Testimonial for Melissa F. Haley (they/them)
Mel was my doula for our little one's planned home birth this April and it was an extremely positive experience. As a trans person and as a neurodivergent person, I had several overlapping concerns about giving birth in a hospital environment, so we'd originally decided to use a birth center for our care. Unfortunately, we risked out of the strict requirements for birth center care, and Mel was such a great resource and support during that time while we researched for and found our home birth midwife.
In our preparatory visits, Mel was thorough with asking about my comfort levels for various ways to assist during labor, which helped mitigate some of the gender dysphoria I was experiencing as a pregnant trans person and eased a lot of my sensory concerns related to labor and birth. My husband and I also took Mel's birthing class while preparing for labor, which I highly recommend!
I had prodromal labor for over a week before our baby arrived and Mel was incredibly responsive and supportive while I was dealing with those contractions. During my official labor, they were very interactive and super prepared with creative support ideas to help me birth my baby. It was amazing to have their intentional support tailored to my unique birthing situation. My baby was born safe and healthy at home, and the whole process was much more peaceful and joyful than I could have imagined birth to be. I attribute my positive birth experience to my entire amazing birth team, including Mel.
-Mick A.
September 01, 2025
Melissa F. Haley (they/them)
M.Ed., CD, CBE @wyld_garden
Birth Fee: $1900 to $2300
Postpartum Rate: $45
