby out, staying in control and not yelling".

They tell me about these "zen" births on social media- often just snippets of the labour put together with some relaxing music over top (I must admit, I like to watch them).

In reality tho, in all of births that I have witnessed, yes there is some breathing and zen moments, but there is also a lot of roaring, sweating, moaning, crying, vocalising, wild movements and noises. Lots of acting "out of control". Lots of pure instinctive expression. It is so important not to inhibit any of this!

To be fully expressed during labour helps us to release the energy that builds in the body. Vocalising is a wonderful way to cope with the intensity of labour and helps us to free tension. We know that tension creates more pain. This is one of the tools we practice in my classes.

We have been well conditioned in society to behave in certain socially acceptable ways. When we act "out of the norm" we can feel shame or embarrassment. Repressing our expression keeps our bodies rigid and keeps us living in our minds and not in our feeling heart.

As part of your birth preparation I recommend you start to express yourself more. Vocally express your pleasure more when making love. Let your body move in ways it wants to- close your eyes and feel. When you feel sad, allow tears to come. When you feel angry, roar into your pillow. Sing loudly when your favourite song comes on. Laugh without inhibition. Make noises- even "inappropriate" ones.

Labour is not something to be controlled. It is for letting go."

📷: Monet Nicole - Birthing Stories

Words by Mothers Circle