Lindsay Jefferson

12/1/2024

My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Dawn as our doula. As first-time parents, we had a lot of uncertainty about how to best prepare for having a baby; even with copious amounts of research it's hard to know what you don't know. Having never given birth, I was also very nervous about the birthing process and recovery postpartum. Dawn was invaluable in making us feel prepared and comfortable throughout the entire prenatal through postpartum recovery process. Ahead of the birth, she listened carefully to our concerns and preferences, worked with us to pull together a birth plan, promptly answered any questions we had, and shared practical tips that made our lives easier once the baby came. I was exceedingly grateful for Dawn once I was in labor, as her years of experience really came through in the hospital in helping me be as comfortable as possible throughout labor, giving advice for different decisions that arose, and being a coach when it came time to push. Once our baby was here, she helped me with breastfeeding, frequently checked in on us, and was an open resource whenever we had questions arise.

I can’t recommend Dawn enough to those who are considering having a doula for their birth. She has a down-to-earth style, calming presence, and years of experience that all helped us be as comfortable as we could in taking on becoming parents. After our experience I recommend getting a doula (especially if it’s Dawn) to all first-time parents! Peace of mind and having someone informed advocating for you is invaluable =)

Mrs. James-Brown

6/10/2024

The experience that we had with Dawn was phenomenal. I knew that I wanted a doula after having my first child. I thought that I could get the experience that I wanted with just having a midwife and that was a huge mistake. For my 2nd I had a student midwife and the experience was better than my first but still not what I wanted. With my 3rd and last baby I found and met with Dawn one week before giving birth. She was communicative, responsive and hands on. She listened to what I wanted and I received just that. Having Dawn allowed my husband to just be present in the moment and took ALL of the stress off of him. I am not lying when I say during my birthing experience Dawn was more "useful" than my husband. She coached, encouraged and provided the hands on relief that I needed. I labored naturally for 10 hours and was able to catch my beautiful baby girl when she made her debut.
If you are on the fence about hiring Dawn as a doula my advice is: Do it! Don't let the idea of the cost deter you because the experience you get from having Dawn is priceless. I am a very demanding person and she was great about everything. I was able to accomplish ALL of my goals- goals that I had since my first- and I credit Dawn for that.

Marissa

6/13/2023

Dawn's support throughout was wonderful!  I knew I was in capable hands as soon as we met and it is no surprise to me that my body felt comfortable enough to go into labor not even a day later.  I wanted to prepare for all the what-if scenarios after my first birth had a curveball.  Fortunately this one was smooth and I felt grounded and confident knowing Dawn was there.  When I called her at 4 a.m. when my water broke she provided great guidance, and throughout that day and thereafter.  Follow-up care during the postpartum visit included critical lactation support and the suggestions Dawn made were game changers for my breastfeeding more effectively this time around.  I was so grateful for Dawn's support!

Marissa P.

6/6/2023

Dawn's support throughout was wonderful.  I knew I was in very capable hands as soon as we met and it is no surprise to me that my body felt comfortable enough to go into labor not even a day later.  I wanted to prepare for all the what-if scenarios after my first birth had a curveball.  Fortunately, this one was smooth and I felt grounded and confident knowing Dawn was there.  When I called her at 4 a.m. when my water broke she provided great guidance, and throughout that day and thereafter.  Follow-up care during the postpartum visit centered around lactation support and the suggestions she made were game changers for my breastfeeding more effectively this time around.

Tosin Oke

5/16/2021

I had been on the fence about having a doula and covid made it so that a doula wasn't even an option. Thank goodness closer to the end of my pregnancy hospital rules changed and doulas were allowed. Dawn was so amazing during my pregnancy as well as during my labor. She was supportive and stayed up with me and reassured me all through the process. I was more thankful to have her than my actual support person! She has also been amazing AFTER my delivery, helping with advice as well as checking on mine and baby's well being and mental health. With the help as well as the community provided by Hands of Melody, I'm able to have support from other mothers, Doulas, and women who have gone through the same thing. I'd recommend her for any woman having a child but especially for the first time moms out there.

Jennie

5/14/2021

After my first, long, traumatic birth, I knew I wanted a doula for the second birth. I called and interviewed with many wonderful doulas and organizations. Dawn was a great fit for us. She was calmer than any other doula I spoke to over the phone. She asked so many pertinent questions when my mind was drawing a blank as how to form a birth plan or identify what did or didn't want. She was wonderfully patient as we had to wait a little longer since we were unsure whether a C-section would be needed or not. Thankfully, it wasn't.  Dawn was consistent and kind to check in regularly about my appointments and ask how I was doing. At the delivery she arrived right on time and was prepared for everything. She helped me through all the different stages and the induction stages. Mostly, I loved that someone informed and highly experienced and familiar with me was there for me to ask anything during the labor. It felt more personal and comforting. Her postpartum visit was also I credibly helpful. Again asking questions I didn't think of but I definitely needed help with, from good latching, proper swaddling, help soothing him at night, to debriefing about the labor. She's truly wonderful, and I would highly recommend her services. 

Kahliah Cunningham

3/23/2020

My experience with Dawn was more than perfect! I'm a first time mom so I had no clue what to expect during labor. Dawn was there EVERY step of the way. She was exceedingly helpful, so kind and also knowledgeable! My family & I fell in love with her. She has a comfortable and positive energy which made us feel as if she was a member of our family. Dawn stayed with me from the very beginning of my labor (10am) until hours after the baby was born and I was settled in and ready for bed (11pm). She even came the very next day to drop off a card and gift for my little one. Dawn YOURE TRULY A BLESSING & wonderful at what you do. Thank you again! 

Dianez Pilon

2/27/2020

I am pleased to share my experience with Dawn during pregnancy and birth. First, overall, it was an absolute pleasure to work with her. My husband and I met her during my pregnancy for the initial meeting, then a second visit to discuss the birth plan.She also kept in contact via text to ask how I was doing. She is non-judgmental and open to all birth plan ideas. Dawn is quiet, relaxed and a positive demeanor during all of our conversations. It put me at ease because I'm, at times, anxious, and I have an insatiable need to plan out everything. She is also a mother. While that is not required experience to have an excellent doula, I believe it added to her success in being the support we, my husband and I, needed during birth. During labor and birth, She had an instinct for what to do and when to do it. I did not have to ask!!! It was simply done with this quick, silent ninja-like execution. Having never been in labor before, I quickly found how much I loved her method. I was not interested in a bunch of chitchat and was not managing anything other than the contractions.The rest of our birth team had to divide their time between me and another woman who had just given birth. That made her the steady support I needed, and it gave my husband a much needed break. Dawn made ALL the difference in helping to bring our son into the world. I can't recommend her enough.  

Meridith

10/4/2019

We had Dawn as our doula for the birth of our 2nd child in early August (2019). She was amazing! From the time we met her at a Meet the Doula night in July through our delivery and weeks following, she’s been steady, calm and full of great insight. She’s got great tips for trying new positions and keeping your cool. Because of Dawn, we had a remarkably better experience compared to our first child’s birth. Dawn fit in seamlessly with our OB and the nurse on call. The three of them were truly the best team we could have asked for and miracles do happen — as I was still able to get an epidural despite being fully dilated and already pushing. Thank you NOVA Birth Partners! I will recommend the group to friends and family.