Melissa did an amazing job as our doula! From her extensive experience, she is incredibly knowledgeable about the birthing process and how to cope with labor and delivery and all that leads up to that point.

I cannot imagine having been alone with my wife in the hospital without another voice in the room to suggest techniques for dealing with the inevitable discomfort of bringing life into the world. In addition to being knowledgeable, Melissa is empathic, generous, kind, thoughtful, and generally a delight to have as an acquaintance. I highly recommend Melissa as a doula.

I am so thankful for Melissa's role in the birth of our little one! We had to transfer from our planned birth center delivery to the hospital due to premature rupture of membranes. Melissa offered sweet encouragement and helpful tips as my husband and I checked into the hospital in very early labor. She joined us right as I started pitocin, and the energy of the room immediately changed. I went from passively experiencing contractions to actively moving and working through them with Melissa's guidance. She showed my husband how to offer comfort measures like massage and focused pressure. Her steady presence and calm demeanor helped ground us as we decided to pivot from the plan and receive an epidural. During pushing, she quietly encouraged my husband to be actively involved, and I am so grateful for the memories of him being a cheerleader for me during 3+ hours of pushing. I loved working with Melissa and would highly recommend her as a doula!

I cannot recommend Melissa enough. She helped make my first birth experience one I will remember and cherish - even though it was the hardest thing I have ever done! Because of her help, I have sweet memories from labor and delivery I would not otherwise have.

 I honestly would not have been able to complete my preference of a natural child birth without her. My husband and I stated after the fact, without Melissa, our experience would have been a disaster. Because of Melissa's coaching, we now have irreplaceable memories of leaning on one another and working together to bring our first child into the world. 

For clarity, we chose Melissa's "Birth Doula" package. She met with us twice before delivery to think through birth preferences, develop a birth plan, learn coping movements/exercises, and discuss post-partum care. She helped me advocate for my preferences while working with a traditional medical team (we did a natural childbirth in the hospital). My medical team thought she was amazing. She was a calm, knowledgeable presence throughout the birthing process. When my contractions stalled, she coached through different exercises to help them pick back up. She helped me stay focused to the end, even in the flurry right before the baby comes.

Another point I think worth mentioning is Melissa's kindness and compassion. I did not feel like just a client or job. Prior to my delivery window, Melissa would check in on me and ecnourage me.  She did the same post-delivery. Her kindness and care brought immense comfort to me prior to but especially during labor and delivery. In the end, I would recommend Melissa every time someone wanted a doula. If my husband and I do get pregnant again, without hesitation, I would hire Melissa again. She truly made the birthing experience one of the most incredible moment(s) of my life in the best way. I can't write all the wonderful things I think, but hope this highlighted a few of the high points.