Mali Munch Hawthorne Doula Profile

Wow, where to begin.

I found Mali (pronounced Molly, I didn't know until she left a voicemail on my phone. Thank goodness, or else I wouldve sounded silly calling her "Mally") on DoulaMatch not really knowing what to expect. I had never known anyone that used a doula. After finding her & shooting a few emails back & forth we set up a meeting day. From the moment I met her I was instantly comfortable. We chatted about my husband who was underway on his boat at the time; my annoying dog, Frankie, who wouldn't stop sniffing her because she has cats; & what exactly a doula was there for. We made a birth plan & talked about my wishes during my journey.

When I went into labor Mali made the 90 minute trip to my house and IMMEDIATELY started giving counter-pressure on my back where my little monster was pressing into my spine. When we were in the hospital she gave me the confidence to assert myself to the doctors & nurses & not be shy. I felt more confident in her abilities to deliver my child than the "professionals". She was really there for me AND the health of the baby whereas, the doc & nurses were only concerned about getting that baby out of me as fast as they could. My husband & I are young (21) & have recently moved here. We didnt know anybody & were kind of freaking out about doing this alone. I honestly believe my hospital birth wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did without Mali. I can't say enough good things about her. She has so much knowledge about ALL things baby. Pre and post natal. She's the first person I go to with a question about my little one. My next birth will be at home and only attended by my husband, a midwife, & Mali. I highly recommend her and hope that you will choose her to be a part of your birth!

I met Mali for the first time as I moved into transition during my incredibly speedy, 4 hour long labor.  She had been sent by the doula we had been working with, who was attending another (much slower) birth.

I do not remember meeting Mali, to be honest.  This is what I do remember:  Mali threw herself into my son's birth.  She became immediately indespensible as part of my support team.  i trusted her instantly, and she literally became my right hand woman.  I wouldn't let her leave my side for anything.

She was totally in our experience, heart and soul.  She watched me hemmorage all over my ankles before we were ever facebook friends and she didn't cringe for a moment.  She helped me get my first good latch with a brand new baby.  She stayed for hours after the birth and answered all of our million questions. 

She rocks.  Highly recommended.

I am so glad Mali was available to be my doula and help at my birth! She held my hand while I crushed it and knew just what to do to help calm me down and keep me focused. Her ante partum work was really helpful too in getting me into the right space and just having someone to talk to. I can't recommend her highly enough!

Mali was my main post-partum doula for about 6 weeks after the birth of my twins.  She was a wonderful caregiver to my kids--really adored them and was so gentle and responsive--and a great resource for me.  Mali is very knowledgeable about infant development and care and helped me find many solutions to caring for my babies.  She is also a very kind, generous, and funny person with a breadth of knowledge and variety of interests and experiences that made it enjoyable to have her as part of my family for the time she was with us.  I would highly recommend her!

What a great and wonderful experience! Mali is a wonderful doula - we  used her for both our birth and postpartum care afterwards.  We had a homebirth and we truely think Mali was a big factor in everything going so smoothly.  At one point Jackie kept saying she wanted to give up and I would have paniced and wanted to go to the hospital if Mali hadn't walked us through a "birth" during a pre-natal appointment.  Our son is big and healthy, but didn't want to sleep morethan an hour at a time.  We didn't need help with breastfeeding (also due to Mali's pre-birth help, we think) but we sure did need that extra sleep that we got when she did postpartum work. 

Additionally she set up payments with us so we could work her into our budget.  When we have another child Mali will be a part of our birth plan!

-Robert & Jackie Masonville

jackiemayjunk@yahoo.com

Mali is a great doula for my first birth in the US!  She was very helpfull and explained everything well. My daughter was very early and Mali helped me not be scared. Also I had no drugs which I think was due to her help. Thank you Mali! 

Mali was the doula for the birth of my son, and she was wonderful. In addition to being there for the actual labor, she did several pre-labor visits to discuss my preferences for birth, and post-birth visits to give advice on baby care, breastfeeding, or whatever questions I had.

I had a very long pre-labor, and she came over early, before I could go into the birth center.   My "actual" labor was very short, and Mali could tell before the midwife that I was ready to push.  It was SO helpful to have her there during the most intense part of labor.  (And I had no medication of any sort.)  It also really took the pressure off my husband to have someone knowledgeable there to support me during the process.   And in addition, she served as our doula for a price that fit our budget.  I would be happy to discuss Mali with anyone considering her services!

I truly believe my dream birth experience could not have been possible without Mali. She understood how important it was for me to have an all natural child birth. Her encouragement through my pregnancy and calm and assuring attitude gave me confidence in my body's capabilities. She had an informed answer for all my endless questions and worries. She helped us achieve the perfect and beautiful birth of our daughter, and will be a part of any more births that may come in our future.

Mali is an amazing dula! She is kind, thoughtful, generous, and truly is there 100%. Although due to complications during my pregnancy which caused me to have a c-section and thus Mali was unable to whitness the birth, she was present with all my questions and concerns before and after the birth of my son. When my son didn't latch on to my breast, Mali helped me try different positions that made easier for both my son and me.  Mali's total dedication to me, my son and my husband made me feel safe and secure. I will definately have her around when I have my second child. Thank you Mali!

Mali was my doula for both my children.

My son was my first baby and I had planned a homebirth with a midwife. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I really had to go poo. When I went into the bathroom and sat down, I reach down and felt his HEAD!!!! My husband was out of town - horrible timing for him! I called Mali and the Midwife and Mali showed up about ten minutes later - just in time to calm me down and catch Aidan as he made his appearance! By the time the midwife got there, there was not really anything for her to do.

My daughter's birth wasn't as dramatic. I knew I was in labor and Mali came over first with a birthball, some hotpacks and just hung out, helped me breath, helped me change positions. Once labor got going the midwife really didn't do that much. Mali really helped my husband be the "doula" for my second birth. For about two weeks after the birth, she stopped by nearly every day. Sometimes she helped me with some breastfeeding issues I was having, other times she just did dishes and cleaned my house so my husband and I could take naps.

One thing I really love about Mali is that it was clear she was there for ME. I have had other friends with other doulas say the doula seemed more interested in taking pictures of the birth or were really more interested in the baby after it was born, but Mali really stuck by ME and made sure I was doing okay.

If I ever have another kid, Mali will be the person I hire.

If you hire her you won't be disappointed!

Feel free to email me if you want a reference!

Mali is an INCREDIBLE doula!  She helped keep my experience calm and cool (as much as possible during labor).  My birth was on Christmas, and she went out of her way to find me the lime popsicles on my birth plan list, when nothing was open.  She knew how to read my signals - when to stay quiet, when I wanted a washcloth on my forehead, everything.  I cannot recommend a doula more highly than Mali!

Mali is so wonderful!!  She is well-versed and completely understands all stages of pregnancy and the birthing process.  Mali is a kind-hearted, compassionate, empathic, very knowledgeable and talented doula.  The only disappointment on my end is the fact that I didn't know her for my first child's birth.  If I ever have another child, Mali would be among the very first I called to notify.  If it weren't for her I would have had a very difficult time making it through natural childbirth with such ease!!  Mali comes with the absolute highest recommendation from me!