Marissa Farrell Doula Profile

I chose Marissa as my Doula for my twin pregnancy. Marissa supported my pregnancy as a miraculous event and not just a medical event. As a first time mother I often dreaded my monthly (and then bi-weekly) ultra-sounds as the physicians never passed up an opportunity to remind me that because I was having twins I was "high risk."
Marissa was a wonderful resource and she always had helpful suggestions for my pregnancy ailments. I took her pre and post natal fitness class through my pregnancy and it allowed me to connect with other area mothers and stay fit. She is a wonderful teacher who customized the work out for each expectant and new mother. I even attended her class the day I went into labor, which was my 38th week!
Marissa met with us twice before the big day. She helped us develop a birth plan and she worked with me on my fears for my labor and babies. She made a lot of helpful suggestions that we would have otherwise been clueless about. Most importantly, she invested the time to understand me. It was wonderful to have someone develop a custom labor coaching plan that suited me so well.
My husband would not have had a break to eat or shower had Marissa not been there by our side during labor. Whenever I made a decision regarding my care Marissa was supportive. When the nurses and doctors used medical jargon she translated for me. You don’t realize how many people come and go during your labor. Shifts change. To look up and have a familiar face is so reassuring. Someone who has been through it before and can tell you you’re going to be fine.
Marissa stayed to help me nurse my babies and has since come to meet with me to review my labor. She is always a text, call, or email away when I need support, guidance, or advice.
I was so blessed to find Marissa. With her help and support I became a mother to 2 very healthy baby girls.
 

My husband and I wholeheartedly recommend Marissa as a doula. Marissa provided knowledgeable, compassionate support through every stage of pregnancy, labor, and recovery.

Marissa came to our home in the middle of the night when active labor kicked in, and helped us determine the right time to head to the hospital. We planned for a natural birth, and Marissa was a strong partner through 24+ hours of labor. She provided guidance about what was happening and why, physical support through various positions, and emotional support through a lengthy labor.

Because of the way my son was positioned, I eventually had a c-section. Marissa helped us navigate this development and cope with the reality that our birth wasn’t going according to plan. She helped us work with the hospital staff to maintain aspects of our plan that were still possible—like skin-to-skin contact immediately following the birth. My husband stayed with our son from the moment he was born, and Marissa joined me in the operating room as surgery was completed.

Our labor took us through 3 shifts at the hospital, and Marissa was a constant presence and great partner. Marissa worked extremely well with the hospital staff; her knowledge and competency engendered mutual respect.

Before meeting Marissa, my husband was a bit skeptical about the idea of hiring a doula. After the birth, he said he couldn’t imagine going through it without her. One of the things that makes Marissa special is that she spends time getting to know you and understanding how you work as a couple so that she can tailor labor support to you personally. So while she has a great deal of knowledge, she also has a strong intuition and is able to relate effectively on a highly personal level. We are grateful for her support and happily recommend Marissa!
 

I think the thing that really  struck my husband and me right away was how responsive she is. She's very quickly observant at many levels: about each individual personally, about their relationships, and about everyone's emotional and physical needs. And, she is very quick with help at all of those levels - in the form of caring and thoughtful words, helpful actions, and insightful information.

One of the most important examples was helping Arrin (my husband) feel like he was still the primary supporter of the birth, and that she was supporting him. He mentioned how great she was at realizing when he needed a break, or food, or encouragement/information about what was happening.

For me, I was amazed at the wealth of information that she was able to provide at our pre- and post-birth meetings. From herbal remedies and massage techniques, to writing a birth plan, to medical procedures I might be asked to consider for myself or my baby, to baby care basics, she always had rich perspectives on any topic I asked her about - a great resource for a first-time mom. I had considerable difficulties healing and breastfeeding afterward and appreciated her continued support and availability (she proactively checked in on me regularly). I knew so much more, and felt so much better, whenever we spoke. She also seemed to be a "baby whisperer" - only now at 10 weeks do I come close to her ability to immediately soothe my daughter!

I liked that despite all that she knows, she was careful to inform me so that I could make my own decisions rather than push a particular point of view.

Perhaps this is standard, but I was also impressed at the care she took in details and arrangements - such as lining up a very experienced doula from Cambridge Hospital as a replacement in case I went into labor 3 weeks early during her 4-day pre-arranged vacation.
 

We felt very lucky to have Marissa as our doula!  We originally were not planning on a natural childbirth, but with Marissa's encouragement and techniques we pulled it off beautifully!  We felt truly taken care of both before the birth and during the labor as she helped ease a lot of our anxieties.  We would definitely recommend her services!