Rebekah

11/14/2024

Melissa was a seamless part of my birth team, and she was helpful, supportive, and adaptable as she supported me through a 30+ hour labor that started at a birth center and ended at the hospital. I can’t say enough good things about her, and both my midwife and the hospital nurse commented to me how great she was.
I highly recommend Melissa for those looking for a doula, and I hope to have her with me for any future births I might have. 

Marissa Soong

11/7/2024

If you're second guessing whether or not to hire Melissa as your doula, let this be your sign that you definitely should. Melissa showed up for my husband and I during my very unusual and irregular labor with such incredible grace, patience, and knowledge. When our home birth turned into an emergency c section, she advocated for us so well at the hospital, and that provided my husband and I with tremendous relief during a very stressful time. Having Melissa be part of your birth team will, without a doubt, be one of the best decisions you make! I am truly so thankful for her, and all the support she has provided for us! 

Brigid Sanchez

9/13/2024

I cannot recommend Melissa enough! I appreciate that she only takes on one client a month so her focus is truly on your birth and you know she will be there. She helped me make my birth plan and it was comprehensive and visually appealing and easy to read. When my water broke our doctors hotline was down and she's the reason I didn't freak out. She was on time and easy to reach and stayed with me at the hospital through birth and until we were settled in recovery. I wanted a natural unmedicated birth and tried to opt out of that half way and she and my husband made sure I stayed the course which I was really grateful for afterwards. She had tons of techniques to use during labor and was a true advocate for me. I can't imagine my birth experience going as well as it did without her. If you read this far, hire her! You won't regret it!

Hope

8/22/2024

As we approached the birth of our first child, my husband and I had a lot of questions and felt we wanted additional hands on support in this process.

Having Melissa support my husband and I through labor and delivery, and now postpartum, has been such a blessing. She was very involved and supportive leading up to our induction, and then was a game changer during the actual labor and delivery. Nurses are in and out of the room, so there's a lot of down time where you're experiencing these big emotional and physical changes, and to have her right there through it all was incredible. I felt so at peace during the process and she even helped to set up the hospital room with pictures I printed and lights to make it a beautiful environment to deliver in.
Even during delivery when there is a lot happening, she was right there offering me water between pushing, counting, helping me position my body, etc! 

Her care didn't stop after birth- she continued on connecting with us and helped us to recap our birth experiences in addition to supporting with my postpartum preeclampsia.  Melissa just checking in and praying for us along the way, has been such a gift.

Kaitlyn W

6/18/2024

I cannot recommend Melissa enough. She helped make my first birth experience one I will remember and cherish - even though it was the hardest thing I have ever done! Because of her help, I have sweet memories from labor and delivery I would not otherwise have. I honestly would not have been able to complete my preference of a natural child birth without her. My husband and I stated after the fact, without Melissa, our experience would have been a disaster. Because of Melissa's coaching, we now have irreplaceable memories of leaning on one another and working together to bring our first child into the world. For clarity, we chose Melissa's "Birth Doula" package. She met with us twice before delivery to think through birth preferences, develop a birth plan, learn coping movements/exercises, and discuss post-partum care. She helped me advocate for my preferences while working with a traditional medical team (we did a natural childbirth in the hospital). My medical team thought she was amazing. She was a calm, knowledgeable presence throughout the birthing process. When my contractions stalled, she coached through different exercises to help them pick back up. She helped me stay focused to the end, even in the flurry right before the baby comes.
Another point I think worth mentioning is Melissa's kindness and compassion. I did not feel like just a client or job. Prior to my delivery window, Melissa would check in on me and ecnourage me.  She did the same post-delivery. Her kindness and care brought immense comfort to me prior to but especially during labor and delivery. In the end, I would recommend Melissa every time someone wanted a doula. If my husband and I do get pregnant again, without hesitation, I would hire Melissa again. She truly made the birthing experience one of the most incredible moment(s) of my life in the best way. I can't write all the wonderful things I think, but hope this highlighted a few of the high points. 

Justin Woodard

6/5/2024

Melissa did an amazing job as our doula! From her extensive experience, she is incredibly knowledgeable about the birthing process and how to cope with labor and delivery and all that leads up to that point.

I cannot imagine having been alone with my wife in the hospital without another voice in the room to suggest techniques for dealing with the inevitable discomfort of bringing life into the world. In addition to being knowledgeable, Melissa is empathic, generous, kind, thoughtful, and generally a delight to have as an acquaintance. I highly recommend Melissa as doula.

Abbey

4/30/2024

I am so thankful for Melissa's role in the birth of our little one!

We had to transfer from our planned birth center delivery to the hospital due to premature rupture of membranes. Melissa offered sweet encouragement and helpful tips as my husband and I checked into the hospital in very early labor.

She joined us right as I started pitocin, and the energy of the room immediately changed. I went from passively experiencing contractions to actively moving and working through them with Melissa's guidance.

She showed my husband how to offer comfort measures like massage and focused pressure. Her steady presence and calm demeanor helped ground us as we decided to pivot from the plan and receive an epidural.

During pushing, she quietly encouraged my husband to be actively involved, and I am so grateful for the memories of him being a cheerleader for me during 3+ hours of pushing. I loved working with Melissa and would highly recommend her as a doula!