Testimonial for Marissa Hathaway, MPH, CD(DONA), CBE
I will be honest starting out I wasn't sure if I needed a doula.
It was my husband who felt like we'd benefit. His enthusiasm for a doula pushed me to search for one. I can say now, I am so glad that I got a doula to guide my birth experience, and that our doula was Marissa.
It was really important to me to find someone who had a great sense of humor *AND* knew when to ground and focus. Marissa balances these qualities, plus, leverages her public health background and clinical awareness that works well with medical providers.
My birth story was unexpectedly complicated by pre-eclampsia, an induction, and an emergency c-section for failure to progress. I did not expect or imagine these things coming up, but things happen. I wasn't prepared, and Marissa was there to help us quickly adjust expectations and work through emotional and physical aspects of the situations we were in. She helped us advocate and stayed with us through to the very end. Our labor was 3 days, and she texted regularly until her arrival and after she left. I never felt alone. I hope you will never need the full extent of skill and calming presence Marissa offers, but, should things not go as expected, know you have someone with the exact bed side manner and grace needed to feel empowered in your birth experience. Four months out, I understand how her work set the stage for a more positive recovery after our son was born.
I'll add Marissa is great at offering prenatal and postpartum support by zoom or in her welcoming office. She is also an amazing photographer! We added newborn photos last minute and she was so accomodating. We were already comfortable with her, making the in-home shoot a breeze. I must be hitting some sort of word count limit by now, so I'll end here: Marissa would be a great addition to any family's birth experience!
-Melissa L
December 05, 2023
Marissa Hathaway, MPH, CD(DONA), CBE
The Lemon Grove, LLC.
Birth Fee: $1900 to $2100
Postpartum Rate: $50 to $60
