From the first interview we had with her to the postpartum visit she provided us after our baby was born, Mel's professionalism, confidence, and depth of experience were on display. We selected Mel after interviewing her because we perceived her to have a warm yet deliberate nature - one that would both comfort and guide us during the main event - and this completely came to fruition. Her values in affirning all birth experiences were also really important to us. During our pregnancy, she shared and discussed resources with us that prepared our minds and hearts for the birth experience. Our birth experience at Swedish First Hill was extremely positive, and Mel was a major part of making that the reality. Here are a few reasons why: Mel validated our concerns as they arose throughout the active labor stage. She made absolutely certain that we knew what our options were and that we felt empowered to make informed decisions, drawing on some of the resources we had discussed long before this moment. She stepped in seamlessly to assist with my pain management with contractions. Her intimate knowledge of the labor and delivery floor meant that she could easily track down more pain management props, fill my ice water, get us snacks, find the midwife or nurse, etc. The hospital team and her worked together with obvious respect. She was warm and easy to talk to during the less intense moments of labor. And perhaps my favorite piece of all: she had the impulse to take photos of us right as our baby entered this world, providing us with some of our most cherished snapshots of the whole process. Mel stayed in touch with us after we brought our baby home, and came over to provide some insights about sleeping and swaddling a week or so after we had begun to settle in. Without a doubt, having Mel with us through this process is one of the best decisions we made and I would recommend working with her to anyone planning to give birth.
-Katie Mraz
December 29, 2022
Little Mitzvah Doula Care
Birth Fee: $1600 to $1800
Postpartum Rate: $50 to $60