Testimonial for Melissa Makeiff
It has taken me some time to find the words to express our gratitude and love for Melissa. We were lucky to begin working with each other early into my pregnancy and I would encourage anyone reading this, considering working with a Doula, to embark on this as soon as you can. Melissa and I formed such a special bond over the (many) months of working together and by the end, she came to feel like a true friend to me. From the beginning, her ability to listen and hold space for all that I had to process was remarkable - a testament to her kind and loving soul. We connected over our shared appreciation and respect for spirituality and the power of it when applied to pregnancy and the birthing process. Melissa took time to understand me and my hopes and dreams for my birth, and she acted as a loyal partner in helping me achieve them. She gave my husband the same space and time to process his thoughts and together, we created a safe container for all that was to unfold. It's hard to not get emotional when thinking about our birthing experience - we have a healthy, beautiful baby boy which of course is the most precious gift of all, but his birth was not what I had hoped for and left me with some deep wounds to heal, phsyical, mental and emotional. Melissa was there to witness and hold space for me in the early postpartum days and helped me with some much needed processing. She reminded me of the many beautiful parts of the experience - memories erased by the traumatic ending. The birthing process is such a powerful event and nothing can possibly prepare you for it. It is a lived experience, impossible to describe with words or understand beforehand. Working with a Doula is the most valuable investment you can make and I truly can't think of anyone else I would work with. If I am lucky enough to get a second time, Melissa will be the first person I call.
-Ginny Bourne
January 19, 2025
Melissa Makeiff
Continuum Birth Collective
Birth Fee: $1575 to $1975
Postpartum Rate: $35 to $45
