Testimonial for Melissa F. Haley (they/she)
I actually put off writing review because I honestly cannot think of the right words to encompass how much we appreciated Melissa as our doula. With this being my first pregnancy, I had no experience with doulas, and didn't know what to expect. But Melissa blew any expectations I had out of the water. The most important thing was that we both feel a click. From the moment we met her we both felt that click because of how down to earth Melissa is. She has a way of making you feel like you've known her forever.
Melissa always responded to my concerns, and checked in with me after appointments. There was never a doubt in my mind that she was thinking of me and baby. To Melissa, you can tell this isn't a job, it's a calling, and how cared about I felt illustrates that.
At 34wks my baby was breech. Through my frantic texts, Melissa calmed me down and sent me exercises to flip baby (who turned!) She was there for me in ways I never imagined a doula would be.
I had a planned home birth. There came a point where I knew I needed Melissa to support me as I started to enter a more intense part of labor. When she arrived I instantly felt a sense of relief. She massaged my back with a roller ball, helped me into positions, and gave me her signature "labor-ade". When she wasn't by my side, she was tending to things so that my husband could be. She took care of our dog, cleaned up our kitchen, and made sure the midwives arrived without complication.
During my LONG labor, Melissa was my constant. I could count on her smiling face to look up at, cheering me on. She is a huge part of what gave me the strength and confidence to get through labor. When everyone else was tired, I felt like I still had her to encourage me. I'll never forget the moment my son was born, she exclaimed, "you are such a badass!!" She then stayed to make sure things were alright. Even after staying up for the entire labor, she didn't rush off. Melissa is a GEM!
-Dan + April Lee
November 08, 2022
Melissa F. Haley (they/she)
M.Ed., CD, CBE @wyld_garden
Birth Fee: $1450 to $2200
Postpartum Rate: $40
