Testimonial for Melissa F. Haley (they/she)
Many things shared with Melissa during my labor and birth expeirence will stay with me but one that I will never forget is at hour 26 of labor. I'd yet to get an epidural and we were both sure I was hitting transition. I couldn't catch my breath because of the intensity of the contractions and fear started to creep into my exhausted mind. Melissa locked eyes with me and told me to breath in such a way that she had my full attention. I didn't see the room, or hear the people moving about, or feel my husbands hands on my shoulders. She locked eyes with me and we breathed together through each contraction. In that moment I was still again, albiet in pain, but still. We breathed together for the next hour. I was sitting on the edge of the bed and she was sitting on the floor doing counter pressure to my feet and we breathed. That was the saving grace moment in the final stretches of the journey to meet my baby.
All the prep before labor (I was induced at 41wks), the promptness of her arrivel to the hosptial at 230am, the lavendar oils she set about the room to get rid of my vomit smell, her helpful hand as we walked around the room, her strong counter pressure moves to my hips, back and feet all helped so much. But that hour of breathing together will stay with me forever. In total my labor was 31hrs, I requested an epidural at hour 27, slept for the following 3hours, then woke and pushed for 10minutes and got to meet my baby.
I know that hiring Melissa to be with my husband and I during our journey to meet our daughter was the correct decision. I know her knowledge and skill helped me acheive my birthing goals. I know her backpack of "all the things" helped me during my 31hrs of labor. She nourished me with labor-aid, rubbed my sore back, kept me hydrated, kept me moving, helped me into positions to help my baby drop and engage, and gave my hubby all the support he needed as well. Thank you Melissa, so much.
-Natasha
November 30, 2021
Melissa F. Haley (they/she)
M.Ed., CD, CBE @wyld_garden
Birth Fee: $1600 to $2250
Postpartum Rate: $45
