Testimonial for Melanie Russell
It's difficult to put my admiration and appreciation for Melanie into words. Leading up to our delivery, Melanie was always available to talk through my worries and assure me that everything was going to be OK. And throughout our one on one classes I became as comfortable with her as if she was an old friend.
I ended up having a pretty long labor but it never felt like time was moving slowly. Melanie kept me occupied by changing positions often and she knew all these ways to move the contractions away from my back. She also worked so well with the nurse and gave my husband plenty of ways to be involved - it felt like everyone surrounding me was this amazing dream team and I felt so supported.
I'm convinced I would have ended up in a C section (which I was trying my best to avoid) without Melanie. For so many reasons! Leading up to my 42 week induction date, Melanie gave me natural methods to try to kick start labor, and this eventually worked just hours before my induction. And then there is absolutely no way I could have managed the contractions as long as I did without her and would have gotten an epidural within a couple hours, which probably would have slowed my already very slow labor past the doctor's comfort level. Then after getting an epidural at 7-8 cm, Melanie pushed me to let it wear off while I pushed so I could be more effective. I would not have had the strength to do this on my own.
Melanie pushed me to do more than I thought I could do, and she did so in a calm, confident manner. Always encouraging me that things were progressing and showing me that she believed in me. My husband and I trusted her completely and we both couldn't imagine going through labor without her.
-Kate Ignatowski
December 08, 2015
Melanie Russell
A Brighter Birth
Birth Fee: $2000
