About Marcie Hadley, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), LCCE,CLC
Certified Birth Doula, DONA, Int.
Certified Postpartum Doula, DONA, Int.
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
Certified Lactation Counselor
About My Journey
After my grandmother raised her children, she returned to school and became a labor and delivery nurse. She shared stories of physiological birth, making birth seem normal. As my friends began having their babies, their experiences were often different from my grandmother’s stories. Interventions and even trauma were more likely to be a part of their birth stories. Through supporting them, I became aware of the need for compassionate care for mothers in labor and felt called to provide that support.
My path to becoming a doula took an unexpected turn when my daughter started a kennel raising Golden Retrievers. We jokingly called her the dog midwife, and I was the dog labor support/midwife assistant. While in this supporting role, I heard the word “doula” for the first time and knew this was what I wanted to pursue.
In 2010, my daughter and I attended a DONA International doula training, and I fell in love with the work. Since that time, I have attended births in Uganda, inside and outside of hospitals in the U.S., and have been honored to support women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and their postpartum journey.
Training & Certifications
- DONA Birth Doula CD(DONA)
- DONA Postpartum Doula PCD(DONA)
- Lamaze Childbirth Educator
- Certified Lactation Counselor
- CPR/BLS Infant and Adult
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- Gentle Waterbirth
- Spinning Babies Advanced
- When Survivors Give Birth
- Hugs Your Baby
- Midwifery Workshops
My Experience Includes Supporting
- Unmedicated births
- Medicated births
- Inductions
- C-sections (credentialed to attend)
- High-risk pregnancies
- VBAC+
- Adoption and fertility-assisted births
- Clients with trauma history
“Marcie was such an integral part of our birth. Throughout the pregnancy she was helping us gain the tools needed for labor, birth, and postpartum. And when it was time for our daughter to come, she was so helpful in navigating what to do. We also really appreciated her lactation and postpartum check ins. We would book her all over again and plan to use her if we have another child.” Megan W.
Community Involvement and Honors
Volunteer at Jackson, Mississippi’s First Crisis Pregnancy Center – My role included supporting clients, writing a position paper for the Governor, and conducting a workshop in collaboration with another ministry/non-profit. Because of this work, I was privileged to be named among Outstanding Young Women in America.
Board of Advisors Member for a Local Adoption/Family Support Agency – My role included fundraising, supporting the agency, and participating in policy-making.
Volunteer with Alabama Birth Coalition – My role included raising awareness and funds to pass legislation clearing the way for homebirth midwifery.
Guest Speaker – I have spoken to labor and delivery nursing students about doulas support and midwifery students about childbirth education.
My Philosophy
Birth is one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life. I believe that birth works best when mothers feel safe, supported, and cared for; when they have education; and when they are able to make informed decisions.
As a Postpartum Doula, I encourage a mother’s growth in confidence and trust in her own intuition. I support her husband as he supports his wife, and I support siblings during the transition with a new baby. I believe I have done my job well when the family feels confident as I leave.
As a Childbirth Educator, I believe knowledge is important. Growing a baby, birthing a baby, and feeding a baby are amazing accomplishments! Women deserve to know how their bodies work.
As a Lactation Counselor, breastfeeding deeply matters to mothers, and breastmilk is perfectly designed for babies. Mothers can breastfeed successfully with early, true support—emotional, educational, and physical. When breastfeeding isn’t available, I’m committed to supporting best feeding practices.
When Not Supporting Families
You may find me on my porch with tea and a good book, or working in my garden. I enjoy sewing (but I rarely find the time), knitting, and baking—all therapeutic in their own way. Hiking is therapy, too, and waterfall hikes are always on my bucket list. I will not turn down a trip to the Smoky Mountains (more hiking!), and I don’t get to the beach nearly enough.
My faith is a very important part of who I am. As a ministry, I have a heart for survivors of domestic abuse.
My very favorite thing is spending time with my family and my grandchildren when I can, whom I love with all my heart. Motherhood is the best hood!