It’s taken me a long time to sit down and write this simply because I don’t feel like I could ever find the right words to express how deeply thankful we are to have had Melissa with us during the pregnancy and birth process.

From our very first digital meeting I could tell that Melissa was the kind of person who was truly holistic in their approach, trusting both scientific evidence as well as sacred wisdom passed down through the ages. At our first in-person meeting she came with a bag with crystals, research articles, exercises, and more. Each item was thoughtfully chosen and incredibly appreciated. It was extremely important to me was that our doula understood that my husband was my #1 support person, Melissa completely understood that and was there to support us as a unit, I never felt like she stepped into his space or role.

I had planned on an unmedicated hospital birth. Melissa helped me think through why that was what I wanted and I felt so supported as I prepared. As we approached the due date she was quick to text back and was always ready with a funny GIF, laughter really is the best medicine (especially when you’re super impatient.)

After about 24 hours of labor, my contractions began an abnormal pattern and I no longer felt like I could continue unmedicated. I asked for an epidural and even though everyone knew that wasn’t part of my plan, she was so in tune with me that not for a moment did I feel like she didn’t believe me or support me when I changed my mind. She was there to support my husband when he had to leave the room while the epidural was put in and encouraged us to rest while it worked it’s magic.

My birth experience was very different from what I had planned but because of Melissa I can look back on it and smile knowing that I was well informed and fully supported the whole time.

And now I’m out of space. I wish I could say more.

-Liz

Many things shared with Melissa during my labor and birth expeirence will stay with me but one that I will never forget is at hour 26 of labor. I’d yet to get an epidural and we were both sure I was hitting transition. I couldn’t catch my breath because of the intensity of the contractions and fear started to creep into my exhausted mind. Melissa locked eyes with me and told me to breath in such a way that she had my full attention. I didn’t see the room, or hear the people moving about, or feel my husbands hands on my shoulders. She locked eyes with me and we breathed together through each contraction. In that moment I was still again, albiet in pain, but still. We breathed together for the next hour. I was sitting on the edge of the bed and she was sitting on the floor doing counter pressure to my feet and we breathed. That was the saving grace moment in the final stretches of the journey to meet my baby.

All the prep before labor (I was induced at 41wks), the promptness of her arrivel to the hosptial at 230am, the lavendar oils she set about the room to get rid of my vomit smell, her helpful hand as we walked around the room, her strong counter pressure moves to my hips, back and feet all helped so much. But that hour of breathing together will stay with me forever. In total my labor was 31hrs, I requested an epidural at hour 27, slept for the following 3hours, then woke and pushed for 10minutes and got to meet my baby.

I know that hiring Melissa to be with my husband and I during our journey to meet our daughter was the correct decision. I know her knowledge and skill helped me acheive my birthing goals. I know her backpack of “all the things” helped me during my 31hrs of labor. She nourished me with labor-aid, rubbed my sore back, kept me hydrated, kept me moving, helped me into positions to help my baby drop and engage, and gave my hubby all the support he needed as well. Thank you Melissa, so much.

-Natasha

We had Melissa recently help with the birth of our first daughter a few weeks ago in October. Originally we didn’t think we needed a birth doula, but as we got closer to the due date we realized that we wanted to prioritize having a great birth experience so that we would be fine to have our second in the future. Melissa was fantastic and wonderfully supportive – we are so glad that we decided to have her!

We had a great talk immediately over our first Zoom meeting, and Melissa was in constant contact and was highly involved in my updates about our daughter’s status in the weeks prior to my due date. It was a struggle as the OBs recommended earlier induction, but Melissa helped to provide us as much educational material as she could to help us make the decision.

In the end, we induced a few days prior to my due date, and she was there for us as soon as we needed her at the hospital. Even though it was our first time meeting in person, I felt as if we were close already – I can’t say how much I appreciate that she also helped my husband in keeping us relaxed, and was there to also hold my hand and coach me while pushing!

Melissa genuinely loves what she does, and we definitely felt her deep commitment to making sure our experience went well.

–  Emily & Andrew

Melissa is a fantastic birthworker!

My partner and I didn’t have any support with our first and so with our second (and being trained as a doula myself) I knew I wanted to have a doula with us. After a few different meetings with other doulas, we met with Melissa and we clicked instantly. She was always available for questions and incredibly helpful throughout my pregnancy. She is very knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth but also reproductive healthcare in general. My partner and I greatly appreciated her expertise!

Throughout the labor and birth, even as our baby needed a little extra medical care, Melissa supported me, kept me focused and calm, and stayed near me as long as she could as my partner went with baby to the NICU. We could not have done any of it without her incredible support.

Melissa is a gem and I highly highly recommend her services.

– Abigail

I cannot say enough amazing things about having Melissa be a part of our pregnancy and birth experience. I always knew that I wanted a birthworker to assist my husband and I through the process. After going through some medical trauma when I was younger, I didn’t want my birth to feel like a scary medical experience. It was important for my husband & I to find someone who would be able to advocate for me, take the fear out of the medical environment, work with my husband to be a great birthing partner & who valued science/evidence based information for pregnancy and labor. Melissa checks ALL of these boxes.

From our first meeting, we knew that Melissa was someone we would be comfortable working with. They were so easy to talk to. During each visit, they were informational, thoughtful & provided us with tons of tools to feel confident as we approached labor. In between visits, they provided us with articles, book recommendations, and quick answers to any questions we had.

When my water broke, our midwife recommended we head to the hospital to be induced. Even though this wasn’t part of our plan, Melissa gave us assurance that we had a choice in every step of the way: from going to the hospital when WE felt comfortable, to encouraging us to ask for a rest period before starting pitocin, to making sure the nurse informed us each time they changed care. Melissa arrived at 11:00 PM & was a burst of energy, equipped with twinkle lights, essential oils, a homemade electrolyte drink &a menu of positions to find comfort in. Throughout our 11 hours of labor, Melissa was such a calm presence. When I think of labor, I think of my husband behind me& Melissa in front of me, giving affirmations & holding my hand through each contraction. She helped make my unmedicated birth possible.

I couldn’t imagine giving birth without Melissa. We both appreciated her so much & would recommend her to anyone.

– Courtney