Pamela Mitchel

8/6/2014

Big Thanks to Malissa for encapsulating my placenta, answering my zillions of questions and for being so open and honest as well as accommodating my crazy schedule.  This birth was not what I'd imagined and planned for and I definitely needed any little boost possible so having my capsules handy has been good.  Hope I get to work with her again at some point.

Danielle Campacci

7/29/2014

Malissa was a great doula to have right before the birth of our baby boy! She took us through the hypno birthing classes and exceeded all our expectations. Any fears that were looming over us, she so easily adressed and her soft, sweet nature really was reassuring. She provided additional support outside of our classes, answering questions via email/text. She even took the time to follow-up after the birth itself. She knows her stuff and gives you the confidence and strength needed for the labour itself, especially for a first time mother.

If anyone is considering working with Malissa, I strongly recommend her.

Danielle

Marilyn Madjarian

7/26/2014

I HIGHLY recommend having Malissa be your Doula during any pregnancy experience, whether it's your first baby or your fifth! My husband and I used midwife care for our first baby, and as we were got closer to birth, we became less satisfied with the care we were receiving and got quite nervous about which midwife we would end up having at that crucial time.We took Hypnobirthing classes with Malissa, and knew that she was a doula also.As we got closer to birth, we were more positive that we wanted Malissa there with us as our doula, we both loved her fun personality and amazing energy and positivity.She made us feel comfortable, and feel confident in our birth plan and the decisions we were making about our baby and our hopes for the birth. We also liked the idea that she was there to support both of us, so that we could have a better overall experience as a couple as we were first-time parents and the process can be overwhelming and a bit scary.During my labor and delivery, I don't know what we would have done without Malissa! She is AMAZING at what she does, and was a huge part of my experience being successful and positive, despite an awful and traumatizing experience with our midwife.She knew techniques to help me through those tough contractions, and to help my husband practice those with me too for us to bond through the process. I’m happy to say I was able to have my son through natural childbirth with no drugs due to the Hypnobirthing Malissa taught us, and was also helped by her gentle encouragement and support through my labor.I can’t imagine how things would have gone without her there, and the support she gave following a tough birth and with breastfeeding issues was so appreciated and valuable to me.I absolutely plan on having Malissa there for any future babies! Malissa is the best there is, and I hope you choose to have a doula as everyone deserves to feel supported and nurtured during pregnancy and when giving birth!

Shanti Vadnais

2/5/2014

Malissa is a fantastic doula. If you want a dedicated doula who will not leave your side no matter how LONG or short your labor may be...then go with Malissa. I couldn't have been more happy with her. I had a very long, hard, and trying labor and Malissa was with me every step of the way. She is a great support to the mom in labor but also to the dad... Giving them breaks to rest, get food etc...In my 18 hours of active labor I didn't see Malissa go to the bathroom once. She stayed with me the entire time and helped  me get through the most difficult, yet rewarding, day of my life. I couldn't have been more pleased with her. I had chosen the hypnobirthing method for my labor and Malissa helped me focus on breathing properly and staying calm and relaxed. I also had taken her hypnobirthing class where I learned a lot about my body, labor, and it really helped me prepare for the birth. Malissa also visited me twice before and after the delivery. I cannot rave enough about her! Go with Malissa if you need a doula!

Michelle Mallard

12/2/2013

Kristin Ouimet

7/1/2013

I had a doula with baby #2 and it really helped me through the labour and birth so when I found out I was pregnant with baby #3 I knew I needed to find the right doula again to help support me through this one. The day I met Malissa I knew she was the right doula for me. I love how she was in continuous contact throughout my pregnancy and met with my husband and I several times before the birth. When I was in early labour, Malissa came over and set up a birthing pool and helped clean everything up afterwards which was a huge help after my home birth. Malissa's support and presence during my entire labour and birth helped me achieve my goals of a natural childbirth at home even though I thought I couldn't do it. Malissa is a wonderful doula and friend and I am so happy to have met her!

Coco G

5/13/2013

When a friend suggested that I look into hypnobirthing, I thought that she was joking. I decided to humour her by reading about it online. About midway through my pregnancy, I asked my midwives about it and received very positive feedback.

My husband and I decided to take Malissa Baldwin’s class. I am glad that we decided to go with hypnobirthing. Malissa was a very good instructor. She provided important information, but also kept the atmosphere light. She is very easy to approach, answered our questions, educated us on our options and really helped to take the fear out of the birthing process.

I felt much empowered after taking hypnobirthing classes and enjoyed interacting with the members of our group. We still meet every month or two to catch up.

Thankfully, my husband and I had a positive birth experience. There were no interventions required and I was relieved to give birth to our very first child in the comfort of our home. It surprised me how shocked people were to hear that I gave birth at home “by choice”. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but Malissa’s class works great for whatever option the couple is comfortable with (home or hospital).

The breathing techniques I learned were very helpful throughout each phase of labour. I was so calm that my midwives didn’t believe I was in active labour, even though my contractions had been coming 5 minutes apart for well over an hour. Only one midwife was able to make it before our baby was born. She said that I did great, listened well and worked really well with her (especially since she was on her own). By the time the second midwife arrived, my baby girl was born and we were bonding.

I believe that things went so well because I had faith in God, was well informed and had learned the hypnobirthing techniques that I needed to get through each phase. I appreciate the role that Malissa played in our experience.

Natalie Seres

5/1/2013

My Husband and I signed up for a Hypno-birthing course with Malissa as our instructor.  Malissa was so calming friendly and down to earth.  I liked her from the moment I met her.  I later found out through a class discussion that she was a doula.  I knew right then, that having her by our side through labour would be an envaluable experience.  I knew that she would be able to keep me focussed, relaxed and calm through my labour and help guide my husband through the process with ease.  This is exactly what she did.

When I first went into labour, although I was excited to meet my baby, I was feeling anxious about my labour and delivery.  As soon as Malissa came over to "coach" me, my mood lightened, and I felt calm and relaxed.  She helped me focuss on my baby and work with my bodies rythme. My labour was long but smooth and drug free.  I laboured so well that my midwife said it was hard to tell how close to delivery I was. I was talkative, and alert in between contractions (surges), and quiet and focussed when having one. I had a natural birth experience, which is exactly what I always envisioned.

Post partum, Malissa was absolutly amazing!  I called her quite a few times in the middle of the night with questios about breastfeeding.  She was such a great support system for our family at this time.  I found breast feeding difficult at first.  Our son was having trouble latching and he had a bit of reflux.  Malissa came over and helped me.  She watched me nurse, and helped guide me with latching and positions.  She even lent me books and DVD's as resorces to help me through the first few weeks.  I can't wait until we have the opportunity to have Malissa as our Doula again.

Scott L

9/13/2012

Nicole

9/10/2012

Randi Mayor

9/9/2012

Jessica Fung

9/7/2012

Malissa is a terrific doula. I had postpartum anxiety and did not feel I could be alone with my then 6-week old daughter. Malissa helped me develop my parenting skills and thus improve my confidence. She is very knowledgeable and experienced. With her guidance, I was able to better interpret and anticipate my baby's needs, especially for sleeping or feeding. Malissa also gave me a much-needed push to get out of the house with baby in tow, to start meeting up with friends, and to start grocery shopping and cooking again-- you know, start getting back to normal. But she never pushed me too far or too hard, only when she knew I could do it but just was too scared or didn't want to. I would greatly recommend Malissa to anyone who needs help growing into their new role as parent, or anyone who just needs a helping hand or break.

Nicola Millar

9/7/2012

 I was quite apprehensive about bringing somebody into my home after having my twin boys in terms of trust, confidence and capabilities. However, after meeting Malissa, I found her to be calm, experienced and capable both from her work as a doula and her own experience of being a mother of 4.   I've now known Malissa for 8 months and my boys love her.  She's interactive and fun and brings new ideas into the house which is great for my boys and she's reliable and trustworthy which is important to me.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Malissa to other clients since for me and my family, she's been wonderful. 

Melanie Mullen

7/8/2012

Rain M

10/22/2011

 Malissa supported our family during our first baby delivery. She is caring, respectful and knowledgeable. She really helped to us at ease. You can rely on her advice to ensure a positive birthing experience. She is a good listener and communicator. She respected my birthing plan and helped to communicate the details with the medical professionals to ensure my positive birthing experience. She also supported us in the postpartum period, when I found it to be challenging to breastfeed. My husband and I are very grateful for her support in this important transition in our lives.

Jeannine S

10/18/2011

My husband and I  had an excellent experience with Malissa.  We felt well prepared for labour and her recommended techniques helped me cope.  Most of all, having her present for the birth of my daughter was the greatest comfort and assurance that I would have my birth experience as positive as possible.  She is a warm and caring person and her presence during my labour & birth really put me at ease.  Her work as a doula is invaluable and I am so happy to have met Malissa.  I look forward to staying in touch with her.

Stefanie Clark

10/9/2011

Malissa was an amazing doula!

For our first child we didn't have a doula. For our second, we did (in a different city). I knew that a doula was necessary for our third. I found Malissa through the recommendation of another doula. I was concerned about finding a wonderful doula, as I felt  had been lucky in stumbling across a good match in our first doula experience. In our initial emails and first meeting, my concerns were eliminated - I found Malissa to be an amazing and knowledgable doula!

She was reasonable in her costs, and very helpful leading up to the birth. She was in constant contact, and even gave me recipes for smoothies to boost my iron!

While the birth was not what I expected (and probably not what she expected!), she fulfilled her role far beyond any expectations that I had. We got on quite well, and she even put up with my husband! She seemed to fall into her role seamlessly and was knowledgable and invested in making the experience a pleasant one.

It truly was a great experience, and I have no doubt that Malissa's presence and help contributed immensely to a great day of labour!

Thanks Malissa!

Kyla Sherman

6/27/2011

 From the first interview i had with her i knew she was the Doula i wanted. She was very smart and already seemed to care about my wellbeing and showed me ways to keep in school while being pregnant/parenting. She was fully on my side with not doing any interventions which was very important to me. She was always very knowledegable and any question i had at any time she would answer right away which kept me from being stressed out during my pregnancy. And even after i had the baby she has kept in contact with me incase i have any questions. I feel like i didnt just have a Doula, like i have a new friend too who has helped me so much with everything. In the hospital she explained everything to me so i could understand and she knew exactly how to manage each pain i had. She was a really amazing doula and i couldnt imagine going through all of this without her there by my side. I'm very thankful i had the chance to meet her and have her as my Doula and i really think she is one of the best doulas i have met throughout this expereicne.

-Kyla

Nicole La Roche

3/3/2011

Hello there,

I have to say that my experience getting a Doula to support me throughout my birth experience was truly the best investment I've ever made. Having Malissa in close contact with me, providing me with useful reading materials,  literally holding my hand through my contractions and labour made my complicated birth experience less stressful than it could have been.

My baby came a bit earlier than expected and Malissa was there to help me remain as calm as possible and to help me "work through" my contractions to get them closer together. Although I had an emergency c-section in the end, it was important to have Malissa's expertise on hand to guide me through some very important decisions that would impact me and my baby. She was even there with me during the c-section!
 

In a nutshell, Malissa has a very patient, down-to-earth approach that made my partner and I very comfortable. She is accessible, compassionate, warm and a great listener. I really felt as though I had known her for years! I would highly recommend her to other women and men who want the additional support to ensure they have a more informed, pleasant, memorable birthing experience. Having a Doula like Malissa on hand put us at ease, no matter how things turned out. I am so grateful that she was there, regardless of the delivery outcome. I would definitely use her again, should we decide to have more babies. Thanks Malissa!