Testimonial for Melanie Russell
We interviewed about seven doulas at a "Meet the Doulas" event. After all the interviews, I searched doula match, read each doula's individual websites and still kept putting off a decision (and I'm a planner). When we finally did make a decision, the doula we selected was no longer available. Sometimes things just work out that way...and sometimes it's a blessing.
When I met Melanie, I immediately trusted her - I felt loved, comforted and assured that she could help my husband and I through this journey. Did it matter that she would be on vacation during my due date?!? It didn't. I trusted her and her judgement that much that she would assure my husband and I would have an experienced doula by our side.
Our two prenatal visits were wonderful! We learned so much just by talking in the comfort of our own home - about the stages of labor, what to expect but also about ourselves and how I wanted to be supported. Melanie checked in often through calls, emails and texts genuinely wanting to know how I felt and how things were progressing.
My labor didn't go according to plan (albeit most don't) but my baby arrived safely with few medical interventions 29 hours after being admitted to the hospital from my doctor's office. I felt knowledgable, comfortable and confident in the decisions we made throughout the process. That made becoming a first time mom easy (an odd word to choose when talking about labor but truly I could focus on my baby and not second guess anything once she arrived). The postpartum visit felt like a reunion. While only three days had passed, we had changed so much. Melanie helped me with breastfeeding (specifically finding a position that worked best for me and baby) and answered any and all questions we had.
Needless to say, if I find myself in need of another doula I won't need any interviews - we're hiring Melanie.
-Meredyth Jenkins
December 01, 2014
Melanie Russell
A Brighter Birth
Birth Fee: $1800
