Melissa Van Dam Doula Profile

Melissa's doula services were invaluable. Prior to labour, she helped guide us in making decisions about our birth plan and gave us resources on preparing for labour. There are so many things to think about for your birth plan and she helped provide us with resources and gave us relaxation techniques to practice to prepare for labour. During labour the relaxation techniques she provided were so helpful and my husband knew just what to do to help me. However, once the contractions got stronger I was starting to lose focus and my husband wasn't sure what to do or say to me. She helped me to breathe through each contraction and kept reminding me that soon I would get to meet my little man. She was so helpful in ensuring that I stayed focused and that we were able to have the kind of birth that we planned for. Melissa also stayed after the delivery to help with breastfeeding and make sure that we were comfortable with our new little one. The first week we had a lot of breastfeeding issues and Melissa came by to help as well as provide resources to help ensure that breastfeeding was successful. I highly recommend using a doula for labour, and Melissa's knowledge and caring nature make her a great one!

After meeting Melissa, I knew she was a perfect match for me. She is very confident & knowledgeable in so many things. Any concerns I had, Melissa gave me options to consider that I didn't know about. She sent emails with info to research online, gave me printed materials and resources, and also gave encouragement and ideas from her own experiences. She helped me form my birth plan to include possibilities I hadn't known about or considered. When labour began, Melissa came to support me as soon as I needed her. She was so calm and supportive. She was a great help also to my husband, reassuring or explaining things to him when I couldn't. Melissa was always there; a step ahead of us, prepared for everything. I was able to stay home much longer than I had anticipated, only spending 3 hours labouring in hospital. When I started to lose energy and will, Melissa was always reminding me that I was enduring the experience I had wanted. She helped me stay focused, talked me through the different stages of my labour, and reminded me of my options. She gave my husband advice on helping me cope, and showed him methods of physically supporting me. Once my baby was born, I was amazed that I had actually accomplished the natural birth I wanted. I know I couldn't have coped so well without Melissa's guidance. She also gave us the wonderful surprise of many gorgeous photos that captured our son's first moments. Bonding with my baby was much easier this time; as was my recovery. Melissa visited me in the weeks after Ruben's birth, to give me support with breastfeeding and any other help she could. I truly appreciate Melissa more than I ever imagined I would, and I highly reccomend her to anyone looking for support in their pregnancy, birth, and early days with their newborns.