Carmella

4/2/2024

Vanessa was a fantastic guide throughout our pregnancy journey, culminating in the birth of our baby boy. It was truly a gift to have Vanessa's gentle spirit along with us for the ride. She was helpful, knowledgeable, kind, and intuitive, knowing when to give us space and when to lend more pointed support. She created a wonderful, cozy atmosphere in our birthing room, which was very much appreciated. It was an amazing experience to have her strong support and sweet company throughout this journey. Thank you Vanessa!

Paola

4/1/2024

I can only say amazing things about having Vane as my yoga teacher and doula. My pregnancy and postpartum journey couldn’t have been better, thanks to her. Through her prenatal yoga, Vane directly and indirectly ensured that my body and mind were 100% prepared for a natural, vaginal, drug-free birth at a South Florida hospital. She was with me throughout the entire labor process, which helped me stay firm in my original birth plan, a dream I was determined to realize. Following her guidance, support, and love, I was able to adhere to my original birth plan, despite doctors wanting to administer an epidural and Pitocin from the first hour I arrived at the hospital.

I continued to practice with her for postpartum yoga, surrounded by an amazing community of fellow new moms and their babies.

Sarah Swandell

4/1/2024

At 4 a.m. we called Vanessa to come to the dark hotel room where I'd been laboring. She arrived to find me throwing up into a trash can--naked except for an adult diaper--but her gentle presence never flinched. She has a grounded, non-defensive demeanor, and the respect I felt for her in our prenatal meetings was just as present during the birth. For the big moment, Vanessa took pictures, and they remain some of my most prized possessions--perhaps second only to the baby itself! I'm so thankful she had the foresight to snap picture after picture. (At the time, my only request was that I get a photo of the placenta. Ha!) During recovery, Vanessa got to step out of the room to inform my parents, "It's a girl." I love imagining that moment, and I'm glad she got to deliver the good news. In the ensuing hours, she continued with her steady spirit--a non-obtrusive, non-anxious, peaceful presence. My only regret is that I might have broken her hand when I squeezed it during the pushing. Thank you, Vanessa, for the unending gift you gave our family. We're so glad we didn't have to do this without you.

Margaret Wardlaw

3/6/2024

What can one hope for in a doula? Love, support, listening, guidance, understanding, compassion, patience, leadership, experience, mindfulness to pause and listen, forward thinking in certain situations. All of these attributes and more are packaged into one tiny amazing doula named Vanessa Michel! I have worked with Vanessa on multiple occasions for birth, pregnancy, postpartum, client education and I highly recommend her services. One should also consider joining her yoga classes which are a perfect mix of movement, stretching, toning and visualizing with a generous helping of finding self love at a time of transition.