Testimonial for Melinda Ferguson

Melinda calls herself the Calm & Confident Doula, and I cannot think of a more apt description. We first hired Melinda for the birth of our daughter four years ago. She recently attended our second birth. (Melinda was scheduled to be out of town during my due date. She agreed to be our doula, and helped us find a back-up doula that also suited us. Luckily, baby #2 came early, so Melinda was able to be there!) We were so happy with the service she provided to us. We originally sought a doula for two reasons. First, my husband has a tendency to faint with medical stuff. Second, we felt like there was a lot of pressure on him to know what to do (as far as remembering breathing techniques, positions, coping strategies) during labor. Having a doula to help guide both of us through the birthing process was the right decision for us, and Melinda was the perfect match. She is so kind and caring, and I always felt like we were her sole focus. She came to our house in the middle of the night without hesitation to assist in the early labor, and she served as a very strong advocate for our needs in the hospital. Specifically, during labor with our first baby, she convinced our midwife to allow me to continue laboring in the tub, and helped me advocate to not have my water broken when not medically necessary. Melinda worked well with our midwives (Swedish Ballard group) and the nurses. During labor, she instilled a lot of confidence in me, that things were progressing as they should, and that I was doing the right things. Melinda offered me a lot of suggestions, but I never felt like I had to take them. She redirected me well when labor was getting intense. Melinda is clearly very knowledgable, and refers to other births in a helpful way. She was such a soothing presence during labor. She also made sure we ate soon after each birth, which was hugely important (especially when the kitchen was about to close). She truly brings calm and confidence to a birth.

-Claire Crouch

October 14, 2012