After interviewing about 5 doulas, we decided to hire Melinda. We were so happy with the decision and the outcome of our birth. She was the steadfast presence with valuable experience that my husband and I were looking for in a doula. She attended the birth of our second child, which was an unmedicated VBAC at Swedish Medical Center, attended by an OB.
She came to our home during labor and helped assess when to go to the hospital and helped keep us calm and relaxed. Although this was our second child, our first was delivered via scheduled c-section due to breech presentation, without going into labor, so this was all new territory for us. As labor progressed at the hospital, her calm face and gentle guidance was what kept me steady and focused and was key to me achieving the birth I desired. She reminded us, at just the right times, about communicating our wishes with the hospital staff and also what was normal during the course of labor and delivery.
I would highly recommend Melinda as a birth doula - she was exactly what we were looking for!
-Rebekah Gruenig
May 14, 2010
Calm and Confident Doula Care, LLC
Birth Fee: $2400 to $2800