Testimonial for Melissa Espey-Mueller
I was referred to Melissa by one of my best friends, who claimed that Melissa was in large part responsible for the successful drug-free delivery of her ten-pound baby girl. When my husband and I met with her, I knew that I wanted her as part of my birth team. The most memorable part of that interview was her explanation of how she would be working with my husband and me together...not replacing him in his support role, which was very important to us both (and to her too, as we learned). Out of respect for my doctor that I completely trusted and deemed captain of the birth team, I ran the idea past him. He knew Melissa well and was very supportive of the idea. At the beginning of the process, I was nervous of what I'd do if I received conflicting advice from my doctor and doula. From day one, Melissa positioned herself as my educator and advocate. She never took a defensive or judgemental position against the doctor or medical teams. She pulled from her experience as an OB nurse and as a labor and delivery nurse to explain why the doctors advise what they do. As appropriate, she would offer different perspectives...not to affect my decisions, but to educate me on my options. A few times during my pregnancy, I reached out to her for advice or suggestions. Leading up to delivery, at our in-home visit, she made my husband and I (and our puppies) feel very prepared and supported. Honestly, by the last month, I was more nervous about breastfeeding than I was labor. I had complete confidence that my birth team (husband, doctor, doula) was going to get me through it...and I was right! Regardless of what you envision for your birth plan...and regardless of the support team you already have in place...I can assure you that Melissa will bring an invaluable perspective, well-educated advice and God-given talent to your experience.
-Melissa Pickett Gouge
October 27, 2014
Melissa Espey-Mueller
VOTED BEST DOULA IN DALLAS
Birth Fee: Not specified
