Deanna was our post-partum doula for our first birthing experience, she supported us four of the first six nights we were home with our daughter. From our first conversation with her we were impressed by her compassion for supporting families with the birth of their children. As first time parents we were looking for someone to help us with the transition home with a new baby. Our goals in working with a postpartum doula were to let Mom focus on getting some sleep in the first few days (important for many reasons including reducing chances of depression) and have additional support for breastfeeding and basic baby care. 

The first few days home were the hardest and Deanna made our transition easier. She provided lactation support and feedback on breast feeding strategies, sitting with Mom while she fed during the night to provide guidance and encouragement. She also specifically supported and encouraged Dad with various calming techniques, building both parents’ confidence and comfort with our baby each day she was here. And her wonderful personality helped us relax from the anxiety of being new parents.

We appreciated that Deanna was flexible with our schedule and felt she went out of her way to help us when we asked her to change the amount of time she was supporting us. 

Before working with Deanna, we were unsure about the necessity of having a postpartum doula. Now we would highly recommend it. Overall, having Deanna’s support during the first week home ensured a smoother transition to being parents, physically and mentally. Deanna’s support not only allowed us to get more sleep the nights she was here, but also helped ease our early concerns and questions and built our confidence. We would recommend working with Deanna to anyone who is considering a postpartum doula especially first time parents. 

I don't know what I would have done without Melissa! She was with us during the entire delivery, but of course her help started way before then in the form of pre-birth consultation. We called her when my contractions were strong enough, late in the evening, and she was there for me, and for us, for almost 24 hours, with seemingly infinite energy. My delivery was not easy, but I felt safe the whole time. She has a calming presence, which both guided me according to my birth plan, at the same time she created the mental space to accept that I ended up having a C-section despite all my efforts and plans. She helped me feel happiness instead of something else when I finally held my baby in my hands. As a bonus, during one of her postpartum visits she managed to massage away my persistent, nursing-related backache. Melissa is a treasure!