Testimonial for Melissa Johnson VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON SUPPORT from Haley Bethune

Testimonial for Melissa Johnson VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON SUPPORT

Melissa has been our doula and photographer for the birth of both our daughter and son. Both of our births were phenomenal, beautiful experiences, and she has been a huge part of our story. Melissa has deep knowledge and experience with birth, and was a supportive presence from the moment we met her. She was key in helping me process what was important to me in my births, in helping me navigate early labor at home and figure out when to go in to the hospital, in providing comfort measures that allowed me to labor without medication, in supporting my husband and empowering him to be my key support and advocate. And most importantly to me, she was a phenomenal encouragement to me - her words of affirmation and encouragement are some of the key things I remember from my labor, and helped me feel powerful, informed and capable. She worked seamlessly with our midwife, and made labor easier, more enjoyable, and even fun. She has an awesome sense of humor and helped me laugh and find the joy even in intense moments.

One of the greatest gifts that Melissa gave us has been talent and gift for capturing our story through her photography. I didn't realize how important the photos of the birth would be until after the birth of our daughter - seeing the images and videos of the labor and moments that Melissa captured after the birth are truly some of my most prized posessions now. It was so nice to be able to do maternity and newborn photos with someone we knew so well and our entire family is so comfortable around.

It is clear that this is not just Melissa's job, but her passion and calling. We will forever be thankful to Melissa for the incredible support she has given us through the birth of our family. My hope is that every couple preparing for the birth of a child would have the same kind of loving, empowering support that Melissa provided us.

-Haley Bethune

May 05, 2019